Nissan Motor Co., Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. are formulating a plan to strengthen their alliance by jointly developing electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies, as well as consolidating production and sharing logistics and warehouses, according to an outline of the measures obtained by The Yomiuri Shimbun.
The alliance intends to put the plan together as early as May, and the three companies will reflect the strategy in their own medium-term management plans, sources said.
In the field of electric vehicles (EV), the alliance plans to increase the number of models to be launched through joint development. It aims to develop four types of EVs -- minivehicles, compact vehicles and large and small sport utility vehicles -- by fiscal 2023. In addition to the chassis, the companies will promote the sharing of motors and batteries that are indispensable for EVs.
Nissan's self-driving technology has already been incorporated into some Mitsubishi Motors models, but will now be installed in Renault vehicles. Nissan also intends to cooperate in technology development. At Nissan and Renault plants in South America and Russia, the two automakers plan to increase production efficiency by manufacturing not only their own cars, but also vehicles for both companies.
Former chairman Carlos Ghosn, who had led the three-way capital and business alliance, had expressed a willingness to integrate development functions. However, some have questioned the effectiveness of such a partnership. "It was ambiguous as to how far cooperation can go," a source said.
Nissan has descended into stagnation due to excessive production capacity after taking an expansion track under Ghosn's leadership, while Renault and Mitsubishi Motors are also suffering from poor business performances. As demand for new vehicles slows due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the three companies are seeking a quick rebuilding of their management by strengthening their alliance.
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