Renault Blog
Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comebackFiled under: Convertible, Budget, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault, Rumormill 
The internets are abuzz with word that the recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Renault may allow the the long dead Smart Roadster to be revived. The folks at Autocar report that a source within Smart says the company has had its eyes on bringing the roadster back to market for awhile now. Evidently, the purveyor of pint-sized transportation is interested in branching out from its city car roots - something that the recent partnership with Renault just might facilitate. Renault has a host of experience producing inexpensive small cars that Smart just might be able to capitalize on.
Autocar doesn't say exactly which Renault model Smart would use as the basis for the reborn Roadster, but there is some indication that other products may be part of the company's plans as well. The article even made mention of a potential Mini Countryman competitor, meaning that Smart is eying jumping into the CUV fray. Either way, any new blood in the Smart portfolio is bound to help. With fuel prices down, American buyers aren't interested in making the kind of sacrifices that the ForTwo requires, but an ultra-compact convertible? That has some potential.
[Source: Autocar]Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGordini edition Renault Megane and Wind reportedly underwayFiled under: Convertible, Performance, Hatchback, Renault
Renault Wind - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following decades of absence, French racing enthusiasts were suitably enthused by the return of the Gordini line. Whether the cosmetic packages that have heralded its comeback are up to snuff is another matter, but according to reports from across the ocean, a couple more are on their way.
We initially reported on the marque's comeback a year ago and brought you the unveiling of the new Gordini Twingo and Clio from the Geneva show this past March. Based on the existing RenaultSport models, the Gordini editions revive the blue-and-white livery of their forebears in an exclusive new package. Feel free to check out high-res image galleries of those cars after the break. Now, it appears that Renault is preparing to give the same treatment to the Megane and the Wind.
In the case of the Megane, a RenaultSport version is already available and widely acclaimed. Reports of a Wind Gordini, however, also suggest that an RS version of the diminutive roadster is on the way as well. So if the racing stripes weren't enough to pique your interest, RenaultSport's legendary tuning prowess in an open-air package should. Or at least give us another European sports model to pine for.
[Source: Cardisiac]Continue reading Gordini edition Renault Megane and Wind reportedly underway Gordini edition Renault Megane and Wind reportedly underway originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Russia's AvtoVAZ finally turns a profit after many yearsFiled under: Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Renault, Russia 
During the first quarter of 2010, Russian automaker Avtovaz lost 2.6 billion rubles ($85M U.S.). In the second quarter it made almost a third of that back when it posted a net profit of one billion rubles ($32.7M U.S). The spike came courtesy of Russia's cash-for-clunkers program, which more than doubled the firm's sales over Q1 numbers to 149,100 cars.
The cars that sold were reported to be mainly "older and cheaper models." In response, Russian Prime MInister Vladimir Putin advised Avtovaz CEO Igor Komarov to modernize the company, rather than flogging ancient Lada designs even if the flogging is good. Komarov said Avtovaz is sending a team of 500 to study Renault's manufacturing methods, which could mean they're finally getting around to that technology sharing broached almost a year ago. Now if we could just get that Lada C concept built...
[Source: BBC]Report: Russia's AvtoVAZ finally turns a profit after many years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsWhere's Waldo Jim Press? Renault-NissanFiled under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising, Nissan, Renault  Jim Press left Chrysler at the end of last year, and other than taking a moment to speak up for Akio Toyoda earlier this year, Press has stayed away from the lights. Turns out he's been on the job for Renault-Nissan since about March, when he was hired as a consultant on the company's sales and marketing operations.
Consulting has been a popular move for recent ex-auto execs, with Bob Lutz and Tom Purves perhaps assisting Lotus, Fritz Henderson landing at AlixPartners, and Rick Wagoner getting a board seat at the Washington Post. According to a Nissan spokesman, Press has already been visiting dealers and is "providing substantial input."
[Source: Bloomberg | Image: Carlos Osorio/Associated Press]
Where's Waldo Jim Press? Renault-Nissan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsParis Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling directionFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Electric 
Renault DeZir Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault's home auto show in Paris this Fall will mark the beginning of a new styling direction for the brand, and that means a new concept car. The DeZir is the first major project under new design vice president Laurens van den Acker and according to Renault, it represents the vision of 'simple', 'sensuous' and 'warm.' From where we sit, the shape certainly fulfills the first two elements and the bright red finish is downright hot.
The DeZir wouldn't be a modern Renault concept if it wasn't powered by electrons, and such is the case for this coupe. Energy storage comes by way of the same size 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack that sits under the Nissan Leaf, and the driving range remains the same 100 miles. Unlike the Leaf, the pack in the concept is configured for Quick Drop exchanges.
Propulsion is provided by a 110 kilowatt electric motor spinning the rear wheels and pushing the 1,830 pound concept to 60 mph in 5 seconds (at least according to the spec sheet). Kevlar body panels (including a pair of trick reverse-hinged butterfly doors) are wrapped around a steel tube frame chassis with double wishbones at all four corners. Renault hasn't given any indication yet if the DeZir will be produced. High-res gallery below, full details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRenault F1 looks to sign big names for next seasonFiled under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials, Renault 
With Robert Kubica's contract up for renewal at the end of this season, speculation has been rampant around the F1 paddock as to where he'll end up next. The highly rated Polish driver debuted with BMW-Sauber in 2006 after winning the Formula Renault 3.5 title the year before, and went on to land as high as fourth place in the drivers' standings two years later. This season the Pole switched to Renault and is sitting in sixth place so far after a couple of notable podium finishes. Reports now indicate that he's looking to stay with the French team - which won back-to-back world titles just a few years ago - for another few years, so long as Renault can secure funding to compete at the top.
To that end, Renault is reportedly in discussions with MasterCard as title sponsor, something the team has been missing in the wake of the Crashgate scandal and subsequent dismissal of its top personnel. The credit firm had sponsored the Lola team in 1997, but failed to make it to the grid entirely. MasterCard's sponsorship money, however, could be just what Renault and Kubica need to get back on track.
And what about the second seat, you ask? That's currently filled by Vitaly Petrov, a young Russian rookie that Renault signed for financial concerns. With more cash on hand, the team could look to sign a more experienced and capable driver, and has been recently linked with bringing Kimi Raikkonen back to the series. This could get interesting.
[Source: Autosport | Image: Andrew Ferraro/LAT/Renault]Renault F1 looks to sign big names for next season originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFalse Report? Carlos Ghosn not stepping aside as Nissan CEOFiled under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Nissan, Renault, Rumormill 
According to a Nissan official, a report suggesting that Carlos Ghosn is stepping aside after more than decade at the helm of Nissan "is not true!" A local news site in Cool Springs, TN (near the automaker's North American headquarters) reported today that Ghosn, who is currently the CEO of both Nissan and French automaker Renault, plans to surrender the Nissan post to Carlo Tavares. Tavares is currently the Executive Vice President of Nissan Americas Operations.
Nissan spokeswoman Katherine Zachary emphatically told Autoblog that the Coolsprings.com report is "not true" but declined any further comment on the matter. Ghosn became Chief Operating Officer at Nissan in 1999 before later being named CEO. His leadership is largely credited with the brand's product resurgence in the past decade and saving it from bankruptcy. More recently, Ghosn has pushed both Nissan and Renault to produce large volumes of mainstream electric vehicles.
Just a few short months ago, Ghosn was re-elected to serve as the head of Renault for another four years. If we hear any more news on the matter, we'll dutifully pass it along.
[Source: Coolsprings.com]False Report? Carlos Ghosn not stepping aside as Nissan CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsPics Aplenty: 2011 Renault Wind convertible blows inFiled under: Convertible, Coupe, Europe, Renault 
2011 Renault Wind - Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault debuted its all new Wind coupe-convertible at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and now that summer is here, it's time for it to hit the streets. At just over 12.5 feet long, the Wind's closest competitor is likely to be the upcoming Mini Roadster and Coupe. Like so many other European automakers, Renault has gone with a hardtop, but not the type of complex, folding multi-piece unit found on so many others. Similar to the late Ferrari 575 SuperAmerica, the roof panel simply rotates back 180 degrees and stows flat under the rear deck.
The relatively simple top design allows the Wind to retain 9.5 cubic feet of trunk space, even with the top down. The only real downside is the huge sail panels that mean over-the-shoulder visibility looks to be all but non-existent.
The front wheels are spun by a choice of inline-four cylinder engines. The TCe 100 is a 1.15-liter turbocharged unit that delivers 100 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque while the 1.6-liter normally aspirated mill cranks out 133 hp and 118 lb-ft. The two powerplants (if that isn't too strong a word in this case) deliver 37.3 and 33.6 miles per gallon (U.S.) respectively. With a mass under 2,500 pounds this could be a fun little machine regardless of the output.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Pics Aplenty: 2011 Renault Wind convertible blows in Pics Aplenty: 2011 Renault Wind convertible blows in originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Renault Latitude brings back conventional style to premium segmentFiled under: Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Misc. Auto Shows, Renault, Russia 
2011 Renault Latitude - Click above for high-res image gallery
Through much of the last decade, Renault's product lineup lived up to the long-standing French reputation for peculiar design. This was particularly true of its flagship model, the bizarre looking five-door hatchback Vel Satis. That unsuccessful model is now set to be replaced by a much more conventional looking four-door sedan dubbed the Latitude.
The Latitude is built on a stretched version of the mid-sized Laguna platform and shares its powertrain options, including the new 3.0-liter diesel V6. Most of the car is common with the Renault-Samsung SM5 sedan that went on sale in South Korea recently and he new sedan spans an additional 1.2 inches bumper to bumper than the Vel Satis, while sitting four inches lower.
The public will get its first opportunity to see the Latitude in person at the Moscow Motor Show and then again at the Paris Motor Show in September before it goes on sale in North Africa, Asia, Australia and Eastern Europe this fall. Western Europeans will have to wait until early next year to get the Latitude.
[Source: Renault] Continue reading 2011 Renault Latitude brings back conventional style to premium segment 2011 Renault Latitude brings back conventional style to premium segment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Next Infiniti M and G to share platform with Mercedes-Benz E Class?Filed under: Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault 
2011 Infiniti M56S - Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault-Nissan and Daimler recently announced a strategic alliance that promised technology and facility sharing that could result in the saving of over $1 billion per year. We'll have to wait a while before we can see any parts or factory sharing, but that isn't stopping the rumormill from running rampant.
The latest tease comes courtesy of Japanese enthusiast rag Best Car, which claims that the Infiniti M and G will share a common platform architecture with the Mercedes E-Class. The move would make sense from a money-saving perspective, as Infiniti could save hundreds of millions of dollars in development costs. Daimler could reap huge sums of savings through increased economies of scale, while likely receiving funding from Renault-Nissan to help pay for the costs of developing the architecture. The two companies are reportedly also looking into sharing engines, factory space in the U.S. and possibly even commercial vans.
But while it makes sense for Daimler to share the E-Class platform with Infiniti from a cash standpoint, we're taking this bit of news with a healthy dose of skepticism. Infiniti already has an excellent rear-wheel drive platform and there's a good chance that it's cheaper to build. But then again, if Daimler and Renault-Nissan are truly serious about saving over $1 billion per year, these are exactly the kinds of parts-sharing agreements that will help them reach their cost-saving goals.
[Source: Pistonheads]Report: Next Infiniti M and G to share platform with Mercedes-Benz E Class? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAmusing: Renault pressured to change name of Zoe EV by woman named Zoe RenaultFiled under: Coupe, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Renault, Humor, Electric 
Renault Zoe Z.E. concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Any marketing person will tell you that coming up with the right name is one of the most difficult aspects of launching a new product. Big companies will spend millions of dollars researching names to make sure that they aren't already trademarked or have strange or offensive meanings in other countries.
Renault, however, has a slightly different problem with the name of one its upcoming electric vehicles. The Zoe Z.E. is a compact, urban commuter due to be launched in 2012. Renault is not an uncommon name in France, wit its namesake, Louis Renault having begun building cars in the late 19th century. Unfortunately for a certain Parisian woman, having both her first and last names associated with a new car is apparently just too much. Thus, according to Autocar, Zoe Renault is threatening to sue Automaker Renault unless it changes the name of its forthcoming EV.
While we can certainly sympathize with Ms. Renault, her complaint here seems to be a bit of a stretch. The automaker apparently chose the name Zoe because it means "life" in Greek. Unless automakers start using nothing but made up or alphanumeric names, there is bound to be someone, somewhere that will have an issue with just about every name. It's time to get over it.
[Source: Autocar]Amusing: Renault pressured to change name of Zoe EV by woman named Zoe Renault originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRenault planning $2,500 Nano fighter for Indian marketFiled under: Budget, Nissan, Renault, India, Electric 
Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery
Apparently inspired by the popularity of the Tato Nano in India, Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn wants a piece of the low budget pie. The Nano, of course, grabbed the world's attention when it came out with a base price tag of just $2,500. Speaking last Friday at the Renault annual meeting, Ghosn announced Renault's intention to work with Nissan and the Bajaj Group to produce its own $2,500 car.
It's unlikely that the cheap Renault will be exported to Europe or North America, although it could go to other emerging markets. What is likely is that Renault will produce a battery powered version at a significantly higher price.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Renault planning $2,500 Nano fighter for Indian market Renault planning $2,500 Nano fighter for Indian market originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Carlos Ghosn gets four more years as Renault CEOFiled under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Nissan, Renault 
What's the least surprising thing you'll hear all day?
"Renault's board of directors has re-elected Carlos Ghosn as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for a four-year period, following the renewal of his directorship by the Annual General Meeting of April 30, 2010."
So, now that Ghosn has been reconfirmed as the man at the helm of the dual-headed Renault/Nissan alliance, what does he plan to do next? No, he's not going to Disney World. "We will continue to accelerate synergies with Nissan as part of the Alliance, with new actions that should produce results in 2010," answers Ghosn. "We are combining our strengths with Nissan, notably in India, Russia, Brazil and Mexico."
Business as usual, it would seem.
[Source: Business Standard | Image: Yves Forestier/Getty Images]Report: Carlos Ghosn gets four more years as Renault CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBuy Me! 1985 Renault R5 Turbo II... in OregonFiled under: Performance, Auctions, Hatchback, Renault 
1985 Renault R5 Turbo II - Click above for high-res image galler
Given how close everyone is to pulling a Fred Flintstone and yabadabadooing the hell out of the office for the weekend, allow us to provide you with a quick little diversion. Behold what could possibly be the most gorgeous example of a Renault R5 Turbo II we've ever set our eyes upon. This sucker wears the same paint it bore from the factory, and with a scant 25,500 miles on the clock, it's as close to new as anything from France, 1985 can get.
Inside, nearly everything is original save a few choice modifications. The stock steering wheel has been given up in favor of a suede Momo piece, and the factory buckets were swapped for a set of period Recaro thrones. They are the perfect shade of late '70s brown, and we love them. The owner points out that unlike most R5s, both the dash and door panels were never cut for a stereo.
If you're fretting over the fact that this car has had less than 1,000 miles put on the odometer ever year, don't. The seller is the second owner, and claims this set of hips-with-wheels has been meticulously maintained by none other than the experts at Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo Ferrari. You know, the oldest authorized Ferrari dealer in the States? Yeah. Those guys.
If you want it as badly as we do, get ready to fork over a serious chunk of change in a hurry. As we write this, there are less than two days left on the eBay auction, and the starting bid of $47,500 has yet to be touched.
[Source: eBay via Bring a Trailer]Buy Me! 1985 Renault R5 Turbo II... in Oregon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRenault: You're too fat, Vitaly Petrov!Filed under: Motorsports, Renault  Imagine you're running an F1 team. You're spending millions to shave precious pounds off the car's weight. And then you hire a driver who's carrying an extra few pounds around the middle, and the advantage is lost.
That's essentially what's happening at Renault F1 this season with their rookie Vitaly Petrov. The Russian driver is almost as tall as his team-mate Robert Kubica, but crucially weighs some 10 kilograms (or 22 lbs) more. Kubica made headlines in the last few years at BMW-Sauber, where he went on an extreme weight-loss regimen in order to improve his performance.
Petrov, meanwhile, just managed to finish his first grand prix and score his first championship points this past weekend in Shanghai, having failed to make it to the finish line in the three previous rounds.
According to reports, the French team has instructed its driver to lose a few pounds. Trimming weight off the driver's body mass allows the engineers to play around with extra ballast (required to reach the minimum curb weight allowed under regulations) and trim the car's handling accordingly.
[Source: Autocar]Renault: You're too fat, Vitaly Petrov! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFIA, Briatore put an end to legal sagaFiled under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Renault 
It's been a long, drawn-out affair extending back two years since the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. That's when then-Renault F1 chiefs Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds allegedly instructed their rookie driver Nelson Piquet Jr to crash on purpose and give the advantage to his world-champion wingman Fernando Alonso. The scandal erupted the following/last season when Piquet blew the whistle. Briatore and Symonds were summarily excommunicated from Formula One and any FIA-regulated racing series (which is pretty much all of them).
Briatore fought back and had the ruling overturned in court on procedural grounds. The FIA said it would appeal Flavio's appeal (and we're not talking about his famous supermodel-luring swagger here), but now the two parties have apparently reached an out-of-court settlement.
Both Briatore and Symonds will soon be cleared to return to F1 or other FIA-sanctioned series, beginning at the start of 2013 F1 season and the end of 2011 for other racing disciplines. In the meantime, the FIA is abandoning further legal recourse, citing the best interest of the organization and of motorsport as its motivation.
[Source: Autosport | Image: Paul Gilham/Getty]FIA, Briatore put an end to legal saga originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: New Renault-Nissan tieup with Daimler could result in commercial van linkagesFiled under: Minivan/Van, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault 
2011 Nissan NV2500 HD - Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault-Nissan's partnership with Daimler is only a couple of days old, but the three companies have already divulged plenty of information on possible synergies. For example, the three automakers will work together on a small car platform that will one day underpin the Renault Twingo and future Smart cars. The companies will also collaborate on engine projects and share U.S. factory space.
Automotive News reports that another area where the three companies can find synergies is with commercial vans. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche intimated as much during the press conference, adding "we have no concrete plans yet, but these are certainly areas of investigation which might lead to results." Nissan is just getting its feet wet in the segment with the spanking new NV2500, while Daimler has a much more established van, the extremely capable (if pricey) Sprinter. Since commercial vans is one of the few areas where the companies will compete, the best way to combine efforts is through the manufacturing process.
The NV2500 begins production in Canton, Miss this fall, while the Sprinter is assembled from imported kit components at Daimler's Charleston, S.C. plant. Since Daimler doesn't have an engine plant in the U.S., the German automaker can benefit financially from Nissan engines built in Decherd, Tennessee. The move would improve Nissan's economies of scale at its engine plant, while Daimler stands to save metric tons of money, since European labor costs are high and the company loses cash by the bucket due to the high value of the euro compared to the dollar. Sounds like a cargo-hauling match made in heaven to us.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]Report: New Renault-Nissan tieup with Daimler could result in commercial van linkages originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOfficially Official: Renault-Nissan and Daimler announce allianceFiled under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Electric, Diesel 
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn and Daimler AG chairman Dieter Zetsche sign the agreement
At a news conference in Brussels, Belgium this morning, Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan alliance officially announced that the three automakers would collaborate on future products and that each would exchange shares in the other companies. The deal has been rumored for months, and Daimler has been looking for a partner to help spread the costs of small car development for years.
Under the new agreement, Daimler will hold a 3.1-percent stake in Renault and Nissan and the existing alliance partners will hold an identical stake in the German company. The partners will develop a combined platform that will be used as the basis for the next generations of the Renault Twingo and Smart cars, including a new four-seater. These new models will launch in 2013 and the current Smart factory in France will continue building the two-seat version. The new four-seater, along with the Twingo, will be built at a Renault factory in Slovenia. All three vehicles will be available from launch in gas, diesel and electric drive variants.
The automakers will also share powertrains for other models. Renault-Nissan will provide small gas and diesel engines to Daimler for use in its smaller cars, including presumably the next generation A, B and perhaps even C-Class Mercedes-Benz models. Going the other way, Daimler will provide some of its engines to Nissan for use in Infiniti models. The partners will also collaborate on light commercial vehicles, with Renault providing a new entry-level van to be sold as a Mercedes.
[Sources: Renault, Daimler]Continue reading Officially Official: Renault-Nissan and Daimler announce alliance Officially Official: Renault-Nissan and Daimler announce alliance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Daimler, Renault-Nissan alliance could be announced WednesdayFiled under: Nissan, Smart, Earnings/Financials, Renault 
According to an unnamed source speaking to Reuters, the Renault board of directors has called an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, April 6th, to discuss plans to enter into an agreement with German automaker Daimler. As was the case when Renault teamed up with Japanese automaker Nissan, there will reportedly be an exchange of stock, but not nearly at the same level as Renault's 44-percent stake in Nissan.
If the board chooses to move forward - and all indications are that it will - an announcement could be made as early as Wednesday detailing the partnership. It's widely thought that Daimler is keenly interested in Renault's small car expertise for its less-than-wildly-successful Smart car division, and it seems increasingly likely that the two automakers could jointly develop new city car platforms. Might a more family-friendly ForFour (previous generation seen above) be in the offing as rumored? Stay tuned.
[Source: Reuters]Report: Daimler, Renault-Nissan alliance could be announced Wednesday originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Renault introduces first modern front swivel seatFiled under: Budget, Europe, Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Renault 
Renault has gone ahead and answered the prayers of elderly Europeans everywhere by introducing the EU's first OEM front passenger swivel seat. The French automaker recently introduced the option for its Clio hatch as part of a "Mobility for All" campaign, making it a cinch for anyone to get in or out of the car. Folks riding shotgun can simply pull up on a small lever and the seat's base will turn a full 75 degrees to allow easy ingress/egress.
The new option will hit dealers in six countries across Europe, including markets in Spain, Italy, Germany and Renault's motherland, France, starting this year. If you have your heart set on a turning passenger seat, it will set you back a full $2,157 at current exchange rates, though Renault says that's about half of what it would cost to have a similar seat installed by an aftermarket shop. We're in the wrong business.
Old-tyme Autoblog readers will note that this is hardly the first time that swiveling front seats have been offered by an automaker, but it is the first such seat we can think of to be offered in the modern era of crash testing.
Since Renault and Nissan are conjoined twins at the moment, there's some buzz about whether or not the Japanese manufacturer will adopt a similar option for its products. So far, Nissan has kept its secrets to itself, though. Follow the jump to see the seat swivel its little heart out.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading Video: Renault introduces first modern front swivel seat Video: Renault introduces first modern front swivel seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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