Renault says espionage threatens its 'strategic assets'

French carmaker Renault has said that suspected industrial espionage against its business poses a serious threat to its "strategic assets".

The statement comes a day after Renault suspended three senior managers after an investigation into the possible leaking of electric vehicle secrets.

Commenting on the matter, French Industry Minister Eric Besson warned the country was facing "economic war".

Mr Besson said the situation at Renault "appears serious".

"The expression 'economic war', while sometimes outrageous, for once is appropriate," he told France's RTL radio station.

"It appears to concern the electric car, but I do not want to go further."

Mr Besson said he was calling for French companies which received public funds to improve their security.The French government was particularly concerned because of the important role carmaking plays in the French economy.

"Hundreds of thousands of French jobs depend on the motor trade," he said.

"The biggest advantage Western car makers have against rivals with lower labour costs elsewhere is their advanced technology. Hence the talk in France of an economic war."

Renault senior vice president Christian Husson told the AFP news agency that the people concerned were in a "particularly strategic position" in the company.

An investigation had uncovered a "body of evidence which shows that the actions of these three colleagues were contrary to the ethics of Renault and knowingly and deliberately placed at risk the company's assets", Mr Husson said.

One of the three suspended senior managers is a member of the carmaker's management committee.

The three have been given the opportunity to respond to the charges made against them, before the carmaker's human resources department decides on any sanctions.

Renault's investigation into alleged industrial espionage followed an "ethics alert" sent to its compliance committee.

According to newspaper Le Monde, the suspected espionage relates to the batteries and propulsion system of Renault's electric vehicles. The company and its partner Nissan have spent about €4bn (£3.4bn) on electric cars and intend to launch several models in the coming three years to meet a rising demand for eco-friendly transport.

Electric vehicles will be one of the key issues in Detroit next week at the launch of the North American International Auto Show. A report by KPMG found that more than 90pc of automotive executives believe investment in hybrid, battery and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies will be the key priority over the next five years.