Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Ghosn still thinks Renault-Nissan should have partnered with GM in 2006]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-ghosn-still-things-renault-nissan-should-have-partnered/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-ghosn-still-things-renault-nissan-should-have-partnered/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-ghosn-still-things-renault-nissan-should-have-partnered/#commentsFiled under: , ,



With all the trials and tribulations General Motors has endured during the past year, we almost forgot that the Detroit, MI-based automaker nearly got itself tied up with Renault-Nissan. Back in 2006, the two companies discussed joining forces to become a singular global automotive juggernaut, but in the end, GM felt it was in its best interests to go it alone and face the quickly disintegrating global automotive market by themselves.

While GM's situation ultimately improved via bankruptcy and a $50 billion helping hand from the U.S. government, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn still thinks the partnership would have been "without a doubt" in everyone's best interests. Ghosn reportedly made the comments during a meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations, adding that "there was a possibility to create something that would be extremely competitive."

Ghosn then went on to say that he wasn't happy the two companies didn't end up working together after GM nearly collapsed because "when you see the disaster and the waste of energy and skills and talent, nobody can be happy." The charismatic CEO also said that Renault-Nissan was very concerned about GM's precarious position earlier in the year due to the fact that his company uses many of the same suppliers. If GM had gone down, it would have probably taken more than a few suppliers with it, and Ghosn says that as a result, Nissan wouldn't have been able to make a single vehicle in North America.

While we can definitely understand why Ghosn would have preferred that the marriage of his company to GM was consecrated, we still don't see how it would have helped The General in the long run. GM still would have been in a very uncompetitive cash situation, and Renault-Nissan doesn't have much in the way of technology or platforms that the General doesn't already the equivalents to.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Raveendran/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Ghosn still thinks Renault-Nissan should have partnered with GM in 2006 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnCarlosGhosnGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGhosngmmergermergersnissanFri, 20 Nov 2009 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault-Nissan vows to build world's cheapest car? Nano-nah-nah-nah-nah!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/renault-nissan-vows-to-build-worlds-cheapest-car-nan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/renault-nissan-vows-to-build-worlds-cheapest-car-nan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/renault-nissan-vows-to-build-worlds-cheapest-car-nan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery

The other day we alerted you to the "fact" that Ford will be releasing a brand new $650 car. But as does everything that sounds too good to be true, the car in question was a severely used (and dented) 1993 Ford Taurus, and the Wisconsin-based masters of parody at The Onion were behind the video, not the Ford Motor Company. We mention this because more than one of you took the time to comment without watching the video, and the results were quite funny - in a laughing at you sort of way. Today though, is no joke.

Carlos Ghosn, the lovable star of his own Japanese manga comic and the CEO of Renault-Nissan, is claiming that his company will produce a car that costs less than the $2,500 Tata Nano, making the as-yet-to-be-named car the cheapest in India, and therefore the least expensive in the world. The car will be built by Bajaj Auto, an Indian scooter and rickshaw company. Not to be left out of the party, both Toyota and GM have expressed interest in selling "ultralow-cost small cars" on the Subcontinent.

However, these cheap, small cars just don't sell themselves. So far, Tata has managed to move just 10,500 Nanos since July. For their part, Bajaj and Renault-Nissan were hoping to get their ultralow-coster on the road by 2011, but there have been delays. First announced last year, Ghosn said that the delays should come as no surprise since neither Bajaj or Renault-Nissan has ever made such a vehicle. He did note, however, that such a car is "critical" to Renault-Nissan's presence in India.

"I don't want Renault and Nissan to be makers of very pretty cars that people dream about but cannot afford." said Ghosn. He also said that by the time Renault and Nissan's small car debuted it might no longer be the very cheapest. There are also plans afoot to export the new vehicle out of India, just like Tata is planning to do with the Nano, though that car would most likely be slightly reworked and therefor more expensive. Tip of the pith helmet to Neil!


Gallery: Tata Nano


[Source: The Los Angeles Times]

Renault-Nissan vows to build world's cheapest car? Nano-nah-nah-nah-nah! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carlos GhosnCarlosGhosnGhosnIndiaNanoNissannissan cheap carNissanCheapCarRenaultRenault-NissanTataTata NanoTataNanoTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Nissan projects $2.9B loss, announces 20,000 job cuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/report-nissan-projects-2-9b-loss-announces-20-000-job-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/report-nissan-projects-2-9b-loss-announces-20-000-job-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/report-nissan-projects-2-9b-loss-announces-20-000-job-cuts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Nissan hasn't posted an annual loss in nine years, but the automaker is poised to take a big hit on its 2008 earnings, and like the rest of the industry, it is scrambling to restructure. The Japanese carmaker is expected to report a $2.9 billion shortfall, prompting Carlos Ghosn and his team to chop 20,000 jobs - fully 8.5 percent of its employees worldwide. Some of the job losses will be arrived at through early retirement packages and the ending of temporary worker contracts, but most will be out-and-out layoffs. The personnel cuts will leave Nissan with 215,000 workers globally and take place now through March of 2010.

Nissan's planned cuts are markedly more aggressive than those employed by other Japanese automakers, suggesting that Japan's third-largest automaker is even more pessimistic about the potential for near-term economic gains. That appears to be particularly true in its domestic market, where the strong Yen and other factors have conspired to result in 12,000 of the planned job losses. Thanks for the tip, Karen!

[Source: Associated Press via ClockOnDetroit | Image: Akihiro I/Getty

REPORT: Nissan projects $2.9B loss, announces 20,000 job cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GhosnJapanjob cutsJobCutslayofflayoffsNissanMon, 09 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan knee deep in the electrictrification race]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/09/nissan-knee-deep-in-the-electrictrification-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/09/nissan-knee-deep-in-the-electrictrification-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/09/nissan-knee-deep-in-the-electrictrification-race/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has held to his belief that hybrids are not the answer to the fuel efficiency question. The Japanese automaker came out with a very capable Altima hybrid last year, but it was Toyota technology purchased to help Nissan look good in the short term. Nissan has been betting most of its R&D dollars on electric vehicles, and the fruit of its engineering labors will be first seen stateside in 2010. It's important to note that Nissan intends to launch the technology here in the States, which is significant because Japanese automakers typically launch new technology in their home market first before U.S. customers ever see it.

Nissan hasn't revealed much about the vehicle besides a 2010 release date, but we do know that the automaker is working to install charging stations in many urban parking garages and railway stations in the U.S. A robust EV charging infrastructure will quell critics' worries that electric vehicles' limited range will prevent the technology from becoming a mainstream answer for gasoline power. It'll be interesting to see if Nissan can surprise the car-buying public with a game-breaking EV before GM and Toyota can deliver the Volt and plug-in Prius.

[Source: Detroit News]

Nissan knee deep in the electrictrification race originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Altima HybridAltimaHybridelectric vehicleElectricVehicleGhosnNissanplug-in stationPlug-inStationWed, 09 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Alonso to announce today, Ghosn throws wrench into the works]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/20/alonso-to-announce-today-ghosn-throws-wrench-into-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/20/alonso-to-announce-today-ghosn-throws-wrench-into-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/20/alonso-to-announce-today-ghosn-throws-wrench-into-the-works/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The motorsport press is reporting that Fernando Alonso will announce sometime today whose car he will be driving next season. The two-time world champion was recently released from his contract with McLaren-Mercedes, with whom he had a very tumultuous last season. Rumors have been circulating the paddock as to where he'd be heading as a newly free agent, but Flavio Briatore, his former boss at Renault, has made no secret of the door he's left open and the light he's left on for Alonso to come back home.

Briatore's plans, however, could be stalled by an unexpected intervention from his boss, Carlos Ghosn. Although the Renault-Nissan CEO rarely appears to stick his nose into the day-to-day running of the racing team, sources quote him as saying Renault would not give Alonso a one-year ride. The champion has stated that he'd only sign with Renault for a single season, fueling speculation that he could be headed to Ferrari in 2009, despite Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa doing a great job for the Scuderia and being under contract through 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Briatore is reportedly eager to accept Alonso's terms, but according to Ghosn, "It's three years or nothing." Stay tuned for more news.

[Source: F1-Live.com]

Alonso to announce today, Ghosn throws wrench into the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alonsobriatorecarlosf1fernandoflavioformula oneFormulaOneghosnrenaultTue, 20 Nov 2007 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghosn <em>still</em> looking to hook up with North American partner]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/23/ghosn-still-looking-to-hook-up-with-north-american-partner/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/23/ghosn-still-looking-to-hook-up-with-north-american-partner/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/23/ghosn-still-looking-to-hook-up-with-north-american-partner/#commentsFiled under: ,



That Carlos Ghosn, he gets around. The CEO of two major automakers already, Renault and Nissan, is still interested in partnering with a third automaker, preferably one from North America. A potential deal to get up close and personal with General Motors fell through last year, but Ghosn insists about every two months or so that he's still open to the possibility of his expanding his alliance for an interested third party. But see, that's the thing, no one's interested (at least not Ford and Chrysler LLC). And since Ghosn realizes that a hostile takeover-type scenario doesn't breed good will between buddies, there he waits across the pond, leaning on his brand new Nissan GT-R trying to look all cool and attract the right mate. May we suggest a dash of Drakkar Noir, Carlos? Works every time.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd, photo by Mychele Daniau/AFP/Getty]

Ghosn still looking to hook up with North American partner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnCarlosGhosnghosnrenault nissanRenaultNissanTue, 23 Oct 2007 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Nissan's 7-seat Qashqai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/spy-shots-nissans-7-seat-qashqai/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/spy-shots-nissans-7-seat-qashqai/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/spy-shots-nissans-7-seat-qashqai/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If we told you that a seven-seat Nissan was on its way with a turbo-diesel option, inoffensive looks, and a reasonable price tag, you'd think it was too good to be true. Well, it actually is true if you live in Europe, where the Qashqai currently serves as Nissan's soft-roader. For now, however, there is only room for five, but the folks over at Car Online have shots of an extended Qashqai with an additional eight inches of length beyond the b-pillar that provides room for a third row of seats.

Judging by the lack of incognito camo, this crossover looks to be well on its way to market, and it will be powered by a 115-hp 1.6L engine, as wellas both the Qashqai's 2.0L gasoline and turbo-diesel engines. An additional £1,500 is tacked on for the added 200mm, which brings the base price up to £15,000. We can plainly see the additional length of the Qashqai vs. the standard wheelbase version, but it's still hard to believe two people can sit in the small area that makes up that third row of seats. We're guessing the aft-most bench will be akin to the benches in the Toyota RAV-4 and Mitsubishi Outlander, meaning only little people and children need apply.

[Source: Car Magazine]

Spy Shots: Nissan's 7-seat Qashqai originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselghosnnissanqashqaiMon, 14 May 2007 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Carlos Ghosn adds "Knight" to resume]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/carlos-ghosn-adds-knight-to-resume/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/carlos-ghosn-adds-knight-to-resume/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/carlos-ghosn-adds-knight-to-resume/#commentsFiled under:

This just in: Carlos Ghosn is the man. He has rescued a car company from the abyss, he's been immortalized in Japanese manga, and now he's been knighted on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II by British ambassador to Japan, Graham Fry. Ghosn was bestowed the honorary title in recognition of his contribution to British-Japanese relations. It doesn't hurt that Nissan owns Great Britain's largest automotive factory, which accounts for 20% of total British car production. Ghosn described himself as feeling "proud and humbled' to receive the honor, and called it an acknowledgment of Nissan's 5,600 UK employees.

It's hard to imagine how Ghosn will split up his already crazy schedule of running two automotive companies and sitting with the other knights at the round table...

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Carlos Ghosn adds "Knight" to resume originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghosnknightednissanqueen elizebethQueenElizebethrenaultWed, 21 Feb 2007 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan offering voluntary buyouts to all Tennessee plant workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/20/nissan-offering-voluntary-buyouts-to-all-tennessee-plant-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/20/nissan-offering-voluntary-buyouts-to-all-tennessee-plant-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/20/nissan-offering-voluntary-buyouts-to-all-tennessee-plant-workers/#commentsFiled under: ,



Word has just come across the wire that Nissan will be offering a "voluntary transition program" to all of its hourly employees working in either its Smyrna or Dechard manufacturing plants in Tennessee. These are effectively buyouts, which can net an hourly worker a lump sum of $45,000 and a bonus $500 for each year of service. It's certainly not the sweet deal offered to members of the UAW who work for General Motors and Ford, but the offer could help Nissan reduce the rank and file of its relatively young and non-union work force in North America. For whatever reason, the offer is only being made to employees at these two plants in Tennessee. The Smyrna plant employs about 6,700 people, though some are surely salaried, and produces the Altima, Frontier, Maxima, Xterra and Pathfinder. The Dechard plant only employs 1,400 people and produces many of Nissan's engines, including the glorious VQ 3.5L V6. This news is pretty fresh, so we'll keep our ears peeled for reaction from the auto pundits.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Nissan offering voluntary buyouts to all Tennessee plant workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyoutCarlos GhosnCarlosGhosnGhosnhourly workersHourlyWorkerslayoffNissanplantTennesseeworkersTue, 20 Feb 2007 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan vows not to make its own Kei cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/27/nissan-vows-not-to-make-its-own-kei-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/27/nissan-vows-not-to-make-its-own-kei-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/27/nissan-vows-not-to-make-its-own-kei-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We can hear Carlos now, "We don't need no stinking kei cars!" According to Japan Today, Ghosn et all don't see a need to build or design their own kei cars. Instead of going through the hassle of building their own tiny car for the markets that consume them, Nissan will still prefer to sell another OEM's product as their own. Nissan currently sells two kei cars designed by Suzuki and Mitsubishi, the Moco and Otti respectively.

Obviously, kei cars, or keijid?sha, are popular in Japan. Mitsubishi and Suzuki already produce very respectable kei car designs, why would Nissan even bother when it can focus its design and manufacturing energies on what the rest of the world scrambles for, like compacts? We've never known Ghosn for doing something that wasn't absolutely necessary.

[Source: Japan Today via Winding Road]

Nissan vows not to make its own Kei cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GhosnKeiMitsubishiNissanSuzukiFri, 27 Oct 2006 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Sir Carlos the Turbohearted: Ghosn to receive honorary knighthood]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/sir-carlos-the-turbohearted-ghosn-to-receive-honorary-knighthoo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/sir-carlos-the-turbohearted-ghosn-to-receive-honorary-knighthoo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/sir-carlos-the-turbohearted-ghosn-to-receive-honorary-knighthoo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn is being honored by the UK for his "contribution to relations between the UK and Japan". Ghosn will be appointed "Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire" (which, incredibly, actually has nothing to do with either Dungeons and Dragons or the Lord of the Rings).

Like Mario Andretti's commendatore honor bestowed by the Italian consul-general in New York, Ghosn will be pseudo-knighted in a ceremony at the British Embassy in Tokyo. Because he's a foreign national, we can't technically call him "sir", but he can add the letters KBE to his name. Ghosn is actually the second Datsun chief to receive the honor, after former Nissan chairman Takashi Ishihara received the same in 1992.

Ghosn attributed the recognition to the "hard work and achievements" of Nissan's 5500 employees and 220 dealers in the United Kingdom. After winning both the constructors' and drivers' championships in Formula One just this past Sunday, we bet this will make Ghosn walk even taller. Congratulations, Carlos!

[Source: Autocar via Winding Road]

Sir Carlos the Turbohearted: Ghosn to receive honorary knighthood originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britishcarlosempireghosnjapankbeknightknighthoodnissanrenaultsirukTue, 24 Oct 2006 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[What went wrong? Analysis of GM/Renault-Nissan talks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/what-went-wrong-analysis-of-gm-renault-nissan-talks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/what-went-wrong-analysis-of-gm-renault-nissan-talks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/what-went-wrong-analysis-of-gm-renault-nissan-talks/#commentsFiled under: ,


UPDATE: They Speak! Official release addressing dissolution of talks after jump.


We're now awaiting official word from Renault (it came, see after jump) concerning the break off of talks between the automaker, its alliance partner Nissan, and General Motors. While we're waiting, we thought you'd be interested in a few more details that are perhaps pertinent to figuring out why these three-month long exploratory talks ended abruptly with less than two weeks to go.

The WSJ reports that GM chief Rick Wagoner and head of Nissan and Renault Carlos Ghosen spoke on the phone this morning and agreed the two sides were not seeing eye-to-eye on the value of an alliance. GM basically put the question to the other side, "What's it worth to you?"

The largest single sticking point seems to be GM's demand that Nissan-Renault pay a "control premium" if it purchased 20-percent of the General's stock. GM believed that since Renault-Nissan would make out like a bandit if such an alliance were to happen, that the Franco-Japanese automaker should make a lump payment to GM to make up the difference and equalize everyone's interests. The two sides couldn't come to an agreement on how much additional coin Renault-Nissan should cough up for the pleasure of doing business with GM, so that's when the party ended.

Yesterday GM gave us a big indication that the alliance wouldn't happen when the board of directors made amendments to the company's bylaws that will make it difficult for a single shareholder to rally other shareholders and influence management. That's exactly what billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian did to start this whole GM/Renault-Nissan business, and yesterday the board made it so that such a move by a single share holder would be much more difficult in the future. Clearly GM management did not appreciate being manhandled into this situation, which probably spelled its doom from the get-go.

In the end, this whole business seems to have turned out to be a big waste of time. Though Mr. Kerkorian believed he was acting in the best interest of the company in which he owns a 9.9-percent stake, perhaps he should sit down now and let the real auto executives do their jobs. GM is beginning to finally show signs of life and distractions are the last thing its management needs.

[Source: WSJ, Detroit News, Reuters]

Continue reading What went wrong? Analysis of GM/Renault-Nissan talks

What went wrong? Analysis of GM/Renault-Nissan talks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allianceghosnkerkorianmergerrenaultwagonerWed, 04 Oct 2006 14:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: GM and Renault/Nissan end talks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/report-gm-and-renault-nissan-end-talks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/report-gm-and-renault-nissan-end-talks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/report-gm-and-renault-nissan-end-talks/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Wall Street Journal is reporting that talks between General Motors and Renault/Nissan have ended. The news comes from an unnamed person familiar with the situation, which could be the guy that fills the water glasses on the conference table, and Renault so far is refusing to comment. We do know that the board of General Motors met yesterday, presumably to discuss what had been learned from 90 days of exploratory talks held behind closed doors between GM and Renault/Nissan. The domestic giant, however, made no statements following the board meeting and is so far mum on the WSJ report, as well.

The WSJ's source says that the chief executives of both companies, one Mr. Rick Wagoner and one Mr. Carlos Ghosn, terminated the talks themselves. Thus, if this report is true, then any possibility of an alliance forming between General Motors and Renault/Nissan is gone.

Word has it that Mr. Ghosn stopped for a Coney's chili dog in Dearborn on his way out of town, though. Hmmm... (We're kidding, we know for a fact chili gives Carlos gas.)

[Source: the WSJ via Reuters]

Related Posts:

Report: GM and Renault/Nissan end talks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allianceghosnmergerwagonerWed, 04 Oct 2006 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghosn may start talks with Ford]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/22/ghosn-may-start-talks-with-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/22/ghosn-may-start-talks-with-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/22/ghosn-may-start-talks-with-ford/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fresh rumors Friday suggest that disappointing progress in Renault-Nissan's talks with General Motors may be shifting attention to a Ford-Renault-Nissan linkup... again.

According to people familiar with the GM talks, not only does it look unlikely that Renault and Nissan will take an equity stake in GM, but the two sides also have been unable to agree on joint purchasing and vehicle development (see our post Thursday). When the talks opened in July, GM CEO Rick Wagoner and Renault-Nissan's Ghosn said the talks exploring an alliance would wrap up in mid-October.

If nothing else, the GM talks have demonstrated Renault-Nissan's willingness to take on a third partner, so perhaps Ghosn is getting ready to take Bill Ford up on his offer to discuss a partnership if the GM talks fail.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Ghosn may start talks with Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancecarlos ghosnghosnrenaultFri, 22 Sep 2006 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault-Nissan-GM talks continue despite GM-Ford discussions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/renault-nissan-gm-talks-continue-despite-gm-ford-discussions/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/renault-nissan-gm-talks-continue-despite-gm-ford-discussions/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/renault-nissan-gm-talks-continue-despite-gm-ford-discussions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A Nissan Motor spokesman confirmed Thursday that Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault, wants discussions of an alliance with General Motors to continue despite news that GM and Ford Motor execs have discussed a similar alliance between the two Detroit automakers.

Meanwhile, The Detroit News reported Thursday that the GM-Renault-Nissan talks are bogging down over disagreements on parts purchasing - an area where Ghosn believes an alliance of the automakers could save up to $5 billion a year. While the Renault-Nissan team wants to look at the full spectrum of purchasing costs across all three companies, reportedly the GM team wants to limit the investigation to only a few vehicles and a small number of parts.

[Sources: Automotive News (registration required), The Detroit News]

Renault-Nissan-GM talks continue despite GM-Ford discussions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnghosnrenaultThu, 21 Sep 2006 12:12:00 EST<![CDATA[POLL RESULTS: Leadership isn't Ford's biggest problem]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/07/poll-results-leadership-isn-t-fords-biggest-problem/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/07/poll-results-leadership-isn-t-fords-biggest-problem/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/07/poll-results-leadership-isn-t-fords-biggest-problem/#commentsFiled under:

Our latest poll shows that the majority of you (51%, that's a mandate right?) believe that the CEO isn't the problem over at Ford Motor Company. However, Mr. Mulally should take heart in the fact that 30% of you believe he seems like the right fit for the job. Rounding out the pack were the 14% of you who thinks Ghosn should be cutting and slashing Ford back to profitability, while a scant 5% of you believe Bill Ford Jr. could've turned the company around given a little more time.

It is true, Ford's problem has little do with its CEO, but at the same time Bill Ford recognized that perhaps there were people in this world more qualified than he to reverse the sagging fortunes of the third largest automaker in the world. That has to be a humbling call to make, but it's been the boldest move yet for the Blue Oval.

POLL RESULTS: Leadership isn't Ford's biggest problem originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Sep 2006 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill FordBillFordGhosnMulallypollresultsThu, 07 Sep 2006 13:48:00 EST<![CDATA[POLL: Has Ford found the right man for the job?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/06/poll-has-ford-found-the-right-man-for-the-job/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/06/poll-has-ford-found-the-right-man-for-the-job/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/06/poll-has-ford-found-the-right-man-for-the-job/#commentsFiled under: ,

That's the big question. Alan Mulally has no experience in the automotive industry, but he is considered to be an accomplished turnaround artist after whipping into shape the commercial airplane division of Boeing and returning that business to profitability. But did Bill Ford remove himself from the throne too fast? And what about Carlos Ghosn, is he really that good? Perhaps you're of the mind that Ford's problems can't be fixed by switching CEOs. Let us know. Perform your civic duty and vote!

Has Ford found the right man for the job?
Alan Mulally seems like a good fit
Bill Ford Jr. just needed more time
Someone should call Carlos Ghosn
The CEO isn't the problem
Free polls from Pollhost.com

POLL: Has Ford found the right man for the job? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Sep 2006 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyAlanMulallybill fordBillFordcarlos ghosnCarlosGhosnceofordghosnmulallypollWed, 06 Sep 2006 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghosn speaks out: Talks with GM progressing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/ghosn-speaks-out-talks-with-gm-progressing/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/ghosn-speaks-out-talks-with-gm-progressing/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/ghosn-speaks-out-talks-with-gm-progressing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What quiet period? Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said yesterday that talks with General Motors about an alliance were going well, but that it's still too early to tell whether the three companies will wed. Ghosn and Renault-Nissan have set up an internal deadline of mid-October to provide more definition to their intentions, though Ghosn has already said that he doesn't intend to become CEO of General Motors and that Renault-Nissan would more likely buy up a chunk of the larger automaker instead.

The remarks were a rare peek at what's going on, particularly since both Ghosn and GM boss Rick Wagoner started shooing reporters away with talk of a quiet period.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Ghosn speaks out: Talks with GM progressing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghosngmmergernissanrenaultwagonerFri, 01 Sep 2006 06:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Ford talks about Ford's future]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/bill-ford-talks-about-fords-future/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/bill-ford-talks-about-fords-future/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/bill-ford-talks-about-fords-future/#commentsFiled under: ,

Could an interview with Bill Ford possibly be more timely? No sooner do rumors surface about a Ford-Renault-Nissan tie-up if the GM-Renault-Nissan talks fall through, than up pops an interview of the emabattled CEO by BusinessWeek's David Kiley.

The lengthy interview is well worth the read, with a number of questions hitting directly on key issues such as Bill Ford's suitability for the job of Ford Motor CEO, the role of the Ford family in the evolution of the company, and the possiblity of an alliance with Renault-Nissan.

Meanwhile, industry analysts are weighing in with their views on a possible Ford-Renault-Nissan alliance, with the consensus opinion largely in favor (in contrast to the negative reaction to a GM-Renault-Nissan deal). Where the benefits of the GM deal didn't seem worth the effort (with the possible exception of gaining a new CEO in Carlos Ghosn), analysts feel Ford would have much to gain out of such an alliance, including:
  • exploiting synergies with Ford Europe brands (recall that Renault was once rumored to be interested in acquiring Jaguar)
  • better synergies in the North American market (Ford's struggles to bring a competitive B-segment car to market come to mind)
  • an opportunity for Ford to exploit Renault-Nissan's proven purchasing expertise
  • less brand overlap than a GM deal
We shall see...

[Sources: BusinessWeek, Reuters]

Bill Ford talks about Ford's future originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill fordbill ford jrcarlos ghosnford allianceford renault allianceghosnrenaultThu, 24 Aug 2006 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Déjà vu all over again: Ford woos Ghosn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/d-j-vu-all-over-again-ford-woos-ghosn/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/d-j-vu-all-over-again-ford-woos-ghosn/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/24/d-j-vu-all-over-again-ford-woos-ghosn/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Seems like only yesterday that we were reporting that Ford was attempting to lure Renault/Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn into the Dearborn fold, and now we're facing a new round of Ford/Ghosn rumors.

Apparently, Bill Ford Jr. called Ghosn last month to discuss a partnership if the possible GM/Nissan/Renault alliance falls through. This is at least the third time in the last five years that Bill Ford has tried to hook up his company with Ghosn, regarded by many in the industry as an unmatched turnaround artist. Last summer, Ghosn rejected an offer to become Ford's CEO because he felt the chief executive position would be hamstrung by the Ford family's tight control of the company.

While the various companies involved in this latest rumor responded with a resounding 'no comment,' Ford Motor stock rose 4.6 percent in Wednesday's trading.

[Source: Bloomberg]



Déjà vu all over again: Ford woos Ghosn originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill fordbill ford jrcarlos ghosnford ceoghosnrenaultThu, 24 Aug 2006 09:08:00 EST