Reduction of the partnership between Renault-Nissan and Mercedes?
The manager of the partnership project between Renault-Nissan and Mercedes is retiring soon, and rumors announce a reduction in ties between the two groups collaborating on several projects.
10/11/2021
The head of the partnership project between Renault-Nissan and Mercedes is retiring soon, and rumors announce a reduction in ties between the two groups collaborating on several important projects.
Since 2010, Daimler (Mercedes, Smart) and Renault-Nissan have collaborated on a large number of projects. From factory sharing to platforms and engines, the ties had become close. Mercedes had notably used the Nissan Navara platform to launch its X-Class pickup, but also four-cylinder diesel blocks from the alliance for its compact range. The two groups had also collaborated on mini city cars with the Smart and Renault Twingo, or even on the development of a joint engine, the 1.3 turbocharged petrol that is found everywhere under the hood of Renault or Mercedes compacts.
But with the retirement of Jacques Verdonck, the senior leader of the alliance for this partnership, it is a collaboration that is now threatened. According to Reuters, rather than having one person in charge for the entire partnership alliance, each manufacturer would appoint an internal manager (for Renault, for Nissan and for Mitsubishi).
There are still some common projects, especially in utilities between Mercedes and Renault for a large common model. Mercedes also has a factory in common with Nissan in Mexico. But in the future, Daimler and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi could decide to rationalize the exchanges.