Carlos Ghosn Says 2012 will be a Record Sales Year, Bets Heavily on EVs

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is upbeat about the way the automotive industry is heading, despite the fact that the economic crisis that threatens Europe is far from over.

In fact, during the recent launch of the electric versions of theRenault Fluence and Kangoo in Portugal last Friday, Ghosn predicted that 2012 will be a record year for car sales worldwide surpassing 2011's volumes.

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Formula 1: Korean Grand Prix Race Results

With the drivers’ title already decided, the only question before the red lights went off to signal the start of the Korean Grand Prix was whether Red Bull would manage to snag the constructors’ championship as well or if McLaren, the only team with a shot at the title, could keep its (admittedly slim) chances alive for yet another race. Read more »

Formula 1: Korean Grand Prix Qualifying Results

Well, it was bound to happen at some point: Sebastian Vettel lost the pole position to another driver at the Korean Grand Prix qualifier. For the first time after five races, Vettel won’t be starting Sunday’s F1 GP from the first place on the grid. Read more »

Video: Thoughtless Renault Driver Slams into Parked Firetruck

Does someone really have to tell you to slow down when there's an accident on the road? Well, apparently for some drivers, the answer to that question is yes.

And this despite the fact that in this particular incident, which took place in the Netherlands, there are ambulances on the side of the road, a car burning up in flames and a bright red fire truck parked in the middle of the highway. Like, how can you possibly miss it?

Yet a driver of a first-generation Renault Twingo thoughtlessly pushed the pedal to the metal and tried to overtake a line of cars from the middle lane. Video follows below.

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Vettel Wins Back-to-Back Formula 1 Titles, Lauda says “He Can Surpass Schumacher”

If you have two Formula 1 world championships under your belt by the age of 24, then you surely must be special. Sebastian Vettel, who last year became the youngest world champion ever in the history of the sport, didn’t have anything to prove .

Nor did anyone doubt after the first races of the season, that the 2011 driver’s title would be his. Mathematically, at least, only McLaren's Jenson Button had a –very long- shot at stealing the title after Singapore. At last Sunday’s race in Suzuka, he did his best: Button crossed the finish line first.

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Renault to Increase Output of its Brazilian Factories by 100,000 Units in 2013

Brazil is currently Renault’s third biggest market, behind only France and Germany. This year, the French company sold 133,158 Renault passenger cars and 30,672 Renault and Nissan LCVs and, according to the company’s CEO, Carlos Ghosn, along with Russia and India, it's “one of its three top priority markets”.

Ghosn visited Renault’s Curitiba plant and announced the group’s plan to invest €200 million (US$267 million) and add 1,000 jobs in order to increase its production by 100,000 units until 2013.

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Color me Matte: New Renault Clio RS 200 “Ange & Démon” Edition to be Produced in…666 Units

Renault is playing the good versus evil card with its new limited run Clio Renaultsport 200 “Ange & Démon”, which is French for Angels and Demons. Deviously, the bespoke version of the Clio RS will be produced in a…fiendish 666 units worldwide - as most of you already know, that's the number of the Beast in the Book of Revelation.

Buyers can choose among three different matte shades, including Toro Red, Givre Nacré and Hologramme Grey, all of which feature a gloss black finish for the roof, upper tailgate, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, F1-style blade in the front bumper, the door handles and exterior door mirrors.

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