[follow up] Nissan inks deal to supply Chrysler with small cars
01/11/2008, 11:32 AM
By Drew Johnson
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.
01/10, 5:56 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Nissan should supply Chrysler with the GT-R and they could relabel it as the new Conquest TSi.
01/10, 6:05 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Madcapp:
That’s hilarious.
What, Omni isn’t good enough for you?
01/10, 6:31 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
It’s too bad Chrysler can’t convince Nissan to give them the Altima. That would certainly do away with the need to redo the Sebring/Avenger.
01/10, 8:25 PM
posted by:
autonut
What about $3000 wonder from India? They can sell it for $7000 and perhaps make some profit.
01/10, 10:05 PM
posted by:
Veda
At the present status Chrysler is in, it’s better to just outsource.
01/10, 10:07 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
…shhhh, quiet autonut. They may be listening.
01/10, 11:52 PM
posted by:
gizmo2
They could fit the Tata Nano in their stow n go call it extended range. Inspiration comes standard
01/11, 7:43 AM
posted by:
Get Real
What happened to their old supplier of cars Mitsubishi ?
01/11, 8:05 AM
posted by:
purdue
GetReal,
Currently, the products DO SHARE with Mitsu, but were put into place whilst under Daimler. I’m sure that Cerberus is re-thinking their whole game.
But, the world engines were co-developed by Mitsu, Hyundai, and DCX. And they produce pretty good HP compared to similar-displacement NA engines.
Also, the Mitsu Lancer, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass&Patriot share a platform.
As you can well imagine, it will take the next iteration of these segments for each manufacturer to move away from sharing platforms. And perhaps the Phoenix engines will herald the coming of more engine autonomy as well.
01/11, 8:11 AM
posted by:
sharpie
Yeah, but Mitsu has been a partner even before Daimler took over. Many early 90s models such as the Eclipse/Laser/Talon are sibling cars between Chrysler and Mitsu. Nissan is certainly trying to fill Mitsu role now: First with Suzuki using the Frontier, now with Chrysler using the Versa. Wonder what is going on in the Nissan camp. Maybe a French model from Renault would sneak in sooner or later.
01/11, 9:58 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
Cerberus is going to drive Chrysler straight into the grace. Chinese built sub-compacts in the U.S.? Yeah, nothing says quality like a Chinese Chery…. There are plenty of idiots who will buy them, but I don’t think it will be enough to work. Remember the Yugo?
01/11, 10:38 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
Rebadge the Altima as the new Avenger.
01/11, 10:58 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
“Within 5 years Chrysler will cancel all new designs, and just rebadge other companies cars and trucks to save billions in R/D costs”…this could be the headline from the megagiant capital company Ceribus. They will prove to everyone they are not a real auto company, just a investment company.
01/11, 12:47 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
global: that’s not a bad idea, but the Avenger name might be poison. I like the Altima, enough to recommend it to my brother.
01/11, 5:41 PM
posted by:
autonut
Here is a thought: 2 doors Altima as Chrysler Cordoba and Richardo Montaban peddling it in the commercial (sorry Ricardo)