You can’t buy a new Renault in the United States, but Nissan, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Smart brand models are available.
Nissan (Nissan and Infiniti) and Daimler (Mercedes-Benz and Smart) each have a strong presence in North America on their own. Nevertheless, the two competitors are moving forward with an alliance that will produce new models for the Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz marques by means of a manufacturing plant currently under construction in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
COMPAS: In the Right Direction
In 2010, Daimler and Renault-Nissan forged an alliance —COMPAS (Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes) — in an effort to build all-new, next generation compact models for the Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti brands. This week, the
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The first Infiniti-based model will roll out in 2017 followed by the first Mercedes-Benz model in 2018.
New, Entry-Level Models
Neither manufacturer has specified what models will be produced, but an Infiniti Q20 or Q30 model is reportedly in the offing. Mercedes-Benz may utilize the facility to begin producing its next generation CLA-Class model line.
COMPAS is overseen by a six-member board composed of three members from each manufacturer.
Armando Avila, Manufacturing VP, Nissan Mexico; Carlos Servin, Finance VP, Nissan North America; and Takehiro Terai, Total Customer Satisfaction VP, Nissan North America, are representing Nissan’s interests. Daimler is represented by Michael Göbel, Head of Production Compact Cars, Mercedes-Benz Cars; Axel Harries, Head of Quality Management, Mercedes-Benz Cars; and Christian Schulz, Head of Controlling, Mercedes-Benz Cars
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The bones may be similar, but everything else about these models will be different.
Mexico is not the only facility that will build the new models. The companies will collaborate elsewhere, harnessing plants in Europe and China as well.
An Alliance of Convenience
The Renault-Nissan and Daimler partnership falls short of a full-blown alliance whereby each manufacturer takes a share in the other. Nevertheless, it demonstrates that automotive manufacturers can forge confederations to accomplish specific tasks. With both sides contributing to the alliance, development and production costs are shared, leading to greater economies of scale.
Nissan and Daimler Sales
US sales for Nissan are up 4.2 percent through June and are up by 8.3 percent for Infiniti. Mercedes-Benz sales are up 9.4 percent year to date, but Smart sales are down 22 percent. However, the 2016 Smart ForTwo is all new, arrives this fall, and should help bolster Daimler’s niche A-segment