CMA CGM Partners With Renault And Volvo To Found Flexis SAS For Electric Van Innovation

In a significant move towards the electrification of the logistics sector, three industry giants—CMA CGM Group, Renault Group, and Volvo Group—have announced their collaboration to form Flexis SAS. This new venture aims to lead the charge in the energy transition within light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and last-mile logistics. The announcement, made on Wednesday, 3rd of April in Boulogne-Billancourt, marks a pivotal moment in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and CO2 regulations.

Flexis SAS, which was founded on March 22, 2024, by Renault Group and Volvo Group, has seen CMA CGM Group acquiring a 10% stake through its energy fund PULSE. The strategic investment is set to reach up to EUR 120 million by 2026. Meanwhile, both Volvo Group and Renault Group will each hold a 45% equity stake in the company, with plans to invest EUR 300 million over the next three years.

The collaboration brings together three leaders in their respective fields, combining industrial expertise and innovative technology to create a new generation of electric vans. These vehicles will be manufactured in France at the Renault Group’s Sandouville plant, known for its proficiency in LCV manufacturing. The plant is expected to recruit 550 people over the next four years to support this initiative.

The European market for electrified vans is anticipated to grow by an average of 40% per year until 2030. Flexis SAS aims to meet this demand by producing vehicles on a new fully electric LCV skateboard platform. This platform promises high modularity for different body types at competitive costs and sets new standards in safety requirements. Additionally, the vans will feature a connected electronic platform offering capabilities to monitor delivery activity and business performance, potentially reducing logistic players' global cost of usage by up to 30%.

Philippe DIVRY has been appointed as CEO of Flexis SAS, with Krishnan SUNDARARAJAN taking on the role of COO. The company's headquarters will be based in France, emphasizing its commitment to manufacturing within the country. The all-electric vans will not only offer outstanding compactness for urban mobility but also high versatility for tailor-made solutions with different battery capacities. Notably, these vehicles will introduce the first 800V architecture on the market for this category.

This coalition represents a strategic effort to decarbonize transport and logistics sectors by leveraging the strengths of each partner. Renault Group brings its leadership in electric vehicles, software, and LCV manufacturing. Volvo Group contributes its expertise in transport solutions, tailored services, uptime, and productivity. CMA CGM adds its pioneering role in logistics and the decarbonization of supply chains.

The initiative by Flexis SAS underscores a significant step towards sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. As these industry leaders join forces, they set a new benchmark for the electrification of commercial transport, aiming to address both environmental challenges and the evolving needs of professional customers in e-commerce and logistics.