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BREAKING: Nissan and Chrysler end collaboration, Ram-based Titan dead
It's been a year of ups and mostly downs for Chrysler, and you just can't expect every partner to hang on for the ride. As such, Nissan and Chrysler released a joint statement today announcing a mutual end to their agreement to jointly produce three vehicles. The vehicles were to include a new Titan full-size pickup truck for Nissan based on the Dodge Ram, a new small car for Chrysler based on the Nissan Tiida (Versa in the U.S.), and another compact sedan from Nissan for Chrysler to sell in South American markets. The joint release blames "significant changes in business conditions" as the reason for the breakup, though we suspect it has more to do with the condition of Chrysler than anything else.
[Source: Nissan, Chrysler]
PRESS RELEASE
The following is a joint statement from Nissan and Chrysler
Nissan and Chrysler today announced a mutual agreement to end three OEM vehicle-supply projects announced last year.For the past several months, teams from both companies have been studying the viability of the projects in light of significant changes in business conditions since the projects were announced in January and April of 2008.
Today, it was decided it was in the best interests of both companies to end the projects.
The projects had involved:
- Nissan providing to Chrysler a compact sedan for the South American market beginning this year.
- Nissan providing to Chrysler a small vehicle for global markets beginning in 2010.
- Chrysler providing to Nissan a full-size pickup truck starting in 2011.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tony 5:16PM (8/26/2009)
Thank freaking God. The last thing I wanted was some fool coming up to me to show off his Nissan/ Chrysler ride. I would of hurled, I know it.
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Tourian 5:21PM (8/26/2009)
I would have thought they would know by now that rebadged/reskinned pickups don't work in this country. Glad it didn't happen.
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ToroQ3000 4:33AM (8/27/2009)
Hey! No! My Dodge Raider is AMAZING! LALALA *plugs ears* LALALALALA BAAAAAA NOOOOOOOO *sobs*
Farmboy 5:23PM (8/26/2009)
Thank GOD this is over. A Ram-based Titan probably would have looked horrid. When it comes to the Big 3, I just don't see them allowing full-sized pickups to be rebadged outside of their companies. It wouldn't seem right at all.
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daleam 6:27PM (8/26/2009)
More horrid than that current ugly ass Nissan Titan? Unpossible!
Erik 5:48PM (8/26/2009)
Can we safely assume that "Ram-based Titan dead" can correctly be shortened to "Titan dead"?
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gforce 5:57PM (8/26/2009)
I would say probably. It may really be based on "mutual agreement". With Fiat in the picture, I just don't see why Chrysler would need or want the Nissan deal, either. And, Sergio may believe in not selling versions of the Ram to Nissan for probably a lower price than they can sell them retail as Rams.
Kaveh 6:10PM (8/26/2009)
I Am happy, I liked the Titan the way it is.
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Frank 8:54AM (8/27/2009)
The way it is is a loser with no future. Nissan can't sell enough of them to make it worth their while to do a complete redesign. So it will be dead in a few years.
Lars 6:46PM (8/26/2009)
Good news indeed. Feared Nissan would be contaminated with any association with Chrysler. (Which should have been allowed to gracefully go out of business, but that's another story.)
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merlot066 9:27PM (8/26/2009)
I've been saying that for years, ever since my parents took me to test drive a PT Cruiser with them. I think that was about 6 years ago. My parents figured it was already 3 years into production and it would be due for a refresh soon... glad they didn't hold their breath.
Conundrum 9:42PM (8/26/2009)
Nissan already damaged its image by producing the Titan. I know because I own one. Nissan will be hard pressed to ever get me into thier showrooms again... well except for the frequent visits while my Titan is being repaired.
Epsilon-Not 7:15PM (8/26/2009)
Remember those reports that Chrysler was separating "Ram" from the rest of Dodge? I wonder if the deal has been replaced with one where Nissan outright buys the Ram...
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Aznauto 7:34PM (8/26/2009)
Thank god best move Nissan ever made; was not getting forced into this acquisition inspite of US gov pushing for it.
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Steve Lopez 6:55AM (8/27/2009)
Good. Chrysler is working with Fiat and let them work it out.
Nissan's Titan is a failure and don't blame Dodge for not making the Nissan Titan. Fiat is here and can take care of Chrysler.
Nissan can make their products.
Lets hope Chrysler and Fiat can make better products. A lot people are counting on them and so should we.
I hope the quality of both makers gets better. Dodge Ram exterior/interior looks good.
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AngeloD 8:03PM (8/26/2009)
Good news. If Nissan keeps the Titan that's another option still available for the buyer of a full sized PU.
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Rboyett 8:52PM (8/26/2009)
Isn't Nissan's Canton, MS plant supposed to switch over to their new work van soon? That was one of the reasons that the Titan was going to be built at a Chrysler plant in Mexico. Nissan is already moving production of the QX56 (and the Armada I think) to Japan.
IMO Nissan would be smart to go back to GM and try to work out a deal with them. GM has plenty of spare capacity.
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Avinash machado 6:51AM (8/27/2009)
The Ram is quite a nice truck and looks better than the Titan and Tundra.
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SpaceGoatPriest 9:19AM (8/27/2009)
Not sure of the hate on the Titan. I have had mine over 2 years (LE 4WD Off-Road Pkg) and have had two problems. The "inner" visor on the driver's side broke and the heated mirrors were not working. Both corrected with one visit. The only other "problem" I have pop up is the driver seat squeaks sometimes while turning, but I don't notice it most of the time because I have the radio on.
The dealer (and service dept.) near me are nothing but polite and nice. I have never had a problem with them.
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P.V. 9:21AM (8/27/2009)
I
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