Reports from Paris show that the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Sunday he is opposed to a full merger of Renault and Nissan, but wants to “preserve the alliance.” The two companies have been in a tech and capital partnership since 1999, making it one of the most enduring tie-ups in the sector. Renault holds a 43.4% stake in Nissan, while one of its subsidiaries controls 15% of its French partner.
Nissan has also decided to stop using Takata’s air bag inflators containing ammonium nitrate, joining a host of major automakers. “We will…work to replace the inflators in vehicles under recall as quickly as possible,” Nissan said in a statement. Since 2008, more than 30M cars have been called back over the potentially defective components, which have been linked to eight deaths and more than 100 injuries.

Is the Government about to U-turn on ‘Tesla Tax’ to Boost EV Sales?
Another U-Bend looming? The Government is planning to scrap the so-called ‘Tesla Tax’ on new electric vehicles (EVs) after warnings that it’s putting buyers off and slowing down EV adoption. A leaked letter from Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, seen by some media, confirms that changes are being considered for the next Budget. The current rule