Renault used to be the warning label for how badly an old-guard automaker could stumble in the EV transition. In the first half of 2026, it looks more like a case study. Global volume barely moved, with just over 1.165 million vehicles sold, yet revenue climbed around 9.5% and the group swung back to a clean net profit. All of that is happening while a wave of cheaper Chinese crossovers and hatchbacks crashes into Europe and pushes competitors to slash prices.
Every European legacy brand is fighting the same war: grow the EV share without torching margins. Renault’s answer is to push a richer electrified mix while cutting costs hard in the background. In Europe, electrified models now make up about 52% of sales, and full EVs account for 18.8% of group volume. For the Renault badge alone, battery-electric deliveries are up more than 60% year on year. EVs are no longer a side hustle, they are one of the main profit engines.
