The End of the Micromobility Experiment
Renault is discontinuing its Mobilize sub-brand, which was created to explore opportunities beyond traditional car manufacturing. This decision marks the end for the Duo and Bento electric city models, which debuted in production version just a year ago, in 2024. These compact electric vehicles, reminiscent in design and size of the previously discontinued Renault Twizy, were offered exclusively on a subscription model, not for direct purchase.
Strategic Reassessment
The company confirmed that Mobilize is no longer a separate division. This decision also leads to the closure of the brand’s car-sharing services in Milan, while in Madrid they will be discontinued by 2026. According to Renault, these activities either do not demonstrate long-term profitability or do not align with the group’s strategic goals.
These discontinued activities either lack long-term profitability or do not correspond to the strategic direction of the group.
What Remains of the Initiative?
However, not all of Mobilize’s developments will be lost. Renault sees significant value in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, viewing it as a key element for customer satisfaction. The corresponding energy services will be integrated into the Renault Group’s commercial portfolio under the leadership of Growth Director Fabrice Cambolive. Specific achievements include providing drivers of the group with access to over a million charging points across Europe, plans to create 200 ultra-fast charging hubs in France and Italy by the end of 2026, as well as a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging service for commercial clients.
The Brand’s Legacy
Despite the closure, Renault insists that Mobilize fulfilled its role as a testing ground for new ideas and expanding the company’s capabilities in unfamiliar markets. The brand helped identify promising opportunities while allowing the company to abandon concepts that had lost strategic relevance. This step reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry, where companies are constantly reassessing their portfolios and business models in light of economic viability and rapid changes in the electric vehicle and mobility services sector. The closure of Mobilize as a separate brand may indicate Renault’s desire to focus on core competencies and integrate the most successful innovations, such as the charging network, directly into its main business structure.