Daimler-Renault-Nissan Alliance Gets Results, GM-PSA Doesn't
TTAC readers who followed our past reporting on the developing relationship between Daimler and the Renault/Nissan Alliance will not be surprised in hearing what Carlos Ghosn and Dieter Zetsche told the press today. If you think you’ve heard it all before, you are right. You did here.
- The three will jointly develop a new range of fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, saving production and development costs for all three companies, with output expected to run to more than 3 million engines.
- Mercedes and Infiniti will share a front-wheel-drive car platform for a new premium compact Infiniti model due around 2014.
- This year, the first jointly developed vehicles will arrive, in the shape of the Merecedes A-Class with Renault engines and a Mercedes Citan van, built at a Renault plant in Maubeuge next to Renault’s Kangoo.
On the other side of Paris, the alliance between GM and PSA Peugeot-Citroen is said to be going nowhere. According to Bloomberg, a lowly joint parts-buying plan is delayed, allegedly because it is waiting for regulatory approval. The agreement, and possibly the announcement of joint production of cars, are now expected by the end of October, when all good news about GM are due to be announced.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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With its big grin, walrus mustache and balding head, is it only me that finds Herr Zetsche reminiscent of a low-budget circus clown?
Uhh, could it be that D-R-M have been at this longer than GM-PSA? And if there is a likely announcement of joint production of cars btwn GM and PSA by the end of October, then I don't see what there is a need for such a by-line (but then again, I'm not surprised). And besides, PSA recently announced that it would no longer be cooperating w/ BMW on hybrid technology and instead, do so w/ GM - so it's not like nothings been happening.