Renault Zoe

According to French newspaper sources, Renault SA aims to produce more than 200,000 electric vehicles per year by 2015-16. At least 150,000 of these will be the Renault Zoe. Set to be launched in mid-2012, the Zoe will use a modified version of the Clio platform.

Electric vehicles are expected to account for 5% of the auto industry in 2015-2016, but Renault aims for them to comprise more than 5% of their lineup by that time. The company has committed to a volume of 100,000 electric vehicles for Israel and Denmark by 2016.

Although industry analysts have predicted that EVs will win 4.5% of the total light vehicle market by 2015, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn thinks this number could be as high as 10%.

Let’s just hope they get that Renault Zoe / Zoe Renault name thing figured out.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

First Drive: 2011 Infiniti M

The strategic alliance between Renault/Nissan and Daimler AG will allow the two automakers to cooperate on new tech and product-sharing that will benefit all who are involved. Following the announcement of their partnership, we heard many reports that Infiniti’s G lineup will get Mercedes-Benz”s inline 4-cylinder engines to improve fuel-economy figures.

Latest rumors from Japan say that the replacement for the Infiniti M sedan and the G coupe will see a common platform architecture with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. We also hear that Mercedes-Benz will be providing Infiniti with diesel engines.

Keep in mind, Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti have not confirmed anything as of yet.

Click here to read our first driving impressions on the 2011 Infiniti M.

First Drive: 2011 Infiniti M37 / 2011 Infiniti M56:

All Photos Copyright © 2010 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: BestCar (via PistonHeads)

Renault Zoe

Here is something that will make you wonder “What are the chances of something like this happening?” French automaker Renault SpA, has been threatened with a lawsuit, lest they change the name of their electric car, the Renault Zoe. The person who is threatening the suit? A 23 year old French woman by the name of Zoe Renault.

“I could not bear to hear: ‘Zoe’s broken down’ or ‘We need to get Zoe overhauled’,” she told Le Parisien newspaper. Quite frankly, we find it amusing.

Renault had chosen the name “˜Zoe” because it means “˜life” in Greek. A spokesman from the company said that Zoe was not a “˜definitive choice” for the automaker. Heck, we’d be honored to have a car named after us.

The Renault Zoe is scheduled for market launch in 2012.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: AutoCar

During fall of 2009, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was pondering requests to team up with two separate brands – Daimler’s Smart and General Motors’ Saturn. While, we already know who Ghosn picked to team up with, he says that it was never an “either/or” situation.

He said that working with Smart made sense and “Saturn was rejected because of very bad economics.”

Ghosn said that both plans were in front him at the same time and at the end, he rejected the idea of developing a new product line for Saturn after the brand’s departure from GM.

“There was no interference between the two projects,” he said. “It didn’t make sense for Renault. When you took a look at the bottom line on this project, it was mediocre.”

Daimler and Renault-Nissan announced their partnership earlier this month where they will both work effectively to develop new Smarts, electric-cars and shared powertrains across their lineup. Renault-Nissan Alliance will get a 3.1% stake in Daimler and Daimler will get a 3.1% stake in Renault and a 3.1% stake in Nissan.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Daimler AG and Renault-Nissan last week announced a strategic alliance where both will cooperate on building electric-vehicles. The two groups also announced an equity exchange that will give the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1% stake in Daimler and Daimler a 3.1% stake in Renault and a 3.1% stake in Nissan.

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the Stuttgart automaker will become the leading manufacturer for electric-car batteries – the only problem is, the company’s new business partner CEO Carlos Ghosn has the same idea.

Both have promised to produce the best battery power pack as they kick off plans to jointly produce electric-cars.

“Daimler has been a company that has traditionally been reluctant to give up its own technology path,” said Anil Valsan, the London-based director of automotive research at Frost & Sullivan. “While Daimler”s battery may have a technical edge, Renault-Nissan”s solution may end up being more cost competitive.”

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Bloomberg

Daimler and Chrysler’s divorce back in day is one that made headlines in the automotive industry. Chrysler, which was originally sold by Daimler to investment company Cerberus Capital Management, is now under the management control of Fiat SpA after undergoing a government-scripted Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Comparing its new alliance with Renault-Nissan, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said that his company’s relationship with Carlos Ghosn’s companies is much better than the one it had with Chrysler.

“After nine years of working together with Detroit we had less on our hands than we do today. That is our main learning” from the Chrysler experience, said Zetsche.

Ouch.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: DriveOn

A four-seater Smart model is likely to come to the United States as a part of the new Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG alliance, according to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche. Zetsche said that having a partner to develop the four-seater Smart “was a prerequisite” for expanding the brand’s lineup.

“We could not have found a feasible basis alone for the next-generation Smart family,” he said. “Of course, we could do a next-generation Smart alone, but we would lose a lot of money.”

The next-generation Smart ForTwo two-seater, and four seater and the next-generation Renault Twingo will be jointly developed by Renault-Nissan and Daimler. The plans also call for an electric-version of both the Smart and Twingo models along with sharing and co-development of diesel and gasoline engines.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

As a part of Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG’s new alliance, Infiniti’s G lineup will receive Mercedes-Benz engines. Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn said that the G lineup will get Mercedes-Benz’s inline 4-cylinder engines to improve fuel-economy figures and curb emissions.

Ghosn did not say when the new engines will make their way into Infiniti production lines or to which extent they will replace the brand’s 4-cylinder and V6 engines in the G sedan and coupe.

Mercedes-Benz currently uses 1.8L 4-cylinder engines in some of its C-Class models in Europe. The C-Class is not offered with anything smaller than a V6 in North America.

Mercedes-Benz will begin production of the C-Class in Alabama in 2014.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

After all the rumors, talks and Carlos Ghosn’s never-ending hunt for a strategic alliance, we finally have an auto alliance that will make Germany, France and Japan happy campers. Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG announced today that they will strategically cooperate on new tech and product-sharing that will benefit all who are involved. The two groups also announced an equity exchange that will give the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1% stake in Daimler and Daimler a 3.1% stake in Renault and a 3.1% stake in Nissan.

Outlined in the somewhat lengthy press release are some key points that the two groups will cooperate on, including:

• Cooperation on the next Smart ForTwo and Renault Twingo. We will see electric versions and an expansion of both models.
• Powertrain sharing and co-development on future projects on passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. We’ll see some sharing of new diesel and gasoline engines from Renault-Nissan used in Smarts and future compact Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Daimler will provide Infiniti with gasoline and diesel engines.

The strategic cooperation will be managed by Renault-Nissan B.V. for the Alliance and Daimler through a new cooperation committee giving representation to all parties. The cooperation committee will be co-chaired by Carlos Ghosn and Dieter Zetsche and steered by senior executives of the three companies.

Hit the jump for the press release for more details.

Press Release:

Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG announce wide-ranging strategic cooperation

- Cooperation on the next-generation smart fortwo and Renault Twingo, including electric versions, as well as on expanding the smart and Twingo families

- Widespread powertrain sharing and co-development on future projects with applications across passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, specifically:

- The sharing and co-development of diesel and gasoline engines from the Renault-Nissan Alliance; to be used in the new smart and Renault Twingo and to be adapted and modified with Mercedes-Benz characteristics for its new generation of premium compact cars
- The sharing of gasoline and diesel engines coming from Daimler to Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan Motor Company, and providing the opportunity for further collaboration
- The sharing of a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel engine and transmission for the Mercedes-Benz Vito

- Collaboration in the field of light commercial vehicles
– One-time cross-shareholding amounting to 3.1% of each partner”s equity capital
– Additional synergies encompassing selective common purchasing opportunities, exchange of operational benchmarks and best practices to be shared across both groups

BRUSSELS, Belgium – The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG today announced a broad strategic cooperation that will enable both groups to already realize benefits quickly from a range of concrete projects as well as sharing of best practices. The two groups also announced an equity exchange that will give the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1% stake in Daimler and Daimler a 3.1% in Renault and a 3.1% stake in Nissan.

According to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars,”Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are combining common interests to form a promising foundation for a successful, strategically sound cooperation that is based on a number of very concrete and attractive project cooperations. Our skills complement each other very well.Right away, we are strengthening our competitiveness in the small and compact car segment and are reducing our CO2 footprint ““ both on a long-term basis.We know that we can make brand-typical products based on shared architectures.The individual brand identities will remain unaffected.”

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, said: “The Renault-Nissan Alliance knows how to work successfully in collaborative partnerships, and this experience is extremely valuable in today”s and even more tomorrow”s global auto industry. This agreement will extend our strategic collaboration and create lasting value for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler as we work on broadening and strengthening our product offering, efficiently utilizing all available resources and developing the innovative technologies required in the coming decade.”

Highlights of the Cooperation

Following intensive and productive talks,specific projects have been agreed upon and will be implemented with immediate effect. Specifically:

New common architecture for small vehicles

The successor to the current smart fortwo, a new smart four-seater and the next-generation Renault Twingo will be engineered on the basis of a jointly developed architecture.All vehicles will clearly differ from each other in terms of product design.One main characteristic of the new architecture will be the unique rear wheel drive concept used by current smart vehicles.

The launches of the jointly developed models are planned for 2013 onwards.The smart plant in Hambach, France will be the production location for the two-seater versions, while the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia will be the production location for the four-seater versions.Right from its market launch, the jointly developed future models will also be available with an electric drive.

Powertrains

The focus of the cooperation in the powertrain area is on the sharing of highly fuel-efficient, diesel and gasoline engines between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will provide 3 and 4 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines out of its portfolio to Daimler, which will then be adapted and modified to reflect Mercedes” characteristics. The result is a win-win situation for both sides: Daimler will be able to utilize Renault-Nissan Alliance engines and capture additional sales potential for Mercedes-Benz” future lineup of premium compact cars, while the Renault-Nissan Alliance will improve its capacity utilization.

Daimler will provide gasoline and diesel engines out of its current portfolio to Infiniti. This includes 4 and 6 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. The result is a win-win situation for both sides: Infiniti will be able to utilize Daimler engines, while Daimler will improve its capacity utilization.

Daimler, Renault and Nissan will also cooperate on future gasoline and diesel engines. Final production decisions for newly, co-developed engines will be taken at a later time, seeking a production network that is well balanced, thus benefiting all sides.

The area of engine cooperation will be driven by a technical concept that ensures the preservation and clear distinctiveness of the individual respective brand and product identities, while at the same time providing a highly competitive cost structure.First,a high level of standardization of the non-brand-relevant components will provide substantial savings for both partners. Second, the use of separate, brand-specific technology packages will ensure that the requirements of the respective brands are met.

Akey objective is to increase competitiveness of all partners through a substantial increase in volumes, leading to economies of scale and cost sharing in development.

Collaboration on light commercial vehicles

The companies have also agreed on a close cooperation in the light commercial vehicle segment.Mercedes-Benz Vans will expand its portfolio to offer an all-new entry-level, intended for commercial usage, from 2012 onwards. The technical basis of this van will come from Renault and will be produced at the Renault plant in Maubeuge, France. Both partners will benefit from higher unit sales, better capacity utilization, shared investment burden, resulting in a better overall cost basis.

In addition to cooperating on small commercial vehicles, selected powertrain components will also be shared to enlarge mid-size van product offering and sales volumes. This includes a small diesel engine and transmissions which Daimler will procure from Renault-Nissan for its mid-size van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito. This additional entry-level motorization will generate additional unit sales for Mercedes-Benz and optimized capacity utilization at Renault.

Equity Exchanges

This strategic cooperation is underscored through a one-time cross-shareholding structure which enables the three companies to exchange, benchmark and create synergies on the basis of a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. The overall construction of the deal is based on the principle of a 3.1/3.1/3.1 percentage cross-holding between Renault, Nissan and Daimler; it will be transacted through an exchange of shares:

- Daimler will get 3.1% of Renault”s newly issued shares;
- Daimler will get from Renault 3.1% of Nissan existing shares;
- Renault will get 3.1% of Daimler shares
- Renault has independently agreed to exchange 1.55% of Daimler with Nissan for 2% of Nissan shares;
- Renault and Nissan will each hold 1.55 % of Daimler treasury shares.

Further opportunities for collaboration

It is the intention of both groups to create a long-term framework to work closely on future areas of cooperation between Renault, Nissan and Daimler. Each company will pursue future opportunities following the closing of the agreement on the strategic cooperation and the implementation of the first major cooperation projects. These include opportunities to be studied on shared modules and components between Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, regional cooperation in the United States, China and Japan between Nissan, Infiniti and Daimler. In addition, opportunities to co-develop technologies relating to electric vehicles and batteries will be explored between Renault, Nissan and Daimler.

- By: Omar Rana

Renault and Daimler have been in talks of entering into an equity tie-up a spart of a long-term partnership, and now Nissan may join the table.

“We are talking with many companies, many partners but I don’t want to make any comment on something that is absolutely not decided or something which has absolutely not been the object of any decisions,” said Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, who also heads Nissan, as the two have a strong alliance.

Renault seeks to augment its lack of top-of-the-line cars while Daimler look to add smaller cars. Sources say that Ghosn is trying to persuade Dieter Zietsche, CEO of Daimler, to join the Nissan-Renault alliance, though Zietsche may be a little reluctant given the turbulence he encountered as a result of a similar venture with Chrysler.

Photo Copyright © 2009 Jack Rosenfeld ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Carlos Ghosn, Renault/Nissan CEO said that he is still looking for another strategic partner to cut costs on global technology and vehicle costs. Speaking at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Ghosn said that he still wants to expand the Renault/Nissan alliance and pursue partnerships.

General Motors turned down a deal more than three years ago and Chrysler canceled its vehicle-sharing deals after it partnered up with Fiat SpA.

“Obviously, we are talking to many people. The name of the game is scale, co-investment and shared technologies. There are a lot of talks. You would be surprised how many people we are talking to about specific cooperations,” Ghosn said. He declined to name potential technology partners.

Rumors say that Ghosn is currently talking to Daimler AG on the next Smart Car. It was reported last week that both companies struck a deal to produce the next Smart for 2014.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Photo Copyright © 2009 Jack Rosenfeld ““ egmCarTech.

After failing to strike a deal with BMW and Mini along with Peugeot and Citroen, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has finally struck a deal with Renault/Nissan to produce the next-generation of Smart minicars by 2014. According to Automobile, both plan on producing different derivatives under the Renault/Nissan and Smart brands.

The Smart will retain its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive concept under both brands, with the shape and colors of the PVC body panels acting as differentiating features. Sources say that Renault will play the key role in engineering, purchasing and production.

The plan between the two include as many as four models including the two-seat ForTwo coupe and convertible, a new four-seat ForFour and a possible ForMore minivan. The ForMore minivan will feature a higher roofline and sliding doors.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Automobile

According to a report by German daily Handelsbatt, Daimler AG is talking to Renault SA and other potential partners to forge a partnership for compact cars by mid-2010.

“But it could certainly also go faster than that,” Dieter Zetsche told the publication.

Daimler has been previously reported to be in talks with Renault on a new small car platform. Renault also named Daimler as a potential partner earlier this month. The German company is seeking a partnership that will help it expand its Smart brand and jointly produce engines for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Renault/Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn, said that General Motors Company would have been better off if it had formed an alliance with his companies in 2006. GM and Renault/Nissan called the talks off in October 2006.

“Without any doubt,” he said during a forum sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations. “We knew fundamentally that this would work, but only if it was a collaborative effort.”

Ghosn said that there was huge “possibility to create something that would be extremely competitive.” He said the alliance would have allowed both companies to share technology, practices and a common approach.

When asked if he was happy that the alliance with GM fell through, Ghosn said: “When you see the disaster and the waste of energy and skills and talent, nobody can be happy.”

He went on to say that the auto industry had become much more interconnected.

“When General Motors was in danger, everybody was scared. We were scared. Because some of our suppliers are big suppliers of General Motors,” Ghosn said. “If they go down, we would not have been able to assemble any single car in the United States.”

- By: Omar Rana

Photo Copyright © 2009 Jack Rosenfeld ““ egmCarTech.

Source: Detroit News

Coming as a shocker to most of us, Penske Automotive Group announced yesterday that it has “terminated its discussions with GM to buy Saturn, citing concerns directly related to the future supply of vehicles beyond the supply period it had negotiated with GM.”

Originally, Pesnke’s plans were to sell GM made models for the next three years. After the three year period, Penske was to fill Saturn dealerships with other products from various automakers. Sources continually said that Penske was in talks with French automaker Renault and its South Korean unit, Samsung to supply Saturn dealers.

Renault COO Patrick Pelata confirmed today that talks with Penske to sell vehicles through Saturn broke down last minute.

“We negotiated with them but we were unable to reach agreement at the end,” Renault COO Patrick Pelata told Bloomberg News in an interview.

Pelata said that Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn was not in favor of supplying Penske with cars to sell through Saturn showrooms.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Bloomberg (via AutoObserver)

Top Gear has finally gotten around to testing the 2009 Ford Focus RS; however, instead of just concentrating on the Focus RS, Richard Hammond joins Jeremy Clarkson in a head-to-head battle with Renault Megan R26.R powered by a 2.0 turbo making 227-hp.

So how does it compare to the 300-hp 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec with a large Borg Warner K16 turbocharger in the Focus RS? Find out in the video after the jump.

Follow the jump for the video.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

2009 Ford Focus RS:

- By: Kap Shah

Earlier this month, Roger Penske of Penske Group hired former Chrysler co-president Tom LaSorda to consult him on a bid to buy Saturn and its dealer network from General Motors. According to Automotive News, Penske now plans on using the Saturn network to sell vehicles made by Renault Samsung Motors, which is owned 80.1 percent by Renault and 19.9 percent by Samsung (yes, the folks that own Samsung Electronics and manufacture cell phones).

The publications says that Roger Penske recently met with Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn to discuss the plan in Paris.

No word on whether Penske plans on using Renault Samsung’s current models or plans to use Renault’s platforms to build new ones.

Renault Samsung currently uses Nissan platforms for its four passenger vehicles; SM3, which is based on the Nissan Bluebird; SM5 and SM7, which are based on the Nissan Teana; and the QM5, which is based on the Nissan Rouge.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: AutoWeek

The Chrysler bankruptcy is like a test drive for General Motors. The struggling U.S. automaker is surviving on $15.4 billion in government loans and is under pressure from the government to restructure its debt and make concessions with the union by June 1 or face bankruptcy.

GM talking to Renault for potential sale, Geely bids for Saturn: According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, General Motors’ talks with selling Saturn to Renault SA, giving the French automaker a “launching pad for growth in North America.” The report also said that Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. has put out a bid to buy Saab. – WSJ

Ferrari opens up a new store in London: Ferrari opened up a new 5,705 square-foot store in London. The company opened the store on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting by Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen. – AutoWeek

GM plans to wipe out current shareholder: In a plan released to the U.S. government yesterday, GM said that it plans to wipe out the holdings of remaining shareholders by issuing up to 60 million new shares in a move to pay off debt to the U.S. Treasury, bondholders and the UAW. – Reuters

F1 Chief Max Mosley’s son found dead: Formula 1 chief Max Mosley’s son was found dead in his home in Notting Hill. Reports suggest that Alexander Mosley’s death is related to drug overdose. – Inside Line

- By: Omar Rana