This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8465158.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Renault build new Clio in France Renault build new Clio in France
(about 6 hours later)
French carmaker Renault has said its new Clio model will be built in both France and Turkey, calming fears that production would move outside France.French carmaker Renault has said its new Clio model will be built in both France and Turkey, calming fears that production would move outside France.
The announcement came after French President Nicolas Sarkozy put pressure on the firm to keep building the model at its Flins factory outside Paris.The announcement came after French President Nicolas Sarkozy put pressure on the firm to keep building the model at its Flins factory outside Paris.
Mr Sarkozy had said he had not pumped government money into carmakers for them to move production abroad.Mr Sarkozy had said he had not pumped government money into carmakers for them to move production abroad.
The French state has a 15% shareholding in Renault.The French state has a 15% shareholding in Renault.
Government loansGovernment loans
Renault chief Carlos Ghosn also said the Flins factory would be used to build a new electric car.Renault chief Carlos Ghosn also said the Flins factory would be used to build a new electric car.
"Renault is a French company, a socially responsible citizen... This is one reason we decided to produce [the electric car] in the Flins plant," he said."Renault is a French company, a socially responsible citizen... This is one reason we decided to produce [the electric car] in the Flins plant," he said.
The fourth generation Clio is due to go into production in 2013.The fourth generation Clio is due to go into production in 2013.
Last year, the French government lent French carmakers billions of euros to help them cope with falling sales during the economic downturn.Last year, the French government lent French carmakers billions of euros to help them cope with falling sales during the economic downturn.
The loans were conditional on the carmakers keeping jobs in France.The loans were conditional on the carmakers keeping jobs in France.
Questions have been raised by the EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes about whether these conditions restrict carmakers' ability to move their operations.Questions have been raised by the EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes about whether these conditions restrict carmakers' ability to move their operations.
"The French government could still feel the ire of the EU Competition Commission for its actions as it will be questioned [on Monday]," said Ian Fletcher, auto analyst at IHS Global Insight.