The French government said Thursday that it would seek to bolster secrecy rules for industrial companies after the automaker Renault suspended at least three executives who are suspected of compromising its electric car technology.

France's industry minister, ?ric Besson, said in an interview with RTL, a radio station, that the affair appeared “serious and again highlights the risks that our companies face from industrial spying.”

While few details about the incident at Renault are known at this point, Mr. Besson said the case appeared to involve the company's electric car technology. “There's a broad danger for French industry,” he said, adding the phrase “economic war” was appropriate in this case.