Everything about the strategic cooperation between Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG

For a few hours the news had been circulating about the future strategic collaboration between Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG regarding future products from both groups, cross-purchases of a certain number of shares between them, and several other points that give life to this new alliance. Let’s look at the most important points for the industry and what each one’s contribution will be in terms of future products.

It seems that the Smart and the Renault Twingo were the cars most discussed during the agreement negotiations. The small car is gaining a very strong foothold in the markets, and the opportunity had to be seized to update both models. The agreement will bring the next generation of the Smart ForTwo, a new four-seater Smart. In addition, the next generation of the Renault Twingo will be designed on a common architecture.

Continuing with the Smart/Twingo, all the vehicles will be clearly different from one another in terms of product design. The main feature of the new architecture will be its unique rear-wheel-drive concept, currently applied to Smart vehicles. The launch of the jointly developed models is planned from 2013. The Smart plant in Hambach, France, will manufacture the two-seater version, while the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, will be in charge of producing the four-seater model. From their market launch, the jointly developed vehicles will also be available in an electric version.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will supply Daimler with 3- and 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, which will be adapted and modified according to the characteristics of Mercedes. In addition, the shared use of a diesel engine and a gearbox from the Renault-Nissan Alliance will be promoted for the Mercedes-Benz Vito commercial vehicle.

Cross-shareholding in a single transaction, corresponding to 3.1% of each partner’s treasury shares.

Daimler will supply Infiniti with petrol and diesel engines, which will complement its current range. This includes 4- and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Both parties will benefit: Infiniti will be able to use Daimler engines, while Daimler will optimise its production capacity.

Source | Nissan Communications