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.

Today, Renault is one of the most successful French automobile manufacturing companies, but when it started in 1899, it was obviously just a new player in the market. But, soon they built great rapport and in 3 decades the company progressed steadily. In 1928, company had offered about 45,809 car units, ranging from small to very large cars. However, smallest cars were much liked by the customers. Roadsters as well as Torpedoes were also launched in the market at low prices. During Second World War, Company suffered a bit as German Nazis took control of Renault.

Post World War, Renault offered its rear engine 4CV model in the year 1946. During 1951 – 1960, company had offered a 2 liter 4 cylinder car known as Renault Fregate. The introduction of Renault Dauphine helped in expansion of the company in Africa as well as North America as it became one of the largest selling cars in France.

However, the car could not get success in North America and the model was outdated by early 1960s. Renault offered its two models Renault 4 as well as Renault 8 in order to gain its lost fortune back in 1961 and 1962 respectively. The R8 was conventional type whereas R4 was offered with revolutionary front wheel drive system. This model was produced till 1992.

In 1981, Renault 9 model, which was a 4 door sedan, was awarded with European car of the year. For its leading class qualities, the Clio III model from Renault also received European car of the year in 2005. Renault has targeted to sell about 20,000-40,000 electric cars by 2011. Let us see how far they succeed in their impressive venture.