Renault Samsung Motors launched “SM3 Z.E.” in Seoul

Seoul (South Korea) – November 1st, 2013. Gilles Normand, Senior VP, Chairman of Asia-Pacific Region and François Provost, launched in Seoul the “SM3 Z.E.”, Renault Samsung Motors’ first electric vehicle on the Korean market. On this occasion, Carlos Ghosn came back on the successful implementation of the last two years’ “Revival Plan” in a video message. On November 4th, Carlos Ghosn hosted in the Z.E. Center Geun-hye Park, the president of the republic of South Korea, in presence of Fleur Pellerin, French Minister Delegate.

SM3 Z.E.: RSM’s first electric vehicle launched in South Korea



The SM3 Z.E, equivalent of the Fluence Z.E., is produced at the Busan plant. With an average autonomy of 135 kilometers, this vehicle, available from 19 million wons (about 13.150 euros), will benefit from subsidies from the Korean Ministry of Environment and the local government.

After the press conference, the first corporate customer, LG Chem Ltd, represented by its Vice-President Mr Bahn-Suk Kim, received an SM3 Z.E.

On that occasion, Carlos Ghosn shared a video message about the launch of Renault Samsung Motors’ first electric vehicle on the Korean market.




I’m confident in the Zero Emission market potential in this country. RSM invested in the development and production of electric vehicles in its Busan plant. Our aim is to be the number one EV carmaker in Korea and to contribute to Korea’s “green growth”, said Carlos Ghosn.

Carlos Ghosn also congratulated the Korean teams for their successful implementation of the Revival Plan for the past two years. He particularly highlighted some challenges met by RSM teams:
- To improve product attractiveness: with a successful product plan renewal, in design with the “Design of the Year” award for SM3 early this year, and innovative technologies.
- To reinforce plant competitiveness by implementing best practices of other Alliance plants.
- To deeply localize our supplies with a stronger utilization of Korean suppliers
- To restore RSM financial situation



Korean delegation visited the Z.E. Centre

On November 4th, Carlos Ghosn hosted the President of the Republic of South Korea, Geun-hye Park, in the Z.E. Centre in Boulogne-Billancourt. She was accompanied by Fleur Pellerin, French Delegate Minister, and a Korean delegation of ministers, industrialists and journalists.


Lors de la visite, Carlos Ghosn a remercié le gouvernement coréen pour son soutien dans le développement du véhicule électrique sur ce marché :




During the visit, Carlos Ghosn thanked the Korean government for its support in the development of electric vehicles in the country:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Madam President, and your government, for the valuable support provided for the development of electric vehicles. If this type of market now exists in Korea, it is first and foremost because Korean consumers are naturally attracted to this type of technology. But that would not have been enough without your active support in creating the necessary network of infrastructure, and without your subsidy policy.

President Park showed great interest in electric vehicle range on display at the Z.E. Centre.




FOCUS ON THE RSM’S BUSAN PLANT

Early in October Renault Samsung Motors (RSM) passed the symbolic barrier of two million vehicles produced, five years after reaching the million mark in September 2008 and 13 years after the company was launched in September 2000.
Background: In 1994 Nissan and Samsung signed an agreement covering the transfer of manufacturing technology and production of a top-of-the-range vehicle. This resulted in the establishment of Samsung Motors Inc. in 1995 and the building of the Busan plant in accordance with Nissan’s technological standards. Production of the SM5 was launched in 1998. Renault Samsung Motors (RSM) was started in 2000.