Topic: Daimler, Nissan and Renault announce three-way tie-up

[tpl]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8606593.stm


German carmaker Daimler is to give Renault and Nissan a 3.1% stake in its business as part of a global tie-up of the brands, it has been announced.
In exchange, Daimler will take a 3.1% stakes in both Renault and Nissan, who have been in an alliance since 1999.
The deal will see the companies remain separate, but allow them to share technology and development costs.
The carmakers will also co-operate to make electric cars and light commercial vehicles, Nissan said.
Commenting on the deal, Daimler's chairman Dr Dieter Zetsche said it was "a promising foundation" that would allow the companies to share resources.
"Our skills complement each other very well," he said.
"We know that we can make brand-typical products based on shared architectures. The individual brand identities will remain unaffected."
   
The name of the game is to be present everywhere
Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan Alliance
The companies will co-operate on the development of the Smart car brand - made by Daimler - and a new Renault Twingo, including electric versions, the companies said.
Engines currently made by Renault-Nissan will also be modified to fit a new range of compact Mercedes Benz cars.

more at the link.

[G35X]

I think it was the Li Mn battery developed by Nissan/NEC that allowed Mr. Carlos Ghosn close the deal with Dr. Dieter Zetsche.  Daimler Benz was desperate to mitigate the effect (on the price of its fleet) of the new EU CO2 emission regulation.  For that purpose it must have zero-emission EV’s in substantial numbers in its fleet of automobiles.  The Li-ion battery that Mercedes is using for its S400 is made by JC-SAFT and is 2 or 3 generations behind the Nissan/NEC counterpart. In May last year Renault/Nissan CEO Mr. Carlos Ghosn declared at Nissan’s shareholders meeting that Nissan was committed to become world’s leader of zero-emission automobiles with the Nissan/NEC battery holding a pouch of the cell in his hand at the podium. This declaration is ambitious but understandable since the new EU CO2 emission regulation forces automakers to dilute their CAFE with zero emission vehicles.

[EV Dan]

It sounds better by the day. Congrats on the kinky but timely manage-a-troit (pardon my French)

[DrJay]

If this works then this could be an effectively dangerous (in a good way) relationship but given daimlers rather volitile history involving strategic partnerships (Chrysler comes to mind) this will definately be a wait and see situation.  If it lasts beyond 4-5 yrs then i'll get excited I wish them luck (but I won't hold my breath).

[safristi]

..Did U hear the one about the Frenchman,Japanese guy & the American.............they went into a bar...and no one could pay the tab..........................