Nissan-Renault eyes tie-up with Daimler

[FarCenter]

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The alliance of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA has entered talks with Germany's Daimler AG over the possibility of forming a comprehensive partnership, including a capital tie-up, sources close to the negotiations said Wednesday.

If the capital tie-up comes to pass, it will create the world's third-largest automotive group following the Volkswagen AG-Suzuki Motor Corp. group and the Toyota Motor Corp. group.

The Nissan-Renault group is in talks with Daimler regarding cooperation on the development and production of chassis for subcompact cars for emerging markets, as well as the development and production of electric vehicles (EVs), considered to be the leading next-generation automobiles.

Nissan is the most advanced of the three companies concerning the technological development of EVs, as it is slated to release the Leaf electric vehicle this autumn. By sharing key technology in this field, the automakers hope to simultaneously reduce development costs and expand their sales network.

<SNIP>http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T100317006462.htm

[HopeHoops]

1. Yeah, that sure worked out well for Chrysler.

:sarcasm: