Société de Véhicules Automobiles de Batilly
A Renault subsidiary operating the light-commercial-vehicle manufacturing plant at Batilly in northeastern France.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Société de Véhicules Automobiles de Batilly, commonly known as SoVAB, is a Renault subsidiary responsible for operating Renault's light-commercial-vehicle manufacturing facility in Batilly, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France. The company was established in 1980, when Renault took a 25% stake in the facility's capital from its subsidiary Renault Véhicules Industriels. Its creation formalized the industrial operation of a plant whose origins lay in a project initiated in 1972 by Saviem, the French manufacturer that later merged with Berliet to create Renault Véhicules Industriels. Construction of the Batilly complex took place between 1976 and 1979. Production began in 1980 with the first-generation Renault Master, establishing the site as an important Renault commercial-vehicle assembly location. The Renault Trafic followed in 1981, and the Renault B series was introduced at the plant in 1982. Over subsequent decades, Batilly assembled vehicles for several brands and commercial-vehicle channels, reflecting Renault's manufacturing and alliance relationships. The site produced the first-generation Trafic and its German-market derivative, the Opel/Vauxhall Arena, from 1995 until the model's discontinuation in 2000. It also participated in production associated with General Motors through the second-generation Master, which was marketed by Opel as the Movano. The Batilly facility remained with Renault when Renault Véhicules Industriels was sold to Volvo in 2001. Production of the second-generation Master and related Renault Trucks Mascott continued until 2010, when the third-generation Master entered production. The Master III remained in production at Batilly through 2024, after which the site began assembling the fourth-generation Renault Master. The plant's output has been sold under Renault, Opel, Vauxhall, Nissan and Renault Trucks branding, making SoVAB primarily a manufacturing and industrial-operation entity rather than a consumer-facing vehicle marque. The complex covers approximately 101 hectares, with about 181,838 square metres of covered space and a single production line. It also includes a Renault Tech workshop of approximately 6,800 square metres, employing 72 people according to the cited reference material. Renault Tech supports vehicle adaptations and specialized conversions. On 13 June 2013, the site marked production of its two-millionth vehicle, a milestone indicating the plant's long-term role in Renault's European light-commercial-vehicle production network. SoVAB's public identity is closely tied to the Batilly factory and to Renault's commercial-vehicle operations. Its products are sold through other brands and distribution networks, while the company provides industrial assembly capacity, vehicle adaptation capability and employment in the Lorraine region. The available reference material identifies the company as active and lists the Renault Master IV as its current vehicle manufactured from 2024 onward.
History
The Batilly manufacturing project began in 1972 under Saviem, a Renault subsidiary involved in commercial vehicles. After Saviem merged with Berliet to form Renault Véhicules Industriels, responsibility for the project continued within the new organization. The factory was built between 1976 and 1979 in Batilly, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of northeastern France. In 1980, Renault took a 25% share of the facility's capital from Renault Véhicules Industriels and created Société de Véhicules Automobiles de Batilly, commonly abbreviated as SoVAB or SOVAB. The plant began production that year with the first-generation Renault Master. The Renault Trafic entered production in 1981, followed by the Renault B series in 1982. The plant's role expanded as Renault commercial vehicles were distributed through other marques and industrial partnerships. From 1995, after the closure of Chausson's Creil facility, Batilly became the sole assembler of the first-generation Trafic and the Opel/Vauxhall Arena, its German and British-market derivatives. That model line ended in 2000. During the 1990s, Renault also collaborated with General Motors, and the second-generation Master launched in 1997 was sold by Opel as the Movano. Renault retained the Batilly operation when Renault Véhicules Industriels was sold to Volvo in 2001. The site continued to assemble the second-generation Master and related Renault Trucks products, including the Mascott, until 2010. In that year, production shifted to the third-generation Master, which remained at Batilly through 2024. The fourth-generation Renault Master is listed as the plant's current vehicle from 2024 onward. The SoVAB complex occupies approximately 101 hectares, of which about 181,838 square metres are covered. Its manufacturing operation uses a single production line. Vehicles assembled at the site have been marketed through Renault, Opel, Vauxhall, Nissan and Renault Trucks. A Renault Tech workshop within the complex covers approximately 6,800 square metres and supports specialized vehicle work. On 13 June 2013, the plant produced its two-millionth unit.
- 2024
Master IV becomes the current Batilly model
[1]The fourth-generation Renault Master is listed as entering production at Batilly, replacing the Master III after its fourteen-year run.
- 2013
Two-millionth vehicle produced
[1]SoVAB marked production of its two-millionth vehicle on 13 June 2013.
- 2010
Master III production begins
[1]The third-generation Renault Master entered production at Batilly.
- 2001
Renault retains Batilly after RVI sale
[1]Renault kept the Batilly operation when Renault Véhicules Industriels was sold to Volvo.
- 1997
Second-generation Master enters production
[1]The Master II launched, with an Opel version marketed as the Movano and related Renault Trucks products assembled at Batilly.
- 1995
Batilly becomes sole first-generation Trafic assembler
[1]Following the closure of Chausson's Creil factory, Batilly became the sole assembler of the first-generation Trafic and Opel/Vauxhall Arena.
- 1981
Renault Trafic production starts
[1]The first-generation Renault Trafic was introduced at the Batilly facility.
- 1980
SoVAB is created and Master production begins
[1]Renault took a 25% stake from Renault Véhicules Industriels to establish SoVAB, and the Batilly site began assembling the first-generation Renault Master.
- 1979
Batilly plant completed
[1]The factory construction program was completed after a build period running from 1976 to 1979.
- 1976
Factory construction starts
[1]Construction of the Batilly plant began as the project continued under Renault Véhicules Industriels, created through the Saviem–Berliet merger.
Products and positioning
Renault Group industrial manufacturing subsidiary focused on high-volume assembly of light commercial vehicles and related vehicle adaptations.
Light commercial vehicles · 1980
Renault Master / Renault Trucks B series / Renault Trucks Messenger
The original Batilly production family began with the first-generation Renault Master in 1980 and included related Renault Trucks-branded commercial vehicles identified as the B series and Messenger. This early product group established the factory's long-term specialization in medium-sized commercial vehicles.
Light commercial vehicles · 1981
Renault Trafic / Opel-Vauxhall Arena
Batilly assembled the first-generation Renault Trafic from 1981 to 2000. From 1995, the site became the sole assembler of the Trafic and its Opel/Vauxhall Arena derivatives after the closure of Chausson's Creil plant. The model line was discontinued in 2000.
Light commercial vehicles · 1997
Renault Master II / Renault Trucks Mascott
The second-generation Master entered production at Batilly in 1997. Its broader commercial-vehicle family included the Renault Trucks Mascott, while an Opel version was marketed as the Movano. Production at the site continued until the transition to the next generation in 2010.
Light commercial vehicles · 2010
Renault Master III
The third-generation Renault Master was introduced at Batilly in 2010 and remained the plant's principal identified vehicle through 2024. It continued the facility's role as a major Renault light-commercial-vehicle assembly site and supported products sold through multiple Renault-related commercial-vehicle channels.
Light commercial vehicles · 2024
Renault Master IV
The fourth-generation Renault Master is listed as the current vehicle manufactured at Batilly from 2024 onward. It represents the latest identified production generation at the Renault-owned facility.
Brand decisions
2024
Transition to Master IV productionGeneration changeBackground
The third-generation Master had been assembled at Batilly since 2010 and reached the end of its identified production period in 2024.
Action taken
Batilly began manufacturing the fourth-generation Renault Master.
Aftermath
Master IV is identified as the current vehicle manufactured at the active facility.
2010
Transition to Master III productionGeneration changeBackground
The second-generation Master and related Renault Trucks products had been assembled at Batilly since 1997.
Action taken
The plant introduced production of the third-generation Renault Master.
Aftermath
Master III production continued at Batilly through 2024.
1995
Consolidation of first-generation Trafic assembly at BatillyStrategyBackground
The closure of Chausson's Creil factory changed Renault's production allocation for the first-generation Trafic and its related Opel/Vauxhall model.
Action taken
Batilly became the sole assembler of the first-generation Trafic and Opel/Vauxhall Arena.
Aftermath
The arrangement continued until the model line was discontinued in 2000.
1980
Creation of a dedicated Batilly operating companyStrategyBackground
Renault needed a formal operating structure for the newly built light-commercial-vehicle facility developed through Saviem and Renault Véhicules Industriels.
Action taken
Renault took a 25% stake in the facility's capital from Renault Véhicules Industriels and created SoVAB.
Aftermath
SoVAB began operating the plant and launched production with the first-generation Renault Master.
Sources2 sources
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