While this isn't about hybrids or Prius it is interesting because of the way in which Europeans are fleeing big cars and looking for reliable low cost transportation. === BOULOGNE BILLANCOURT, France -- In the automotive world, where faster and fancier are the buzzwords, Gerard Detourbet is a maverick for the 21st century: "I don't want to be the best," the Renault executive says. "I want to be the cheapest." With the French car manufacturer facing plunging sales in saturated high-end, high-priced markets around the world, Detourbet set out to create a low-cost car for the masses in the hottest new international marketplace for cars -- developing countries with rapidly growing middle classes. Story is here - Washington Post