Renault ‘looking at China link’ in spy case

There are strong suspicions in France that there is a Chinese link to the industrial espionage scandal that’s hit French carmaker Renault.

The French intelligence service has denied reports that it has been asked to open an investigation. Other sources had been quoted as saying that an inquiry was underway.

Renault has suspended three senior executives over the possible leaking of electric car secrets.

Bernard Carayon, a French MP and specialist in financial intelligence says that while this sort of industrial espionage is nothing new, it is surprising that a company has admitted to having been compromised:

“Several thousand companies in France are affected by this time of plundering each year. It’s extremely rare for a company to admit it’s been the object of spying because it’s embarrassed vis à vis its suppliers, its customers and its image,” he said.

Renault, due to launch four electric models by next year, is said to suspect that China was the final destination for leaked information about its flagship programme.

The French government has spoken of “economic war”.

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