Renault scraps plans for next generation of large cars
Click above for a gallery of the 2009 Renault Laguna Coupe
It's no secret that current trends are leading the way to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. Still, most automakers believe that there is a place for large, luxurious sedans (saloons for those in the U.K.). Soon, though, that may no longer be the case. In Europe at least, the days of full-size vehicles, including standard sedans as well as coupes and MPVs, may be coming to an end as Renault, which partners with Nissan to form the world's fourth largest automaker, has reportedly scrapped plans for the next generation of its large Laguna sedan, Vel Satis hatchback and Espace minivan.
According to Renault and Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, "We will have to adapt to new market conditions, re-think individual mobility and adapt to the new trends. But we also think [in the medium to long term] that the oil price will remain high and there will be increased environmental concerns." Instead of continuing to develop new large cars, Renault may simply rebadge vehicles like the Samsung SM5 that's based on Nissan's FF-L platform to sell in small numbers to the few buyers that are still looking to go big.
Gallery: 2009 Renault Laguna Coupe
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mirko 9:08AM (2/14/2009)
The Laguna is not large. It's mid-size and shares the platform with the Nissan Altima. I don't believe they would discontinue it. It's one of their cash cows.
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Ken Stamper 5:26PM (2/14/2009)
You are thinking in US terms. In Europe a Laguna is most definitely a large car. The even-bigger Altima would be a huge car were it sold there. A "midsize" would be something like a Megane/Golf/Focus. And far from a cash cow, Renault does not sell very many of these at all, because the market for large cars without a premium badge is shrinking fast, particularly for the French and Italian brands.
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Mirko 10:28AM (2/15/2009)
I'm German and able to think in European terms. Press and "everybody" considers a Golf a compact, a Polo a small car and a Passat a mid-size. Laguna is about Passat sized.
Ken Stamper 11:57AM (2/15/2009)
Sorry if I sounded presumptuous, but perhaps it is different in Germany then. I used to live in Spain, and my gf is English, and that sure isn't the case in either of those places. If Renault is selling heaps of Lagunas, it isn't to the Spanish (or English).
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Throwback 12:45PM (2/15/2009)
Infiniti is launching in Europe this year. I think this is a key reason for the decision.
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michael e. v. knight 2:05PM (2/15/2009)
Instead of them worrying about gas prices how about making the cars hybrids or fully electric.
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