Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi present the work of their “new” Alliance.

By standing, the Alliance between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi? Rather, it may never have been so good! In any case, this is the message carried by the French and Japanese automakers during a press conference on Wednesday December 6 from the historic beige brick building in Billancourt that once housed the headquarters of the Régie. The opportunity to remember that a new chapter is opening around improved cooperation, placed under the sign of transparency between partners now on equal footing.

As a reminder, the Union born in March 1999 has recently changed its form. The new organization was presented in February 2023. The final agreement was concluded in mid-summer and came to fruition on November 8: Renault, which held 43.4% of Nissan’s capital, officially fell to 15%. The two partners now show equal participation and want to plan to meet the challenges that await them in the fragmented global automotive market. “Today we are looking in the same direction. That of the future, announced Jean-Dominique Senard, chairman of the board of directors of Renault, also vice president of Nissan.

Multi-faceted joint projects

He was accompanied by Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, Makoto Uchida, CEO of Nissan, and Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors. None of them lacked praise for the new organization, which sets the same main goal: to reduce development and production costs. But there is no more question of reaching a compromise for synergy, he promised the partners who at the same time prove that their joint work is. “more important than what we have done in the last ten years”. This sentence uttered by Luca de Meo is greeted with a nod from his friends.

Under European antitrust regulations, the new Union organization, however, forced the manufacturers to legally end the existence of their common structure for the purchase of parts and equipment, which was presented for a long time as the greatest success of the Franco-Japanese couple. But Luca de Meo does not change: “This is a lot of money that we can generate if the whole project is completed. The most important thing is to show that this alliance creates commercial value. continues the Renault boss who does not fail to welcome new confidence among manufacturers, “the basis of all relationships”. “Now we focus on the operation. We are in project mode,” concludes Jean-Dominique Senard.

Nissan is interested in Renault’s circular economy activities

A new feature was presented on December 6: Nissan is considering involvement in Renault’s circular economy activities, called “The Future is Neutral” and whose main base has been established in Flins (Yvelines). The expected amount has not been determined. Nissan and Mitsubishi have also reiterated their intention to invest up to 600 million and 200 million euros respectively in the new Ampère subsidiary, which will make cars for the three manufacturers in Northern France. American Qualcomm He has not yet confirmed his participation. “It will happen,” Luca De Meo once again assured the press.

Confirming their intention to relaunch high-value operational projects, the three members also announced that the percentage of their models based on conventional platforms should increase from 60% today to 80% in 2026. Development will continue to occur in seasonal platforms, owned by Ampère and Nissan. The two manufacturers are also working on the development of a new generation of electric vans.

Joint projects in Latin America and India will continue. More information is expected to be revealed soon. Finally, whether in “defined applications”, solid-state batteries or battery charging technology, the three giants show their willingness to share their innovations as much as possible. With many projects and renewed negotiations, the new Union wants to take advantage of its second youth.