Electric van manufacturing optimisation through shared production platform and locally sourced supply chain in Europe by Flexis.
In a significant move towards sustainable and digitalised transportation, Flexis, a joint venture between Renault, Volvo, and logistics provider CMA CGM, has announced its plans to debut three new electric van models. The company, established in October 2023, is set to revolutionise the European commercial vehicle market.
Flexis is investing €1 billion, with €300 million each from Renault and Volvo, and €120 million from CMA CGM. This substantial investment will be used to improve vehicle software, digitalise operations, and produce battery cells in Europe. The batteries will be assembled within the Flexis plant.
The company is leveraging a shared skateboard platform for its electric van models, a strategy that allows for cost efficiencies in production. This platform will be shared by the Step-In van, the Cargo van, and the Panel van, the three models Flexis will showcase at the end of 2025.
Flexis is also standardising core vehicle components to reduce complexity in manufacturing and supply chain management. This standardisation will enhance the company's industrial agility and contribute to its goal of reducing emissions.
CMA CGM, a worldwide shipping company, has been expanding its sustainable trucking services in Europe. The company has introduced 11 new rail services and green truck services in various European countries. CMA CGM has also formed partnerships with TradeLens digital business platform, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), and Maersk to decarbonise logistics and improve digitalisation.
In addition, CMA CGM has been acquiring and integrating logistics providers in recent years, including Ceva Logistics, Gefco, and Bolloré Logistics, to increase its control over the European automotive supply chain. The company has also secured Cargex and Colis Privé in recent times.
Flexis has secured ten letters of intent (LoIs) for 15,000 vehicles from customers like Colis Drivé, DB Schenker, and Hived. These partnerships underscore the industry's confidence in Flexis' innovative approach to electric vehicle production and its commitment to sustainable transportation.
The JV is based in France and utilises Renault's Sandouville plant, which specialises in light commercial vehicle production. Flexis will supply vehicles to Renault and Renault Trucks, which will market and distribute the vehicles through their own network, under their own brands.
Flexis' vehicles will be equipped with a Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture, enabling real-time connectivity, predictive maintenance, and fleet management insights. The company's advanced battery lifecycle monitoring system provides detailed insights into battery performance, usage patterns, and degradation rates.
As Flexis moves towards series prototype production, it is poised to make a significant impact on the European commercial vehicle market, offering cost-efficient, resilient, and efficient electric van models as part of its European-focused supply chain strategy.
