Renault suspends executives for ‘spying’

French carmaker Renault has been hit by an industrial espionage scandal.

Media reports suggest its flagship electric vehicle programme could be under threat.

Renault has just announced that it suspended three unnamed senior executives on Monday over the alleged leaks.

The suspensions are the latest in a series of industrial espionage shocks to hit France’s huge and strategically important auto industry.

Tyre manufacturer Michelin and car parts maker Valeo have also been targets for espionage.

The French government, which holds a 15 percent stake in Renault, expressed its concern on Thursday.

“The only thing I can say is that this matter is serious,” the Industry Minister Eric Besson told France’s RTL Radio.

“It illustrates anew the risks our companies face in terms of industrial espionage and corporate intelligence.”

Electric cars are key to Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn’s growth strategy for the company for the next decade.

It plans to launch electric versions of its Fluence model and its Kangoo Express van in mid-2011, and the smaller Twizy and Zoe models in late 2011 and 2012.

The company and its partner Nissan have invested four billion euros to develop the zero emission vehicles.

Nissan’s all-electric car for the mass market, the Leaf, is already on sale in Japan and the United States and will be launched in select European markets in early 2011.

Carmakers have been prompted to look for innovative ways to contend with higher oil prices, stricter emissions rules and increased demand for more environmentally-friendly driving.

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