Biz People: Ghosn: No Need for Tech Alliances

Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan Motor Co and Renault SA, said yesterday the two firms’ partnership was sufficient to cover a range of powertrain technologies and there was no need to seek tie- ups with others in that area.

Nissan and Renault cooperate in research and development, sharing vehicle platforms and engines.

Asked about tying up with a US automaker, Ghosn (right) repeated that any expansion of the Nissan-Renault alliance would be to seek opportunities to grow rather than out of necessity, but that now was not the time to consider such a move.

“We are maximising our alliance,” Ghosn said, noting that Nissan is leading the development of hybrid technologies, while its French partner was doing the same with diesel engines.

Ghosn was speaking to reporters at the opening of Nissan’s new technology centre after news that private equity firm Cerberus will buy a majority of DaimlerChrysler’s struggling Chrysler Group.

Ghosn had expressed interest in forming a three-way alliance with a US-based automaker to cement a global partnership that now spans Japan and Europe, but has said there was no urgency after talks with General Motors Corp failed to produce a partnership last autumn.

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