Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors to accelerate use of common platforms, powertrains and new technologies
Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors unveiled plans to work together on electric and self-driving cars, announcing that their alliance will introduce 12 pure electric models that will use common EV platforms and components and 40 vehicles with autonomous drive technology by 2022.
Alliance 2022, a six-year plan announced by Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors, has set a new target to double annual synergies to EUR10 billion (USD11.94 billion) by the end of the plan.
“Today marks a new milestone for our member companies. By the end of our strategic plan Alliance 2022, we aim to double our annual synergies to EUR10 billion. To achieve this target, on one side Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors will accelerate collaboration on common platforms, powertrains and next-generation electric, autonomous and connected technologies. From the other side, synergies will be enhanced by our growing scale. Our total annual sales are forecast to exceed 14 million units, generating revenues expected at USD240 billion by the end of the plan,” said Carlos Ghosn, chairman and chief executive officer of the alliance.
Under Alliance 2022, the member companies will increase their use of common platforms, with nine million units based on four common platforms. The plan will also extend the use of common powertrains to 75% of total sales.
Alliance 2022 plans a major expansion in shared electric vehicle technologies, alongside the development and deployment of advanced autonomous drive systems, vehicle connectivity and new mobility services.
Nissan already makes the world’s best-selling electric car, the Nissan Leaf, which was recently redesigned. Alliance 2020 has set a goal of offering a driving range for their electric vehicles of more than 600 kilometres (373 miles), by 2022, with a 30% lower battery costs. They also set a goal of getting 230 kilometres (143 miles) of range from a 15-minute charge, from just 56 miles (90 kilometres) currently.
The automakers also laid out a timetable for introducing autonomous driving technology.
By next year, the alliance plans to have a “highly autonomous drive vehicle for use on highways,” though a human driver would still need to pay attention at all times. It will be available on the Nissan Leaf, and later, on other models as well.
By 2020, the alliance plans to expand that sort of assisted-driving technology to urban environments while allowing highly autonomous driving with minimal human intervention.
Two years after that, the alliance plans to release its first fully autonomous vehicle, requiring no human driver intervention in any situation.
The launch of a new logo and online presence was also revealed last Friday for the alliance, symbolizing the growing convergence and cooperation between the member companies.
“This plan will boost the growth and profitability of our member companies. We intend to deliver on growing synergies, with three autonomous companies cooperating with the efficiency of one. The Alliance has grown and performed with two members since 1999. With Alliance 2022, we will prove that we will grow and perform with three companies or more,” Ghosn said.
Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors represent the world’s largest automotive alliance. It is the longest-lasting and most productive cross-cultural partnership in the auto industry. Together, the partners sold close to 10 million vehicles in nearly 200 countries in 2016. The member companies are focused on collaboration and maximising synergies to boost competitiveness. They have strategic collaborations with other automotive groups, including Germany’s Daimler and China’s Dongfeng. This strategic alliance is the industry leader in zero-emission vehicles and is developing the latest advanced technologies, with plans to offer autonomous drive, connectivity features and services on a wide range of affordable vehicles.
