Renault group is pursuing its strategy on two fronts: one focused on fully electric vehicles and the other on hybrid models. François Provost, the group’s head, told France Inter that Renault’s production in France will increase by 25 percent this year, driven by the success of its electric models. While the European automotive industry is often seen as declining due to the rise of electric vehicles and competition from Chinese manufacturers, Provost offers a different view. He argues that once customers switch to electric vehicles, they rarely return to traditional gasoline-powered cars, stating that the shift to electrification has already happened and that electric car buyers are among the most satisfied. He noted that the era of hesitation is over, and the switch to electric vehicles is now driven by a better user experience rather than pressure or obligation. "This can temporarily reverse, but I think the trend is set," he added. Facing fluctuating fuel prices, locally produced energy is becoming an important way to shield against inflation. "Fuel prices are uncontrollable, and ultimately, the right solution is the electric car, because electricity is abundant in France and its price is fixed," Provost explained. He emphasized that while fuel crises may still occur, electric vehicles allow for long-term budget certainty. When considering total cost of ownership — which includes maintenance and fuel costs over time — driving electric or the latest hybrid models is now cheaper than maintaining an older vehicle over ten years. "90 percent of the electric vehicles we sell, we sell on lease," he noted, adding that leasing is helping modest households replace France’s aging car fleet without straining their budgets. Renault has promised an additional 10 billion euros in investment in France over the next five years. This follows 13 billion euros already invested in the past five years to transform the country’s industrial infrastructure to focus on electric vehicles. "The reality is that today we produce more vehicles in French factories than before," Provost said, stating that the decline in French production seen for many years is now over. He added that in 2025, Renault produced 500,000 cars in France, and in 2026, production will increase by 25 percent due to the rise of electric vehicles. However, he emphasized that this growth depends on the social and political climate in France. Provost also pointed to increasing regulatory costs in Europe, which have raised the price of manufacturing each vehicle by 3,000 euros in recent years. He warned that an additional 3,000 euros in regulatory costs could be added by 2030. He argued that European cars are already among the safest in the world and questioned whether forcing people to keep older vehicles would lead to greater safety or fewer emissions. He called for a "freeze on regulations" until the end of the decade to reduce car prices by 15 percent and make electric vehicles more affordable. On the topic of competition from Asian manufacturers, particularly China, Provost advocated for similar standards to those once imposed on Europeans — requiring Chinese companies to produce vehicles locally using European factories and suppliers. He emphasized the need for a swift agreement between China and Europe, challenging the common belief that European carmakers are doomed by the shift to electric vehicles. Instead, Renault’s growth suggests that electrification may be the key to saving the European automotive industry.