uneek
04-16-2008, 11:36 AM
Nissan RAM ???? and Chrysler Versa????
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Link: http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/14/news/companies/nissan_chrysler.fortune/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote
(Fortune) -- The whispers that began in January were confirmed Monday: Nissan and Chrysler have agreed to make cars for each other, in a move that will be crucial to each company's success. And that has spurred speculation about even closer cooperation in the future.
Here's what's being announced: Nissan (NSANY) will make an all-new fuel efficient small car for Chrysler, similar to the Versa, at one of its factories in Japan. It's slated to reach markets in North America and around the world in 2010.
For its part, Chrysler will build Nissan a version of its Dodge Ram at a plant in Mexico, to replace the current Titan pickup truck in 2011.
This is the third production agreement between these two companies, and the second to be disclosed in the past four months. The pace and scope of the deals reflect the operating styles of two opportunistic CEOs: Nissan's Carlos Ghosn and Chrysler's Bob Nardelli.
Renewed speculation
Both believe in moving quickly and smartly to keep pace with larger, more established competitors. And they like to outfox the competition by zigging instead of zagging.
The deal is bound to renew speculation about stronger and deeper ties between the two companies.
Ghosn has often stated a desire to link up with a North American partner, despite his failed attempt with General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) in 2006.
Nardelli meanwhile, wants to get Chrysler back on solid footing so that its owner, Cerberus Capital Management, can squeeze out a return for its investors.
A new subcompact could boost Chrysler's annual sales by as much as 200,000 units per year, plugging a big hole in its product lineup and providing dealers with fresh product for their showrooms.
Both sides are experienced in making product-sharing arrangements like these work. For years, Chrysler sold cars made by Mitsubishi that it labeled as Dodges and Plymouths, and it recently announced that it would build minivans for Volkswagen.
Back in the 1990s, Nissan cooperated with Ford (F, Fortune 500) in the design and manufacture of a minivan. Under Ghosn, Nissan has been busy around the world, striking joint-venture deals in recent months in India, China, and Japan, for the manufacture of everything from batteries to commercial vehicles.
Higher stakes
The two companies already have one arrangement in place - Nissan has agreed to supply Chrysler with a Versa derivative to sell in South America - but the stakes are much higher this time around.
For one thing, there are two production agreements to smooth out, not just one. For another, the vehicles involved - the pickup and the subcompact - are vital to each company's future.
Chrysler badly needs a high-volume small car to cushion it from the precipitous falloff in its pickups and SUVs, as well as to meet stringent new federal fuel economy regulations in 2020. With sales this year down 15.5% - more than any other major automaker - Chrysler also needs to demonstrate more vitality.
Nissan starts from higher ground. It is one of the world's most profitable automakers and its sales in the U.S. have slid only 3.3% this year (compared with 8% for the total industry). What Nissan needs is a cost-efficient way to replace its disappointing Titan pickup truck. Originally forecast to generate annual sales of 100,000 units, it is idling along at a rate of less than 50,000 a year.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Chrysler and Nissan Confirm new OEM Product Agreements Auburn Hills, Mich./Tokyo, Apr 14, 2008 - Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced two new agreements for the supply of products between both companies. In January, Nissan agreed to supply Chrysler with a new car based on the Nissan Versa sedan for limited distribution in South America on an Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) basis in 2009.
This new OEM exchange benefits both companies through range extension and the utilization of global manufacturing capacity. Highlights of the new agreement:
Nissan will manufacture an all-new, fuel-efficient small car based on a unique Chrysler concept and design. This new segment entry for Chrysler will be sold in North America, Europe and other global markets in 2010, and manufactured at Nissan’s Oppama Plant in Japan.
Chrysler will manufacture a full-size pickup for Nissan. Based on a Nissan unique design, this truck will be manufactured at Chrysler’s Saltillo (Mexico) Assembly Plant. In order to accommodate this product, Chrysler will shift volume from Mexico to its U.S.-based assembly plants that produce pickup trucks. Sales of the pickup in North America will start in 2011.
This latest OEM supply agreement extends a long standing product exchange relationship between the two corporations, with Nissan affiliate JATCO already supplying Chrysler with transmissions since 2004.
“Forging the right tactical partnerships is critical to the long-term success of Chrysler,” said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler LLC President and Vice Chairman. “It also builds on the Company’s inherent strengths, including the ability to respond rapidly and creatively to emerging opportunities.”
“In January, we said we would continue to look for additional OEM opportunities with Chrysler,” said Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Company. “This latest agreement builds on Nissan’s proven track record to deliver win-win product exchanges with multiple manufacturers around the world,” continued Tavares.
Since the signing of the first OEM agreement in January, the two companies have also agreed to maintain an open dialogue to explore further product-sharing opportunities.
http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=7827&mid=1
________________________________________
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/14/news/companies/nissan_chrysler.fortune/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote
(Fortune) -- The whispers that began in January were confirmed Monday: Nissan and Chrysler have agreed to make cars for each other, in a move that will be crucial to each company's success. And that has spurred speculation about even closer cooperation in the future.
Here's what's being announced: Nissan (NSANY) will make an all-new fuel efficient small car for Chrysler, similar to the Versa, at one of its factories in Japan. It's slated to reach markets in North America and around the world in 2010.
For its part, Chrysler will build Nissan a version of its Dodge Ram at a plant in Mexico, to replace the current Titan pickup truck in 2011.
This is the third production agreement between these two companies, and the second to be disclosed in the past four months. The pace and scope of the deals reflect the operating styles of two opportunistic CEOs: Nissan's Carlos Ghosn and Chrysler's Bob Nardelli.
Renewed speculation
Both believe in moving quickly and smartly to keep pace with larger, more established competitors. And they like to outfox the competition by zigging instead of zagging.
The deal is bound to renew speculation about stronger and deeper ties between the two companies.
Ghosn has often stated a desire to link up with a North American partner, despite his failed attempt with General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) in 2006.
Nardelli meanwhile, wants to get Chrysler back on solid footing so that its owner, Cerberus Capital Management, can squeeze out a return for its investors.
A new subcompact could boost Chrysler's annual sales by as much as 200,000 units per year, plugging a big hole in its product lineup and providing dealers with fresh product for their showrooms.
Both sides are experienced in making product-sharing arrangements like these work. For years, Chrysler sold cars made by Mitsubishi that it labeled as Dodges and Plymouths, and it recently announced that it would build minivans for Volkswagen.
Back in the 1990s, Nissan cooperated with Ford (F, Fortune 500) in the design and manufacture of a minivan. Under Ghosn, Nissan has been busy around the world, striking joint-venture deals in recent months in India, China, and Japan, for the manufacture of everything from batteries to commercial vehicles.
Higher stakes
The two companies already have one arrangement in place - Nissan has agreed to supply Chrysler with a Versa derivative to sell in South America - but the stakes are much higher this time around.
For one thing, there are two production agreements to smooth out, not just one. For another, the vehicles involved - the pickup and the subcompact - are vital to each company's future.
Chrysler badly needs a high-volume small car to cushion it from the precipitous falloff in its pickups and SUVs, as well as to meet stringent new federal fuel economy regulations in 2020. With sales this year down 15.5% - more than any other major automaker - Chrysler also needs to demonstrate more vitality.
Nissan starts from higher ground. It is one of the world's most profitable automakers and its sales in the U.S. have slid only 3.3% this year (compared with 8% for the total industry). What Nissan needs is a cost-efficient way to replace its disappointing Titan pickup truck. Originally forecast to generate annual sales of 100,000 units, it is idling along at a rate of less than 50,000 a year.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Chrysler and Nissan Confirm new OEM Product Agreements Auburn Hills, Mich./Tokyo, Apr 14, 2008 - Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced two new agreements for the supply of products between both companies. In January, Nissan agreed to supply Chrysler with a new car based on the Nissan Versa sedan for limited distribution in South America on an Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) basis in 2009.
This new OEM exchange benefits both companies through range extension and the utilization of global manufacturing capacity. Highlights of the new agreement:
Nissan will manufacture an all-new, fuel-efficient small car based on a unique Chrysler concept and design. This new segment entry for Chrysler will be sold in North America, Europe and other global markets in 2010, and manufactured at Nissan’s Oppama Plant in Japan.
Chrysler will manufacture a full-size pickup for Nissan. Based on a Nissan unique design, this truck will be manufactured at Chrysler’s Saltillo (Mexico) Assembly Plant. In order to accommodate this product, Chrysler will shift volume from Mexico to its U.S.-based assembly plants that produce pickup trucks. Sales of the pickup in North America will start in 2011.
This latest OEM supply agreement extends a long standing product exchange relationship between the two corporations, with Nissan affiliate JATCO already supplying Chrysler with transmissions since 2004.
“Forging the right tactical partnerships is critical to the long-term success of Chrysler,” said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler LLC President and Vice Chairman. “It also builds on the Company’s inherent strengths, including the ability to respond rapidly and creatively to emerging opportunities.”
“In January, we said we would continue to look for additional OEM opportunities with Chrysler,” said Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Company. “This latest agreement builds on Nissan’s proven track record to deliver win-win product exchanges with multiple manufacturers around the world,” continued Tavares.
Since the signing of the first OEM agreement in January, the two companies have also agreed to maintain an open dialogue to explore further product-sharing opportunities.
http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=7827&mid=1