On the sofa with… Beatriz de Dios, Grupo Renault

Advanced Manufacturing – What are the main technological challenges facing the automotive industry in Europe?

Beatriz de Dios – Well, in an increasingly connected world the automotive industry is changing. And in this context, the mastery of data and the use of artificial intelligence become key factors for success and competitiveness. Factories will become increasingly connected, smarter and more agile. And in this technological leap forward, we need to support our teams by providing them with the necessary key skills in artificial intelligence, software development and technologies that will be fundamental for the automobile.

A.M. – What initiatives is Renault Group implementing to adapt to a market that is increasingly focused on sustainability?

B. D. – Well, we at Renault Group see technology as an enabler. Applying the most advanced artificial intelligence solutions to have automated and highly efficient processes, ensuring quality and safety in the work environment. And we have to do this with a holistic approach to sustainability. With a customer who buys a vehicle that is increasingly aware and more responsible with regard to environmental care. We at Renault, worldwide, have a comprehensive decarbonisation plan with very clear milestones. From a manufacturing point of view, we have to work in two ways. On the one hand, reducing consumption and on the other hand, using green energy. In Renault’s factories in Spain, we are applying the most innovative artificial intelligence solutions to reduce consumption and recover electrical energy, and on the other hand, 100% of the factories use green energy, green electrical energy.

Furthermore, we understand decarbonisation as a cradle-to-grave process, that is, with an end-to-end vision in which we give great importance to our suppliers, to the manufacture of hybrid and electric vehicles and also to recycling, both in the material we use in the vehicles and in the fact that almost 90% of the material in the vehicle is already recyclable.

We also have the Red Factory project in Seville, which is an example of circular economy to give a second life to used vehicles. And with all this and an ecosystem, it is also important to say, a strong ecosystem of suppliers in Spain that helps us to reduce our carbon footprint. And with all this we have reduced the Spanish factories by 50% of the carbon footprint since 2019.