Daimler-Renault alliance to delay new Smart and Twingo models, report says

Renault SA and Daimler AG, who are sharing technology to build the new Smart ForTwo and Renault Twingo cars, will delay the introduction of the models by a year, according to a French newspaper.

The cars will now come to market in 2014 instead of 2013, La Tribune said, citing industry sources.

The next ForTwo and the third-generation Twingo will be built on Renault's A platform, with ForTwo production continuing at Smart's plant in Hambach, France, and Twingo output at Renault's Novo Mesto factory in Slovenia.

The two companies are discussing the possibility of Renault building a four-seat Smart at Novo Mesto.

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand also plans to sell a small van built on a Renault Kangoo platform starting late next year. The van will be built at Renault's Maubeuge, France, plant.

Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche signed a strategic alliance in April 2010 to share technology to cut development and production costs.

By David Jolley- Automotive News Europe