The French have struck out against the glut of so-called Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) with threats of a city-wide ban in Paris and punitive tax measures across the state, writes Michael McAleer.
As much as some may hope it's a signal that France has suddenly turned green, the reason may have more to do with national interest than the global environment.
France currently has no home-manufactured SUV and any ban would mainly hurt their great friends in Germany.
However, just in case the ban falls foul of international pressure - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has already warned that a ban would be detrimental to relations between the two countries - Renault is preparing a contingency plan.
In the midst of the boom in sales of SUVs, Renault is busy developing its own 4x4 version of its Mégane model. Caught by spy cameras at a German test track undergoing extensive trials both on- and off-road, the Mégane SUV will appear in Irish showrooms in late 2006.
Based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance C-platform - housing the Mégane and the next Almera - the SUV will borrow 4x4 hardware from sister firm Nissan's X-Trail.
The Japanese partner has considerable all-wheel-drive expertise, while Renault's minimal 4x4 production experience lies only with the previous generation Scenic RX4 and the Kangoo Trekka. Renault's new SUV will be built solely in South Korea at the plant in Busan owned by Renault subsidiary Samsung Motors.
Capacity is 240,000 vehicles a year, and the car will be exported from Asia across the world, as well as being badged as a Samsung for sales in the Korean market.
The new car is said to be more on-road biased than the previous Mégane-based off-roader, the Scenic RX4, which lost out dynamically to rivals such as Toyota's RAV4. There will also be a new styling direction, with a more "lifestyle SUV" flavour than the RX4.
Power will come from the bigger engines in the Mégane range, which should mean the 134 bhp 2-litre petrol and 1.9-litre dCi with 118 bhp. Expect prices around €3,500 above the equivalent Scenic.
It's not yet clear if the Scenic RX4 tag will be carried over to the new car, or whether Renault has a new branding idea waiting in the wings.
The French market could be particularly fruitful, as local rival PSA Peugeot-Citroën doesn't have a presence in the sector; the French, notoriously patriotic in their car-buying, currently have no home-manufactured SUV option.