In a major milestone for the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Renault and Dongfeng Motor today signed a contract for the creation of a joint venture company in China, the largest auto market in the world.  The two companies will invest 7.76 billion CNY (€870 million) in the 50-50 joint venture - Dongfeng Renault Automotive Company.

China is turning to natural resources to generate electricity. In 2012, the country’s wind farms generated more electricity than nuclear power plants for the first time. And while the difference – two per cent – was small, it is likely the gap will widen dramatically over the next few years as wind surges ahead.

Venucia VIWA… remember the name – for it might just be one of the most significant cars unveiled at the recent Shanghai Motor Show in China.

VIWA is a distinctively styled four-door city car concept with a mission. Thanks to its advanced zero-emission all-electric powertrain, VIWA is designed to help China improve the poor air quality in its towns and cities.

China is the Renault-Nissan Alliance's biggest market in the world. Last year, the Alliance sold more than 1.2 million units in China, giving it a market share of 6.6%. The majority of the sales were generated by Nissan, which set up a manufacturing presence in China in twenty years ago.

Since the Renault-Nissan Alliance began in 1999, emerging markets have become a pillar of growth for the auto industry. In 1999, Brazil, Russia, India and China(the “BRICs”) represented only 8% of the total industry volume. In 2012, these four countries represented 36% of global vehicles sales. China, which registered 600,000 car sales in 1999, became the world’s biggest car market last year with about 18 million units. Renault-Nissan sold 8.1 million vehicles in 2012, with about 30% generated from the four BRICs. The Alliance accelerates this emerging market expansion enabling each partner to gain brand awareness with millions of customers aspiring to own their first car. But each market presents unique challenges and for the Alliance, the approach differs from country to country.

China, the world’s largest car market, is embracing zero-emission and alternative-energy vehicles to help reduce record levels of toxic pollution in Beijing in the past month. Starting February 1, diesel cars that don't meet tough requirements similar to EU standards cannot be sold or registered in China. Starting March 1, gasoline cars that don't meet tough requirements (again similar to EU standards) cannot be sold or registered in China.

Read why Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, thinks China will lead the world in clean-energy vehicles: www.project-syndicate.org

China’s love affair with the car began only recently, but the passion is all enveloping. China is now the world’s biggest market for new cars with some 18 million sold in 2012. That’s around 3.5 million more than the USA.

Auto China 2012, the nation’s biggest auto show, opened its doors to media on Monday in Beijing, with almost 90 global debuts and over 40 Asian premieres.

Interest in the Beijing event now rivals the worlds’ top auto shows, reflecting the critical importance of the Chinese market to the car industry.