The supplier reported an adjusted operating loss of $209 million in the first half, as it trimmed expenses by more than $1 billion. Second-half results depend largely on whether the coronavirus pandemic can be contained, CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider said.

The supplier said it is bundling its Car Powertrain and E-Mobility units into one division to "further accelerate the transformation to plug-in hybrids and electric drives." 

The supplier said it could not give detailed financial guidance for the rest of 2020, but said global auto production could fall 10 percent to 20 percent in the third quarter.

CEO Luca de Meo said it was "dangerous" for Renault to have 70 percent of sales in the small vehicle segments. A new product plan will emphasize compact models, where Renault trails competitors such as VW and Ford.

A generous government scrapping incentive focusing on cleaner cars helped push sales above 2019 levels, but the program will be scaled back starting this month.

The group's mobility activities such as short- and long-term rentals and fleet management will be bundled into an affiliate company under the Free2Move name and accessible though an app.

The group's current electrified models share platforms with internal combustion models. The new platform, called eVMP, will allow for up to 650 km of range and will underpin compact and midsize models.

Vidal, who was in charge of Peugeot's styling for a decade, is the second high-profile designer to be hired under new Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo.

Ineos is in talks to buy Daimler's Smart plant, where the UK company would build a Land Rover Defender rival. The French government is concerned about the plant's long-term viability.

Matthias Hossann, who is now director of the French brand's concept vehicles, will take over from Gilles Vidal, who oversaw the styling of numerous top-selling models.

Wealthier buyers will no longer be eligible for the program, which offers a bonus for trading in an older, higher-emissions vehicle for a newer electrified or internal combustion model.

Bosch said it is creating a new center of gravity for software intensive products because of the growing number of safety, performance and comfort features offered by automakers -- and expected by buyers.

While the drivetrain is mostly found in more expensive models from premium brands, customers of the Captur E-Tech will also have to pay more.