Dongfeng Renault

Dongfeng Renault Automobile Company

Company type	Joint venture
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Sanjiang Renault
Founded	2013
Founder	Dongfeng Motor Group, Renault
Defunct	2020
Fate	Renault withdrew; renamed as Dongfeng Motor (Wuhan) Co., Ltd.
Headquarters	Wuhan , China
Area served	China
Products	Automobiles (SUVs, commercial vehicles)
Owner	Dongfeng Motor Group, Renault (50-50 joint venture until 2020)
Parent	Dongfeng Motor Group, Renault (until 2020)

Dongfeng Renault Automobile Company (DRAC) was a joint venture equally owned by Dongfeng Motor Group and Renault, created in 2013 to manufacture and market Renault-branded automobiles within China. This entity originated from Sanjiang Renault, an earlier collaboration launched in 1993 between Renault and Sanjiang Space. In April 2020, Renault declared its intention to withdraw from this partnership.

Sanjiang Renault Era

On November 6, 1993, Renault entered into a joint venture agreement with China Aerospace Sanjiang Group, resulting in the formation of Sanjiang Renault Automobile Co., Ltd. located in Xiaogan City, Hubei Province. Ownership was divided with Sanjiang holding 55% and Renault 45%. The company introduced the Renault Trafic light passenger vehicle in 1995 and assembled limited numbers of the Renault Espace through CKD (Complete Knock Down) kits. Nevertheless, a low degree of local content led to elevated costs and unsatisfactory sales figures. By 2003, total production reached only 4,906 units, and some reports suggest operations ceased by 2004.

In August 2000, Aerospace Sanjiang discontinued light vehicle manufacturing and withdrew from the joint venture. An intended transfer of its shares to Aerospace Brilliance—a joint venture between Brilliance Auto and CASIC—was delayed due to disputes over Brilliance Auto’s ownership structure and issues related to nationalization. Later attempts to revive the collaboration involved Xiang Torch (later known as Weichai Torch), which acquired shares aiming to partner with Renault on passenger car production. However, disagreements concerning production qualifications and model launches caused the reorganization efforts of Sanjiang Renault to be suspended.

Dongfeng Renault Phase

After the collapse of the Sanjiang Renault venture, Renault initiated discussions with China’s Dongfeng Motor. These talks were extended because of differing views on factory location and restructuring arrangements for Sanjiang Renault. As early as 2003, Carlos Ghosn, then CEO of the Renault–Nissan Alliance, had established a joint venture with Dongfeng for Dongfeng Nissan, creating the "Golden Triangle" cooperation among Dongfeng, Renault, and Nissan. Between 2008 and 2011, Renault’s sales in China surged from fewer than 900 vehicles to over 24,200.

By January 2012, negotiations between Renault and Dongfeng were nearing completion. That same year, Dongfeng purchased Aerospace Sanjiang’s stake in Sanjiang Renault. The initiative received approvals from multiple Chinese regulatory agencies during 2013 and early 2014. Both parties invested a total of 7.76 billion yuan to establish Dongfeng Renault as a 50-50 joint venture. This move finalized the "Golden Triangle" partnership framework. Dongfeng Renault took over Sanjiang Renault’s production rights but was initially authorized only for SUV and commercial vehicle manufacturing; sedan production required separate approval granted in mid-2017. Although there were plans to build a plant in Guangzhou, the manufacturing facility was ultimately set up in Wuhan, where Dongfeng is headquartered. The dealership network was consolidated under the umbrella of Renault China.

The debut model under Dongfeng Renault was the Koleos SUV, released in March 2016. This was followed by additional SUV offerings and the launch of the all-electric Renault e-Trump in 2019. Sales peaked at approximately 72,000 units in 2017 but experienced a steep decline to about 18,500 vehicles by 2019—a drop of roughly 63%—and further plummeted nearly 89% in early 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2016 through 2019, Dongfeng Renault served as a sponsor for the Wuhan Marathon.

On April 14, 2020, Dongfeng Group announced plans to restructure Dongfeng Renault. Renault consented to return its entire 50% equity share back to Dongfeng and discontinue brand-related operations. By August of that year, Dongfeng Renault was rebranded as Dongfeng Motor (Wuhan) Co., Ltd., marking Renault’s exit and converting it into a wholly owned subsidiary of Dongfeng Group. The former Dongfeng Renault manufacturing site was transformed into an intelligent production base for Dongfeng that manufactures vehicles under the Voyah brand.

Operations

Renault's sales operations in China were overseen by Dongfeng Renault. The manufacturing facility in Wuhan, which began operations in February 2016, had the capability to produce as many as 150,000 vehicles per year. This Wuhan site also housed an engine assembly workshop and a research and development centre, with a primary emphasis on sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Manufactured models

• Renault Koleos (2016–2020)
• Renault Kadjar (2016–2020)
• Renault City K-ZE (2019–2020)
• Renault Captur (2019–2020)

Imported models

• Renault Fluence (2010–2018)
• Renault Latitude (2010–2018)
• Renault Talisman (2012–2017)
• Renault Koleos (2010–2016)
• Renault Captur (2013–2019)
• Renault Megane R.S. (2013–2018)
• Renault Espace (2018–2020)