Topic: Chrysler and Nissan announce new partnership

[G0dspd]

Chrysler and Nissan announce major supply agreements, shared products
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/breaking-chrysler-and-nissan-announce-major-supply-agreements/

Following the announcement this past January that Nissan would be supplying Chrysler with a new car based of the Versa's platform, the two automakers announced today that more exchange is on the horizon, including a new small car for Chrysler and a Dodge-based pickup for Nissan.

The unnamed small car will be built by Nissan in Japan utilizing a Chrysler design and will be sold in North America, Europe and other markets in 2010. On the other side of the spectrum, Chrysler will build a full-size pick-up for Nissan that will share design cues with the rest of the Nissan line and be built at Chrysler's Saltillo Assembly Plant in Mexico. Sales of the pick-up will begin in North America in 2011.

The move is part of an effort by both automakers to utilize each other's global manufacturing facilities and finally gets Carlos Ghosn, Nissan's CEO, the American automaker partnership he's been looking for since last year.

We're hoping on a conference call to see if either automaker releases more information, but in the meantime check Chrysler's press release after the jump.

UPDATE: No word on whether or not the new Nissan pick-up will use Chrysler's hybrid drivetrain. Nissan spokespeople are not calling this a partnership, rather an "OEM exchange" and nothing more.
UPDATE 2: The Nissan pick-up will be a full-size light truck.
UPDATE 3: The Chrysler small car will be on a Nissan-developed platform and will be covered in Chrysler-designed sheetmetal. The platform will not be based of the Versa. Nissan reps couldn't answer any questions about whether or not the small car will share any design cues from the Dodge Hornet concept.

[99 Silver]

Interesting.

I have a lot of respect for Ghosn.

I have concerns for Chrysler's long term future since the venture capitalists took over.  They typically have a short time frame in mind and there is much to be fixed at Chrysler. 

I think Daimler was lucky in the timing of the sale, and that it would be worth next to nothing today.  The only part with real value is Jeep and they are busy screwing up that brand.

[Mitlov]

This makes sense.  Chrysler has struggled in the small and midsize passenger car markets, and Nissan has struggled with sales in the truck market (with the Frontier but especially the Titan).

A minivan with a Quest platform and drivetrain and Town & Country interior usefulness would be a real threat to the Odyssey and Sienna.

[Mitlov]

UPDATE 3: The Chrysler small car will be on a Nissan-developed platform and will be covered in Chrysler-designed sheetmetal. The platform will not be based of the Versa. Nissan reps couldn't answer any questions about whether or not the small car will share any design cues from the Dodge Hornet concept.

Renault Clio with boxy-aggressive lines?  Importing models made in Europe wouldn't make sense, but taking the blueprints from a Clio and making the car for North America at one of Chrysler's stagnant factories here in North America would be perfect.

[Leviathan]

A minivan with a Quest platform and drivetrain and Town & Country interior usefulness would be a real threat to the Odyssey and Sienna.

Served up with a VW badge of course 

[Wetson]

Hopefully Chrysler can learn a thing or two from Nissan about quality.  I definately won't be purchasing any new model Nissan pick-ups while this agreement exists.  

I wonder what interior quality of the vehicles is going to be like.  Hmmmmm.

[stodge]

Chrysler might benefit but Nissan can only go down hill....

Chryslan? Nissler?

[Mitlov]

Hopefully Chrysler can learn a thing or two from Nissan about quality.  I definately won't be purchasing any new model Nissan pick-ups while this agreement exists.  

I wonder what interior quality of the vehicles is going to be like.  Hmmmmm.

Have you been inside a Frontier?  The mechanicals are quality, but the interior sure isn't.

[initial_D]

I think Daimler was lucky in the timing of the sale, and that it would be worth next to nothing today.  The only part with real value is Jeep and they are busy screwing up that brand.

The finer print of the actual sales agreement (as per outlined in C&D mag) indicated that Daimler cough up close to $1B to get rid of Chrysler.

I think such 'oem exchange' projects do benefit both companies, save them money and man power in R&D cost, and get more out of existing products. Perhaps the biggest benefit would be their parts supplier, produce more without re-tooling.

[Cord]

Hopefully Chrysler can learn a thing or two from Nissan about quality.  I definately won't be purchasing any new model Nissan pick-ups while this agreement exists. Smiley 

I guess you'll be sticking with that super high quality and hot selling Titan then?

[Leviathan]

"Nissan" and "quality" aren't exactly synonymous.