Transmission Development Manager

Renault 5 E-Tech and Nissan Micra EVs win yet ever more prizes overseas... but why won't they bring them to Oz? Jul 16, 2026 Just to rub salt into the wounds of disappointing Australian customers, the Renault 5 E-Tech and its Nissan Micra twin have won yet more prizes overseas, but The Driven won't be seeing them in the market. The Renault 5 E-tech was recently canned for Australia due to the cited reason of difficulty in fitting a third ISO FIX baby seat point, which - hasn't stopped many other manufacturers doing so to meet Australia's unique requirements. But it has garnered three more top awards in the UK from this year's Autotrader Driver's Choice awards, including the headline 'New Car of the Year' award, the 'Best Car for City Drivers' and 'Most Fun Car to Drive'. The awards are based on the views of more than 160,000 UK car owners, with this year's winners shaped by the views of more than 160,000 UK drivers sharing their real-world experiences of buying, driving and living with their cars. Owners rate their cars across 16 criteria, from reliability, performance and appearance to running costs, overall satisfaction and how likely they would be to recommend them. Adam Wood, Managing Director, Renault UK, said: "Awards judged by owners always carry special significance because they reflect the reality of living with a car every day. To see Renault 5 E-Tech electric voted New Car of the Year by UK drivers is a great achievement in itself, but to see it also recognised as the best car for city drivers and the most fun car to drive shows just how broadly its appeal extends, and why it has captured the imagination and hearts of so many people since its launch." Meanwhile, the new Nissan Micra (a product of the Renault-Nissan alliance) has just garnered 'Small Car of the Year' award from the UK publication, Car Dealer Magazine. The new Micra also tied with the Renault 5 E-tech for '2026 Car of the Year' in Denmark. Which is not surprising because, to all intents and purposes, the new Micra is the Renault R5 E-Tech. From a distance the Micra may appear a different car, but looks can be deceiving. Not only is the Micra built on the same platform as the Renault 5, with identical battery options, motor and suspension, the exterior changes are limited to tweaks to the front/rear lights and associated panel work, along with a different set of wheels/tyres and colour options. Meanwhile, the interior is barely different at all except for a different colour palette and materials. (Apart, that is, from the Nissan badge on the steering wheel and a few 'Easter eggs' of Mt Fuji embossed in discreet places). The dash and its associated knobs and switches are identical, as are the seats. (The headlining in fact made it across totally unchanged!) It is therefore unsurprising that the new Micra is now garnering the same level of interest, and awards, that the 5 has been collecting since its release. As for the second reason for including the Micra here: Nissan Australia long ago dropped the Micra (and anything else that wasn't a medium to large SUV or ute) from its EV plans in Australia. It means the chances of the Micra small car badge returning to Australia is about as likely as Renault bringing the 5 E-Tech to Australia. (Effectively nil). As a result, The Driven will not get the chance to buy either of these highly sought-after European small BEV models in Australia, whilst The Driven continue to be served up ever more medium to large SUVs and dual-cab ute models. Thankfully, The Driven will soon see a couple of small and micro passenger category cars arrive this year (the Nio Firefly and Honda Super One) followed by the Cupra Raval in 2027, to follow on from the Hyundai Inster. However, the small hatch/passenger car remains woefully under served with options here. It really does leave one a bit bewildered why two established manufacturers won't sell such popular overseas BEV models in Australia. Instead, they have effectively abandoned the segment for new Chinese brands to exploit and take over before the incumbents wake up. Perhaps the ongoing roll-out and tightening of the Federal Government's NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Scheme) might encourage some rethinking - especially if manufacturers, such as Renault and Nissan, finally realise that there is a pent-up demand from potential buyers in these segments, meaning they might just get some surprisingly good sellers into their line-ups. Currently, neither are anywhere near the top 10 brands in Australia, with Nissan currently lurking around the bottom of the top 20 and Renault in the low 30s, out of the almost 60 brands currently selling here.

How electric vehicles are reviving French industry and protecting consumer purchasing power. Published on 10.07.2026 From powertrains and charging solutions to sheer driving pleasure, electric vehicles are redefining automotive standards. Yet this technological shift goes far beyond mere usage: it is reinventing automotive professions and transforming industrial sites by positioning them at the forefront of future technologies. Here is an inside look at a major transition, where France's independence is now being forged on our roads. Key takeaways * With lower energy costs[[1]] [[2]] and maintenance expenses reduced by 30% to 40%*[[3]], electric vehicles are proving more than ever to be a viable solution for cutting household transport spending; * Driven by hubs of excellence such as ElectriCity, electrification is bringing production back to the heart of our regions, attracting major global automakers and boosting local economies; * The transition to electric mobility is a powerful driver for transforming skills, as demonstrated by the training of over 53,000 Renault Group employees at the ReKnow University; * Having produced over one million electric vehicles on French soil since ZOE, Renault Group is helping to secure France's energy and technological independence by investing domestically to develop the new electric value chains. *based on 2025 estimates A forward-looking choice for drivers: electric vehicles as a purchasing power driver. "Electrification represents a historic opportunity for France, its regions, and its citizens. It paves the way for a new model capable of strengthening our sovereignty, supporting purchasing power, and revitalizing economic activity across our regions." François Provost Chief Executive Officer, Renault Group Mobility, an absolute necessity turned luxury product. For millions of French people, owning a car is not a mere convenience, but a genuine 'life requirement,' essential to daily life. Yet, this vital mobility is placing an increasingly heavy burden on households, with the average automotive budget reaching €434 per month, accounting for roughly 80% of their transport expenses[[4]]. The overall cost of vehicles and fluctuating fuel prices are now so high that nearly three out of four French people view owning a car as a luxury[[5]]. Electric vehicles, a highly acclaimed economic shield. Electric vehicles offer a highly tangible solution for safeguarding purchasing power. 'Refueling' with electricity costs between €3.05 and €10.80 per 100 kilometers, compared to €12.40 in most cases for an equivalent gasoline model. For the average driver, annual savings immediately add up to hundreds of euros. Furthermore, Renault Group's performance in this market shows that the enthusiasm is very real. The success of social leasing and the 185,000 Renault 5 units produced by mid-2026 prove that demand surges as soon as the offering becomes affordable. Beyond financial savings, it is the overall experience that wins people over. The environmental impact and sheer driving pleasure are so compelling that 92% of European electric vehicle drivers wish to stick with this powertrain[[6]]. A forward-looking choice for our regions: reindustrialization and the jobs of tomorrow. A renewed network driven by a dense charging station infrastructure. Today, regional planning is no longer thought of solely in terms of the road network, but also through the lens of charging station infrastructure. These facilities have become vital for bringing rural and suburban areas into the electric revolution. The rise of public and private initiatives now guarantees seamless service for drivers nationwide. Station networks such as Plug Inn fast charge, launched by Renault Group, are successfully increasing the density of this regional coverage. The rise of competitive new local ecosystems. Electrification offers a unique opportunity to rebuild industrial value within our regions. A prime example is the ElectriCity hub, which has become Europe's leading production center for electric vehicles. This momentum makes it possible to create localized economic loops: for the Renault 5, over 80% of components are sourced from European suppliers, and the battery is produced at the AESC gigafactory in Douai, in immediate proximity to ElectriCity. By investing in this strategic partner, Renault Group is actively supporting the development of a French battery sector. The efficiency and competitiveness of these new French industrial platforms are even attracting other global automakers, such as Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, and Ford. These brands have chosen this ecosystem to produce some of their vehicles. Industrial conversion through upskilling. The technological transition to electric mobility also presents an opportunity to guide employees through the transformation of their skills across the entire automotive sector. Job roles are evolving to integrate the innovations of today and tomorrow, and Renault Group is at the very forefront of this movement. Indeed, through initiatives such as the ReKnow University, over 53,000 employees had already been trained in new key skills by the end of 2025, representing more than half of the workforce! An opportunity for France: choosing sovereignty. Relying on distant supply chains for our energy or components poses a clear risk, one that the transition to electric mobility helps to rectify. France's independence now hinges on mastering the critical components of these vehicles: the battery and the powertrain. Meeting this challenge requires supporting a sovereign and protective model. Choosing an electric vehicle made in France means safeguarding a vital sector that supports nearly one million direct and indirect jobs[[7]]. This commitment to local anchoring is not only possible, but already underway. Over one million electric vehicles have already been produced by Renault Group on French soil since the first ZOE, and massive investments continue to be injected into the country. By combining ecological excellence with strategic independence, France holds all the cards to successfully lead this technological revolution. Faq. Electric vehicles drastically reduce transport expenses thanks to energy costs that are three times lower. In fact, it costs only €3.05 to €10.80 per 100 kilometers, compared to around €12.40 for fuel at the pump. Furthermore, their simplified mechanics and the use of regenerative braking reduce maintenance costs by 30% to 40% over the vehicle's lifespan.