Renault-Nissan & Daimler Alliance Reveals Future Plans

Daimler and Renault-Nissan have finalised an alliance that involves Daimler taking a 3.1 percent stake in Renault and a 3.1 percent stake in Nissan, with Renault-Nissan getting a 3.1 percent stake in Daimler. The alliance will focus on platform and drivetrain sharing which would save Daimler and Renault-Nissan two billion euros each in the coming five years.

“This agreement will create lasting value for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler”, said Renault-Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, “as we work on broadening and strengthening our product offering, efficiently utilising all available resources and developing the innovative technologies required in the coming decade”.

The highlight of the alliance is Project Edison, which sets about creating a rear-engine/rear-wheel-drive platform on which the next-generation Smart Fortwo, Smart Forfour and Renault Twingo will be based. All three models are planned for production from 2013, all of which will be offered with electric drivetrains. Nissan would likely produce a new model using this platform, too.

Yet another area of collaboration will see Renault-Nissan sharing a number of three/four-cylinder petrol/diesel engines with Daimler for use in the next-generation Smart Fortwo and Forfour, and Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class. In return, Daimler will supply Infiniti, Nissan's luxury brand, with certain four/six-cylinder petrol/diesel engines.

Finally, Renault-Nissan and Daimler will also collaborate on light commercial vehicle projects. Part of it calls for Renault-Nissan to provide diesel drivetrains for use in Mercedes-Benz's Vito, as well as a platform to underpin an entry-level Mercedes-Benz van from 2012.