It was a campaign promise from candidate Macron. Apparently, the government is working on such a measure. According to BFM TV, the project would target at least 100,000 cars per year on lease and would expect a cost of 50 million euros in the first year. And this measure would benefit the most modest French people. Currently, brands like Dacia, Nissan or Renault already offer models at tight rents. A Dacia Spring, for example, the most affordable model on the market, claims €120 in rent per month. But, you have to deal with a first rent of 2,500 €. The boost from the state may help to avoid this expense. Case to follow.
Renault boss tackles future Euro 7 pollution standard
We should soon know the details of this standard scheduled for 2025, and which promises to be particularly severe. For the general manager of the Renault group, Luca di Meo, the game is not really worth the candle. The cars will cost on average 1000 euros more to produce for three to four grams less CO2. And that would cost the manufacturer billions. The manager draws a parallel with smartphones. “You can’t seriously expect to replace an old 12-button Nokia with a high-tech smartphone with 5G connectivity and a megapixel screen, and then make it cheaper.”
In the meantime, the French are converting to ethanol.
Conversions of vehicles to E85 bioethanol were multiplied by seven in France in the first quarter, according to registrations published by L’Argus and a specialist firm. These transformations mainly concern older vehicles, brands such as Renault, Peugeot, Citroën and Dacia. But, a sign of the times, it is also beginning to concern Porsches. Admittedly, the volumes are low, with just over 9,000 passenger vehicles adapted to ethanol out of more than 1.3 million cars sold on the second-hand market during the same period. But the progress is still rapid. And that can be understood, when you know that a liter of ethanol costs less than 80 euro cents.
And then, Mercedes will reduce the number of its concessions.
A reduction of 10% worldwide in the near future, and even 20% in Germany. At the same time, the star brand wants to increase its direct sales by 25%. Mercedes says it wants to be closer to the customer and therefore have better control over prices. And for the concessions that will remain, it’s a bit of a grimace soup. The brand is reviewing contracts and thinks that show rooms should be smaller in countries where the market is mature. This obviously concerns France.