French president Nicolas Sarkozy said yesterday that he is planning an additional monetary push for the French domestic auto industry that he hopes will boost the sagging industry. He said that the government will officially announce the measures, which are aimed at the production of efficient cars, in late January.
“We have decided to help our auto industry just like other European countries have done,” Sarkozy said yesterday at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro.
“These are measures to help automakers build the cars of the future, cars that consume less energy, cars that are cleaner,” he continued.
Sarkozy said that France has invested heavily in nuclear energy and electricity and that he feels the country should help its automakers produce hybrid and electric cars. Aside from a Renault venture with Israel, French automakers have been notably quiet in the arena of vehicles powered by gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains.
12/24, 5:18 PM
posted by:
audifan
the french are not that bad off, they’re most expensive car if sold in the US would only be about $30,000 therefore people can still afford to buy and run french cars
12/24, 5:25 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
There’s no helping Citroën, that’s just a weird group, I don’t care how much money you throw at them.
12/24, 6:39 PM
posted by:
A4
i thought citroen was doing pretty decently… their newest models are quite gorgeous
12/25, 12:23 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Sarkozy = dillweed.
12/25, 1:28 AM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Remember they are going to be the first carmaker with a diesel-hybrid. PSA has already said they will make it regardless of profitloss. A FIAT-PSA BV wouldn’t be so bad.
12/25, 12:01 PM
posted by:
Borat
I can see French government giving hand to Renault (they own 15% of the company). I was under impression that PSA turned the leaf, just like FIAT. Their new engines are good enough to be sourced by BMW for Mini and Citroen designs are shamelessly copied by everybody. Those cars esthetically in the same league as Maserati.
12/25, 12:44 PM
posted by:
Xile
These French car manufacturers must be in trouble due to all of those SUVs they produce.
12/25, 4:20 PM
posted by:
PW
What’s that beautiful-looking car in the photo? It looks similar to a Honda Accord Coupe or Chevy Cobalt but has just enough to make it actually look good and not el cheapo.
12/25, 7:52 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
@PW
Looks like a Megane coupe, which I had the pleasure of driving in Mexico, only the car had a retractable hardtop which was… muy agradable!
12/25, 7:57 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
Nicolas Sarkozy has a nice ride
Carla Bruni, ahem
12/26, 6:40 AM
posted by:
AnonymousCoward
Whats new? They have been supported and subsidized by the French government for decades.
12/26, 10:43 AM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
More Proof the French Suck
12/26, 10:49 AM
posted by:
shaver
“We have decided to help our auto industry just like other European countries have done,â€
Way to show strong leadership and decisive action, Sarkozy.
12/27, 1:13 PM
posted by:
atir
the car in the picture is Renault Laguna Coupe
http://www.renault.com/en/Vehicules/Pages/renault-laguna-coupe.aspx
They make it with option of 4-whell steering with awesome handling.
12/28, 8:46 PM
posted by:
Get Real
With NO production, warranty work alone will keep them going for at least 5 years.