The French car manufacturer Renault will cease production of the Clio model in Spain and Slovenia, while it will continue in French facilities, reported the company’s CEO.
"We plan to stop production of the Clio in Spain and Slovenia," said CEO Patrick Pelata to reporters after discussions with Minister of Industry Christian Estrosi. Renault has come under significant pressure from the French government regarding the planned relocation of Clio production from France to Turkey. Pelata stated that no decision has been made in discussions about the production line in Turkey. "A decision has not been made because it is not yet time for that. In any case, it is clear that the Clio, regardless of the outcome of those discussions, will continue to be produced in Flins near Paris," Pelata said.
The French government wants to prevent the production of the new Renault model abroad in order to preserve jobs in France during the economic recovery from the crisis. The French state owns a 15% stake in Renault. The Clio was the third best-selling car in 2009 in France, after the Peugeot 207 and the Renault Megane. Renault plans to move production of the Clio 4 to Turkey, while in the French Flins, where the older version of the car is produced, electric vehicles Zoe and electric batteries are expected to be produced from 2012. (H)
