only if i could strip off that uglyazz front bodywork and replace it with almost anything else
Posted on 11/06/2016 7:52:12 AM PST by Lorianne
For many people, the automotive sector is a determinant of a country’s economic power. If you do not produce car brands that are known worldwide, then you mean nothing. France, once a global leader in car manufacturing, may soon fall out from the elite, as its contribution to the world’s automotive market is dramatically decreasing. It is one of the many signs how weak French economy has become with the euro adoption. A dying industry can be a spark that will set on fire the whole country; or the European Union.
Industry is one of economy’s pillars and it has become clear that we cannot create national welfare without it. It is industry where innovations are developed and real growth is achieved; growth based on real wealth, not financial operations. It has also turned out that a strong manufacturing sector prevents an economy from deeper stagnation, which happened to France.
French industry has been contracting since the adoption of the euro. 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 floating exchange rate works like an indicator of the strength of the economy and like an automatic stabilizer. A weaker currency helps to regain competitiveness during a crisis, while a stronger currency supports consumption of foreign goods.
China has been accused of artificial devaluation of its currency to prop up exports, while the ECB’s policy has had an opposite effect for the economy of France and some South European countries: the euro has become too strong; whereas for Germany’s it has become too weak. That is why the common currency has increased consumption and imports in less productive countries and strengthened German competitiveness and exports. Because of the euro France could not regain international competitiveness in the world’s market after the 2001 crisis, so its industry has been slowly dying ever since.
SNIP
It was not a great advertisement for the brand.
Mr. niteowl77
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.
only if i could strip off that uglyazz front bodywork and replace it with almost anything else
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.
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.
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?
They could probably double production if they made a model catering to suicide bombers.
The Gemans definitely aren't going after that market:
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.
The Euro was $1.60 in 2008. It's $1.10 now.
Good Lord, how weak would the franc have to be?
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