Novo mesto, 31 August (STA) - Revoz, the Slovenian assembly plant of French car producer Renault, is gearing up for the production of a new car model, reportedly a new-generation Clio.

However, since Renault's new investments are confidential, Revoz declined to tell the STA whether the new product was Clio 5 as reported by some media.

The Novo Mesto-based company said this was a piece of "unofficial information ... which the Renault group has not confirmed, so Revoz cannot comment on it".

But it added that "extensive investment activity for the production of a new car" was under way at the Slovenian plant during the collective leave days which had just ended.

At the moment, Revoz assembles Clio 4, Twingo 3, Smart Four Four and Smart Four Four EU.

The Slovenian plant as well as Renault's Turkish plant in Bursa are expected to take over assembly of the Clio as Renault is doubling the production of its electric Zoe cars in its largest French assembly plant in Flins as part of the group's focus on electric mobility.

The news portal Automotive News Europe has reported that Revoz would intensify its production, and launch a completely new Clio model at the beginning of next year.

According to the news portal, the new Clio should be even more important for Slovenia than the previous model; this would be the first time that Revoz assembles it from the beginning to the end product.

This means Revoz would not serve only as a provider of additional capability when Flins or Bursa are unable to cope with orders.

Revoz, which employs almost 3,400 workers, regained the first place among Slovenia's largest exporters last year.

In May, the company celebrated the four millionth Renault car it had assembled since 1972, when Renault first started working with the Slovenian car factory, at the time named IMV.

Revoz CEO Kaan Ozkan announced earlier this year that the company was planning to produce 210,000 cars in 2018, close to its 2009 record of 212,000.

He also said that the plant would keep the three-shift production model for at least two more years.