Nissan and Renault plan closer integration as they seek to cut costs amid Covid-19 pandemic – The National

Nissan and Renault plan closer integration as they seek to cut costs amid Covid-19 pandemic – The National

Nissan and Renault plan closer integration as they seek to cut costs amid Covid-19 pandemic. After coming close to breaking up last year, the partnership could instead be crucial for the companies to get through the global health crisis.. "We reiterate that the alliance is essential for strategic growth and enhance competitiveness for each company," a representative for Renault said.. Even before the virus outbreak, the companies were struggling to right the partnership and turn around slumping sales and profitability.. Renault's plan would involve closing four sites in France, including the Flins plant, French newspaper Le Canard Enchaine reported on Wednesday.. "If the restructuring doesn't include plant closures then there could be some disappointment," Mr Sempe said. ". For the French government, which owns a 15 per_cent stake and has representatives on the board, there may very well be limits.. "The merits of using the alliance are very large.". A so-called leader-follower strategy announced by the alliance in January is aimed at divvying up technologies, platforms and powertrains, possibly using one team for all three companies.. For Mitsubishi Motors, the sometimes-forgotten member of the alliance, the benefits have been clear, according to its chief executive, Takao Kato.. The Yokohama-based company