Renault’s next big bet? Geely-based Filante SUV set for Korea debut

WEB DESK: French carmaker Renault has revealed plans to introduce its new Filante SUV in South Korea from March, marking the first market launch for the hybrid crossover before a wider international rollout.

The automaker said the Filante will be offered to South Korean customers initially, with sales in Latin America and Gulf markets expected to follow by early 2027. Production of the model will take place at Renault’s manufacturing facility in Busan.

According to the company, the Filante is built on the Compact Modular Architecture developed by its Chinese partner Geely, reflecting Renault’s growing reliance on shared platforms to speed up development and control costs. The announcement was made through Renault’s official social media channels on Tuesday.

This is not the first time Renault has used Geely’s technology. The French manufacturer previously launched the Grand Koleos SUV, also based on a Geely platform, which has been produced and sold in South Korea since 2024.

Industry analysts say the strategy highlights Renault’s broader push to strengthen its global competitiveness by deepening partnerships with Chinese and other international automakers. By leveraging shared architectures and local production, Renault aims to improve factory efficiency while expanding its footprint in key regional markets.

The Filante’s debut in South Korea is being closely watched as a test case for Renault’s platform-sharing approach, with the model expected to play a key role in the company’s expansion plans across emerging and energy-conscious markets.