Looking back at the past 11 years, the Renault-Nissan Alliance have been through a remarkable journey. Together, we have navigated the road of progress, successes, challenges, obstacles and opportunities.
Recently, the Alliance was confronted by an unprecedented crisis, one that is different from any that we have seen before affecting many other companies, industries and markets.
As many struggled to survive, the Alliance proved to be the source of strength for both Nissan and Renault. With the sharing of platforms, powertrains and purchasing over the last ten years, it certainly gave us the edge to face the crisis.
In 2009, the Alliance sold more than six million units. We managed to secure 9.8% global market share despite a global market that contracted 4.5%. Great results and this is really encouraging for all of us!
Now, what led us to this success? It was our decision to take the WIN-WIN approach. We focused on projects that both companies could benefit from while respecting and maintaining independence between both brands. We were diligent in the way we shared best practices and searched for synergies.
Both companies were able to work as a team despite the difference in culture, nationality, life-style and values. Nissan used to be a mono-culture and engineering- driven company far from diversity but the Alliance definitely changed the way we conducted our business.
This was about creating a corporate culture that not only accepts diversity, but that it was not afraid to make changes. When a diverse group of people start to effect one another and start creating synergies, organizations tend to get stronger and it eventually leads to the growth of the company. As Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
We can expect more twists and turns along the road but I am confident that together, the Renault-Nissan Alliance will navigate its way to success.
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