Mitsubishi Touts Support for Renault, Nissan in SE Asia

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. says it could help the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which it joined last October, boost sales and profits in southeast Asia.

MMC Chief Operating Officer Trevor Mann tells Automotive News Europe the company could help Renault establish itself in the region by introducing Renault models under the Mitsubishi name. He also says Nissan would benefit from MMC’s pickup truck capacity and cost-control knowhow in Thailand.

Earlier this month the companies said they are looking for ways to collaborate on next-generation large SUVs, a multipurpose vehicle and hybrid powertrains.

Mann served as Nissan’s chief performance officer before being dispatched to help revive MMC after Nissan spend $2.3 billion to gain a 34% controlling stake in the company last autumn. He says the two companies are already discussing joint production of a next-generation pickup in the region.

MMC’s truck platform is likely to carry future alliance vehicles, according to Mann. He notes the company operates three assembly plants in Thailand and could build Nissan’s next-generation Navara pickups. Nissan builds the current Navara in Thailand, but Mann claims MMC’s costs there are lower.