Chinese automaker Geely — owner of Volvo and Lotus — has officially acquired a 26.4% stake in Renault do Brasil, marking a major milestone in the South American automotive landscape. According to Reuters, this strategic move establishes a strong industrial and commercial partnership between the two companies, focused on the production of electric and hybrid vehicles in Brazil.

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⚙️ A New Joint Manufacturing Base in Paraná

The deal transforms Renault’s factory in São José dos Pinhais (Paraná) into a joint production hub, revitalizing operations that had been running at half capacity. Under the agreement:

Aspect	Details
Ownership	Geely acquires 26.4% of Renault do Brasil
Main Location	São José dos Pinhais, Paraná
Production Start	2026 (estimated)
Initial Models	EX5 Electric SUV and EX2 Hatchback
Production Platform	GEA (Geely’s Electric Architecture)
Sales Channel	Renault’s dealership network in Brazil
Market Focus	Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

Through this partnership, Geely will manufacture vehicles using its GEA platform, already known for its efficiency in electric and hybrid models. Meanwhile, Renault retains operational control, gaining access to Geely’s advanced technologies in electrification and hybrid systems.

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🌍 A Game-Changing Partnership for Brazil’s Auto Market

This collaboration officially signals Geely’s full entry into Brazil, integrating the nation into the company’s global electrification strategy. For Geely, the move provides a shortcut to local production scale, helping reduce logistics and manufacturing costs, while ensuring compliance with South American market demands.

For Renault, it’s an opportunity to strengthen its industrial presence, expand its electrified lineup, and leverage Geely’s expertise in batteries and hybrid engines.

“This cooperation increases competitiveness, innovation, and responsiveness in a rapidly changing market,” said François Provost, CEO of Renault Group.

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💡 A “Win-Win” Strategy for Both Brands

Eric Li, Chairman of Geely Holding Group, described the alliance as a “win-win scenario”, emphasizing the synergy in technology, engineering, and distribution between both automakers.

The collaboration in Brazil builds upon their existing global partnerships:

• 🇰🇷 South Korea: Joint production of the Grand Koleos Hybrid SUV on the CMA platform (shared with the Volvo XC40).
• 🌍 Horse Powertrain Limited: A joint venture focused on hybrid and high-efficiency combustion engines, aiming to accelerate large-scale electrification efforts.

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📈 Geely’s Global Growth and Strategic Vision

In China, Geely’s sales surged 35% in October, and the company projects 2.47 million vehicle sales in 2025, with one-third of them being electrified.

By partnering with Renault in Brazil, Geely establishes the country as a strategic manufacturing and distribution hub for its South American expansion. This move positions Brazil at the center of a regional transition toward cleaner, more efficient mobility.

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🔋 Why This Matters

Stakeholder	Benefit
Geely	Gains production capacity, reduces costs, and expands in Latin America
Renault	Access to cutting-edge hybrid and EV tech, increased portfolio diversity
Brazil	Job creation, industrial modernization, and stronger EV infrastructure
Consumers	Wider choice of affordable hybrid and electric cars by 2026

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💬 Final Outlook

The Geely-Renault partnership is not just a financial transaction — it’s a strategic alliance redefining the electric vehicle ecosystem in South America. By combining Geely’s technological innovation with Renault’s local infrastructure, both companies are paving the way for a more sustainable, competitive, and electrified automotive future in Brazil.