Renault has ruled out any possibility of dual franchising with its Nissan affiliate in the UK, despite widespread speculation last year that it planned to merge the two networks by 2002 (AM 222).

A spokesman said Renault, which took a 37% stake in Nissan last year, had appointed cross-company teams to work on improving co-operation and alliance between the two carmakers -but this would “definitely not include dual franchising”.

Renault has been adopting a market area strategy, creating opportunities for its leading dealer groups, including the wholly-owned Renault Retail Group. RRG is to control all main dealer sites in north London.