FCA Chairman Asks to Meet with Nissan, Mitsubishi

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Chairman John Elkann has asked to meet with the CEOs of Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors to discuss the proposed merger between FCA and Renault, sources tell The Nikkei.

All four carmakers would be affected, because Renault plays a dominate role in its 20-year-old alliance with Nissan and its Mitsubishi affiliate. Renault also owns 43% of Nissan, and Nissan owns 15% of Renault.

Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa, who earlier said he sees no obvious perils in an FCA-Renault merger, told The Nikkei earlier today that he intends to closely examine the implications of such a deal. He adds that he will “need to meet and talk directly” to Elkann to decide whether to embrace the merger.

Nissan strongly opposed an earlier invitation by Renault to combine their two companies through a holding company. Nissan has chafed at Renault’s control over their alliance, even though Nissan contributes most of the partnership’s unit sales and profits.

Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard met with Saikawa and the head of Mitsubishi Motors yesterday to explain his perspective on the would-be merger. He insists that all four companies will benefit from the deal.