RENAULT and Nissan have announced plans to develop a common platform for the C-segment - currently occupied by the Renault Megane and Nissan Almera. The shared platform will be the second for the alliance which had already decided on the same approach for the next generation Clio and Micra.

The new Megane will be the first to use the platform in late 2002, while the Almera will reach replacement stage two years later. By 2010 the alliance aims to assemble its different model ranges on 10 common platforms sharing eight common engine ranges.