Nissan Vows “Fundamental Review” if Renault, FCA Merge

Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa says the company will conduct a “fundamental review” of its relationship with Renault if the French carmaker mergers with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The review would be necessary because a merger will fundamentally change the structure of Renault and thus the 20-year-old alliance between Renault and Nissan, Saikawa says. He adds that the review will include a close examination of existing contractual relationships and “how we should operate business in the future.”

Saikawa also acknowledges that Nissan’s presence in the alliance would contribute new synergies and options for collaboration.

Renault, Nissan and Nissan affiliate Mitsubishi Motors have emphasized for the past six months that they want to continue their alliance. But the relationship has been severely strained by the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, former chairman of all three companies, last November on charges of financial misconduct at Nissan.