Renault and Nissan create new marriage of equals
Alliance 2.0 to hand more control back to Nissan but deliver new EVs as Renault scales backRenault and Nissan have redrawn the terms of their alliance for the first time since the French car-maker plucked the Japanese auto giant from bankruptcy back in 1999.
According to the new ‘Alliance 2.0’ framework, the previously dominant Renault will wind back its controlling stake in Nissan from 43 per cent to just 15 per cent.
The move is tipped to rebalance what has become a rocky relationship between the two and see Nissan rewarded with a share in Renault’s new electric vehicle sub-brand Ampere.
Following the renegotiations, Renault will transfer a 28.4 per cent stake to a trust that will effectively mute the French brand from having any say in how Nissan is run, although it will retain its rights to both dividends and proceeds from share sales.
As part of the new understanding, the trustees managing Renault’s 28.4 per cent stake will be given the right to sell the car-maker’s share to other interested parties, opening the door for a new investor.
Nissan, meanwhile, will now invest in Ampere that has already begun expanding its software arm and developing a new family of EVs.
In what looks like a win-win for the Japanese brand, Nissan and partner Mitsubishi will also have access to Ampere’s new tech for use in developing their EVs for Europe.
As part of the redrawn alliance, all three car-makers will increase their co-operation within Latin America, Indian and European regions to share the cost of developing vehicles and new technologies, with all three working to increase their combined market share.
It’s hoped that with a more equal relationship in the alliance both Nissan and Renault will end the tension and frustrations within the Japanese car-maker behind the scenes.
An official statement of the agreed terms will be released on February 6, following approval from Renault and Nissan’s boards of management.
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