Renault Says Vital Electric Car Secrets Are Safe

VOA Breaking News (Voice of America)
January 8, 2011 at 5:35 pm

French car maker Renault says some details about the development of its all-electric models may have been compromised in an industrial spying case, but that vital technology secrets about the vehicles are safe.

Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata told French newspaperLe Monde that the leaked information about four models may have included details about the costs and economic models of the vehicles. But he said the “golden nuggets” (or specific details)involving the cars' technology were not disclosed.

Pelata said the car maker is the “victim of an organized international network.” Last Monday, Renault suspended three executives after a five-month investigation.

Renault sources have told news agencies they suspect that China is behind the industrial espionage. The French intelligence service is investigating.

French Industry Minister Eric Besson has said that France is the target of “economic war” in the case. But on Saturday he sought to play down speculation about Chinese involvement, saying that only a full investigation could determine that.