Ghosn's Two Front China Offensive

The Nikkei [sub] must have been having intimate chats with sources high up in Nissan’s tower at the Yokohama waterfront again.

Prematurely perturbing press people at Nissan, the Tokyo wire reports that a new factory will be constructed in China, and that Infiniti cars will be built at yet another factory in China. In the meantime, Reuters cultivated sources at Renault and says that Renault will finally finalize a deal to produce cars in China.

According to The Nikkei [sub], Nissan will build its long-rumored plant in China’s port city of Dalian. It will be Nissan’s fourth Chinese plant in a joint venture with Dongfeng.

Also according to The Nikkei [sub], Nissan will begin the long-rumored production of Infinitis in China. It will not make them in Dalian as the rumor went, but at the current Xiangyang plant in Hubei Province. Says the Nikkei:

“The Xiangyang plant produces the Teana mainstay midsize sedan. The Infinitis it makes will be similar in size to the Teana, enabling capital investment to be held down.”

Reuters meanwhile heard in Paris that Renault and Dongfeng have finalized a framework agreement on their long-rumored joint venture. This deal has been long in the works, but changing Chinese rules that are less welcoming to investments by foreign automakers added extra urgency. “We just made the window,” Reuter’s source said. Currently, Renaults are only imported to China. Says Reuters:

“Renault’s 80 Chinese sales outlets sold just over 24,000 imported vehicles last year, the bulk of them Korean-made Koleos SUVs.”

All of this is highly unofficial, but likewise highly likely. Renault’s and Nissan’s double-CEO Carlos Ghosn will come to Beijing for the auto show on April 23. Full court press events are planned, and Ghosn will have lots to talk about.