Source: Gasgoo
Introduction
Nissan and Mitsubishi have confirmed plans to invest in Renault Group’s electric vehicle business Ampere, through which they will develop electric vehicles for the European market. They will invest 600 million euros and 200 million euros in Ampere, respectively.
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According to Reuters reports, on December 6, Renault Group’s long-term partners Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors said that both companies have confirmed plans to invest in Renault Group’s electric vehicle business Ampere, and will develop electric vehicles for the European market through Ampere.
Reuters pointed out that after years of contentious cooperation, the Dec. 6 statement confirmed a new alliance between the three automakers that is smaller, more pragmatic and focused on regional cooperation.
Image source: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
Nissan and Mitsubishi said they would invest 600 million euros and 200 million euros, respectively, in Amber. Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida told the press that Nissan will be a “strategic investor” in Ampere, and revealed that Nissan may use Ampere’s software and internet innovations in other markets outside of Europe. Makoto Uchida said, “Just developing electric vehicles globally has been very challenging.”
Ampere will develop and produce an electric version of the Nissan Micra compact model for the European market, as well as a mid-size electric SUV for Mitsubishi. Groupe Renault CEO Luca de Meo said Ampere would cut Nissan’s Micra costs by 50%. Additionally, the three alliance partners confirmed their joint projects in Latin America and India.
At the end of July this year, after months of negotiations, Renault and Nissan finalized the terms for reorganizing their alliance. In September, Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi terminated their joint purchasing agreement, saying ending the agreement would allow them to focus on individual projects and adapt more quickly to regional differences in each car market.
