8 April 2010 | Helen Gilbert
Auto giants Renault and Nissan have agreed a global tie-up with German carmaker Daimler to work together on purchasing.
Renault-Nissan will take a stake of 3.1 per cent in Daimler, while the German firm will take an equal stake in the French and Japanese businesses.
All three companies will cooperate on developing technologies for small and electric cars, light commercial vehicles and next generation models.
Renault said the companies would benefit from “common purchasing opportunities” but was unable to give a savings figure.
Renault and Nissan are already renowned for their joint buying practices. They established the Renault-Nissan Purchasing Organisation (RNPO) in 2001 to act as an intermediary for both companies. The RNPO sets rates with suppliers and passes this information on to buyers at each company.
In April 2008, the pair accelerated their joint purchasing operation, giving it responsibility for 90 per cent of spend across the two firms.
Speaking about yesterday’s announcement (April 7) Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “Our skills complement each other very well. Right away, we are strengthening our competitiveness in the small and compact car segment and are reducing our CO2 footprint – both on a long-term basis.”
Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, said: “This agreement will extend our strategic collaboration and create lasting value for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler as we work on broadening and strengthening our product offering, efficiently utilising all available resources and developing the innovative technologies required in the coming decade.”
