After months of negotiations with General Motors — and on-again, off-again talks with Ford — Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn now says he is no longer interested in adding a North American partner, according to the New York Times.
“We don’t think the timing is right,” Ghosn said in his first appearance since talks with GM fell through. He said the focus will now be on getting Nissan back on the path to growth. “The right moment” to expand the alliance is “when Nissan is growing again,” he said.
“Before we envision new frontiers, we want to make sure what we’re doing is right. The day we are ready, there may not be an opportunity,” Ghosn said.
New car price quote
Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
11/17, 10:25 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
I can’t believe Ghosn doesn’t want to pay GM $billions for GM’s automotive business wisdom. WTF is he thinking?
11/17, 10:34 AM
posted by:
Bertjan
The same automotive business wisdom that brought GM to the point where they are now?
11/17, 12:25 PM
posted by:
Kaptain75329
I wonder why he’s so worried.. Nissan has a bunch of fresh new products coming down the pike. Their website makes a serious point of this, not only highlighting 5 new cars, but what they offer. The Nissan USA website is what everyone else has been doing, but I like how Nissan takes it a step further and makes it front page news. Whatever Nissan is doing, it doesn’t look to me like they are sitting on their ass. It looks to me like they are pushing forward.
The Altima looks really good, so does the new G from Infiniti.. Sedan and Coupe variants should compete nicely with Honda and leave Toyota looking like the odd one out, and it’s going to be cool to see Mazda hit back with the 6.
I’d be worried if all Nissan had to look forward to for now was the new Sentra.. somehow I think the Sentra is going to go right back to being a consumer last choice. The Mazda 3 and Civic own the C segment now, Toyota’s still MIA with their next-gen Corolla, while Ford & GM continue to scratch their collective asses and moon buyers in this market.
That said, I can’t see Nissan being in trouble once these new models hit the market. Granted, I don’t plan to own a Nissan vehicle again for a long time (great products, but crappy dealer network makes getting service more trouble than it’s worth) but they’re going to be just fine for now and in the long run.
11/17, 1:37 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
They’ll do just fine. I don’t think he’s as worried as you think.
11/17, 3:17 PM
posted by:
lanapat7
No one wants them.
Maybe they should hook up with VW once Porsche dumps it.
11/17, 3:46 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
Ghosn is God.
If Ghosn were to take on either GM or Ford, he would get resistance from stakeholders, family members and assorted unions. It would be a bigger headache than he deserves. He already splits his time between Japan and France.
11/17, 3:52 PM
posted by:
Richard
No Ghosn is not God. And Nissan-Renault is not doing all that great. Make no mistake, of the Japanese carmakers, I much prefer Nissan over Toyota. Unfortunately, the buying public has it the other way around.
11/17, 4:59 PM
posted by:
James
If I were in Ghosn’s shoes I wouldn’t go to France at all. So what if Renault is there it’s not like Renault has any fast cars. I agree unfortunately the buying public likes Toyota/Lexus too much. Toyota’s are for pussies who don’t like horsepower. The Supra has been gone for eight years, Toyota’s “balls” are gone. Mercedes and Toyota go hand in hand, all the morons drive’em. Every time I’m in the road some asshole is holding up traffic in a Mercedes or Toyota. The other group of traffic impeding pricks are driving fat ass SUVs Pickup Trucks or Vans.
11/17, 5:28 PM
posted by:
Random Jerk
You guys who expect every automobile to be designed with performance as the number one consideration and every buyer to choose with performance as the number one consideration are truly dellusional.
11/17, 6:50 PM
posted by:
Veda
Agreed Random Jerk, if they compare the cars in more detail they’ll find out things like uncomfortable seats, quirky AC control, etc that prevents buyer from choosing a Nissan or Infiniti.
11/17, 10:52 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
RJ and Veda,
I agree with both your points, however Nissan currently falls short in both categories for both the enthusiast buyer and for the practical buyer. Unless you are looking for a 350Z to buy or have $70,000 you want to spend on a GT-R in twelve months. In that case, you’re only left with the patchy interior ergonomics and quality to dissuade your purchase to another brand.
My point: they need more of real performance options within their sedan and coupe ranges AND some continued improvement in quality fit, finish and ergonomics.
11/17, 10:57 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
Another question: Why haven’t they made ATTESA all wheel drive an option in the Maxima range? This would greatly help to differentiate it from the Altima and put it into another class.
Currently, I feel that the Altima and Maxima are the same cars, one being cheaper than the other with the same engine, transmissions, drive setup and practical purpose. A long moonroof in the Maxima isn’t enough to make me pay Maxima money over the Altima.
11/18, 8:44 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
Hyperion, they took care of the Maxima/Altima differentiation question in 2007 by overpricing the new Altima.
11/18, 10:45 PM
posted by:
James
I know random’s comment was toward me. Random needs to lighten up. Renault is still ugly and SLOW.
11/19, 8:58 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
Ricardo Head, lol! Yes, they have.