Renault S.A. (French pronunciation: [ʁəno], re-noh) is a French multinational vehicle manufacturer established in 1899. The company produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past, trucks, tractors, tanks, buses/coaches and autorail vehicles. In 2011, Renault was the third biggest European automaker by production behind Volkswagen Group and PSA and the eleventh biggest automaker in the world by production in 2012.[5]
Headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, Renault owns a 43.4% stake in Nissan of Japan, a 99.43% stake in Dacia of Romania, a 80.1% stake in Renault Samsung of South Korea, a 25% stake in AutoVAZ of Russia and a 1.55% stake in Daimler AG of Germany. Renault also owns subsidiaries RCI Banque (providing automotive financing), Renault Retail Group (automotive distribution) and Motrio (automotive parts). Renault Trucks, previously Renault Véhicules Industriels, has been part of Volvo Trucks since 2001. Renault Agriculture became 100% owned by German agricultural equipment manufacturer CLAAS in 2008. Renault has a joint venture in Turkey called Oyak-Renault and one in Iran called Renault Pars.Carlos Ghosn is the current chairman and CEO and the French government owns a 15 percent share of Renault.[6]
As part of the Renault–Nissan Alliance, the company is the fourth-largest automotive group.[7] Together Renault and Nissan are undertaking significant electric car development, investing €4 billion (US$5.16 billion) in eight electric vehicles over three to four years from 2011.[6]
The company's core market is Europe.[8] The company is known for its role in motor sport, and its success over the years in rallying and Formula 1.
