Blog of RENAULT NISSAN Alliance

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was the keynote speaker at the Automotive News World Congress on Tuesday, Jan. 10 during the North American International Auto show. Ghosn explained the evolution of Nissan's crisis management strategy, first developed during the company's historic turnaround in 1999.

Established automakers are facing one of the most dynamic and challenging times in recent memory and success will demand bold moves. Xavier Mosquet, a senior partner and managing director in the Detroit office of The Boston Consulting Group and coleader of the firm’s Automotive practice, recently sat down with Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, to discuss a range of industry-related topics, including the prospects for electric cars, industry consolidation, how Renault and Nissan are positioned in China and India, and the leadership challenges of pulling companies through hard times.

The innovative Nissan e-NV200 Concept makes its world debut at the 2012 North American Auto Show in Detroit and serves as more evidence of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s leadership position in the zero-emission auto market. Based on the popular Nissan NV200 multi-usage vehicle, which is available in Japan, Europe and China, the Nissan e-NV200 Concept previews a near-future production version of a full electric vehicle. It is designed to provide businesses or families with flexible, roomy interior space, while achieving a dramatic CO2 footprint reduction.

In the latest step forward in the collaboration of the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler, Nissan’s Decherd, Tenn., plant will build Mercedes-Benz 4-cylinder engines for Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz starting in 2014.

Dec. 20 –The Mayor of Boulogne-Billancourt Pierre-Christophe Baguet and Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer of Renault, today opened the Renault ZE (Zero Emission) Centre in Boulogne-Billancourt, the first such center to be opened in Europe by a vehicle manufacturer. The center aims to share the ZE experience with all visitors by demonstrating Renault’s EV offering and its ambitions in electric mobility.

Dec. 19 — Wuhan — There’s a new vehicle on the road in Wuhan, a key city in central China, where traffic density is among the nation's highest.

Joule is an electric prototype car from a South African startup, and it's on display at the Climate Change Response Expo at COP17.

Powered by large-cell, lithium-ion batteries, this EV has a top speed of 140 km/h and an estimated range of  230 km (NEDC).

"The five-seater is expected to go into production in 2015, making it the first electric vehicle to be mass produced in the country", says Jaco van Loggerenberg, communications manager at Optimal Energy, the company behind Joele.

• Nissan LEAF becomes 2012 Japan Car of the Year, adding to accolades including 2011 World Car of the Year and 2011 European Car of the Year.

• Renault Kangoo Z.E. is 2012 International Van of the Year – the first time that an electric vehicle has received the award.

• Prizes represent a “clean sweep” for Renault-Nissan, consumers and the planet

By Rakesh Nair, corporate planning, Nissan International

The lyrics ‘When I get older, I will be stronger. They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag’ are blaring impetuously from a characteristically modified 80’s Nissan bakkie when it is suddenly overshadowed by The Moses Mahbida Stadium. An irrepressible sight it is, one that beholds and singularly showcases the grandeur the city hosted during the 2010 World Cup. Months have passed since, but the Spirit of Africa remains in every person you meet here.

The most pleasant of smiles, sincerest care, and the loudest of ‘house music’ fills the air as thousands throng the city to conjoin in unison for a positive declaration regarding climate change.

The Climate Change Response Expo is completely dominated by images of the future depicting impact of climate deterioration, showcasing growing needs and deteriorating timelines for developed and fast-developing nations to adhere to a common response to reduce the impact on the environment. It is evident that the change is not for the future but for the present and that is simply the motto of the Renault-Nissan Alliance marquee.

Most people at COP17 in Durban have never driven an electric - let alone seen one up close - so the appearance of Renault Fluence Z.E., Renault Twizy and Nissan LEAF here is causing quite a stir. At our booth, we are busy explaining the cars to a steady stream of visitors, as well as signing them up for test drives. Shuttle services in Renault Fluence and Nissan LEAF are also available for COP17 delegates from various points in the city to the International Conference Center, where the climate change negotiations are taking place.

To see our COP17 photos, go to our multimedia library or click here to download them.