Nissan to hook up Chrysler with small cars
Carlos Ghosn, Nissan/Renault's CEO, has been looking for a U.S. automaker to partner up with for some time and he may have finally found a suitable suitor. Reuters is reporting that a negotiations between Chrysler and Nissan to supply the Cerberus-owned automaker with a small car that would displace around 1.8-liters are being finalized. The move is an obvious attempt to provide Chrysler with a sub-compact competitor while simultaneously lowering the development and production costs of both automakers. What kind of vehicle will be created by the alliance is open to speculation, but a Dodge- or Chrysler-badged Versa seems like an obvious choice considering its platform and powertrain.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joh 4:53AM (2/02/2008)
With Chrysler being someone to 'hop into bed with' regarding model sharing, Nissan would have done it with ALL of the American car makers. With GM in Australia the Pulsar was badged as a Holden, and with Ford Australia it was the Stanza/Bluebird/Pintara sedan and Patrol SUV with Ford badges - and for that matter Mercury Villager minivan in the states...
Not to mention in Japan, where Nissan is in modelshare agreements with Mazda, Suzuki, Subaru and Mitsubishi!!!
Reply
Tricky dicky 4:12PM (1/10/2008)
this is good news. nice job by the rubber dildos at daimler to axe the new small car platform but funnel money towards a crossfire replacement.
they can reciprocate by selling trucks to Nissan as we've seen theorized before.
Reply
Kowell 3:56PM (1/10/2008)
A nissan versa/sentra with Dodge Caliber exterior body would be pretty sweet.
Or the minimum they could do is teach Chrysler that you CAN create a cheaply priced small car with decent interior materials.
Reply
KazO 3:57PM (1/10/2008)
Hmm, this isn't going to sour the GEMA arrangement with Hyundai and Mitsu? I suppose component alliance relationships don't necessarily have to be affected by product alliances, and I suppose it's possible for the Chrysler versions of the ReNissan products to have GEMA powerplants in them, but it'd make for an awkward situation.
Reply
Kalle 4:00PM (1/10/2008)
And there we go.
I wonder if the deal would mean a possibility for Renault to get their foot in the door for the US market.
How about the Megane then?
Reply
Menice 4:08PM (1/10/2008)
ANYONE who would team up with Dodge/Crapler is either high or just not paying attention.
Reply
Ben 4:21PM (1/10/2008)
Maybe Nissan will be able to lighten Chrysler's very American ham-fisted approach and teach them a little finesse. I wonder if this would keep the Viper alive and macho. Or maybe we would see a ten cylinder Z-car. Renaut? I dunno.
Reply
Ben 4:21PM (1/10/2008)
Maybe Nissan will be able to lighten Chrysler's very American ham-fisted approach and teach them a little finesse. I wonder if this would keep the Viper alive and macho. Or maybe we would see a ten cylinder Z-car. Renaut? I dunno.
Reply
Omer 4:22PM (1/10/2008)
Never underestimate the power and greed of American Equity companies. Why would Nissan even get into any deals with Chrysler ?? (FOR RAM TRUCK which aren't selling anyways right now). Maybe Nissan can walk away with the Jeep from Chrysler and take care of Jeep division like it should be.
Reply
Frank 5:05PM (1/10/2008)
"(FOR RAM TRUCK which aren't selling anyways right now)."
One problem with your comment.
It's not true. Ram sales for 2007 are only down 1.6 percent below 2006's totals. And they sold over 300k of them. But wait, there's more. An entirely new Ram is about to hit the market.
Then there is the Nissan Titan, who's sales ARE in the toilet. It doesn't take a lot of brain power to see that Nissan would be interested in getting there own version of the Ram.
Throwback 4:27PM (1/10/2008)
How about the Hornet concept, on a Versa platform?
Reply
tikirob 4:27PM (1/10/2008)
Could be a quick way to get quality small cars...and they need a quick change.
Rob
http://www.movie-cat.com
Reply
tikirob 4:27PM (1/10/2008)
Could be a quick way to get quality small cars...and they need a quick change.
Rob
http://www.movie-cat.com
Reply
tikirob 4:28PM (1/10/2008)
Could be a quick way to get quality small cars...and they need a quick change.
Rob
http://www.movie-cat.com
Reply
tikirob 4:28PM (1/10/2008)
Could be a quick way to get quality small cars...and they need a quick change.
Rob
http://www.movie-cat.com
Reply
MemphisNET 4:28PM (1/10/2008)
Very good move indeed. Has the Chery deal gone under?
Reply
I_Hate_China 4:33PM (1/10/2008)
No, Chrysler will sell Cherys in Mexico and South America, but not in the US or Europe.
Hornet will now be a Nissan instead of Chery.
MemphisNET 4:47PM (1/10/2008)
It WILL or it will make sense? The Hornet has been very high on my wish list from Chrysler.
J. D. Billiford 6:30PM (1/10/2008)
>>> I like and support the idea of the Hornet being considered for production by Nissan over Chery.
Xcountryflyer 4:32PM (1/10/2008)
Chrylser is desperate to hook up with anyone it seems.
Reply