Image: RenaultRenault plans to reduce its global engineering workforce by 15 to 20 per cent over the next two years, according to media reports citing a company spokesperson. The job cuts could affect up to 2,400 employees. This measure reflects the strategic direction set by François Provost, who announced a comprehensive restructuring of the group last month.One of François Provost’s stated priorities is to align the Renault Group more closely with Chinese working methods in order to sharpen its competitiveness. To this end, the CEO is simplifying organisational structures and accelerating decision-making processes.Renault has for some time been pushing closer cooperation with China in the development of battery-electric vehicles. A key example is the upcoming Renault E-Twingo, which was developed in just 21 months in collaboration with Chinese engineers at the company’s R&D centre in China.Since last September, Fabrice Cambolive has overseen the group’s international development. He was initially appointed CEO of the Renault brand by former CEO Luca de Meo in early 2023. Under Provost’s leadership, Cambolive now serves as both CEO of the Renault brand and Chief Growth Officer and Head of Development.Since Provost took over as Renault CEO last summer, many initiatives launched under de Meo have been halted or wound down. These include the ambitions of the mobility brand Mobilize, the spin-off of the battery-electric vehicle division Ampere, and the electric van joint venture Flexis, which was founded with the Volvo Group and logistics provider CMA CGM but is now set to be fully taken over by Renault.Instead, Provost has outlined his vision for the future with the new strategy plan, ‘futuREady.’ By 2030, Renault aims to launch 36 new models, 22 of which are planned for Europe—16 of these will be fully electric.dw.com