Nissan, Renault take 'big step forward' with proposed patent compromise

France also signals support for balancing ownership in auto alliance

20230117N Nissan Renault logos

Japan's Nissan Motor and France's Renault are in talks to reshape their alliance. © Reuters

KENYA AKAMA and SOTARO YUMAE, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Negotiations to reshape the alliance between Nissan Motor and Renault are set to move ahead under a proposal by the French automaker on intellectual property, a major sticking point in their monthslong impasse.

The potential compromise would restrict the use of joint intellectual property in cutting-edge fields, such as electric vehicles and self-driving technology, by Renault's new EV unit, Nikkei learned on Tuesday. Nissan executives including CEO Makoto Uchida outlined Renault's proposal to outside directors on Monday.

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