Enter the rumormill: Renault to build a Smart/IQ contender

A few French media outlets are toying with the possibility that Renault could build a microcar to compete with the smart fortwo, the Toyota IQ or even the upcoming Volkwagen Up! The idea would be to use a shortened version of the current Twingo, currently being produced in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, to keep costs down. Renault did hint not that long ago that it might also make a spider version of the Twingo. We suggest also that they throw in one of their upcoming electric powertrains as well. Making the car in Slovenia could rub the French government the wrong way, thoug. The government was thinking of giving €3 billion to the automaker, but only as long as they keep jobs in France.

[Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd)]