The Renault-Nissan alliance should have produced better results I feel. If one thinks back twenty years or so, you had Nissan producing ultra-reliable cars but perhaps a bit bland and dull (some exceptions of course); and Renault producing innovative and characterful cars but reliability on some models lacking (particularly in the 2000-2004 period with early MK2 Lagunas, Scenics, Meganes, Espaces). Therefore combine Nissan's reliability with Renault's design flair and it should have been a winner.

Although judging by the various surveys Renault have come on in leaps and bounds in terms of quality and reliability, what they have done is just close the gap and put themselves where they should always have been. The latest survey I saw (carwow) put Renault average to good, pretty much level with Ford - which I would agree with having run both makes.

So there has to be something else to attract the customers but I'm not sure what it is or could be. I think it can only be what they used to do so well - design flair, pushing boundaries, perhaps even being a bit controversial such as the Mk2 Megane. It got people talking about the cars.

Maybe all the French manufacturers should have clubbed together. We could have had Renciteot.

I think there are just too many manufacturers and there will be a shake-out to come. I don't think Jaguar will survive, I predict in five years it will be split off, particularly as they're going all electric it could be attractive to a company who needs an up-market electric brand but don't have the resources or time to develop one.

Mainland France is sinking under the weight of unsold new car stock, I forget the numbers but they are scary huge. So you would think you could get a storming deal on a new car? Not a bit of it - no sign of any deals to be done at the dealers.

Except Dacia - 3 months delivery from the date of order.