Driving Innovation with Purpose: Crafting the Future of Automotive Excellence to serve our customers

A car enthusiast and chassis specialist with over 35 years' experience in the industry as an engineer and then engineering director, Philippe Krief has developed unique know-how and expertise in the development of sports and top-of-the-range car ranges.

He subsequently joined the Group as Director of Engineering and Product Performance, before being appointed CEO of Alpine in 2023. He then took up the position of Renault Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in 2024. His aim is to position the Group at the forefront of innovation, offering products and technologies that are ahead of the competition, against a backdrop of unprecedented transformation in the automotive industry.

Innovation is the lifeblood of Renault Group. It’s the force propelling us to redefine mobility in a world where technology, sustainability, and customer expectations are rapidly evolving. For us, innovation is more than a commitment—it’s a responsibility. It’s about crafting meaningful solutions that enhance lives and address the industry’s most pressing challenges. 

But innovation doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a deliberate mindset, a focus on the customer, and the courage to forge new paths. Here at Renault Group, we see these elements as essential to building the future of automotive excellence. 

The Innovation Mindset: Bold, Fast, and Focused

Innovation begins with a mindset. It’s about embracing risk, staying agile, and learning from mistakes. At Renault Group, we understand that progress often requires bold decisions. Mistakes are not failures—they’re lessons that sharpen our edge. 

When we uncover a promising idea, we act decisively, channeling human and financial resources to accelerate its development. Innovation isn’t just about staying competitive—it’s about staying relevant. Our initiatives like LEAP100, implemented to accelerate our time to market by developing our cars in 2 years or our Renaulution Virtual Twin digital backbone, which creates a true digital twin of each vehicle under development and is now considered by everyone at Renault Group involved in a project as the single point of truth. They are shining examples of this philosophy. By transforming our processes, they’ve enabled us to move faster, become more efficient, and remain robust in the face of challenges. 

Technology plays a crucial role in this journey, and artificial intelligence is a game-changer. By embedding AI into our workflows, we’re unlocking new levels of efficiency and speed.

But speed alone isn’t enough—what truly matters is delivering value that resonates.

Customer-Centric Innovation: Creating Real Value

Innovation without purpose is meaningless. We believe every breakthrough should serve a clear goal: creating tangible value for our customers. It’s not enough to be technically advanced—we must be relevant. 

True innovation stems from deep customer understanding. It’s about listening, anticipating, and sometimes even imagining needs before they’re voiced. Think of the smartphone’s impact on society—it wasn’t just a device; it was a transformative solution. We aim to bring that level of impact to mobility. 

To achieve this, we harness a powerful ecosystem of insights: 

• Massive Customer Usage Data: Our vehicles on the road provide anonymized feedback on user behaviors, needs, and habits—an invaluable resource for designing solutions that matter. 
• Commercial Networks: Our direct interactions with customers offer a real-time pulse on evolving expectations. 
• Global Market Research and Trend Analysis: These tools ensure we stay ahead of societal and technological shifts, refining our approach to align with future demands. 

This isn’t just a matter for engineers—it’s a company-wide effort. From product designers to data analysts, every department contributes to shaping innovations that connect with real-world needs. It’s this collaborative spirit that allows us to transform customer insights into groundbreaking products. 

Securing Innovation: The Power of Ownership

Innovation isn’t just about creating—it’s also about protecting. As Luca de Meo often reminds us, ownership of our intellectual property is fundamental to safeguarding our competitive edge. It ensures that our breakthroughs remain uniquely ours and serve our long-term vision. 

Sometimes, this requires breaking with tradition. We’ve chosen to retain control over certain transformative developments instead of outsourcing them. Our Viry Châtillon site exemplifies this strategy. More than just a tech hub, it’s a center of excellence where critical advancements will be nurtured. 

By keeping these innovations in-house, we not only secure our future but also reinforce our ability to lead the industry. Ownership isn’t just a strategy—it’s a commitment to staying true to our vision and values. 

From Vision to Reality: Innovation That Delivers 

Too often, great ideas remain stuck in the research phase. We’re determined to ensure that our innovations make it to the customer. Innovation must be embodied—it must translate into real products and services that transform lives. 

This focus is driving our latest innovation program, set to launch next year. It’s a bold initiative that will bring substantial and concrete advancements to our lineup, showcasing the best of what Renault Group has to offer. As Luca de Meo will soon reveal, it’s a program designed to deliver impact—not just ideas. 

With this program, we’re reaffirming our commitment to innovation that’s tangible, purposeful, and customer-driven. It’s a reminder that at Renault Group, we don’t innovate for the sake of it—we innovate to make a difference. 

When I come into contact with others, I realize just how much our teams share this common culture of innovation and I'm very proud of it. This is a real strength for the Group. Together, let’s continue to push boundaries, protect our breakthroughs, and deliver on the promise of a better, more sustainable future for mobility. Innovation isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are and what we want to offer to our customers.

Find out more about our innovation journey at Renault Group ⤵️