Vehicle giants to collaborate on commercial vans09 April 2010

A strategic partnership covering the development and production of engines, passenger cars and commercial vans has been signed between none other than the Renault-Nissan alliance and Daimler.

Under the terms of the deal, Renault-Nissan has taken a 3.1% share in Daimler, while the German company has invested in a 3.1% share in both Renault and Nissan.

On the commercial vehicles side, Mercedes-Benz Vans says it will expand its portfolio to offer an all-new entry-level model from 2012, based on Renault and its Kangoo model. That vehicle range will be produced at the Renault plant in Maubeuge, France.

The partners hope that each will benefit from higher unit sales, but more likely better production and engineering design capacity utilisation and a shared investment burden, resulting in reduced overall costs.

In addition to cooperating on small commercial vehicles, "selected powertrain components" are also scheduled to be shared to improve mid-size van product offerings and hence also sales volumes there.

The Renault-Nissan alliance and Daimler say this includes a small diesel engine as well as transmissions that Daimler will procure from Renault-Nissan for its mid-size van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito.

This additional entry-level motorisation is again aimed at generating additional unit sales for Mercedes-Benz alongside optimised capacity utilisation at Renault.

Author
John Challen

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