Nissan Renault Mitsubishi Alliance aims for world domination

THE Nissan Renault Mitsubishi Alliance will build nine million vehicles off just four platforms by 2022, the company aiming to be the world’s third largest car maker says.

The car maker has also flagged the war chest needed to add even more brands to the alliance is not yet empty.

“We intend to deliver on growing synergies, with three autonomous companies co-operating with the efficiency of one,” alliance chairman and chief executive Carlos said. “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.”

The recently formed conglomerate – Mitsubishi became a takeover target after its share price was hammered in the wake of Nissan Renault Alliance accusations that it had had cheated on emissions tests – also plans to use common engines across three-quarters of its cars globally, up from today’s one-third.

The six-year plan revealed late last week says the alliance will have 12 electric vehicles on the market by 2022. It will also have 40 vehicles it claims will be capable of driving autonomously, and would move into what it called the “robo-vehicle ride hailing services”.

In all, Ghosn said the plan would save the three brands a combined €10 billion, or the equivalent of $A15 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,” Ghosn said. “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 $US240 billion ($A300 billion) by the end of the plan.”

That 14 million target would potentially make the Nissan Renault Mitsubishi Alliance the world’s largest car maker. In contrast, last year Volkswagen built 10.3 million cars to take the current car-making crown from Toyota, which only built 10.2 million. This year, the alliance aims to build 10.5 million vehicles, and in the first six months of this year had pegged more sales than any of its rivals.

“Twelve new zero-emission electric vehicles will be launched by 2022, utilising new common electric vehicle platforms and components for multiple segments,” the alliance said in a statement. “Over the same period, 40 vehicles will be introduced with different levels of autonomy, all the way to fully autonomous capability. Becoming an operator of robo-vehicle ride-hailing services is a major part of the new mobility services strategy.”