Carmaker Renault Involved in Spy Scandal

A scandal over suspected industrial espionage at Renault deepened on Thursday as the French carmaker warned company assets were at risk and France's industry minister called the matter serious.

The French industry minister said the matter was related to electric vehicles, adding that he had taken early steps to step up protection.

[Eric Besson, French Industry Minister]:
"It illustrates once again the risks our companies face in terms of industrial espionage and economic intelligence, as we call it today."

[Eric Besson, French Industry Minister]:
"I have asked the administration at Bercy,the Finance and Industry Ministry,  that the state reinforce the obligations for those companies who ask money from the state, and you know that we invest a lot in terms of innovation, so that the security of industrial secrets is reinforced with the conventions of aid which we provide. So at the moment the only think I can tell you is that yes, unfortunately, the affair seems serious."

Renault's general counsel and compliance officer said the matter concerned people in "extremely strategic" positions.

Renault suspended three executives on Monday, including a member of its management committee, after an "ethical alert" was sent to the group's compliance committee in August.

Sources say they could be dismissed soon if they are found to have leaked information.

But the company would protect the identities of the three executives suspended to comply with labor laws.

Renault's new strategic plan, due to be unveiled in February, is expected to focus strongly on electric vehicles, as well as synergies with Nissan and emerging market growth.

France has for some years been worried about potential attacks on its industrial secrets and even has a "school of economic warfare" aimed at rooting out economic subversion.

Since the 1990s, governments have also promoted the art of "economic intelligence" as a legal means of anticipating threats or stealing a march on trade rivals.