Further Chrysler/Renault rumors pop up in Paris
Hopes for Renault's possible return to the American market were stymied when it became apparent that General Motors wasn't interested in a far-reaching partnership with the brand and its Nissan ally a few years ago. It seems that the French automaker is still very interested in re-entering the U.S. and would consider other possible partnerships. One particular option that popped up at the Paris Motor Show is a purchase of the Chrysler brand if Cerberus were interested in parting ways with it. Interestingly, Chrysler was the automaker that Renault pawned its last U.S. efforts off on.It wouldn't be an easy time to enter the U.S. market, as every automaker is currently posting lower-than-hoped-for sales figures, including Chrysler, which reported numbers down by nearly a third. Still, Chrysler has plenty of dealerships in the U.S. and Renault would love to have access to some of them. Plus, Chrysler is rumored to be in search of a new mid-sized sedan platform to build off, something that Renault would be more than capable of providing. Another more costly option would be for Renault to go it alone, producing three brand-new vehicles just for the U.S. We'll keep an eye on these rumors and report back if anything more substantial breaks.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Avinash machado 12:19PM (10/04/2008)
But is Cerberus interested in selling Chrysler? I thought they said they are in it for the long haul.
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tankd0g 6:32PM (10/04/2008)
Maybe they've hauled it for long enough.
slotownbrian 12:41PM (10/04/2008)
Renault and Nissan seem to hit in pretty similar markets; I would say Renault maybe be a SMALL step up from Nissan. I've lived in France and driven my share of Clios and Lagunas...they're decent driving but the quality of some of the electrics is a bit dodgy. Extremely safe and good value for the money though, I'd take one over a Civic or GTI (maybe).
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cc 12:50PM (10/04/2008)
The current Laguna is probably much better; I think it's just a re-skinned Altima...
Shiftright 3:55PM (10/04/2008)
Safe and good value, but dodgy electrics?...Sounds like a French VW then...Hmm, maybe the downturn in the US market will be a window for all the previously departed euro brands to jump back in. Alfa, Renault, Fiat? I'm open to commit crimes for a 500 Abarth SS... Hey, how about Citroen and Lancia? Wait, Americans don't like anything diffrerent or interesting...
Torrent 12:51PM (10/04/2008)
It all ties together:
Nissan=Renault owns 44% of nissan
Nissan is getting a Hemi Truck from Chrysler
Through Nissan, Chrysler is talking to Renault.
anyone get that?
My take: as long as Chrysler's quality is better than it is now, I'm fine with any move they take.
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J M C 3 3:55PM (10/04/2008)
A strategic alliance between the three makes sense given their prior association..
I think what You described could come to bear in today's world economy/global auto market.
TRacerR 3:04PM (10/05/2008)
No! please say it isn't so!
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robin 1:57PM (10/04/2008)
This is good news, I predicted they might hook up with a French or Italian car maker if only to get quick access to economical cars, It would be good for all sides, Renault would like to sell more cars, as slow as the US market is it would be many more sales for them, Chrysler would benefit, and what about some cargo vans, we are starving for choice.
Id Love to see Clio's on Chrysler lots.
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Shiftright 3:56PM (10/04/2008)
Renault does make some cool cargo vans and utility vehicles. A Kangoo would be perfect when it comes time to replace my Honda Element.
The Luigiian 2:02PM (10/04/2008)
Wait, I thought Renault was in so bad a shape that there was pressure on Ghosn to resign.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aNeVFZ10M.xc
Not to mention Nissan posted the worst sales figures in the US market last quarter.
This is the company that wants to buy Chrysler?
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Carl 2:08PM (10/04/2008)
woot! Bring back the Premier!
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Jeff Banks 3:42PM (10/04/2008)
Lets all pray that that won't happen. My parents had one. As far as I know you still aren't allowed to say 'Eagle' in our house.
A new LeCar might be on the horizon.
stecki 2:19PM (10/04/2008)
i so want to buy a renault, though i guess i have to call them a freedom car company, not french right?
bring back the alpine a110. i'll have a check ready for renault when they do. oh wait, alfa is coming back, maybe they will get my check. my MINI is 5 years old now, i need another european car brand to replace it soon!
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Dave 2:40PM (10/04/2008)
For those who missed it the first time; now will be your chance to buy a French Dodge Monaco.
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Kitko 3:52PM (10/04/2008)
Nissan made reliable cars for European markets until it started getting bits from Renault - after that the reliability went south. Still, it's better than Renault - the best Renault (Scenic) scored a pathetic 54th in a 2008 TUV study (based on service data of 7 million cars 2-3 years old, at least 10,000 of each model sold in Germany).
Mixing that with even poorer Chrysler's showing is like inviting an ebola virus to a party.
Scroll down for table.
http://news.auto.cz/aktuality/auto-bild-tuev-report-2008-vozy-stari-2-3-roky-lidove-mazdy-momentalne-vladnou.html
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/auto-bild-tuev-report-2008_522911.html
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Matthew 7:04PM (10/04/2008)
If a 54th place is pathetic, what about the 3 series (55th), 7 series (55th), Vectra (59th), A6 (61th), Polo (61th), Mondeo (64th), Accord (64th), Passat (64th) or S-class (68th)? Or you think they're bad cars?
OTOH I usually find ADAC (Germany's automobile club) surveys rather reliable (and with figures): http://www.adac.de/images/Pannenstatistik%202007_tcm8-214903.pdf
cxv 6:38PM (10/04/2008)
This is the way to go for Chrysler. I have driven the Espace and the the Sentra styled Samsung car in Korea and they are pretty good quality cars. The new Megane and Laguna also look like winners and the quality of French cars are as good as any other carmaker nowdays.
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Cardude 8:46PM (10/04/2008)
I want Chrysler to survive and I want French cars for sale in America again, so I hope they do it.
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MerkurScorpio 1:13AM (10/05/2008)
Is it just me or is this one huge irony? Chrysler ends up with the remnants of Renault's US operations when it absorbed AMC, and now Renault may buy Chrysler to reenter the US market, possible via Chrysler-badged versions of its European cars. Might be even more bizarre than Chrysler's brief relationship with Maserati.
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