http://www.smh.com.au/world/france-probes-china-link-in-renault-spying-case-20110109-19jyi.html
France probes China link in Renault spying case
Henry Samuel
January 10, 2011
PARIS: The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has ordered his country's intelligence service to investigate whether China is behind suspected industrial espionage at Renault.
While no judicial inquiry has been opened, a source at the Elysee Palace said the Central Directorate of Interior Intelligence was ''investigating a Chinese link'' after the car maker suspended three senior executives for ''very serious faults''. The potential connection to China has emerged as a vice-premier, Li Keqiang, begins a European tour.
The three Renault executives, one of whom is on the company's management committee, were removed after an investigation into the leaking of secrets about the company's electric vehicle program. Renault has said industrial espionage poses a serious threat to its ''strategic assets''.
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The Industry Minister, Eric Besson, said France was facing ''economic war'' over the case of Renault, which is 15 per cent government-owned. A presidential source said the government had warned of an ''overall risk'' to French industry.
Electric and hybrid cars are set to dominate the motor industry agenda as people turn to low-carbon and fuel-efficient travel. Together with Nissan, Renault has invested €4 billion ($5.18 billion) in electric cars and is due to release several models over the next three years.
Sources within Renault says it is thought a Chinese rival was the final recipient of the data.
''We cannot accept that an innovation financed by the French taxpayer ends up in the hands of the Chinese,'' an Industry Ministry source said.
The leaked information reportedly relates to the technology in still unreleased cars' battery and engine. The executives allegedly sold patents that were completed but not yet registered, representing hundreds of millions of euros in research.
France probes China link in Renault spying case
Henry Samuel
January 10, 2011
PARIS: The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has ordered his country's intelligence service to investigate whether China is behind suspected industrial espionage at Renault.
While no judicial inquiry has been opened, a source at the Elysee Palace said the Central Directorate of Interior Intelligence was ''investigating a Chinese link'' after the car maker suspended three senior executives for ''very serious faults''. The potential connection to China has emerged as a vice-premier, Li Keqiang, begins a European tour.
The three Renault executives, one of whom is on the company's management committee, were removed after an investigation into the leaking of secrets about the company's electric vehicle program. Renault has said industrial espionage poses a serious threat to its ''strategic assets''.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The Industry Minister, Eric Besson, said France was facing ''economic war'' over the case of Renault, which is 15 per cent government-owned. A presidential source said the government had warned of an ''overall risk'' to French industry.
Electric and hybrid cars are set to dominate the motor industry agenda as people turn to low-carbon and fuel-efficient travel. Together with Nissan, Renault has invested €4 billion ($5.18 billion) in electric cars and is due to release several models over the next three years.
Sources within Renault says it is thought a Chinese rival was the final recipient of the data.
''We cannot accept that an innovation financed by the French taxpayer ends up in the hands of the Chinese,'' an Industry Ministry source said.
The leaked information reportedly relates to the technology in still unreleased cars' battery and engine. The executives allegedly sold patents that were completed but not yet registered, representing hundreds of millions of euros in research.
