Ghosn seeking partnership with US automaker again
According to the French newspaper Le Parisien, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is on the hunt again for a U.S. partner. Considering that talks with General Motors about a possible alliance fell through last year when neither side could agree on what the other's partnership was worth, Ghosn has only Ford and Chrysler to consider now. Ford Motor Company is consumed with the task of turning itself around, and Chrysler is still on its honeymoon with Cerberus Capital Management after being sold by Daimler, so we're not sure either automaker is in a state of mind to talk alliances at the moment. However, Ghosn knows there are economies of scale to be had and excess production capacity to be utlized on U.S. soil, so the maestro of mergers will still be looking to hold hands with one of our domestic automakers in the near future. [Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mal Fuller 6:51PM (6/05/2007)
I realize that Carlos Ghosn had nothing to do with Renault's previous plundering of American Motors, but the very thought of a third Renault invasion of US shores makes me want to vomit. Blogger Neff's use of the word alliance does nothing to comfort me either.
Reply
tikirob 6:53PM (6/05/2007)
Might be a good way for Ford to replace the Ranger. I'm sure Nissan could find something of Ford's to interest them (trucks?).
Rob
http://www.autoshortlist.com
Reply
Jeff Banks 6:56PM (6/05/2007)
Chrysler needs a small-er car. The Calibur while not totally off base, doesn't really compete against the basic small car segment (Mazda3, Civic, new Lancer, Corolla ect) because its sort of big and fake-SUV-like. Dodge could grab the Nissan/Renault Sentra platform and make there own car.
Let's face it, Chrysler's mid-level V6's (3-litre-ish) aren't really cutting it either and I think they'd have a great thing going if they could combine the convertible Sebring with the (arguably better) Nissan unit.
People like convertibles, and they like powerful engines. Inject it with some better suspension, and you have a product that might be competitive again.
The Chrysler brand needs to be positioned up against the entry-level euro/japanese luxury makes (I'd go straight after Acura/Volvo). No more PT Cruiser or other entry level models, no more Aspen (leave the trucks and everyman's cars to Dodge) and no more Town and Country. Focus all resources that would have gone to these to the next generation durango, calibur, and caravan. Keep it small and tight.
So the lineup should be:
Challenger platform-mate halo car
300C
Sebring/Sebring Convertible
Another model based on the Sebring (think Acura TL/RL/TSX)
Reply
fizzandpop 7:04PM (6/05/2007)
There's something just not quite right about his eyes.
Reply
Mitsufan 8:04PM (6/05/2007)
Ghosn is a really brilliant guy, best I can tell. I can't imagine him wading into the Ford family (cross-branded Ford-Mazda-Nissan-Renault Focus/2/Versa/Megane anyone?)
Maybe picking up some capacity at the Chrysler Garage sale? They have experience working with a European "partner" (Daimler is more hijacker than partner) and they certainly need help.
Reply
Seminole 8:12PM (6/05/2007)
The last thing the US auto makers need is for the French to stick their nose into things. The French need to worry about Chirac before they get into American cars.
Reply
Barney 10:02PM (6/05/2007)
"The last thing the US auto makers need is for the French to stick their nose into things."
Yes, the French hasn't a chance to outdo the Americans in that field. The Americans better do something with Bush before any other country does business with them.
Snix 1:55PM (6/06/2007)
The French invade the U.S.? THERE'S a switch for ya!
Reply
whofan 8:46PM (6/05/2007)
Chrysler needs to be Chrysler again without interference from anyone especially Nissan.
Chrysler needs Plymouth for the economy small car brand. Neon should still be built. They need a car like this again.
Mergers don`t work. Nissan wants whats good for Nissan. GM saw through this thank God.
If Ghosen is the genius people think he is, who else does he really need? One hit wonder in my opinion.
If I were Ford or Chrysler I`d kindly tell Nissan to go piss off.
Reply
Bryan 8:50PM (6/05/2007)
Ford please you have enough issues you dont need Nissan's whole line of disasters. I highly doubt they would though, Nissan has nothing to offer Ford or GM. It's basically Carlos trying to save his @zz!
Reply
Simone 2:34AM (6/06/2007)
If Nissan is simply looking for extra capacity, I actually think Chrysler would be a perfect match. Cerberus will probably be looking to shed some extra capacity in the short term to boost profitability, while generating some quick capital at the same time. In fact, tapping Chrysler would be a smart move for anybody looking for extra capacity (Toyota, Mazda, and the Chinese come to mind).
Otherwise, if Nissan is just looking for a partner to take advantage of economies of scale, the obvious choice is Toyota.
Reply
Barney 10:08PM (6/05/2007)
It's not a Merger that Ghosn is looking for but a "partnership". Renault will not do well as the lesser partner as they are doing well in Europe. It's just another avenue to sell more cars. They may do better to follow the example of the Japanese and build their own factories in North America.
Reply
Tool 11:17PM (6/05/2007)
Brutha puh-lease.
Reply
PeakVT 12:33AM (6/06/2007)
"The French need to worry about Chirac before they get into American cars."
Chirac hasn't been President of France for several weeks.
Do go out and buy yourself a clue.
Reply
PaulyG 8:19AM (6/06/2007)
Actually Ghosn needs a merger so he can keep his game going. I think the emperor has no clothes....
IMHO:
Most overrated auto exec: Ghosn
Most underrated auto exec: Wagner
Reply
Gary Lowe 9:14AM (6/06/2007)
Truly a legend in his own mind. I hear they have some excess capacity in the Ukraine...it could mean a step up in Nissan quality
Reply
gary 12:00PM (6/06/2007)
AMC was a dying company when Renault stepped in..."Except for a meager $15.5-million profit in 1984, during which its Big Three competitors each socked away billions, AMC has lost money every year since 1980 -- a staggering $622.5 million in all."
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3165/is_v21/ai_3756929
Reply
Adam 11:58AM (6/06/2007)
Speaking of Cerberus, interestingly enough on the tail end of their Chrysler purchase, they have just sold the company I work for. (At like $400 million purchase price it is a drop in the bucket I suppose.) I was sitting on the conference call about the purchase going "Cerberus...where have I heard that name...?" :)
Reply
Big Mike Wood 12:44PM (6/06/2007)
After seeing what Jurgen Schrempp got away with after pillaging ChryCo in their "merger of equals" I'd be looking for a "partnership" too. Partnerships and mergers for everyone!
Reply
ebm 1:23PM (6/06/2007)
Get rid of this jerk off. Freaking all the cars they are selling are made in Mexico or US. Only the Z, Murano
and Rogue are Japanese made. WTF?
Reply