Posted on Monday 14 April 2008
After months of speculation Nissan and Chrysler have announced a new partnership, which will see the two carmakers build vehicles for each other for sale in the U.S., Europe and other markets by 2010. Nissan will produce a unique version of its Versa compact (pictured) for Chrysler, which plans to sell the car in North America, Europe and other global markets by the end of the decade. Chrysler will supply Nissan with a full-size pickup that’s set to go on sale in North America in 2011.
The Chrysler version of the Versa will be manufactured at Nissan’s Oppama Plant in Japan. The car will have its own unique styling and specifications levels. In January, the two carmakers also announced Nissan would supply Chrysler with a Versa-based sedan for sale in South America starting next year.
Nissan’s new pickup will be manufactured by Chrysler at its Saltillo factory in Mexico, reports Automotive News. To free up capacity for the new truck, Chrysler will shift Dodge Ram production to its St. Louis North and Michigan plants.
In a press release the two carmakers also agreed to maintain an open dialogue to explore further product-sharing opportunities, which means this isn’t likely to be the last we hear of Nissan and Chrysler swapping models.
Wow, it’s the 21st century and Chrysler still can’t make a decent subcompact. At least they had the sense to stop trying. Nissan to the rescue.