Released on July 15, 2011

Renault, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, announced it will invest about $120.5 million in its Fonderie de Bretagne, Caudan, France, to make the facility more competitive and ensure its longevity.

According to a press release issued by the company, Renault has put about $55 million in the facility in the last three years and will make the additional $120.5 million investment over the next six years. The company said more than 400 jobs will be retained due to the investments.

Renault said the money will be used to install a new production line with a capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year to replace an existing line that currently accounts for 70% of its business. The new line also will give the company the ability to produce ductile iron castings, including chassis parts (stub axles and arms) and powertrain parts (crankshafts and differential casings).

“This investment project confirms Renault’s industrial anchor in France, consistent with [our]…industrial strategy,” said Gérard Leclercq, the company’s executive vice president of manufacturing and supply chain.

Renault said investments also will be made in improving safety and working conditions (roofs, heating, extraction and gantries), quality (test systems) and environmental preservation (soil, air and water protection). The company plans to begin a study phase for the new projects in 2012, followed by substantial investment in 2013 and startup of the new line in 2014. It expects the line to be up to full capacity by 2015.