Nissan inked a deal with Chrysler earlier today that will see Japan’s third largest automaker supplying Chrysler with its Versa subcompact car for sale in South America in 2009. The Chrysler-badged Vera will be built at Nissan’s Aguascalientes, Mexico at a clip of about 20,000 vehicles a year.
Nissan has been looking for a U.S. partner since General Motors broke off talks with Japan’s third largest automaker last year. However, the new deal is smaller, operating on a product-by-product level.
“This kind of tactical partnership allows us to maximize product offerings yet minimize costly investments such as new plant infrastructure, tooling and R&D,” Chrysler Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda said. ” This partnership will give Chrysler nearly immediate access to vehicle segments in which we do not currently compete.”
Insiders say the agreement is a one-time OEM deal, but could expand in the future — possibly to include full-size pickup trucks. Nissan currently supplies Chrysler with its continuously variable transmissions.
Chrysler has alreadyinked a deal with Chery Motors to bring the Chinese automaker’s A-1 minicar to the U.S. by 2009.
