Renault's best cars have always been the small ones. The 5, Clio and original Twingo ft were special but their appeal wasn't replicated in the firm's larger models. The new ones should do better, and the higher margins will help Renault's bottom line and investment as it transforms itself into a manufacturer of electric vehicles, hybrids and ultra-low cost cars for emerging markets. The Laguna III shows that Renault's product development process is improving. Perceived quality is orders of magnitude better than in previous efforts. Big cars are still a part of Renault's strategy. "We'll add more to the range," says Renault vice-president of product planning Beatrice Foucher. "A Laguna coupe is on the way and we're considering renewing the Espace and Vel Satis and also adding at least one more car in the D or E segment." The Vel Satis luxury car might have sold in greater volumes if it could have offered the cachet of rear-wheel drive. Its replacement could have it -rear- and four-wheel drive platforms are available within the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
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