Peter Sigal

The third-generation Kangoo will be built on the the latest Renault-Nissan Alliance CMF platform, with drivetrains to include full-electric and E-Tech hybrid options.

The lingering economic effects of coronavirus and a new "value over volume" strategy affected sales, the automaker said. Sales in Europe were up 13 percent.

Electric vehicles now make up about 9 percent of western Europe sales, but a massive and costly shift in powertrain mix is required to meet deeper cut in CO2, ahead of a 2035 combustion engine ban. 

Michael Lohscheller, who led money-losing Opel's turnaround under PSA Group, will be replaced by Uwe Hochgeschurtz, the head of Renault’s operations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Starting in 2025, batteries and other EV components will come from Svolt's planned factory in Germany's Saarland region. Stellantis now has five battery sources ahead of an expected mass transition to electric vehicles.

The compact hatchback gets new features and technology to compete with segment leaders, the VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Ford Focus.

The Megane-e, a compact hatchback that is a centerpiece of CEO Luca de Meo's turnaround strategy, will launch by early 2022. The R5 small EV is slated for an early 2024 debut.

Slogans such as "Alfa e-Romeo" show how each brand will appeal to buyers in the transition to electrification.

The model could replace the Lodgy compact minivan, first launched in 2012. It will be revealed Sept. 3, with a public debut at Munich on Sept. 6.

Renault's future electric vehicles include three Alpine models, a commercial van, as well as the retro-themed Renault 5 and 4ever. But two compact offerings, the Megane-e and an unnamed model, will be the profit centerpieces.

Analysts and even critics say that plug-in hybrids can play a key role in decarbonizing Europe -- provided automakers rethink how they are engineered and governments take a hard look at incentives and tax breaks. 

Josep Maria Recasens, who held a similar position at VW's Spanish brand, will focus on mobility at Renault. He will be a member of Renault's management committee and report to CEO Luca de Meo.

Jeep and DS Automobiles showed strong gains, but most brands recorded significant drops for the month. Registrations fell short of pre-pandemic 2019 by 14 percent, despite enhanced purchase and trade-in bonuses that were in place until June 30.

The new model, potentially a crossover or SUV inspired by the long-running Renault 4, will share Renault Group's new CMF-BEV platform with the Renault 5 and a high-performance model from the Alpine sports-car brand.

Opel/Vauxhall's compact model will challenge the VW Golf with plug-in hybrid power and a station wagon variant. Sales will start in the second half.