The end of the great industrial power: France's car production halved

Gefira ^

[niteowl77]

In 1976, I rode along with friends doing the tourist thing up I-25, and there was a yellow Renault LeCar that we passed relentlessly after having frequently pulled off for eats, pictures, urination, etc. The thing could barely get out of its own way going uphill, but the most memorable thing was how the windows were fogged - it was humid and raining during that stretch -almost to the point of opaqueness between Colo Springs and Denver. The lone occupant could be dimly seen clutching the steering wheel, hunched forward with his head nearly against the windshield, wiping it occasionally.

It was not a great advertisement for the brand.

Mr. niteowl77

[riverdawg]

Isn’t there still an “alliance” among, Nissan, Renault, and the French government? I think it began as a rescue of Nissan by the French and then turned 180 into a rescue of Renault by Nissan.

[Chode]

only if i could strip off that uglyazz front bodywork and replace it with almost anything else

[elcid1970]

Looked up the Sunbeam Tiger because that’s what Maxwell Smart drove. Quite a story about the Rootes group & why the car was produced for only three years.

Stationed in Germany in the early 80’s where the Citroen 2CV with the corrugated roof was a cult favorite among cool young Germans. What they really lusted for were CJ Jeeps and Corvettes.

[jjotto]

Renault is a major shareholder of Nissan but Renault in turn has some French government ownership. PSA (Peugot, Citroen) has Chinese and French government shareholders, and builds stuff for Ford too. Both French companies are a mess.

[DUMBGRUNT]

an “alliance” you say?

A friend and wife had two NEW Chrysler products, both would shut down and refuse to start! After 6 or 7 tows and missing work, he was extremely pissed. Traded his NEW Chrysler for an new AMC Alliance (Renault). He said it was cheap and on the lot! He drove it for many years, the passenger door would only open part way after some years. He always insisted that it was the BEST car car he ever owned!

And Yes he was a horse guy, and not so much a car guy?

[Rebelbase]

They could probably double production if they made a model catering to suicide bombers.

[Gil4]

They could probably double production if they made a model catering to suicide bombers.

The Gemans definitely aren't going after that market:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePBvl_Q2oEA

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Ford put an end to Carrol Shelby’s Sunbeam Tiger in favor of the AC sports car that became the Corbra. A high school pal owned an Alpine. Nice Looking car; it appeared in a James Bond movie.
I think Rootes is gone now, but who knows; the Brits have brought back the Norton motorcycle and the Triumph can be bought with an enormous three cylinder, water cooled engine.
My last bike was an ‘72 850 “snortin” Norton. Black with gold script on the tank.
Wish I still had it.

[hinckley buzzard]

Where were they ever? To say France was ever a leading automotive power is the worst sort of jive.

[semimojo]

It was not able to recover after either of the 2001 or 2008 crises because the euro, a currency stronger than the French franc would be, has become a burden to France’s economy.

The Euro was $1.60 in 2008. It's $1.10 now.

Good Lord, how weak would the franc have to be?