Automakers are implementing measures to help safeguard the liquidity of their retail partners in Europe, such as revising sales targets, guaranteeing bonus payments and deferring invoices for demo vehicles. But dealers are still faced with a massive loss of revenue.

Renault said 12 sites and 18,000 employees would be affected by the closures, which were to protect employees from the coronavirus outbreak.

In most cases, governments are allowing maintenance and repair operations to continue. The services are seen as essential to keep public safety vehicles on the road.

The French automaker said it will suspend production until March 27 because of an increase of serious COVID-19 cases near certain production sites, supply disruptions from major suppliers, as well as the sudden decline in vehicle markets.

Dealerships have closed, factories announced furloughs, automakers have canceled company travel and events and have encouraged employees to work from home.

Two areas of potential antitrust concern are PSA's large share of Europe's light-commercial vehicle market and Fiat's dominance of minicars in Italy but Tavares said there had not yet been any feedback from regulators.

The automakers will not restart production until later in March in line with advice from Chinese authorities who are battling to control the coronavirus outbreak.

Laurens van den Acker has been matching custom-made sneakers to the color of Renault’s latest concept or production models for nearly a decade, often with the model name printed on the shoe.

The French automaker's next CEO faces a slumping European market and challenging relations with Nissan.

The French automaker said it appointed Luca de Meo, formerly the head of VW Group's Seat brand, as its new CEO, effective July 1. He will replace interim CEO Clotilde Delbos.

Vincent Cobee, a veteran Renault-Nissan executive, will head Citroen while Beatrice Foucher, a former Renault product director, will lead PSA's DS upscale brand.

The resignation of Seat boss Luca de Meo comes amid reports that he has been offered the CEO job at Renault.

The French supplier set new financial targets while promising 12 technological platforms with the goal of boosting profits and improving its competitive edge.

Renault has appointed veteran executive Xavier Martinet as head of global marketing, replacing Francois Renard, who is quitting the automaker after just over a year. Renard is one of a number of high-level departures from the automaker.