Electric mobility that is economically accessible and capable of competing with the large Chinese manufacturers: the European automotive sector reformulates its expectations for the future and outlines new objectives, pushing forward the transition towards electric. This is what emerged from the strategic plan presented this morning by Renault and from the annual meeting with Volkswagen shareholders and investors.
Renault moves forward with conviction with the electric car
The Renault Group, which in addition to the Renault brand also includes Dacia and Alpine, presented this morning the new futuREady strategic plan, with which it aims to maintain its growth momentum and become the reference car manufacturer in Europe. The Group will launch 36 new models between now and 2030, accelerating electrification and its international range. In particular, it will launch 22 new models in Europe, of which 16 are electric, and 14 models on international markets.
In the medium term, the Group aims to achieve an operating margin of between 5% and 7% of turnover and an Automotive free cash flow greater than or equal to 1.5 billion euros per year on average.
As for the Renault brand (the group also controls Dacia and Alpine), the goal is to sell more than 2 million vehicles a year by 2030, an increase of 23% compared to the 1.63 million cars sold in 2025. Half of these vehicles will be sold outside Europe, compared to 38% last year. Electrified sales will be 100% in Europe and 50% outside Europe.
Among the group’s other objectives is to increase productivity and reduce the network’s break-even point by at least 20%. Furthermore, it intends to produce over 300,000 vehicles per year for other manufacturers (Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, Volvo Group (Renault Trucks), Geely and Ford) by 2030.
Volkswagen focuses on “accessible” electric cars
The Volkswagen Group, which met investors, analysts and shareholders this morning to illustrate the 2025 accounts and the prospects for 2026, has formulated an estimate of a change in turnover between 0 and +3% this year, on the assumption that the current customs tariffs remain in force. The Group’s operating return on sales (ROS) is expected to be between 4% and 5.5% from 2.8% in 2025.
In the Automotive Division, the Group expects an investment rate of between 11 and 12 percent in 2026. Net cash flow is expected to be between 3 and 6 billion euros. Net liquidity in the Automotive Division is expected to be between 32 and 34 billion euros in 2026.
CEO Oliver Blume announced that “after three intense years of realignment” the fruits are being reaped and the Group can now “enter the next phase of transformation”. “In 2026, we will launch affordable electric mobility with premium technology,” he explained. “In the Chinese market, we will launch the largest product campaign in our history. And we will set key milestones for batteries, software and autonomous driving on our path to becoming the global leader in automotive technology.” Another announcement is the cut of 50 thousand jobs by 2030.
The Volkswagen Group recorded 321.9 billion euros in turnover in 2025, in line with the previous year (324.7 billion euros), while the operating result stood at 8.9 billion euros, 53% less than in 2024 (19.1 billion euros) with an operating margin of 2.8%. The decline in operating profit was attributable to US tariffs, expenses related to the adjustment of Porsche’s product strategy, currency effects and price/mix effects. The Group finished the year with 9 million vehicles sold, with significant increases in Europe (+5%) and South America (+10%) which were offset by expected declines due to difficult market conditions in North America (-12%) and China (-6%).
