As part of the talks between Daimler and Renault over a possible cooperation, there have been discussions about mutual equity stakes, the Financial Times reported.

Two sources have told the newspaper that the alliance could go beyond working on small cars. The paper said the stakes would probably be below 10% in each other. The two companies have made no attempts to cover up the possibility that they could cooperate to cut costs, pool technology resources and build scale during this difficult economic period. Renault-Nissan still does not have top of the line cars, despite attempts with the Safrane, Vel Satis or Korean-built Samsung models. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Daimler, daimler renault mutual equity stakes, Renault
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Earlier this week, Renault SA launched new facilities to double capacity at its Moscow plant to 160,000 cars a year. Renault said that its efforts, along with that of partners AvtoVAZ and Nissan, would propel it to become the Russian market’s strongest player.

Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said that the shared platforms and capacity are an advantage as they all seek to take their place among the leaders in the Russian market. At the launch ceremony, Ghosn said that its investment amounts to 150 million euros ($203.8 million). The new plant has already been producing the budget Logan models since 2004. The Sandero model would be added after expansion. The plant will produce the Duster SUV starting 2011. Renault owns 25% of Russia’s largest car producer, AvtoVAZ. Indebted AvtoVAZ is anticipated to announce a restructuring plan later this month. Ranking fifth overall, the Logan holds the record as Russia’s top-selling foreign car last year with 53,869 cars sold. It trailed four Lada models produced by AvtoVAZ — the Priora, Samara, 2105/2107 and Kalina.

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Tags:car news, Renault, renault moscow plant capacity
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Renault has introduced the Clio Gordini RS at the Geneva Motor Show, extending its range further. Essentially, the hatch is a Renault Clio RS.

Powering the car is the same 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, which produces 203 hp and 215 Nm. Customers can opt to have the engine mounted on a Sport chassis or on an optional extreme Cup one. The Clio Gordini boasts a distinct personality; it has a Malte Blue color that features two “heritage” white stripes. Gloss black highlights are featured on the car’s front bumper and rear diffuser. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, car news, clio gordini rs, Geneva Motor Show, Renault, renault clio gordini rs
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The new Megane Coupe Cabriolet (better known as CC) has been launched, completing the renewal of the Megane family of compact cars. The new Megane CC was unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show and according to the manufacturer is set to go on sale in the spring 2010.

It will then compete against the Peugeot 308 CC, Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet and Opel/Vauxhall Astra TwinTop. There won’t be a long wait for the car to transform from a coupe to a convertible as this process could be completed in only 21 seconds. Open-air driving is now more comfortable with the addition of a fixed-glass wind deflector located behind the rear headrests. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, 2010 megane coupe-cabriolet, 2010 renault megane cc, car news, Geneva Motor Show, Renault
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Within 30 to 45 days, we will know if negotiations between Renault and its Indian partner, Mahindra & Mahindra, about restructuring their joint venture, are successful. Renault revealed plans to set up its own dealer network in India.

Country head Marc Nassif said that it wants to start with 15 dealerships by mid-2011, and in the next 30 months, increase the number to 150. Nassif said that it’s never too late to come to India as its market is expected to triple in the next 10 years. Despite a good start in India, sales of the Logan have dropped considerably since 2008. The reason being pointed at is pricing; since it’s more than 4 meters in length, the Logan has a factory gate duty of 20%. As a result, it becomes too expensive for its target segment. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, mahindra, Renault, renault mahindra joint venture
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Renault Clio, also known as the small car with big car attributes, has plenty to celebrate. It will soon mark its 20th birthday and it also wants to express its delight at having sold more than 10 million units worldwide.

And we agree with the carmaker that there’s no better way to commemorate these successes than launching exclusive 20th limited edition versions of the three- and five- door Clio, Clio Estate and Clio Renault Sport. The Renault Clio 20th limited edition is easily recognizable due to the specific ‘20th’ badging on its B pillars, the gloss black finish of their front bumper moldings, exterior mirrors and side protective molding end-pieces, the dashboard with visible stitching, the anthracite gray air vents and center console and ‘20th’ badging on the front door sills. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 clio 20th anniversary edition, 2010 renault clio 20th anniversary, car news, Renault
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Renault completed today the renewal of its Megane family of compact cars with the launch of the new Megane Coupe Cabriolet a.k.a. CC. Set to be unveiled next month at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Megane CC will go on sale in the spring and aims to take on the Peugeot 308 CC, Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet and Opel/Vauxhall Astra TwinTop.

The new car transforms itself from a coupe to a convertible in just 21 seconds and promises to offer extra comfort during open-air driving with the addition of a fixed-glass wind deflector located behind the rear headrests. According to the manufacturer, the new vehicle will also offer better performances due to a new and stiffer chassis as well as the new electric power steering system. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, 2010 megane coupe-cabriolet, 2010 renault megane cc, car news, Renault
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Carmakers are either owning up to sharing a supplier with Toyota and launching their own recalls or moving to distance themselves from the controversy as much as possible. Renault is one of the latter.

Previously, Renault had said that it was looking into the situation but just last Monday, its spokeswoman confirmed that it does not share common parts with Toyota. In a statement, the spokeswoman said that Renault vehicles use “neither the same pedals, nor the same parts as those of Toyota.” Problems with potentially dangerous unintended acceleration have resulted to Toyota being faced with its most massive recall ever. Millions of vehicles fitted with accelerator pedals made by CTS Corp in North America, Europe and China, are included in this recall. Last Saturday, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen said it would recall nearly 100,000 cars, admitting that it is affected by the same accelerator-related problems that Toyota faces.

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Tags:car news, Renault, renault toyota parts, toyota recall
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Renault revealed today the brand new coupé-roadster dubbed Renault Wind, a new vehicle set to make its official debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The new two-seater measures 3.83 metres in lenght and has a highly innovative way of opening up.

Why? Because the small car transforms from a coupe in a convertible in just 12 seconds, an impressive time if we consider the usual time of 20 seconds from other convertibles. And this is not all, as the manufacturer confirmed the fact that it is the only car in its class to provide just as much luggage space (270dm3 VDA) whatever the position of the roof. For the moment there is no data regarding its engines, but we do hope to see the 1.6-liter engine from the Twingo RS (also on the Renault Twingo Gordini R.S.) capable to deliver an impressive 133 hp. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:2010 geneva motor show, Renault, renault wind, wind coupe convertible
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Prior to the start of the off-season testing period in Formula One this winter, Renault F1 Team made a couple of huge announcements. First, it revealed its R30, the new single-seater for the 2010 F1 season.

Secondly, the team confirmed that Russian driver Vitaly Petrov would be Robert Kubica’s teammate for the new campaign. The R30 will not have the ING logos and colors on it for the 2010 season, as this sponsor has abandoned the team following last year’s crash-gate. As a result, the new car will get Renault’s classic black-and-yellow sports livery (similar to the one Renault debuted in F1 more than 3 decades ago). Renault designers also opted for a shark fin engine cover for the R30, presented to the media by McLaren and BMW Sauber recently. For this Renault car, the engine cover doesn’t go all the way back to the rear wing, but stops a few centimeters from it. It’s also notable that Vitaly Petrov becomes the first Russian driver to ever enter Formula One. Renault F1’s team manager Eric Boullier confirmed the GP2 Series runner-up as the team’s official race driver for the 2010 season. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, f1 news, f30 monopost, Renault, renault f1 2010, renault f30
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