Auto News 5

China's quality inspection agency has halted the import of several models made by French carmaker Renault, citing what it called "serious safety risks" and failure to meet technical standards. Full story...

Renault was still expecting a 25% fall in 2009 sales, chief operating officer Patrick Pelata has said. Full story...

Renault is still expecting car sales in Europe to be down 25 percent in 2009, Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata said in an interview published on Monday. Full story...

With Williams and Force India on the outer after filing unconditional FIA paperwork, the F1 teams' alliance FOTA has moved to ensure its unity is not further eroded. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Renault and BMW have signed a $50m bond not to jump ship and enter the 2010 championship unconditionally within the next 30 days. Full story...

Even before Nelson Piquet beached his Renault in the gravel during 'Q1' on Saturday, speculation that his seat is still in danger was floating around the Istanbul paddock. Meanwhile, off the back of constant speculation linking him with McLaren next year, current Williams driver Nico Rosberg has finally admitted he may soon steer a Mercedes-powered car. Full story...

Moscow city Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has told Renault's Carlos Ghosn that Avtoframos will build up Renault car production despite the economic crisis. Full story...

Renault's Romanian subsidiary Dacia will launch a locally built version of the Sandero hatchback in Morocco on June 18. Full story...

Peugeot has revealed the first images of its planned 5008 compact minivan, which will go on sale starting in the autumn after a debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September. Full story...

The Renault-Nissan passenger car project in India is crucial to Nissan Motor Co's European plans, a senior official of the Japanese firm on Thursday. Full story...

Renault's former European sales boss, Marie-Christine Caubet, will lead Volkswagen's French operations. Full story...

Renault's former European sales boss, Marie-Christine Caubet, will lead Volkswagen's French operations. Full story...

Feeling the sting of operating losses around the world, Nissan Motor Co. and its French alliance partner Renault SA have assigned a task force to squeeze more savings out of shared vehicle platforms, assembly plants and purchases. Full story...

Renault and Nissan announced plans to expand the scope of their global alliance Friday. The partners will increase their joint manufacturing operations and cooperate more on platforms, powertrains, vehicle engineering, logistics and randd activities. Full story...

Renault and Nissan have identified the potential to save a further EUR1.5 bn (US$2.1bn) by working even closer together, CEO Carlos Ghosn said. Full story...

With annual volume now exceeding 200,000 units, the Mahindra Group has become a major force within India's burgeoning auto industry. The light truck specialist has also partnered with Renault to make the Logan for the local market and is planning further expansion into overseas markets, including US market entry at the end of this year. just-auto editor Dave Leggett recently caught up with the head of the group's automotive division, Dr. Pawan Goenka. Full story...

According to media reports, Italian Flavio Briatore could buy Renault's formula one team and continue to run it in 2010 and beyond. Full story...

Entrepreneur Roger Penske wants to use the Saturn dealership network to sell vehicles built by Renault Samsung Motors and imported from South Korea. Full story...

Renault's Flavio Briatore has revealed that Formula 1 teams asked for a grace period beyond Friday's deadline for 2010 entries. Full story...

A crisis that was threatening to rip formula one apart eased dramatically on the day of the Monaco grand prix. Teams held a meeting in the Renault motor home, and later on FIA president Max Mosley was willingly telling reporters that a solution to the budget cap dispute is in sight. Full story...

Renault will build a new niche car starting in 2010 at its factory in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, a company spokesman said. Full story...