Blog of RENAULT NISSAN Alliance

The Renault-Nissan Alliance showcased its zero emissions future in dramatic fashion at this year’s Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris.

Andy Palmer, Nissan SVP for Global Planning and Program Management, contrasted this year’s show with that in 2008 and explained how things had changed.

“Then we were entering a recession and today the industry is more confident and a bit more bullish starting to talk about products again and the mid-term.”

He also reinforced the Alliance’s ambition to be the leader in zero emissions.

Two cars made the headlines, the Renault DeZir and the Nissan Townpod while Infiniti, which has already announced its intention to be the first luxury brand with a full EV, unveiled the G Cabrio Concept.

Renault told journalists that the DeZir hints at future new styling cues for the brand. Journalists described the car as stunning.

Also on the Renault stand were the Twizy and ZOE Preview providing a realistic indication of the design of the production versions due to go on sale next year, alongside Fluence Z.E.

Nissan’s concept for the next generation of low emission vehicles, the Townpod, was unveiled by COO Toshiyuki Shiga who said that the car will fulfil work and leisure roles, allowing the driver to select power options while being able to utilise all the latest media, tuned to their own personal taste.

With the all-electric LEAF just 90 days from its Japanese and U.S. launches, Mr Shiga said it will the first in a new line-up of models. “We are just beginning to explore the frontiers of innovation,” he said.

Townpod will offer users the comfort of a car with the practicality of a light commercial vehicle in a compact body featuring rear-hinged back doors and an intelligent power train.

Meanwhile, just two years after Nissan luxury division Infiniti launched in Europe, the company revealed what could become a sub-brand: The Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) with the unveiling of the G Cabrio Concept.

Jim Wright, Infiniti VP for Europe. Middle East, India and Africa, said:  “We are using the show to gauge public reaction to the car and so far the reaction has been positive.”