Nice New Renaults

Back during the 1980s Renault cars, in alliance with the now defunct American Motors Company [AMC], were sold at American dealers. Once Chrysler purchased AMC, Renault retreated and quit selling cars in the US. A recent announcement by Renault that the U.S. market may once again be a candidate for Renault cars has been met with only tepid enthusiasm by the automotive press. Will Renault return? More importantly: does anyone care?

Renault’s exit from the US during the late 1980s was hardly noticed by most consumers. As makers of the tiny LeCar, the compact Alliance, and the midsize Medallion/Eagle Premier, not much distinguished Renault from the competition.

Today, Renault is quite a different company with a very different outlook and product line. Ever since its purchase of the Nissan Motor Company, Renault’s focus has shifted from a predominately European stage to a global stage. With Nissan technology incorporated into many current vehicles, Renault quality and reliability levels have risen. This is good news as Renault previously was criticized in the US for building poorly made cars. Better made cars than AMC, but not rising to the quality level that many had expected.

Press reports indicate that Renault will tackle the Chinese market first before even considering the US…if ever. Is it because Americans remember the poorly made Renault products of the past that is behind the company’s hesitancy to reenter the market? Or, could it be Renault’s perception that America doesn’t much like the French right now?

We don’t know for sure, but I am guessing that it is a little bit of both. Regardless, a high quality affordable Renault automobile would be a welcome change to the junk sold here a generation ago. Let’s hope that Renault has learned a valuable lesson from Nissan on how to build and sell a top quality product. If so, then bring them here.

Back during the 1980s Renault cars, in alliance with the now defunct American Motors Company [AMC], were sold at American dealers. Once Chrysler purchased AMC, Renault retreated and quit selling cars in the US. A recent announcement by Renault that the U.S. market may once again be a candidate for Renault cars has been met with only tepid enthusiasm by the automotive press. Will Renault return? More importantly: does anyone care?

Renault’s exit from the US during the late 1980s was hardly noticed by most consumers. As makers of the tiny LeCar, the compact Alliance, and the midsize Medallion/Eagle Premier, not much distinguished Renault from the competition.

Today, Renault is quite a different company with a very different outlook and product line. Ever since its purchase of the Nissan Motor Company, Renault’s focus has shifted from a predominately European stage to a global stage. With Nissan technology incorporated into many current vehicles, Renault quality and reliability levels have risen. This is good news as Renault previously was criticized in the US for building poorly made cars. Better made cars than AMC, but not rising to the quality level that many had expected.

Press reports indicate that Renault will tackle the Chinese market first before even considering the US…if ever. Is it because Americans remember the poorly made Renault products of the past that is behind the company’s hesitancy to reenter the market? Or, could it be Renault’s perception that America doesn’t much like the French right now?

We don’t know for sure, but I am guessing that it is a little bit of both. Regardless, a high quality affordable Renault automobile would be a welcome change to the junk sold here a generation ago. Let’s hope that Renault has learned a valuable lesson from Nissan on how to build and sell a top quality product. If so, then bring them here.

Copyright 2005 — Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics including: advocacy, automobiles, aviation, business, Christian themes, family, news, product reviews, travel, writing, and more. Samples from his portfolio are available right online.

Renault is a French automobile manufacturing company, which was founded on February 25, 1899. The headquarters of this automobile company are situated at Boulogne-Billancourt in France. Presently Carlos Ghosn is the CEO of Renault whereas the founders were Louis Renault along with his brothers Marcel and Fernand. The design and production part of the company was managed by Louis Renault whereas his brothers used to handle company management.

The company offers cars, buses, tractors, vans as well as trucks throughout the world. In 2008, Renault has about 129,070 employees. Moreover, Renault is considered as the 4th largest automobile manufacturing company in the world.

The company has alliance with Nissan Motors and famous for offering security technologies, revolutionary design as well as motor racing car models. The very first car from Renault Company was Renault Voiturette. For more publicity of this car, Renault has introduced its car model to motor racing. The company won its first success in city to city races in Switzerland. The company had gradually launched buses, taxis and other commercial cargo vehicles before First World War.

During world war, Renault designed and manufactured military airplanes as well as vehicles. Renault FT-17 tank was also launched by the company. At the end of the war, Renault was considered as the number one private manufacturing company and it was also honored by the Allies for its great military designs during World War. The company gradually started to export their engines to American auto manufacturers as well as other overseas automakers. Renault used to offer either 26 hp or 40 hp four cylinder engines in that period.