Renault invests 500m euros in design centre

Renault will start construction of a design and development centre in September that is set to turn out new models of cars, specifically for emerging markets. Investment in the new centre is estimated at some 500 million euros, stated the vice-chairman of Automobile Dacia, Constantin Stroe. The company official did not wish to specify where the centre, which is to be spread over a 500 hectare-surface, would be located. According to sources contacted by MEDIAFAX, the centre will be developed in the Titu – Gaesti area, Dambovita county. “Renault approved the investment plan in Renault Technologie Romania, which will be coordinated by Technocentre Paris, but will function as a legal entity completely separate from Automobile Dacia, with its own management. Work starts this month, along with personnel recruitment, so that at the end of 2008, when it is to be opened, the centre will be fully operational,” said Stroe. He also added that Romania is where the new generations of models, to be produced by the Renault group in its plants in Romania, Slovenia, Turcia, Russia, Iran and India, will be developed.