The future of the alliance between carmakers Renault and Nissan and Renault’s abortive attempt to link up with Fiat Chrysler were the main subjects discussed when
Renault SA Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard met with a dozen AAPA members on July 18.
Salvaging the Renault-Nissan alliance whose organization had descended into a “huge mess” under former Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is crucial for both auto makers, said Senard, speaking from the company’s board room overlooking the river Seine. Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November on suspicion of financial irregularities.
Turning to the failed tie-up attempt between Renault and Fiat Chrysler, said the deal initially proposed was “dead”. However, asked if he personally would like to see a link-up in the future, Senard replied: “Everybody has the right to have dreams.”
Senard stressed that automotive groups must pool their resources and invest heavily in future transportation means if they want to survive.
“Will we be strong enough to have enough resources to invest massively in what we think will be the new technologies?” he asked.
Senard also discussed global trade turbulence, relations with the French government—which had a role in derailing the project with Fiat Chrysler—and made a pitch for enhanced corporate responsibility, which he calls ‘sustainable capitalism.’
-Mimosa Spencer and David Pearson
A sample of articles from the meeting:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/21/business/renault-nissan-alliance.html