Editing Renault (section)

==Vehicle design==

===Design===
===="Pre-design" era====
During its early years, Renault only manufactured the cars' [[chassis]], while the bodywork was completed by [[coachbuilder]]s. The first car with Renault's bodywork was the "Taxi de la Marne" introduced in 1905.<ref name=D1/> Most Renault-made bodyworks were simple and [[Utilitarianism|utilitarian]] until the Reinastella unveiling in 1928. In the 1930s, Renault developed streamlined cars such as the Viva Grand Sport. In the 1950s, the company worked with [[Carrozzeria Ghia|Ghia]] designers.<ref name=DMD>{{cite book |last=Woodham |first=Jonathan M. |title=A Dictionary of Modern Design |chapter=Renault |isbn=0-19-280097-3 |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=2004 |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmode00wood }}</ref>

====Renault Styling====
In 1961, with the assistance of the independent designer [[Philippe Charbonneaux]] (responsible for the R8), the company created Renault Styling as a design department, led by [[Gaston Juchet]] since 1963.<ref name=DMD/><ref name=GC>{{cite book |last1=Beaume |first1=Romain |last2=Midler |first2=Christophe |last3=Vervaeke |first3=Monique |editor-first=Giuseppe |editor-last=Calabrese |title=La filiera dello stile e le politiche industriali per l'automotive in Piemonte e in Europa |trans-title=The styling and the industrial policy for the automotive industry in Piedmont and Europe |year=2010 |publisher=FrancoAngeli |language=it |chapter=Le attività dello stile dell'auto in Francia |isbn=978-88-568-2275-5 |pages=141–143}}</ref> In 1975, [[Robert Opron]] was named chief designer<ref name=GC/> and Renault Styling was divided into Interior, Exterior and Advanced Design groups.<ref name=D1>{{cite web|url=http://features.conceptcar.co.uk/renault-design-story/|title=The story of Renault automotive design|publisher=Conceptcar.co.uk|access-date=13 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518122731/http://features.conceptcar.co.uk/renault-design-story/|archive-date=18 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1960s, an in-house [[computer-aided design]] (CAD) [[computer-aided manufacturing]] (CAM) system called [[UNISURF]] was introduced, led by [[Pierre Bézier]] (who popularised [[Bézier curve]]s and worked at Renault from 1933 until 1975).

====Industrial Design Department====
In 1987, Renault named [[Patrick le Quément]] as chief designer<ref name="D2">{{cite web |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/automobile/2009/04/10/03001-20090410ARTFIG00658-patrick-le-quement-quitte-renault-en-septembre-.php |title=Patrick le Quément quitte Renault en septembre |language=fr |trans-title=Patrick le Quément will leave Renault in September |work=Le Figaro |date=10 April 2009 |access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> and created the Industrial Design Department to replace Renault Styling. The new division incorporated a new management system, with more technology and personnel. Renault gave it the same importance as Engineering and Product Planning, participating in product development.<ref name="D1" /><ref name="GC" />

Le Quément was responsible for bold designs such as the Mégane II and the Vel Satis,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/08/12/when-drawing-is-thinking-by-patrick-le-quement-renault-design-creator/ |title=When Drawing is Thinking by Patrick Le Quément, Renault Design creator |last=Bry |first=Nicolas |website=Innovationeexcellence.com |date=12 August 2012 |access-date=4 February 2013 |archive-date=6 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906022804/http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2012/08/12/when-drawing-is-thinking-by-patrick-le-quement-renault-design-creator/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> giving Renault a more coherent and stylish image.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewin |first1=Tony |last2=Borroff |first2=Ryan |title=How to design cars like a pro |year=2010 |publisher=Motorbooks |pages=55–56 |isbn=978-1-61060-989-0}}</ref> In 1995, Design and Quality were merged under le Quément's direction.<ref name="D1" /><ref name="D2" /> Later, the new department moved to [[Guyancourt]]'s Technocentre, which also became the base for Engineering and Product Planning. The group was organised in three sections: Automobile Design; Truck, LCV and Bus Design; and Concept Cars and Advanced Design. During the next years, satellite centres opened in Spain (1999), Paris (2000), South Korea (2003), Romania (2007), India (2007),<ref name="D1" /><ref name="GC" /> Brazil (2008)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/14524 |title=Renault Design America Latina | last = Ozler | first = Levent |publisher=Dexigner |date=22 April 2008 |access-date=4 October 2012}}</ref> and China (2019).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cardesignnews.com/renault-opens-new-shanghai-design-centre/38086.article |title=Renault opens new Shanghai design centre | last = Gooderham | first = Michael |work=Car Design News |date=18 April 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref>

At the end of 2009, le Quément was replaced by [[Laurens van den Acker]],<ref name="D2" /> who introduced the "cycle of life" concept to Renault's design.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/innovation/l-univers-du-design/pages/strategie-design-renault.aspx |title=Renault's design strategy |publisher=Renault |access-date=13 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409034150/http://www.renault.com/en/innovation/l-univers-du-design/pages/strategie-design-renault.aspx |archive-date=9 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Engineering and Product Planning===
[[File:Renault moteur energy dCi 160 twin turbo EDC - Mondial de l'Automobile de Paris 2014 - 001.jpg|Renault [[twin-turbo]] engine|thumb]]

Most of Renault engineering was decentralised until 1998, when the Technocentre became the main Renault's engineering facility.<ref name=R1985/><ref name=TECHNO>{{cite web |url=http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/renaults-technocentre |title=Renault's Technocentre | last = Winter | first = Drew |work=wardsauto.com |publisher=Wards |date=1 July 2001 |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724102913/http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/renaults-technocentre |archive-date=24 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Satellite centres exist, including Renault Technologies Americas (with branches in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico), Renault Technologies Romania (branches in Morocco, Russia, Slovenia and Turkey) and Renault Technologies Spain (branch in Portugal).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/renault-dans-le-monde/pages/conception.aspx |title=Conception |publisher=Renault |access-date=13 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328143633/http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/renault-dans-le-monde/pages/conception.aspx |archive-date=28 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{As of|2013}}, Renault's engineering section had over 6,500 employees worldwide, of which 34% were engineers and 63% technicians.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/carrieres/nos-metiers/pages/ingienerie-vehicule.aspx |title=Vehicle Engineering |publisher=Renault |access-date=22 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003095121/http://www.renault.com/en/carrieres/nos-metiers/pages/ingienerie-vehicule.aspx |archive-date=3 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Engine development is in charge of a specific division, Renault Powertrains, with nearly 65 engineers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powertrain.renault.com/news/key-figures/ |title=Key Figures |publisher=Renault Powertrains |access-date=22 February 2013 |archive-date=3 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803132435/http://www.powertrain.renault.com/news/key-figures/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Overseas engineering is increasing and research and design teams are in charge of adjusting existing vehicles to local needs and budgets.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Laperche|first1=Blandine|last2=Lefebvre |first2= Giliane|year=2012 |title= The globalization of Research & Development in industrial corporations: Towards "reverse innovation"?|url=http://www.cairn.info/zen.php?ID_ARTICLE=JIE_010_0053 |journal=Journal of Innovation Economics & Management|publisher= De Boeck Supérieur|volume= 10|issue=2 |pages= 53–79|doi= 10.3917/jie.010.0053|access-date=29 April 2015|doi-access=free}}</ref>

{{As of|2014}}, Engineering, and Product Planning, are directed by Gaspar Gascon Abellan<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europe.autonews.com/article/20140625/ANE/140629934/0/SEARCH |title=Renault names new engineering chief |work=europe.autonews.com |publisher=Automotive News Europe | last = Gain | first = Bruce |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=26 June 2014}}</ref> and [[Philippe Klein]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/management-et-gouvernance/comite-de-direction/pages/philippe-klein.aspx |title=Philippe Klein |publisher=Renault |access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref> respectively.

===Technocentre===
[[File:La Ruche du technocentre vue depuis les Gogottes.JPG|thumb|View of the Technocentre from the Jardin des Gogottes]]

The Renault Technocentre ({{IPA|fr|ʁəno tɛknɔˈsɑ̃tʁ}}) is the main research and development facility. It is located in [[Guyancourt]]. It covers {{Convert|150|ha|}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/developpement-durable/fiches-sites/pages/guyancourt.aspx |title=Guyancourt – Technocentre – RSAS |publisher=Renault |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131127234642/http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/developpement-durable/fiches-sites/pages/guyancourt.aspx |archive-date=27 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and integrates all departments involved in developing products and industrial processes (design, engineering and product planning) as well as supplier representatives. The Technocentre gathers more than 8,000 employees<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carré |first1=Dennis |last2=Lefebvre |first2=Gilliane |last3=Madeuf |first3=Bernardette |last4=Milelli |first4=Christian |editor1-first=Blandine |editor1-last=Laperche |editor2-first=James K. |editor2-last=Galbraith |editor3-first=Dimitri |editor3-last=Uzunidis |title=Innovation, Evolution and Economic Change: New Ideas in the Tradition of Galbraith |series=New Directions in Modern Economics Series |year=2006 |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |chapter=Global RD networks and ICT what impacts on firms? |isbn=978-1-84542-715-3 |pages=134–135}}</ref> and comprises three main sections: The Advance Precinct, The Hive and the prototype build centre. The Advance Precinct, a stepped structure surrounded by a lake, has design studios and other departments related to early design stages. The Hive is the tallest structure and includes research and engineering facilities dedicated to the development process of new vehicles. The prototype build centre is an extension of The Hive. The three main structures are accompanied by smaller technical buildings.<ref name=TECHNO/>

The Technocentre was one of the first enterprises to have real-time life-size 3D modelling systems.<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=Jonathan |editor-last=Bell |title=Concept Car Design: Driving the Dream |series=Interior and Industrial Design |year=2003 |publisher=Rotovision |isbn=978-2-88046-564-3|page=33}}</ref>

===Renault Tech===
Renault Tech is a division of [[Renault Sport|Renault Sport Technologies]], headquartered in [[Les Ulis]]. It was established in 2008 and is in charge of modifying cars and vans for special purposes ([[mobility car]]s, driver's school cars, and [[Fleet vehicle|business fleets]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/developpement-durable/fiches-sites/pages/heudebouville.aspx |title=HEUDEBOUVILLE – RENAULT TECH |publisher=Renault |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203072013/http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/developpement-durable/fiches-sites/pages/heudebouville.aspx |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/nos-autres-metiers/pages/renault-tech.aspx |title=RENAULT TECH |publisher=Renault |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227124309/http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/nos-autres-metiers/pages/renault-tech.aspx |archive-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

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