Partnership

The news today (Sept 22) that the city of Amsterdam has become the latest zero-emission partner of the Renault-Nissan Alliance is indeed welcome and further evidence that the Alliance’s holistic approach to a zero-emission future is one that has broad appeal.

We now have worldwide partnership agreements in more than 20 countries and more than 30 cities where the administration is determined to do everything they can to ensure a cleaner, greener future for their citizens without having to sacrifice mobility. The countries include Portugal, Ireland, the US, China and many more.

Amsterdam is being particularly ambitious and has agreed with the Alliance that it wants to register at least 1,000 EV sales by the end of 2011. This will start with the Nissan LEAF from February for fleet customers followed by individual customers from June while Renault Fluence and Kangoo deliveries will start soon after.

In November 2009, the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Bajaj Auto Ltd. announced their intention to partner on the development of an innovative new four-wheel product for the Indian and other emerging markets.

Today the project took another step forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two partners. The signing of the MOU follows discussions between both partners to define the product, manufacturing plan and distribution agreements.

As stated when the project was confirmed in November, the design, engineering, manufacturing and supply-base expertise to create this all-new product will be executed by Bajaj with the support of the Alliance. The marketing and distribution will be led by the Alliance, with the support of Bajaj. There has been no change to this structure originally agreed between both partners.

We have received many questions on the Alliance blog about the “new alliance of Renault-Nissan with Daimler” and whether this would be a new opportunity for Renault to enter the US market.

On a recent trip to India, the media repeatedly asked me why the Alliance has chosen to work with multiple partners in that market.  Partnerships and strategic alliances are not new for the auto industry, but the way in which the Alliance has chosen to work in India seems to raise constant questions.