Peter Sigal

Production should return to pre-pandemic levels by the start of the fourth quarter as automakers seek to rebuild inventories and satisfy pent-up demand. European sales are expected to grow by 7 percent.

Faurecia says the combined group will be better placed to sell electric mobility products and automated driving services to the industry. The deal is one of the largest in the automotive supply sector in recent years.

Tesla, Mercedes and BMW are among automakers promoting the electric motor as a performance part, not just a commodity. And even more radical gains may lie ahead.

VW Group admitted it needs to move faster as rivals such as Mercedes and Tesla introduce more and more advanced driving assistance functions. 

Renault has appointed Heinz-Jürgen Löw to replace Mark Sutcliffe, who has left the company. Sales of LCVs were up 19 percent last year at the brand, which launched a new generation of the compact Kangoo.

The vans produced in Russia would add to those made in Stelllantis plants in France and the UK amid growing demand for commercial vehicles.

Haak was most recently head of product planning at VW's Czech brand Skoda. He will lead future product planning at Renault Group and report to CEO Luca de Meo.

The automakers formally agreed to a joint venture to build vehicles at Renault's factory in Busan using Geely technology. Sales at Renault's South Korean unit have fallen steeply.

Lynk & CO's monthly subscription strategy seeks to upend the traditional ownership model. The 01, a close relative of the Volvo XC40 that is imported from China, is available for 500 euros a month.

Hyundai and Toyota navigated the chip shortage to record big gains, while VW, Mercedes and Renault suffered losses in volume and market shares.

The Chinese-built minicar, launched in select markets, helped Renault's budget brand increase sales in a difficult year.

Microchip shortages hit sales of the Renault brand, while Dacia and Lada sales increased.

The Stellantis brand saw sales increase in all regions, with strong performances from the aging C3 small hatchback and commercial vans. 

Renault joins most Stellantis brands, Ford of Europe and others in its EV pledge as the EU pushes to halt internal combustion sales by 2035. Dacia will continue to sell internal combustion models.

The VF 8 and VF 9 full-electric SUVs will launch in Vietnam, North America and Europe this year.