PARIS -- The coronavirus pandemic has only highlighted the importance of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance, Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard told Nikkei in an telephone interview Friday. The three carmakers, which struggled over 18 months to find common ground, finally announced on Wednesday a new strategy to cut investment costs per vehicle model by up to 40%.
The alliance will set three regions where one of the trio will take the lead for that part of the world, allowing the other partners to tap the leader's resources efficiently. Renault is prepared to produce Nissan vehicles in its European plants if needed, Senard said. Nissan plans to close its plant in Spain and may require a transfer of production in Europe.
