Ampere Cléon: 1M EV Powertrains and Alpine A390 Twin Motors
At the heart of Ampere’s industrial system, the Cléon plant serves as the group’s hub for mechanical excellence and electric motor industrialisation. Drawing on a decade of EV powertrain expertise, the site now leads advanced technologies, proven by the integration of new rear motors for the Alpine A390. Cléon has reached a significant milestone with the production of the one-millionth electric powertrain since 2015, built on a versatile range of high-performance electric motors serving brands within and beyond the Renault Group.
“Cléon perfectly embodies Ampere’s industrial vision: combining technical excellence, electric innovation and human commitment. Producing the millionth electric motor here is a collective pride and proof of our ability to showcase French performance across Europe,” said Josep Maria Recasens, CEO of Ampere.
Cléon’s assignment to build the new 7DL twin motor confirms its mastery of electric performance and industrial precision. Already powering the A290 with the 6AM 160 kW motor, which also sits at the front of the A390, the plant equips the A390 with a new rear 7DL twin motor that drives each wheel independently to deliver exceptional dynamism and agility. This 250 kW dual-motor, configured as 2 x 125 kW, integrates with a sophisticated all-wheel drive system featuring torque vectoring to enhance cornering agility and deliver top-level performance. With 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, the Alpine A390 showcases French industrial excellence in an electric sports fastback.
Highly skilled operators execute every stage of 7DL twin motor manufacturing with absolute precision, from screwing and fitting to bundling, timing, engraving, flashing and clipping. Digital traceability, camera checks on key operations, continuous monitoring of process parameters and the team’s dexterity reflect Cléon’s DNA in service of Alpine performance. The plant tests 100% of powertrains on next-generation benches that measure vibration, acoustics and hardness to ensure flawless quality. “Today in Cléon, we celebrate the alliance of French industrial excellence with Alpine’s cutting-edge engineering, all brought together in our brand-new A390 sport fastback. A unique experience of sportiness, agility and performance, whose release at the end of 2025 will leave few indifferent and carry Alpine’s ambitions for international growth,” says Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine.
Since 2017, Cléon has accelerated a bold digital transformation of its industrial tools, recognised by the World Economic Forum with the Industry 4.0 label. A dedicated team has intensified this momentum over the last three years by deploying digital solutions on production lines to boost agility, speed and reliability. Artificial intelligence now sits at the core of this revolution. It continuously analyses and monitors critical parameters, triggers alerts when deviations occur, corrects them in real time and verifies production compliance. A three-year roadmap outlines 45 solutions to advance the industrial metaverse, with additional innovations to follow.
To master the value chain of its electric motors, particularly in power electronics that strongly influence EV range and performance, Cléon is adapting its industrial strategy to integrate assembly of electronic components. Process engineering teams are redefining supplier relationships to select components and negotiate value while prioritising geographic proximity to reduce transport costs and carbon footprint. Two levers drive competitiveness and performance gains: vertical integration of electronic component assembly and a nearly 40% reduction in the size of electronic components. Integrating these processes will require targeted training for manufacturing staff and related roles, supported by Reknow University, which will establish a training campus on-site.
Cléon’s teams also pursue diversification and the development of innovative processes. The site can integrate new activities beyond its usual scope thanks to agile, multidisciplinary process engineering teams, an aluminium foundry with a diversified machine fleet and flexible production enabled by clever carry-over that reuses existing industrial equipment reconfigured for new processes and products. Multiple initiatives aim to broaden the range of manufactured products, including vehicle parts, and to advance process innovation linked to power electronics. “We are extremely proud to contribute to the electrification of the Alpine range. Cléon’s teams put all their expertise into serving sporty and exclusive vehicles,” says Christophe Clément, Director of the Ampere Cléon plant.
Since opening in 1958, Ampere Cléon has produced 101.7 million engines and gearboxes, and since 2015, it has built 1 million electric motors. In 2024 alone, the site produced 1.3 million mechanical components. The workforce comprises 3,146 employees, including 14% women, as well as 350 temporary workers and 165 apprentices. Through sustained investment in electric motor manufacturing, power electronics and AI-driven Industry 4.0, the Cléon plant strengthens Ampere’s leadership in EV powertrains and supports Alpine A390 performance for drivers across Europe.
