French auto journalist arrested for industrial espionage against Renault
07/17/2008, 5:07 PM
By Drew Johnson
Although spy photos fuel the automotive news industry, publications usually draw the line when it comes to photographs taken within the confines of an automaker’s private property. However, one French magazine may have crossed that line, resulting in the arrest of one of its journalists.
In July 2007, Auto Plus ran pictures of the yet-to-be-released Renault Megane, which actually isn’t slated to hit the market until 2010. Renault quickly filed a complaint of industrial espionage with local authorities, which consequently took a year before any action was taken. But Auto Plus’ office was raided this week, resulting in the seizure of computers and other documents, as well as the arrest of one Auto Plus employee.
No Renault employees have been arrested – as the photos were obviously an inside job – but at least one employee is being questioned, according to Automotive News.
07/17, 5:26 PM
posted by:
VictorRaikkonen
Who cares, their cars are ggly as sin as it is anyway and the best thing working for the company is Nissan/Infiniti.
07/17, 5:30 PM
posted by:
chester
cut off his hands. I hate the French
07/17, 5:32 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
aint that a kick in the croissant
07/17, 5:48 PM
posted by:
chester
hahahaha
07/17, 6:08 PM
posted by:
monte
we we
07/17, 7:06 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I actually like the interior of this Megane. Why can’t the makers do something drastic and push their concept interiors out to market? There’s some wild, really cool looking stuff, but it never gets to market. That’s sad to me.
07/17, 7:41 PM
posted by:
TOZO
Renault should have captured him, brought him underground to some dungeon where Carlos Ghosn could personally torture that guy to death with Medieval weapons. That wouild have been cool. And that probably happened too.
07/17, 8:09 PM
posted by:
bwilliams
Somebody better call KGP photography, and tell Glen Paulina that Ford is looking for him!!! hahaha…
07/17, 9:12 PM
posted by:
LS7
Who is going to steal French technology?
07/18, 12:54 AM
posted by:
bolex
the only thing good about the french are there chicks so i dont see why theyre so worried.
07/18, 3:45 AM
posted by:
The Stig
C’est la vie!
07/18, 9:17 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
The chicks? Yeah, if you like women that don’t shave.
07/18, 9:43 AM
posted by:
xyunya
^^^Nope, that would be members of your immediate family.
07/18, 10:35 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
That just shows how little you know of the world, Hemi. Albeit funny, your comment was mostly untrue. The French women that I’ve known probably shave and bathe more than most American women. However, there are still some older parts of France where plumbing isn’t quite in place, so those women would have a harder time bathing and shaving. Gee, that’s kind of like the back woods in this country, too.
07/18, 11:22 AM
posted by:
Htay9500
merde?
07/18, 1:21 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Why is it you can’t make a comment on here without someone “correcting” you? Everybody in here must be a world traveler and an expert on EVERYTHING. I don’t really care how true or untrue my comment was, I know how I meant it, so big deal. I’ve been to france, it isn’t that great. And xyunya always talks about people starting $H!T and look at him trying to get a dig at me. Xyunya is proof that chinks don’t make good comedians, so just stick to improving your $H!TTY asian driving skills.
07/18, 2:32 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Hey, HomoRectumRunner, don’t take it so hard! Of course I am a proof that chinks are horrible comedians. But I appreciate your worldly view that france sucks in Disney’s Epcot exhibit. It is disgrace to all North Florida. And real France will suck even more with all its museums, and french speaking frogs and cars and buildings taller then antennae on your trailer park. And of course, those unshaven women.
07/21, 12:07 PM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Check that Megane coupé concept out on Top Gear