Nissan to build Versas for Chrysler

  • Thread starter Thread starter Philly
  • 26 comments
  • 1,037 views
Philly

Philly

Phillium
Premium
Messages
7,666
*Linky*

LLN
Nissan inked a deal with Chrysler earlier today that will see Japan's third largest automaker supplying Chrysler with its Versa subcompact car for sale in South America in 2009. The Chrysler-badged Vera will be built at Nissan's Aguascalientes, Mexico at a clip of about 20,000 vehicles a year.

Nissan has been looking for a U.S. partner since General Motors broke off talks with Japan's third largest automaker last year. However, the new deal is smaller, operating on a product-by-product level.

"This kind of tactical partnership allows us to maximize product offerings yet minimize costly investments such as new plant infrastructure, tooling and R&D," Chrysler Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda said. " This partnership will give Chrysler nearly immediate access to vehicle segments in which we do not currently compete."

Insiders say the agreement is a one-time OEM deal, but could expand in the future — possibly to include full-size pickup trucks. Nissan currently supplies Chrysler with its continuously variable transmissions.

Chrysler has alreadyinked a deal with Chery Motors to bring the Chinese automaker's A-1 minicar to the U.S. by 2009.
Click to expand...

I wonder how much this partnership will be growing in the next few years. Chrysler does need help. That last sentence is also a little scary. I'm not sure how to greet Chinese cars over here.
 
While they're at it, they should sell Nissan some of their factories in Michigan so we can have a few jobs too. But otherwise, yeah, its only a temporary deal that we won't see the fruits of in this country (for the most part).

My suggestion to Nissan and Chrysler?

Dump the high volume Mitsubishi-based products (Caliber, Stratus/Avenger), switch to Nissan platforms to replace them. Better cars, American styling, hopefully at a cheaper price. Oh, and someone at Nissan should show the Chrysler folks how to make a six-pot...
 
"Chery Motors to bring the Chinese automaker's A-1 minicar to the U.S. by 2009."

That last line is a bit of a worry, especially given Rover's (another cash-strapped car company in need of rescue at the time) experience trying to market the City Rover they co-developed with Tata (another developing automaker unused to modern customer requirements).
 
Chrysler needs help, badly. The Chery part worries me. Chery has no regard whatsoever for copyrights or trademarks, and will probably not me met with much fanfare in the US.
 
You know, an Avenger with a VQ = Win.

Hey, I would trust Renault with Chrysler now more than I would have with AMC in those days. The problem is that this is only one car...not a promise for a takeover. Nissan and Renault would be ideal partners, as I see it.

Chery...No. That sounds like a backstep.

We'll have to see what happens. I'm hoping that Chrysler doesn't go the way of Studebaker and Packard, and It's really beginning to look that way.
 
YSSMAN
My suggestion to Nissan and Chrysler?

Dump the high volume Mitsubishi-based products (Caliber, Stratus/Avenger), switch to Nissan platforms to replace them. Better cars, American styling, hopefully at a cheaper price. Oh, and someone at Nissan should show the Chrysler folks how to make a six-pot...
Click to expand...

+1 I completely agree. If Renault/Nissan decide to partner up with Chrysler it might be good--BUT only if Chrysler RELENQUISHES control TO Renault/Nissan for the design process. If Chrysler REALLY HONESTLY wants to improve their image and build quality Nissan is definately a huge step forward for them.

Now I hope this means they're going to ditch the craptacular Calibur and just use the rebadged Versa's.
 
What would be really, really interesting would be having Chrysler sell rebadged Renaults in the US. It would be 1980 all over again!
 
I completely agree. Renaults need to come stateside along with Citroen and Peugeot.
 
Cool. Now at least one Nissan model features the lifetime powertrain (limited)warranty. :lol:👍
 
YSSMAN
What would be really, really interesting would be having Chrysler sell rebadged Renaults in the US. It would be 1980 all over again!
Click to expand...

Only better. Much, much better...Not to mention, Chrysler could show Nissan and Renaule how to build V8s. ^^

V1P3R
^lol

:braces for uglyfieder Caliber:
Click to expand...

Yeah, right. It can't possibly get uglier than it already has, at least in production form. I'd take one based on the Megane...with the SRT-6 model, a MR car with a VQ...
 
YSSMAN
What would be really, really interesting would be having Chrysler sell rebadged Renaults in the US. It would be 1980 all over again!
Click to expand...

That actually went through my head right before I read that.

There are no French cars running around (Versa aside) in the US and maybe Chrysler could make some money being the only one to sell them. Maybe not just Renaults but possible Peugeots or Citroens?
 
Uh, offering Renaults, Peugeots, and Citroens would be a lot easier if Renault and Peugeot/Citroen werent' rivals...
 
Certainly not all three at once, but maybe a few models from Renault or a few from PSA.

Something like that might also promote the French to put more stuff on our shores.
 
You know, I'd like a Discreet little union like that. Not something obvious like the Renault/AMC Alliance (Car and partnership) but something the dealer could fool the average buyer with.

Like putting crossbars on a Turbo'd Megane, Calling it an SRT-4, and having a similar one in the showroom that's basically a detuned Megane Trophy, labeled an SRT-6...

I'd buy that Caliber.

(By the By, Megane Trophy has a VQ35DE. With that engine already smog-legal...)
 
JCE
If Chrysler REALLY HONESTLY wants to improve their image and build quality Nissan is definately a huge step forward for them.
Click to expand...
Huh? Chrysler will be helped by Nissan with build quality? That is pretty much the thing Nissan is worst at.

Jim Prower
By the By, Megane Trophy has a VQ35DE. With that engine already smog-legal...
Click to expand...
Um...no. The only Renaults with Nissan engines are the Espace and Vel Satis. The Megane Trophy has a turbocharged 2.0L.

YSSMAN
It would be 1980 all over again!
Click to expand...
That would be a good thing? Not only did Renault inadvertently run AMC into the ground (or at least sped up the process), but they also had such amazing products as this:
250px-Renault5-Le_Car.jpg
 
Yeah...realized that just after you jumped on my case about it. (See "Never mind")
 
Toronado
That would be a good thing? Not only did Renault inadvertently run AMC into the ground (or at least sped up the process), but they also had such amazing products as this:
250px-Renault5-Le_Car.jpg
Click to expand...

But the Le Car was Le Awesome!
 
Funny story: A guy around the corner from my Dad has one, hes actually restoring it. I haven't seen it in a while though. Might be that whole thing about me not living with him anymore...
 
You have to admit, of all of the things Nissan is good at (suspension tuning, power delivery, driving fun), its odd that build quality is anywhere near the top. It's better than Chrysler's, but still far, far behind any other Japanese company (if you ignore Mitsubishi).
 
Very true. My step Mom had a 2003 Altima 2.5S, it was a screamer, but the interior was lacking in every possible detail. I hated riding in it simply because it felt so cheap. I haven't seen something that bad since the 2000 Chevrolet Impala.
 
Toronado
You have to admit, of all of the things Nissan is good at (suspension tuning, power delivery, driving fun), its odd that build quality is anywhere near the top. It's better than Chrysler's, but still far, far behind any other Japanese company (if you ignore Mitsubishi).
Click to expand...

Notice who Chrysler's current Japanese Partner is?

Well, I dont' know, then, would VAG be better? PSA? I know Cerberus is doing their damndest, but they need money from anyone.
 
Jim Prower
Notice who Chrysler's current Japanese Partner is?
Click to expand...
All Mitsubishi is giving Chrysler is platforms to build products worse than the Mitsubishi they sit on. And besides, Mitsubishi has made huge quality advances in the past few years (old Lancer to current Lancer, anyone?), where as everyone is too worried about Renault to worry about Nissan at the moment.
 

Latest Posts

Back