You need to put Fiat Auto's performance in parallel with those of Renault and Peugeot, both of whom issued profit warnings.

Chrysler was as weak as feared.

The time of big mergers is over, for the moment, but we can see more strategic alliances of the Renault and Nissan kind.

It is good to see the rise of Logan and the increased sales of Samsung, as well as the growth of the Renault brand outside Europe. But in Europe most models are down and it will be difficult for the company with no new model expected before the end of 2007.