Daimler and Renault-Nissan Expand Scope of Collaboration

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PARIS, September 29, 2012 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

      - Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance partner on fuel-efficient engines

        and transmissions

     - Original projects remain on track as partnership expands globally

     Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are collaborating on two new

projects to accelerate development of fuel-efficient powertrains.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120928/564838 )

     Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche confirmed

the new projects Friday in an annual media update about the

Franco-Japanese-German partnership. The new engine project is a jointly

developed 4-cylinder gasoline engine family co-led by Renault and Daimler. The

direct-injection turbocharged engine will feature state-of-the-art technology

in a compact package. It targets a significant improvement in fuel economy as

well as low emissions.

     The companies expect to jointly manufacture the new engines. They will

debut in Daimler and Renault and Nissan vehicles in 2016.

     In the new transmission project Daimler grants Nissan a license to

manufacture automatic transmissions using Daimler's latest transmission

technology for Nissan and Infiniti vehicles starting in 2016.

     Nissan subsidiary Jatco is planning to manufacture these newly licensed

gearboxes in Mexico. The new transmission will feature "start and stop" and

"park and shift by wire" technologies.

     "These new components demonstrate how broadly and rapidly our

collaboration is proliferating - while all the time remaining rooted in

specific projects that give tangible benefits to our customers," Ghosn said.

"The relationship is expanding organically and logically."

     "The collaboration achieved a milestone this year, with the first vehicles

and engines from the partnership now on the roads," Zetsche said. "Furthermore,

all our engineers are keeping an open mind, looking with fresh eyes at all

potential new areas of collaboration."  

     Ghosn and Zetsche confirmed that all of the original "pillar projects"

announced in 2010 have been accomplished or are on track. The companies are

also moving forward with discussions on fuel-cell vehicle powertrains, and they

are working on a cross-supply program for battery and powertrain components of

zero-emission versions of their small cars.

     For the full press release, go to:

     http://blog.alliance-renault-nissan.com/node/856

     SOURCE: Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance