Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG announce wide-ranging strategic cooperation

[Wolfgang]

an update


Daimler declines comment on report it will build cars in Mexico with Nissan
FRANKFURT -- Daimler declined to comment on a media report that it may build Mercedes-Benz cars for the North American market alongside Nissan's Infiniti brand in Mexico.

"This is speculation on which, as a matter of principle, we do not comment," a Daimler spokesman told Automotive News Europe.

The report, in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, cited a senior source at Daimler as saying the two automakers planned to build a plant in Mexico to manufacture Mercedes small cars and Infiniti luxury vehicles, but added that no final decision had been reached on the project.

In September at the Paris auto show, Nissan and partner Renault agreed with Daimler to extend their industrial partnership that will see the next Smart ForTwo and Renault Twingo minicars built on a common architecture. Starting in 2016, the companies also will begin building a jointly developed four-cylinder engine.

Nissan currently has two plants in Mexico.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung report comes a year after Japanese media first said that Nissan and Daimler were finalizing plans for joint production in Mexico.

The Nikkei business daily reported in November 2011 that the proposed plant would have an annual production capacity of about 200,000 vehicles and begin operation in the first half of 2014. It estimated that the total investment in the factory could top $1 billion.

Both Nissan and Daimler declined to comment at the time.

Daimler declines comment on report it will build cars in Mexico with Nissan

 

[Wolfgang]

an update

Renault has dropped plans for a luxury car based on the Mercedes-Benz E-class platform, company CEO Carlos Tavares has revealed. He said that Renault "hadn't found a business model that works". However, Tavares added that the project was not dead, but that "a good equation" might still be found with partners Mercedes in the future.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the proposed luxury Renault, which was likely to have been branded 'Initiale Paris' and would have been priced from £40,000, was dropped because the current E-class platform would be close to the end of its production run, just as the new Renault would be scheduled to arrive in the showroom.

Continuing the production of a defunct component-set would be complex and expensive and would rule out the proposed Renault being built on an existing Mercedes production line. Meanwhile, the ageing Espace – currently Renault’s flagship model – is expected to be replaced by an upmarket SUV next year.

Renault is still on schedule to launch the Initiale Paris sub-brand next year. This will be used on high-spec versions of Renault's current mainstream models, starting with the new Clio. Renault has been absent from the premium car market since the slow-selling Vel Satis hatchback was dropped in 2009.

Renault-Nissan and Mercedes have a number of co-operative projects in train, including sharing the next-generation, rear-engined Smart platform that is also expected to underpin the all-new Twingo. Mercedes is also supplying the A-class platform to Nissan's Infiniti brand, which will use it as the basis of the British-built Q30.

Renault drops Mercedes-based luxury car plans | Autocar

 

[Merc1]

Love you Wolfe!

M

 

[Human]

Mercedes-Benz > to > Renault, no problem!

A-class with a Renault sourced engine, BIG PROBLEM I Have - It's like any thoroughbred that had a bad heart transplant.
Imagine a BMW with a KIA engine....grrrrr

 

[Wolfgang]

Some OM 607 info. It's used in the A180 CDI with manual transmission.

Replete with Mercedes-Benz know-how: the OM 607

For the A 180 CDI with manual transmission Mercedes-Benz has had recourse to its cooperation with Renault to achieve fuel economy advantages from a compact, lightweight, low-friction engine which has been rigorously downsized. The common-rail four-cylinder with a rail pressure of 1600 bar is currently in its sixth generation, with more than 1.3 million units produced each year. This 1.5-litre engine with low-pressure EGR generates 80 kW (109 hp). With 98 g of CO2 per kilometre, it is among the most environmentally friendly diesels in the compact car segment. The turbocharger features variable turbine geometry (VTG).

This engine with the in-house designation OM 607 weighs around 30 kilograms less than an OM 651. Numerous components are specific to Mercedes-Benz, for example the OM 607 has the engine mountings of the M 270 petrol engine, as well as a special two-mass flywheel. The starter flanged onto the transmission, the alternator and the refrigerant compressor also come from the Mercedes modular system, and are driven by a belt with six grooves.

Like all Mercedes engines, the OM 607 was required to absolve the extensive engine test programme involving bench-testing and endurance runs. The application effort devoted to the OM 607 by Mercedes-Benz was very considerable. In a joint project team of Mercedes and Renault personnel the engine was especially improved with respect to NVH and driveability. Coordination work also went into the ECO start/stop function included as standard. This Mercedes-specific feature also operates at temperatures down to minus 10 degrees Celsius, for example, and can therefore make a more frequent contribution to fuel economy.

Source: Daimler

 

[Giannis]

as well as a special two-mass flywheel.

Does this mean that the original Renault engine has a single-mass flywheel, or is it designed differently?

 

[Wolfgang]

Suspect it's a different two-mass flywheel design.

The two-mass flywheel has been specifically designed for high engine torque at low engine speeds in order to isolate the crankshaft's vibration stimuli, thereby contributing to the engine's excellent smooth running. Source: Daimler.

 

[Wolfgang]

An update to alleviate those nasty powertrain production bottlenecks?

Breaking: Daimler and Renault-Nissan Extend Collaboration [Photo Gallery]

The scope of the German-French-Japanese partnership, started way back in April 2010, has just been increased and the first step is the completion of a factory building for the joint production of engines in the USA.

“While our initial collaboration focused strongly on European projects, we are now focusing on synergies in all key markets”, Renault-Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn said today at an annual media briefing on the partnership between the two carmakers. “The largest economies of scale are always global.”

“We will continue to seek out new projects together that make sense for all partners and, most importantly, our customers”, Daimler CEO, Head of Mercedes Benz Cars and magic mustache man Dieter Zetsche said.

The most impressive unexpected statement is the one about their portfolio of jointly developed projects though, which has apparently jumped from three to ten.

The official press release doesn't explain all of them, but we can guess they are talking about sharing more than the Mercedes-Benz MFA (Modular Front-wheel drive Architecture) platform, the smart fortwo/smart forfour/Renault Twingo and a couple of engines and re-badged vans. More info is expected in the following weeks.

Breaking: Daimler and Renault-Nissan Extend Collaboration

 

[Wolfgang]

Dieter Zetsche is Open to More Collaborations For Daimler

Last night, after Mercedes-Benz launched the all-new V-Class right in BMW's backyard, Daimler's CEO was quoted by a number of media outlets as saying that the Swabians are willing to collaborate on other projects with the three car makers that they are already in cahoots.

Taking them one by one, Zetsche said that other common projects between Daimler, Renault-Nissan, Tesla Motors and Aston Martin could become a reality in the upcoming years.

As most of you know, the upcoming smart fortwo and forfour are developed in partnership with Renault, while the Mercedes-Benz MFA platform will be used for the Infiniti Q30.

Tesla Motors is supplying the know-how for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive, while Aston Martin recently signed an agreement that entitles Mercedes-AMG to manufacture bespoke engines for future Aston Martin models.

While Zetsche didn't specify what other projects they could break common ground with, we do know that the soon-to-be-revealed Mercedes-Benz AMG GT (C190) could share its aluminium platform with Aston Martin, as could the Mercedes-Benz ML/GL-Class. We will keep you posted as more reports about the matter start to appear.

Dieter Zetsche is Open to More Collaborations For Daimler

 

[Wolfgang]

A press conference is to be held tomorrow.


Daimler and Nissan approve joint Mexico production: sources

(Reuters) - Daimler and Nissan have finalized a joint venture deal to build future Mercedes and Infiniti compact cars in Mexico, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday as the automakers called a news conference to unveil the plans.

The companies are preparing to announce a "substantial investment" to develop the vehicles on Daimler's front wheel-drive architecture and assemble them at Nissan's Aguascalientes site northeast of Guadalajara, the sources said.

The 50-50 venture, first reported by Reuters in March, will broaden Nissan's premium Infiniti lineup, expand Daimler's North American production and reinforce the German carmaker's relationship with the Renault-Nissan alliance.

Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche and his Renault-Nissan counterpart Carlos Ghosn will unveil a new cooperation deal at a 1330 GMT (9.30 a.m. EDT) news conference on Friday, both companies said, declining to comment further. A separate news conference is to be held in Mexico.

 

[Wolfgang]

Here's the press release.

Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler expand Cooperation with new plant in Mexico

Teams will work closely on development of next-generation compact vehicles for both Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti
New plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, will add nearly 5,700 additional workers and annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles when fully ramped up
Companies will equally divide investment costs of approximately €1 billion

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG are significantly expanding their cooperation with joint development of premium compact vehicles and joint production in Mexico.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche announced today that their companies have agreed to establish a 50:50 joint venture, the business entity that will oversee construction and operation of the new plant in Aguascalientes in north-central Mexico. The new plant will be built in the immediate vicinity of an already existing Nissan plant and will have an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles when fully ramped up.

Start of production is planned for 2017 with Infiniti models. The production of Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles will follow in 2018.

Daimler and Nissan will share the total investment cost for Aguascalientes of approximately €1 billion. The companies will add almost 5,700 jobs (including engineering, line workers and support staff) by the time the plant reaches full capacity, expected in 2021. In addition, a high localization rate will significantly increase the Mexican supply base.

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance: “Joint development of compact premium vehicles and joint production in Aguascalientes together represent one of the largest projects between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler. It also shows how our collaboration, which began in Europe, has become global in scope.”

Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “In Aguascalientes, we will take our successful partnership to the next level by combining the skills of our two companies Daimler and Nissan in one production plant. Just over four years after the cooperation was founded, the decision for the new plant in Mexico is a major milestone.”

Close collaboration between Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz at every stage of development, from advanced research and design to production, will ensure that vehicles within the scope of the project will clearly differ from each other in terms of product design and specifications.

Growing together in Mexico

In Aguascalientes both partners will enjoy access to Nissan’s award-winning, highly efficient workforce. Nissan has been producing vehicles in Aguascalientes since 1992, and the plant has expanded significantly just in the past year.

In November, Nissan opened the first stage of a US$2 billion manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes – the latest of three assembly facilities, which increased Nissan’s total output in Mexico to more than 850,000 vehicles annually.

Mexico is already an important market for Daimler. The company has production plants for trucks and buses in Saltillo, Santiago Tianguistenco and Garcia, a parts distribution center in San Luis Potosí and a remanufacturing plant in Toluca. For passenger cars Daimler has a pre-delivery-inspection and a training center.

Markus Schaefer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain Management: “The new plant in Aguascalientes will further enhance our highly flexible and cost-efficient production network with factories all over the world. With the Aguascalientes plant Mercedes-Benz Cars is strengthening the presence in the Americas, creating new growth opportunities in the region and thus safeguarding jobs in Germany.”

Four years of increasing collaboration

The French-Japanese-German industrial cooperation of Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance began in April 2010, with three “pillar projects” primarily focused on Europe. Since then, the portfolio has increased to twelve significant projects, including major initiatives from the Americas to Japan.

Just yesterday, Infiniti and Daimler launched production of four-cylinder gasoline engines in Decherd, Tennessee, USA. With an annual production capacity of 250,000 units, the Decherd facility produces engines for use in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and in the Infiniti Q50.

Later this year, the Alliance and Daimler will start selling the next-generation smart and Twingo city cars, developed on a shared platform, the Twingo and the four seater smart being produced at the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, the two seater smart in Hambach, France.

Source: Daimler

 

[Rainer271]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Wolfgang]

The annual update.

Cooperation of Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance continues to accelerate

CEOs say partnership will continue expanding, and all projects are on track
Original project portfolio has quadrupled to 12 projects across three continents
New Renault Twingo, smart fortwo and smart forfour launch this fall and represent the first vehicles fully co-developed from scratch
Mitsubishi Fuso and Nissan sign contract for supply of Fuso Canter Van for export markets

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG enjoy a long-term and stable future, and all of their shared projects remain on track, the companies’ CEOs told journalists today in their annual media update at the Paris Motor Show.

Renault-Nissan and Daimler launched their partnership in 2010. The scope of the original collaboration in 2010 was limited to three projects primarily in Europe. The combined portfolio shared between Renault-Nissan and Daimler has since quadrupled to 12 projects in Europe, Asia and North America.

“The global scale of our projects ensures that this collaboration will continue to grow, and we expect to remain partners for the long run,” said Renault-Nissan CEO and Chairman Carlos Ghosn. “This partnership has accelerated the time-to-market for significant vehicle launches and has been an obvious strategic advantage for Renault and Nissan. We remain confident about our relationship for the foreseeable future.”

“Since its start in 2010, this cooperation has delivered what it has promised, and even more. And that’s how we will continue to work together in the future – with joint projects that establish a win-win situation for all partners involved and create value for our customers worldwide. This is definitely a track record to be continued,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The CEOs’ comments come as the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler get ready to launch their first vehicles co-developed from scratch this autumn: the new Renault Twingo and the new smart fortwo and smart forfour. The Renault Twingo went on sale in Europe in September, while the smart fortwo and smart forfour will go on sale in November. The city cars are built on a jointly developed rear-wheel-drive architecture which involved teams from both sides working closely together these last four years.

The three cars, which are all on display at the Paris Motor Show, are independent products with an unmistakable unique brand identity. The smart fortwo is being built at smart’s Hambach plant in France, while the Twingo and the smart forfour are being produced at Renault’s plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.

Project Portfolio Keeps Expanding

In June 2014, as a major recent milestone, Nissan and Daimler announced plans to jointly develop premium compact vehicles and to jointly manufacture them in Mexico.

Construction of a jointly-owned facility in Aguascalientes, in the immediate vicinity of an already existing Nissan plant, will begin in early 2015. Production will begin in 2017 with Infiniti models. The production of Mercedes-Benz vehicles will follow in 2018. When fully ramped up, the Mexico facility will have production capacity of 300,000 units per year.

The premium compact vehicles will also be produced at other Daimler and Nissan plants around the world, including Europe and China.

Meanwhile, the two companies continue to supply each other with powertrains. In September, Renault began supplying 1.6-liter diesel engines for both the new Mercedes C-Class and the Mercedes Vito van. Renault is also supplying a 1-liter, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine and a 900cc turbocharged, 3-cylinder gasoline unit for the smart forfour and smart fortwo.

In June, joint production of a 2-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine began at a newly established Nissan and Daimler powertrain facility in Decherd, Tennessee, USA. The engines produced by the Infiniti Decherd Powertrain Plant will initially be used in European versions of the Infiniti Q50 sports sedan and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The new facility will have installed capacity of 250,000 units per year, once fully ramped-up.

In the van segment, Daimler’s Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., have just signed a contract for the supply of finished commercial vans for export.

Under the contract, Nissan will supply its “NV350 Urvan” (GVW: 3.5 tons) commercial van to Mitsubishi Fuso which will sell it as ‘Canter Van’ in the Middle East starting in 2014.

The final agreement comes a year after the two companies signed a basic agreement on September 11, 2013.

Source: Daimler

 

[Wolfgang]

Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance Start Manufacturing Joint Venture in Mexico

Manufacturing joint venture called COMPAS (Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes)
To build plant for the production of next-generation premium compact vehicles for the brands Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti
COMPAS led by international management team from Daimler and Nissan

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico – Five years after their strategic cooperation was established, Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance have significantly expanded their collaboration with the start of a manufacturing joint venture in Aguascalientes in central Mexico.

The new business entity COMPAS (Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes) is 50:50 owned by Daimler and Nissan. The partners will invest a total of US$1 billion in COMPAS which will oversee the construction and operation of a manufacturing plant for the production of next-generation premium compact vehicles for the brands Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti.

The state-of-the-art plant will be located near the Nissan Aguascalientes A2 plant. It will have an initial annual production capacity of more than 230,000 vehicles and will create about 3,600 direct jobs by 2020. Depending on the market development and customer demand, there will be the potential to add additional capacity. Production of Infiniti vehicles will begin in 2017, first Mercedes-Benz vehicles will roll off the line in 2018.

Daimler

 

[Wolfgang]

Renault-Nissan and Daimler Break Ground on Mexico Manufacturing Plant

The automakers are investing $1 billion in the COMPAS JV, which will have an initial production capacity of more than 230,000 vehicles annually.

Renault-Nissan, Daimler Mexico JV to commence production in 2017.

One year after announcing it, Renault-Nissan and Daimler break ground today on a manufacturing joint-venture plant in Mexico.

The Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes, or COMPAS, is a 50/50 JV-owned plant that will assemble Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti premium compact vehicles.

The plant will be Mercedes’ first in Mexico, while Nissanhas a long history of manufacturing in the country. This will be the Japanese automaker’s third vehicle-assembly plant in Aguascalientes and fourth in Mexico.

Aguascalientes 1 opened in 1982 and Aguascalientes 2 opened just two years ago. Nissan also operates a plant in Cuernavaca.

Renault-Nissan and Daimler are investing $1 billion in the COMPAS JV, which will have an initial production capacity of more than 230,000 vehicles annually, Nissan says, adding there is the potential to add capacity.

It is estimated the plant will create some 3,600 direct jobs by 2020, in addition to 12,000 indirect jobs with the local supply base.

Infiniti models will be the first to enter production, in 2017, while output of Mercedes models will commence in 2018.

Vehicles built at the plant, expected to be the Mercedes CLA, A-Class and B-Class and a new Infiniti small CUV, the QX30, will be underpinned by Daimler’s MFA2 platform.

Wards's Auto