F1: Injured Webber makes way for Hartley Nov 29, 2008
Red Bull to test New Zealander Brendon Hartley - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Red Bull to test New Zealander Brendon Hartley29 Nov, 2008 09:08 am IST,REUTERS. (India Times, India)
Portugal leads way in electric cars Nov 28, 2008
The Japanese automaker and its French strategic partner, Renault, chose Portugal as one of several small markets to gauge the technology and consumer response under market conditions. There are similar plans in Denmark and Israel. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Nardelli: Chrysler Preparing Turnaround Plans Nov 27, 2008
Nardelli had previously said that without production and sourcing tie-ups with GM and Ford, Chrysler would have to seek an alliance with an overseas automaker like the one between Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co.. Chrysler will also release more information regarding changes to its operations beginning in December. (Newsmax)
Accord V6 is Car of the Year Nov 26, 2008
A Korean car won a category for the first time, while the Renault Koleos soft-roader (a French badge on a Nissan chassis but built by Samsung Motors in Korea) also won a category. Some models repeated last year's wins - the Mazda2, Mazda3, Ford Mondeo, VW Golf GTI, Toyota LandCruiser and Holden's SS ute among them. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
VW, Porsche halt work amid slump Nov 26, 2008
Renault, the French No. 2. has almost "no production left to cut" this year after announcing 6000 job cuts in the summer and shuttering several plants through December, Michel Gornet, head of manufacturing and logistics, said November 18. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Amid crisis, automakers look green in L.A. Nov 25, 2008
Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan and Renault, addressed the industrys environmental challenge in his keynote speech at the shows opening. The World Wildlife Fund has pointed out that if China catches up to U.S. standards of consumption, it will require two planets to sustain our livelihood for the long run, he observed. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Dimming hope for European auto giants Nov 25, 2008
Renault, another French carmaker, plans to lay off 6,000 worldwide. Similarly bleak pictures are reported in Italy, Spain, and Britain, but Hagen says that Europe's car industry is not on the same brink of collapse as Detroit's Big Three. (Christian Science Monitor)
French November Business Confidence Falls as Europe Slides Into Recession Nov 25, 2008
Renault SA announced plans in July to cut 6,000 European jobs, including 1,000 at a plant in Sandouville, France, where it assembles the Laguna mid-sized car. To contact the reporter on this story: in Madrid at. (Bloomberg -- Europe)
Past auto bailouts have lessons Nov 24, 2008
Firms such as France's Renault -- now allied with Nissan Motor Co Ltd -- and Germany's Volkswagen AG have benefited from government "equity injections and soft loans", said Garel Rhys of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff Business School in Wales. "British Leyland was different because it was a rescue," he said. (India Times)
Portugal Sees Mass Use Of Electric Cars In 2011 Nov 24, 2008
LISBON - Portugal will build 1,300 charging stations for electric cars by the end of 2011 as part of a deal with Renault and Nissan to promote zero-emission vehicles, the government and the auto makers said on Saturday. As part of the agreement with France's Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan, Portugal will also decree that one-fifth of all its public fleet vehicle purchases be zero-emission starting in 2011 ... Renault-Nissan will start deliveries to Portugal of its electric cars in early... (Planet Ark, United States)
San Francisco Plans To Be Electric Car Capital Nov 24, 2008
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd and Renault have signed on with other Better Place projects. Better Place is developing networks in Denmark, Israel, and Australia. (Planet Ark, United States)
More news flow for Proton in 2009 Nov 24, 2008
In our view, renewed talks with GM and Volkswagen could be a possibility, with the addition of Ford as a new potential strategic partner," it said. However, the research house said that due to the current situation that both GM and Ford were seeking a bailout from the US Government, it was discounting such possibility, leaving Volkswagen as a potential candidate for renewed negotiations. OSK Research said with its strong global presence and its ownership in Daihatsu, which already specialises in... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Japan carmakers slash production Nov 22, 2008
And Nissan - once regarded as one of the world's most profitable firms after a huge restructuring and a successful partnership with the French firm Renault - has warned that its profits will fall to zero because of the financial situation. Malaise. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
$25 billion French fund to help shield companies from takeovers Nov 21, 2008
They will also each contribute another 7 billion in stakes, including the government's 15 percent holding in the carmaker Renault and its stakes in Air France and the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard. The fund, limited initially to 20 billion, could grow, Sarkozy said, inviting foreign investors and even sovereign wealth funds to join. (International Herald Tribune)
Ghosn sees big automaker push to go electric Nov 21, 2008
LOS ANGELES - Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co., said Wednesday he foresees a big push by automakers to bring pure-electric vehicles to market, predicting that 10 percent of all vehicles globally will be electric by 2020 ... He also acknowledged Nissan-Renault had been in talks to acquire Chrysler, which is running dangerously low on cash and has joined GM and Ford Motor Co. in asking Washington for a federal rescue of the auto industry ... He ruled out any... (MSNBC -- Business)
Honda cuts more production Nov 21, 2008
Fitch lowered its rating on Nissan's French partner, Renault SA, to BBB from BBB-plus a day earlier, while Moody's on Friday changed the ratings outlooks on Nissan's A3 long-term ratings to stable from positive. S&P had changed its outlook on Nissan's long-term debt rating of BBB+ to negative from stable earlier this month. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
F1: Rossi impresses in Ferrari test Nov 21, 2008
Rossi impresses in Ferrari test - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Rossi impresses in Ferrari test 20 Nov, 2008 09:41 pm IST,AFP. (India Times, India)
GM, Chrysler scale back glitz at LA auto show Nov 20, 2008
Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn kicked off the show's two days of media previews with a somber warning that he expects the crisis in the auto industry to knock out some competitors. "We're still stuck in a situation where credit is not flowing normally, and the recession that began in the United States is not only deepening but spreading across the globe," Ghosn said. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Toyota Motor to trim output in North America plants Nov 20, 2008
Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan and Renault, speaking separately in Washington, told CNBC that a drop of U.S. industry-wide sales to between 11 million and 11. 5 million vehicles next year was a "realistic" assessment. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Business Highlights Nov 20, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday that he expects the current crisis in the auto industry will soon lead some carmakers to consolidate. Ghosn made his remarks at the Los Angeles Auto Show, pointing out that the weakening global auto market that the auto industry is facing will knock out some competitors. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Automakers can't afford to develop hybrids Nov 20, 2008
Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Japan's Nissan Motor and France's Renault, on Wednesday warned that automakers "can't find the financing" for aggressive development of so-called green cars. In a keynote speech at the L.A. Auto Show media preview, Ghosn said companies must husband cash to survive an auto recession expected to last until 2010. (USA Today -- Autos)
Toyota to Cut Output, Nissan Downbeat Nov 19, 2008
Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan and Renault SA , speaking separately in Washington, chimed in with his own bleak view of the sector's short-term prospects with a reminder that Nissan was expecting virtually no profit in the October-March second half. "We have to recognize 2009 will be one of the most challenging years for our industry and the whole economy in the last 50 years," Ghosn told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. (ABC News -- Wire)
Loeb clocks eighth-fastest time in F1 testing session Nov 19, 2008
The Frenchman, who last year tested a Renault F1 car at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit on the French Riviera, completed 82 laps of the Catalan track, recording a fastest lap of 1:22. 503. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Queens Park Rangers hires Sousa as manager Nov 19, 2008
Lakshmi Mittal, the wealthiest person in Britain, has a stake in the west London club, along with Formula One head Bernie Ecclestone and Renault F1 managing director Flavio Briatore. "I have been keeping track of his work for the last few months and he is the right man for our project," said Briatore, the QPR chairman. (International Herald Tribune -- Travel)
Former Portugal midfielder Sousa named as QPR coach Nov 19, 2008
Sousa is the third new manager at QPR since Renault Formula One boss Flavio Briatore bought the club with a group of friends, including F1's billionaire supremo Bernie Ecclestone, in September 2007. He succeeds Iain Dowie who was sacked 15 games after himself replacing Italian Luigi De Canio. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Nardelli: Bail Now Or Bail Later Nov 19, 2008
Nardelli spelled out a few alternatives for Chrysler: global alliances similar to that of Renault and Nissan and centralizing all of Detroit s research and development for alternative fuels vehicles. Chrysler will solely focus on its electric cars and will aim to have one out by 2010, and it has already ended its commitment to hybrid vehicles. (Forbes -- Business)
EU car makers won't get a blank cheque Nov 19, 2008
The stakes are rising for European car makers such as Renault, Volkswagen and Fiat after their US rivals got a boost on Monday when Democrats in the senate proposed a $25 billion (R254 billion) loan programme for the motor industry. Under the bill, the government would take warrants for shares in exchange for aid, which would come with limits on executive salaries and a prohibition on dividend payments. (Business Report, South Africa)
L.A. auto show opens under a cloud Nov 18, 2008
Ghosn, who is also CEO of France's Renault, cut costs and revived sales, quickly returning the company to profitability and becoming a cult figure in the automotive industry. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Volvo Truck Shipments Fall, Orders Still Weak Nov 18, 2008
Volvo, which sells trucks under brands such as Renault, Nissan Diesel and Mack as well as its own name, said in a statement deliveries in its biggest market, Europe, fell 28 percent while they fell 26 percent in North America ... "Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks are responding to the weakening demand by reducing production rates in the fourth quarter by taking stop days and stop weeks in the European manufacturing system, in particular in December," the company said. (ABC News -- Wire)
EU eyes auto aid but no blank cheques Nov 18, 2008
Pressure on European leaders to help industrial giants such as Peugeot , Renault , Volkswagen and Fiat rose after U.S. Senate Democrats on Monday proposed a $25 billion (16 billion pound) loan programme for their U.S. rivals ... 5 percent to just over 1 million vehicles, dragged down by extremely poor results at the Peugeot, Opel, Renault and Toyota. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Europe eyes targeted aid to carmakers Nov 18, 2008
Pressure on European leaders to help industrial giants such as Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen and Fiat rose after U.S. Senate Democrats on Monday proposed a 25 billion loan programme for their U.S. rivals. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and other EU leaders agreed at a summit in October to study possible support to the sector, and the European Commission -- the 27-country bloc's executive -- last month backed in principle the possibility of soft loans from the EU's lending arm, the European... (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Auto crisis repeats British experience Nov 18, 2008
For half a century after World War II, Renault was majority-owned by the French government, and Paris still holds a 15 percent stake in the company. In the 1980s, the company got a bailout equal to nearly 4 billion, or $5. (International Herald Tribune)
Formula One teams begin testing in Spain Nov 18, 2008
Reuters Published: November 18, 2008. Brazilian Bruno Senna, nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton, made his test debut for Honda in a new-look Formula One at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on Monday. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Foreign briefs Nov 18, 2008
PARIS: Renault chief operating officer Patrick Pelata expects the European motor vehicle market to fall by around 20% in 2009 ... Pelata said Renault, whose new Megane goes on sale this week, would continue its plan of new vehicle launches for 2009 as well as for 2010 through 2011. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
F1: Hamilton to race Hoy at Wembley Nov 18, 2008
Hamilton to race Olympic champion Hoy at Wembley - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Hamilton to race Olympic champion Hoy at Wembley18 Nov, 2008 08:42 am IST,REUTER 00004000 S. (India Times, India)
Tan Chong Motor Q3 revenue hits RM1b Nov 17, 2008
The combined market share of all three brands namely, Nissan, UD and Renault was at 6. 0% of total industry value of Q3 compared to just 3. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
F1: Canadian GP organisers reject terms Nov 17, 2008
Canadian GP organisers reject Ecclestone's terms - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Canadian GP organisers reject Ecclestone's terms17 Nov, 2008 09:10 am IST,REUTERS 00004000. (India Times, India)
Nissan may be best partner for Chrysler Nov 15, 2008
Though Nissan officials confirmed last summer that they were talking to Chrysler about expanding their partnership, Renault Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn said recently that "deals involving cash won't happen" during the economic slump unless the car companies "have access to a big pot of cash coming from the government." ... "Both Nissan and Renault [which owns Nissan] are in a tough position and they're eating up cash," said Koji Endo, a Tokyo-based analyst at Credit Suisse ... Renault's... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
`Dumbest People' Industry Image May Cost Wagoner's GM Job in Auto Bailout Nov 15, 2008
Still, Wagoner has shown staying power, weathering the losses and activist investor 's 2006 push for an alliance with Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co., Elson said. A case can be made that Wagoner shouldn't be blamed for GM's travails, he said, because it has been hamstrung by the costs of providing health care to 1 million employees and dependents, an issue that should have been handled by the government. (Bloomberg)
Europe car sales plunge as EC warns U.S. on bailout Nov 14, 2008
France's Renault , which reported world unit sales falling 14. 1 percent to 188,166 in October, said on Friday it would cut production further to reduce stocks of unsold new and second-hand cars. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Shanghai may axe F1 GP Nov 14, 2008
Shanghai may axe Grand Prix: Official - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Shanghai may axe Grand Prix: Official14 Nov, 2008 10:02 am IST,AFP. (India Times, India)
Search: Used sedans $20k Nov 13, 2008
This user-friendly compact soft-roader from Renault should win it some fans, writes BRUCE NEWTON.. Advertisement. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Nissan sits pretty Nov 13, 2008
"Nissan's got its plate full and Renault isn't doing well." ... Renault S.A., which owns 44 percent of Nissan, faces its own troubles. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Volvo to cut 1,000 jobs in Sweden, North America Nov 13, 2008
It has more than 100,000 employees worldwide, including its subsidiaries Renault Trucks, Mack Trucks and Nissan Diesel. Sponsored Links. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Spain feels Nissan jobs pain Nov 12, 2008
Nissan, in which France's Renault holds a controlling stake, is Japan's third-largest automaker and currently employs 6,100 people in Spain. US automaker General Motors and Spain's Seat have also announced job cuts in Spain due to the crisis. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
McLaren not to impose will on Force India Nov 12, 2008
McLaren not to impose drivers on Force India - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. McLaren not to impose drivers on Force India12 Nov, 2008 12:22 am IST,AGENCIES. (India Times, India)
Ferrari boss smashed TV after F1 finale Nov 11, 2008
"It is unthinkable that constructors like Ferrari, Toyota, Mercedes, Honda, Renault and BMW could accept putting their badge on a car with an engine made by others," he said. "This is because innovation, research and development in F1 have reverberations on industrial production.". (Yahoo News)
F1: Force India link up with Mercedes Nov 11, 2008
Force India link up with McLaren and Mercedes - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Force India link up with McLaren and Mercedes10 Nov, 2008 04:57 pm IST,REUTERS. (India Times, India)
F1 teams to reduce engine costs by $19 million Nov 10, 2008
"It's unthinkable that constructors like Ferrari, Toyota, Mercedes, Honda, Renault and BMW would accept putting their label on a machine with an engine made by someone else,'' Montezemolo said, according to the ANSA news agency. "The purpose of F1 is that investments in innovation, research and development reverberate in industrial production. . (MSNBC -- Sports)
Hamilton praises "big" Alonso for Brazil gesture Nov 9, 2008
Alonso, who had a spectacular falling out with McLaren management and Hamilton in 2007 and is now back at Renault, had said previously that he would prefer any team other than his former employers to win the title. The Spaniard, whose supporters have also been embroiled in a racist controversy after hate messages were posted on an anti-Hamilton website, had been Formula One's youngest champion until the 23-year-old Hamilton beat Ferrari's Felipe Massa by a single point at Interlagos. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Button urges Honda to keep Barrichello Nov 9, 2008
Neither has raced before in Formula One, although Di Grassi was Renault s test and reserve driver this year ... Honda had been courting Renault s double world champion Fernando Alonso but the Spaniard decided this week to stay with his team ... Button, who was replaced by the Spaniard at Renault in 2003, said he would have relished the chance to take him on in the same machinery. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Detroit's Rut Grows Deeper Nov 8, 2008
Ceberus Capital Management, which owns Chrysler -- as well as half of GMAC -- now has the option of trying to ally the automaker with 's Nissan and Renault. The private-equity firm has seen that option as a backstop to an outright acquisition of Chrysler by GM, Reuters reported. (Forbes -- Markets)
Nissan, Renault Leader Ghosn Should Avoid a U.S. Acquisition, Analysts Say Nov 8, 2008
GM-Chrysler Move Frees Ghosn to Focus on Renault, Nissan Woes ... Ghosn needs to concentrate on his companies now, because they're both suffering,'' said , who helps manage $28 billion at Tokyo-based Daiwa SB Investments Ltd. Nissan and France's Renault should tighten the screws at home rather than invest abroad as the credit crisis ``pushes the global economy toward recession,'' he said ... Renault had already cut its guidance, in part because Nissan won't contribute as much to profit as the... (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Vijay Mallya takes the helm at Force India Nov 8, 2008
Mallya takes the helm at Force India - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Mallya takes the helm at Force India07 Nov, 2008 09:49 pm IST,REUTERS. (India Times, India)
Honda to test Brazilian Di Grassi Nov 7, 2008
Honda, who have yet to confirm their 2009 Formula One driver line-up, will test Renault's Brazilian reserve driver Lucas Di Grassi along with compatriot Bruno Senna in Barcelona later this month ... He had hoped for a race seat at Renault before they announced an unchanged lineup of Spain's Fernando Alonso and Brazilian Nelson Piquet ... "This is a very well-deserved opportunity for Lucas to prove his potential after such an impressive performance in GP2 this season and during his testing... (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Renault to sign an MoU with M&M for product distribution Nov 7, 2008
Renault to sign an MoU with Mproduct distribution - The Financial Express ... Renault to sign an MoU with Mproduct distribution ... Renault India is set to sign an MoU with Mahindra and Mahindra (M distribution of all its products in the country, said Sylvain Bilaine, managing director, Renault India. (Financial Express)
Car dealers see biggest sales slide in 17 years Nov 7, 2008
Among the marques hardest hit by the downturn last month were Land Rover, Mini, Renault, Porsche, Peugeot, Honda and Bentley. Jaguar bucked the trend with a 22% rise compared with October 2007, while Ford's decline was only 5. (guardian.co.uk)
Toyota slashes forecast Nov 7, 2008
Daimler, the world's second-biggest maker of luxury cars, Italy's Fiat and France's Renault have all predicted lower profit. "The auto market is in a very severe situation, the like of which we have never experienced before," executive vice president Mitsuo Kinoshita told journalists in Tokyo. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Lewis disagrees with F1 chief over racism Nov 7, 2008
Hamilton disagrees with Ecclestone over racism - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Hamilton disagrees with Ecclestone over racism06 Nov, 2008 09:29 pm IST,REUTERS. (India Times, India)
Massa won Brazilian Grand Prix, but Hamilton won World Championhip Nov 6, 2008
Also in Formula One, Fernando Alonso will remain with Renault in 2009. Alonso, who won world titles for Renault in 2005 and 2006 before jumping to McLaren, won two of this season's final four races in his return to Renault. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Auto Racing. Alonso sticks with Renault Nov 6, 2008
Alonso sticks with Renault ... Alonso sticks with Renault ... Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has agreed to stay with the Renault Formula One team for the next two seasons, while Nelson Piquet signed a new one-year deal. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Fernando Alonso stays at Renault in 2009 Nov 6, 2008
Fernando Alonso has opted to stay with Renault, signing a two-year contract extention that will keep him at the French Formula One team through 2010. Renault also said Nelson Piquet Jr. will remain with the team next year, leaving its driver lineup unchanged for the 2009 season ... Alonso left McLaren last year to return to Renault after a rocky partnership with Lewis Hamilton, but flirted with such teams as Ferrari and BMW Sauber during this season. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
World champion Hamilton arrives home Nov 6, 2008
Tears and cheers accompany Hamilton's homecoming - News - News - The Times of India Racing: Latest F1 and other motor racing events, news and updates. Tears and cheers accompany Hamilton's homecoming06 Nov, 2008 10:20 am IST,REUTE 00004000 RS. (India Times, India)
Clarkson's prostitute gag irks viewers Nov 5, 2008
"This is a hard job and I'm not just saying that to win favour with lorry drivers, it's a hard job," Clarkson said as he was shown driving a Renault Magnum truck into a brick wall. "Change gear, change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. "That's a lot of effort in a day. (ABC Online)
Coming soon: Renault's affordable hatch Nov 5, 2008
Renault's recently launched entry-level Logan sedan is transformed into a hatchback, Sandero, due here early next year. To be built at Nissan's local Rosslyn plant, the hatch continues the French company's move to produce more affordable cars, without skimping too much on quality or that quirky Renault styling ... Renault's punting the "durable and value-targeted spare parts prices" of this vehicle as well as its affordable showroom price tag. (iAfrica.com)
