Japanese automaker Nissan Motor stated on Tuesday that the company is open to considering “options” and may explore the possibility of collaborating with its domestic competitor, Honda, to further strengthen its position in India. Both companies are currently working on strategies to enhance their operations in India, one of the world’s most promising automotive markets.
This statement comes at a time when the company continues to work with its long-standing global alliance partner, Renault automobile manufacturer. Renault is a French automobile manufacturer with which Nissan had formed a partnership to share production facilities and products in India and other regions.
Nissan Motor Company President and CEO Ivan Espinosa Stated
Nissan Motor Company President and CEO Ivan Espinosa stated that the company is prepared to partner with Honda in India, should the need arise. However, he also noted that no concrete discussions or initiatives in this direction have commenced between the two companies thus far.
When asked whether he saw any merit in collaborating with Honda in India, given that both Japanese automakers are currently striving to revitalise their businesses in this market, Espinosa replied, “We are completely open-minded on this matter. Just as you are contemplating the possibility of an alliance, I, too, am considering whether such a move would be prudent.” He further added, “For the time being, our primary focus with Honda remains on North America. However, if Honda is also willing, we are fully prepared to engage in broader collaboration with them.”
Ivan Espinosa stated that even after selling its stake in the joint venture established for car manufacturing in Tamil Nadu, Nissan continues to collaborate with Renault in India.“We are working extensively with Renault… (yet) we also have other options. The good thing is that we have choices… we are open to others as well, just as we are to Renault.”
Renault and Nissan Previously had a Joint Venture in India
Renault and Nissan previously had a joint venture in India for manufacturing cars together (in which Nissan has now sold its stake to Renault), with an annual production capacity of approximately 500,000 units. They also produce cross-badged vehicles in India, such as the Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and the Renault Triber-Nissan Gravite. Now, Nissan is gearing up to launch the Tekton, which is based on the same platform as the Renault Duster.
Nissan also unveiled its long-term vision, ‘Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life,’ in which it detailed its “customer-centric” strategic direction. The central theme of this vision is AI-Defined Vehicles (AIDV) and the expansion of work on autonomous and electric technologies and vehicles.
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