Nissan & Renault Dr Web n Wiki

Dari web renault

The Renault-Nissan alliance, established in March 1999, is the first industrial and commercial partnership of its kind involving a French and a Japanese company. A real success.

Key facts of the Renault-Nissan alliance 

Alliance signing on March 27, 1999 Nissan international website

Renault-Nissan alliance: Facts & Figures 2009 2 global companies linked by cross-shareholdings

Third largest global automaker (based on sales for the year 2008)

Globalmarket share of 9% (by volume)

Significant presence in major world markets (United States, Europe, Japan, China, India, Russia)

Event Key figures

o Key dates

Strategy

o Quality

o Brand baseline

A global player

o Interactive world map

o Conception

o Manufacturing

o Sales in 2010

Group brands

o Renault

o Dacia

o Renault Samsung Motors

o Services

Renault-Nissan Alliance

o Structure

o Cooperations and synergies

Strategic cooperations

Management

o Boards of directors

o Group executive committee

o Management committee

o Regional Management Committees

Sustainable development

o Corporate Social Responsibility

Renault and its Foundations

Stakeholders

Request for assistance

o Environment

Ecological balance

Life cycle management

Continuous improvements

Taking action together

o Social policy

Management

Employment

Skills

Training

Collaborative innovation

Health, safety and working conditions

Relations with personnel representatives

o Ratings and references

International references

o Sites data

THE RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCEThe Renault-Nissan alliance, established in March 1999, is the first industrial and commercial partnership of its kind involving a French and a Japanese company. A real success.

Celebrating 10 years of synergies (movie produced in June 2008)

Key facts of the Renault-Nissan alliance 

Alliance signing on March 27, 1999 Nissan international website

Renault-Nissan alliance: Facts & Figures 2009 2 global companies linked by cross-shareholdings

Third largest global automaker (based on sales for the year 2008)

Globalmarket share of 9% (by volume)

Significant presence in major world markets (United States, Europe, Japan, China, India, Russia)

Principles and objectives 

The Alliance develops and implements a strategy of profitable growth. The objective is to establish a powerful automotive group and develop synergies while conserving the corporate culture and identity of each brand. The Alliance is built on values of trust and mutual respect.

The Alliance aims to rank among the top three general automakers in terms of:

quality and value of products and services in each region and market segment, key technologies in engines, electronics and the environment,

operating profit.

Profits and results 

Since the Alliance was established, Nissan has achieved a remarkable financial turnaround. Renault has reinforced its foundations in terms of operating performance and has accelerated its international development.

Combined expertise and technology sharing:

Nissan pilots the development of new gasoline engines while Renault focuses on diesel engines, Nissan actively participated in the development of the Renault group's first cross-over, which

was conceived and designed by Renault, and is manufactured by Renault Samsung Motors in South Korea.

International development in emerging markets:

a partnership announced with Bajaj, an Indian manufacturer, to develop an ultra-low-cost vehicle by 2010,

a partnership with the russian automaker AvtoVAZ

structure

Renault holds a 43.4% stake in Nissan, while Nissan holds 15% of Renault shares. Each company has a direct interest in the results of its partner.

A strategic management company, Renault-Nissan B.V., was founded to define a common strategy and manage synergies. It was created under Dutch law and is jointly and equally owned by the two partners.

Joint strategic direction 

Renault-Nissan B.V. hosts the Alliance Board of Directors. Chaired by Carlos Ghosn, it is composed of three Renault directors and three Nissan directors. It steers the Alliance’s medium- and long-term strategy and coordinates joint activities on a worldwide scale.

Renault-Nissan B.V. is responsible for the management of two joint companies, RNPO (Renault Nissan Purchasing Organization) and RNIS (Renault-Nissan Information Services), which are charged with optimizing the purchasing strategies and information systems of the Alliance.

Close collaboration 

The Coordination Bureau reports to the Alliance Board and coordinates committees made up of representatives from both companies.

Steering Committees propose priority topics to the Alliance Board, and supervise the various workgroups and support the implementation of Alliance projects.

Cross-Company Teams (CCT) explore potential synergies in product design and launch, research and engineering, manufacturing and purchasing, and draw up joint projects and monitor their implementation.

Functional Task Teams (FTT) contribute expertise regarding processes and standards, and management and information tools for law, taxation, management, quality control and R&D.

Task Teams (TT) are created whenever specific issues arise.

In addition, as of June 2009, a small dedicated team of six persons from Nissan and five from Renault, will apply their in-depth understanding of both companies to foster synergies at all levels and push for greater commonization and standardization.

Cooperations and synergis

Renault and Nissan pool their expertise and cooperate on purchasing, engineering, production and distribution. The two groups also exchange best practices to improve productivity.

Purchasing 

The RNPO (Renault-Nissan Purchasing Organization) joint venture:

defines worldwide purchasing strategy by product family, selects the best suppliers on the basis of quality, costs and delivery times,

combines Renault and Nissan order volumes and develop component standardization.

In 2009, RNPO covers 100% of Renault and Nissan purchases.

Engineering 

Interchangeable components

The Alliance has adopted a policy of interchangeable components. This consists of using the same parts or fittings on different models, across several platforms and segments. The sharing of components improves cost efficiency and enhances manufacturing flexibility while preserving the specific identity of each brand and model.

Shared powertrain components

Cooperation in the common use and development of engines and transmissions within the Alliance is accelerating.

Advanced research and engineering

Renault and Nissan pool their resources to drive advances and offer new products in the following areas:

fuel cell-powered vehicles and hybrid vehicles, materials,

electronics and powertrains,

safety.

Cross-production and commercial cooperation 

Renault and Nissan leverage their complementarity in terms of geographic presence and expertise. The group which possesses leadership in a given region promotes the development of the other partner by providing active support in sales, marketing and/or production.

Examples of cooperation:

Renault has been present in the Mexican market since 2000 with the Scénic and the Clio, which are produced in Nissan's plants in Cuernavaca and Aguascalientes,

in 2004, Nissan began producing the Trafic (launched by Renault) in its Barcelona plant. This vehicle, the result of a joint project, is now marketed in three versions: Trafic (Renault), Primastar (Nissan) and Vivaro (Opel/Vauxhall),

in late 2007, the Renault group launched the QM5 in South Korea, the Group's first cross-over vehicle. Designed and engineered by Renault, developed by Nissan and manufactured by Renault Samsung Motors in South Korea, it is an excellent example of cooperation.

Sharing best practices  Press Release: Renault and Nissan are taking cooperation to a higher level (May 29, 2009)

Each company takes inspiration from its partner’s experiences to improve performance.

Quality: the Alliance Quality Charter defines quality procedures and establishes joint tools. In addition, the Quality functional task team (FTT) studies the most efficient quality practices of both Renault and Nissan.

Manufacturing: exchange of best practices and the joint development of the Renault Production System (SPR) and the Nissan Production Way (NPW).

Strategic coopertaion

Strategic cooperation with Daimler AG

On April 7, 2010 the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG announced wide-ranging strategic cooperation.

Learn more

Strategic partnership with AvtoVAZ

In February 2008, AvtoVAZ and Renault signed a strategic partnership. The aim is to accelerate the growth of AvtoVAZ, in Russia notably.

Learn more

Dari web nissan

Signed on March 27, 1999, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has built a unique business model that has created significant value for both companies. For 10 years, employees at Renault and Nissan have worked as partners with attitudes of mutual respect and company pride while keeping separate brands and corporate identities.

The Alliance develops and implements a strategy of profitable growth and sets itself the following three objectives:

To be recognized by customers as being among the best three automotive groups in the quality and value of its products and services in each region and market segment.

To be among the best three automotive groups in key technologies, each partner being a leader in specific domains of excellence.

To consistently generate a total operating profit among the top three automotive groups in the world, by maintaining a high operating profit margin and pursuing growth.

In 2008, the global sales amount to more than 6 million vehicles and represent 9.4% of the worldwide market. The Renault-Nissan Alliance ranks among the world's leading five automakers. It includes five brands: Nissan and Infiniti for the Nissan group and Renault, Dacia and Samsung for the Renault group.

On the strength of the numerous synergies generated by the Alliance since its establishment and the performance of both companies, Renault and Nissan assert their ambitions for the future.

The Alliance is based on trust and mutual respect. Its organization is transparent. It ensures:

Clear decision-making for speed, accountability and a high level of performance; Maximum efficiency by combining the strengths of both companies and developing

synergies through common organizations, Cross-Company Teams and shared platforms and components. 

The Alliance attracts and retains the best talents, provides good working conditions and challenging opportunities: it grows people to have a global and entrepreneurial mindset. It generates attractive returns for the shareholders of each company and implements the best established standards of corporate governance. It contributes to global sustainable development.

Renault holds a 43.4% stake in Nissan, while Nissan owns 15% of Renault shares. Each company has a direct interest in the results of its partner.

Renault-Nissan B.V.*, the common strategic management structure of the Renault-Nissan group, was founded on March 28, 2002. Incorporated under Dutch law, Renault-Nissan B.V. is equally owned by Renault and Nissan. Renault-Nissan B.V. is the registered office of the Alliance Board, which meets regularly in Paris and Tokyo.

* B.V. (Besloten vennootschap) is a closed limited liability company under Dutch law.

Strategic Management of the Alliance

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is managed strategically as shown below.

The Alliance Board (AB)

Composed of executive committee members from both Renault and Nissan, the Alliance Board stimulates development of synergies, validate respective Renault & Nissan strategic orientations and business plans, decide on common activities and monitor Alliance progress. However, Renault and Nissan remain independent in their top Management.

Renault-Nissan B.V. is the sole shareholder of the two existing Alliance joint-venture companies: Renault-Nissan Purchasing Organization (RNPO) and Renault-Nissan Information Services (RNIS).

Steering Committees (SC)

Steering Committees control and guide synergy hunting activities and management of common programs, prioritize actions, prepare recommendations and decisions submitted to Alliance Board Meeting. They also organize benchmarking of the competitive position of the Alliance in their respective areas and monitor the implementation of Alliance decisions. Steering Committees manage directly the related Cross Company Teams (CCT), Functional Task Teams (FTT) and Task Teams (TT).

Cross-Company Teams (CCT)

Cross Company Teams have a clear role of opportunity and synergy hunter. They also check implementation made by line organization.

Functional Task Teams (FTT)

Functional Task Teams support and facilitate daily work of the Alliance bodies and harmonize practices and tools as needed.

Task Teams (TT)

Task Teams conduct Alliance projects and / or support SCs with specific assigned tasks and deadlines.

Renault-Nissan combined global sales in 2008 (January - December) : 6,090,304 units

Nissan Group (Nissan and Infiniti brands included) sales : 3,708,074 units

Renault Group (Renault, Renault Samsng Motors and Dacia brands included) sales : 2,382,230 units

Renault-Nissan Alliance global market share : 9.4%

9.4%

Nissan Group Plants Brazil China

Indonesia

Japan

Mexico

Philippines

South Africa

Spain

Taiwan

Thailand

United Kingdom

United States

Egypt

Iran

Kenya

Malaysia

Pakistan

Renault Group Plants Argnetina Brazil

Colombia

Korea (RSM)

Morocco

Romania (Dacia)

Slovenia

Spain

Turkey

Russia

Chile

France

Malaysia

Portugal

India

Iran

Company Name NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Carlos Ghosn

Registered Head Office 2, Takara-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 220-8623, Japan

Headquarters

1-1, Takashima 1-chome, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 220-8686, Japan

Map PDF(96KB)

TEL. 81(0)45-523-5523

Business OutlineManufacturing, sales and related business of automotive products and marine equipment.

Date of Establishment December 26, 1933

Paid-in Capital 605,813 million yen

Stock InformationNumber of authorized shares:6,000,000,000Common stock (issued and outstanding):4,520,715,112Number of shareholders:276,219

Number of Employees29,878 (non-consolidated basis)151,698 (consolidated basis)

Nissan Global Headquarters Website

Go back to top of this page

Global retail

(Thousand units)

  FY2009 FY2008 FY2007

Japan 630 612 721

NAFTA 1,067 1,133 1,352

Europe 517 530 636

China 756 545 458

Others 545 591 603

Total 3,515 3,411 3,770

Go back to top of this page

Global production

(Thousand units)

  FY2009 FY2008 FY2007

Japan 1,025 1,050 1,263

US 433 447 687

Mexico 404 421 464

UK 380 341 374

Spain 66 109 220

China*1 756 548 454

Others*2 219 168 195

Total 3,282 3,084 3,658

*1 China includes Dongfeng brand passenger vehicle and light commercial vehicle. *2 Others include production in Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia

and Brazil excluding CKD production.

Dari Wikipedia

Nissan Motors

Nissan Motor Company Ltd (Japanese: 日産自動車株式会社 Nissan Jidōsha Kabushiki-gaisha ? ) (TYO: 7201), usually shortened to Nissan ( / ̍ n i ː s ɑ ː n / or UK / ̍ n ɪ s æ n / ; Japanese: [nis ː a ɴ ] ), is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was formerly a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn (CEO).

It formerly marketed vehicles under the "Datsun" brand name and is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world. As of 2011, the company's global headquarters is located in Nishi-ku, Yokohama. In 1999, Nissan entered a two way alliance with Renault S.A. of France, which owns 43.4% of Nissan while Nissan holds 15% of Renault shares, as of 2008. The current market share of Nissan, along with Honda and Toyota, in American auto sales represent the largest of the automotive firms based in Asia that have been increasingly encroaching on the historically dominant US-based "Big Three" consisting of GM, Ford and Chrysler. In its home market, Nissan is the third largest car manufacturer, with Honda being second by a small margin of 2,000 units and Toyota in a very dominant first. Along with its normal range of models, Nissan also produces a range of luxury models branded as Infiniti.

The Nissan VQ engines, of V6 configuration, have been featured among World's 10 Best Engines for 14 straight years.

History

Beginnings of Datsun name from 1914

Nissan Model 70 Phaeton, 1938

Nissan headquarters in Nishi-ku, Yokohama

The new car's name was an acronym of the company's partners' family names:

Kenjiro Den (田 健次郎 Den Kenjirō?) Rokuro Aoyama (青山 禄朗 Aoyama Rokurō?)

Meitaro Takeuchi (竹内 明太郎 Takeuchi Meitarō?).

It was renamed to Kwaishinsha Motorcar Co. in 1918, and again to DAT Motorcar Co. in 1925. DAT Motors built trucks in addition to the DAT and Datsun passenger cars. The vast majority of its output were trucks, due to an almost non-existent consumer market for passenger cars at the time. Beginning in 1918, the first DAT trucks were produced for the military market. It was the low demand of the military market in the 1920s that forced DAT to merge in 1926 with Japan's 2nd most successful truck maker, Jitsuyo Motors.

In 1926 the Tokyo-based DAT Motors merged with the Osaka-based Jitsuyo Jidosha Co., Ltd. (実用自動車製造株式会社 Jitsuyō Jidōsha Seizō Kabushiki-Gaisha?) a.k.a. Jitsuyo Motors (established 1919, as a Kubota subsidiary) to become DAT Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (ダット自動車製造株式会社 Datto Jidōsha Seizō Kabushiki-Gaisha?) in Osaka until 1932.

In 1931, DAT came out with a new smaller car, the first "Datson", meaning "Son of DAT". Later in 1933 after Nissan took control of DAT Motors, the last syllable of Datson was changed to "sun", because "son" also means "loss" (損) in Japanese, hence the name "Datsun" (ダットサン Dattosan?).[3]

In 1933, the company name was Nipponized to Jidosha-Seizo Co., Ltd. (自動車製造株式会社 Jidōsha Seizō Kabushiki-Gaisha?, "Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd.") and was moved to Yokohama.

[edit] Nissan name first used in 1930s

First President Yoshisuke Aikawa in 1939

In 1928, Yoshisuke Aikawa founded the holding company Nippon Sangyo (Japan Industries or Nippon Industries). "The name 'Nissan' originated during the 1930s as an abbreviation"[4] used on the Tokyo stock market for Nippon Sangyo. This company was the famous Nissan "Zaibatsu" (combine) which included Tobata Casting and Hitachi. At this time Nissan controlled foundries and auto parts businesses, but Aikawa did not enter automobile manufacturing until 1933.[5]

Nissan would eventually grow to include 74 firms, and to be the fourth-largest combine in Japan during World War II.[6]

In 1930, Aikawa purchased controlling(?) shares in DAT Motors, and then in 1933 it merged Tobata Casting's automobile parts department with DAT Motors. As Tobata Casting was a Nissan company, this was the beginning of Nissan's automobile manufacturing.[7]

[edit] Nissan Motors founded in 1934

In 1934, Aikawa "separated the expanded automobile parts division of Tobata Casting and incorporated it as a new subsidiary, which he named Nissan Motor (Nissan)". Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (日産自動車 Nissan Jidōsha?). The shareholders of the new company however were not enthusiastic about the prospects of the automobile in Japan, so Aikawa bought out all the Tobata Casting shareholders (using capital from Nippon Industries) in June, 1934. At this time Nissan Motors effectively became owned by Nippon Sangyo and Hitachi.[8]

Nissan built trucks, airplanes, and engines for the Japanese military. The company's main plant was moved to China after land there was captured by Japan. The plant made machinery for the

Japanese war effort until it was captured by American and Russian forces. From 1947 to 1948 the company was called Nissan Heavy Industries Corp.

[edit] Nissan's early American connection

DAT had inherited Kubota's chief designer, American William R. Gorham. This, along with Aikawa's inspiring 1908 visit to Detroit, was to greatly affect Nissan's future.

Although it had always been Aikawa's intention to use cutting-edge auto making technology from America, it was Gorham that carried out the plan. All the machinery, vehicle designs and engine designs originally came out of the United States. Much of the tooling came from the Graham factory and Nissan had a Graham license under which trucks were made. The machinery was imported into Japan by Mitsubishi [9] on behalf of Nissan, which went into the first Yokohama factory to produce cars.

[edit] Relationship with Ford Motor Company

From 1993 to 2002, Nissan partnered with Ford to market the Mercury Villager and the Nissan Quest. The two minivans were manufactured with all the same parts and were virtually identical aside from several cosmetic differences. In 2002, Ford discontinued the Villager to make room for its Freestar and Monterey. Nissan brought out a new version of the Quest in 2004, which was designed in-house and no longer bore any relation to Ford's models.

In 1992, Nissan relaunched its Terrano four-wheel drive, which was cosmetically and mechanically identical to the Ford Maverick. Both cars were built in Spain. Although the Maverick was discontinued in 1998 due to disappointing sales, the Nissan Terrano was a strong seller and remained in production until 2005, when it was replaced by the Nissan Pathfinder.

[edit] Austin Motor Company

In early 1950s, Nissan partnered with an established European company to gain access to up-to-date automobile and engine designs. Nissan chose Austin of the United Kingdom, which later became the British Motor Corporation by its merger with Morris et al. Nissan began building Austin 7s in 1930, though the legitimacy of their license at that time is debated. After the success of Nissan, Hino and Isuzu followed to partner with Renault and Hillman respectively.[10]

In 1952 Nissan Motor Company of Japan entered into a legal agreement with Austin ,[11] for Nissan to assemble 2,000 Austins from imported partially assembled sets and sell them in Japan under the Austin trademark. The agreement called for Nissan to make all Austin parts locally within three years, a goal Nissan met. Nissan produced and marketed Austins for seven years. The agreement also gave Nissan rights to use Austin patents, which Nissan used in developing its own engines for its Datsun line of cars. In 1953 British-built Austins were assembled and sold, but by 1955, the Austin A50 -- completely built by Nissan and featuring a slightly larger body with new 1489 cc engine—was on the market in Japan. Nissan produced 20,855 Austins from 1953-1959.[12]

Nissan leveraged the Austin patents to further develop their own modern engine designs past what the Austin's A- and B-family designs offered. The apex of the Austin-derived engines was the new design A series engine in 1967. Also in 1967 Nissan introduced its new highly advanced four cylinder overhead cam (OHC) Nissan L engine, which while similar to Mercedes-Benz OHC designs was a totally new engine designed by Nissan. This engine powered the new Datsun 510, which gained Nissan respect in the worldwide sedan market. Then, in 1969 Nissan introduced the Datsun 240Z sports car which used a six-cylinder variation of the L series engine. The 240Z was an immediate sensation and lifted Nissan to world class status in the automobile market.[citation needed]

[edit] Merger with Prince Motor Company

In 1966, Nissan merged with the Prince Motor Company, bringing more upmarket cars, including the Skyline and Gloria, into its selection. The Prince name was eventually abandoned, and successive Skylines and Glorias bore the Nissan name. "Prince," however, is still used in the names of certain Japanese Nissan dealerships. Nissan introduced a new luxury brand for the US market in 1989 called Infiniti.

[edit] Foreign expansion

In the 1950s, Nissan decided to expand into worldwide markets. Nissan management realized their Datsun small car line would fill an unmet need in markets such as Australia and the world's largest car market, the United States. They first showed cars at the 1959 Los Angeles Auto Show and sold a few that year in the United States. The company formed a U.S. subsidiary, Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A., in 1959, headed by Yutaka Katayama. Nissan continued to improve their sedans with the latest technological advancements and chic Italianate styling in sporty cars such as the Datsun Fairlady roadsters, the race-winning 411 series, the Datsun 510 and the world-class Datsun 240Z, and by 1970, they had become one of the world's largest exporters of automobiles.

Nissan GT-R

In the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, consumers worldwide (especially in the lucrative U.S. market) began turning in rapidly increasing numbers to high-quality small economy cars. To meet the growing demand, the company built new factories in Mexico, Australia, Taiwan and South Africa.

The "Chicken Tax" of 1964 placed a 25% tax on imported commercial vans.[13] In response, Nissan, Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. began building plants in the U.S. in the early 80s.[13]

Nissan's initial assembly plant, in Smyrna, Tennessee, at first built only trucks such as the 720 and Hardbody, but has since expanded to produce several car and SUV lines, including the Altima, Maxima, Xterra and Pathfinder. An engine plant in Decherd, Tennessee followed, and most recently a second assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi.

In 1998 Nissan announced that it was selling one of its headquarter buildings to the Mori Group for $107.8 million.[14]

In order to overcome export tariffs and delivery costs to its European customers, Nissan contemplated establishing a plant in Europe. After an extensive review, Sunderland in the north east of the United Kingdom was chosen for the local availability of a highly skilled workforce and its position near major ports. The plant was completed in 1986 as the subsidiary Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. By 2007, it was producing 400,000 vehicles per year, landing it the highly coveted title of the most productive plant in Europe.

Financial difficulties (approaching billions) in Australia in the late 1980s caused Nissan to cease production there. Due to the "Button Plan" the Australian operation was unique as the Nissan products were also rebranded both by General Motors Holden: Pulsar as the Holden Astra), and Ford: Bluebird as the Ford Corsair).

In 2001 stablished a manufacturing plant in Brazil, in 2005, Nissan setup operations in India, through its subsidiary Nissan Motors India Pvt. Ltd.[15] With its global alliance partner, Renault, Nissan is investing $920 Million to set up a manufacturing facility in Chennai to cater to the Indian market as well as a base for exports of small cars to Europe.[16]

Nissan sold nearly 520,000 new vehicles in China in 2009 in joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, and aims for 1 million in 3 or 4 years. To meet that target, Dongfeng-Nissan is expanding its production base in Guangzhou, which would become Nissan's largest factory around the globe in terms of production capacity upon completion.[17]

[edit] Trucks

2006 Nissan Titan King Cab

The Nissan Titan was introduced in 2004, as a full-size pickup truck produced for the North American market, the truck shares the stretched Nissan F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 SUVs.

The Titan features a 32 valve 5.6 L VK56DE V8 engine which generates 317 hp, and is capable of towing approximately 9500 pounds. The Nissan Titan comes in four basic trim levels: XE, SE, Pro-4X, and LE; that for the 2011 it will be S, SV, PRO-4X and SL.The trim levels are combinations of the features offered on the truck. It was listed by Edmunds.com as the best full-size truck. The Titan was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2004.

[edit] Alliance with Renault

In 1999, with Nissan facing severe financial difficulties, Nissan entered an alliance with Renault S.A. of France.[18]

Signed on March 27, 1999, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is the first of its kind involving a Japanese and French car manufacturer, each with its own distinct corporate culture and brand identity. The same year, Renault appointed its own Chief Operating Officer, Carlos Ghosn, as Chief Operating Officer of Nissan and took a 22.5% stake in Nissan Diesel. Later that year, Nissan fired its top Japanese executives.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has evolved over years to Renault holding 44.3% of Nissan shares, while Nissan holds 15% of Renault shares which does not give Nissan a voting or board representation due to legal restriction in France.

Under CEO Ghosn's "Nissan Revival Plan" (NRP), the company has rebounded in what many leading economists consider to be one of the most spectacular corporate turnarounds in history, catapulting Nissan to record profits and a dramatic revitalization of both its Nissan and Infiniti model line-ups. In 2001, the company initiated Nissan 180, capitalizing on the success of the NRP. The targets set with 180 were an additional sale of 1 million cars, achieving operating margins of 8%, and to have zero automotive debts. Ghosn has been recognized in Japan for the company's turnaround in the midst of an ailing Japanese economy. Ghosn and the Nissan turnaround were featured in Japanese manga and popular culture. His achievements in revitalizing Nissan were noted by Japanese Government, which awarded him the Japan Medal with Blue Ribbon in 2004.[19]

[edit] Expansion of alliance to include both Daimler and Renault

Nissan Motors New Headquarters under construction in April 2008

On April 7, 2010, Daimler AG exchanged a 3.9% share of its holdings for 3.9% from both Nissan and Renault. This triple alliance allows for the increased sharing of technology and development costs, encouraging global cooperation and mutual development.[20] The alliance with Daimler is believed to have a focus on battery/electric technologies.

[edit] Nissan Motor Co v. Nissan Computer Corporation

In December 1999, legal action was instituted by Nissan Motors seeking $10,000,000 in damages from Uzi Nissan, president of Nissan Computer. In December 2002, Uzi Nissan was handed an injunction restricting his use of the Nissan name and the domains Nissan.com and Nissan.net which he owns.

In 2004, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, allowed Nissan Computer to appeal the case, which resulted in reversal of some findings previously in favor of Nissan Motors.[21]

On February 5, 2008, Final Judgement was entered for the case, with Nissan Computer being awarded costs and neither party prevailing.[22] Immediately following the ruling, Nissan Motors filed a trademark application for Computer Equipment in March 2008,[23] viewed by some as an attempt to acquire the domain through UDRP, an arbitration panel proceeding which often finds in favor of trademark holders.

[edit] Recent news

Current CEO Carlos Ghosn has been credited with reviving Nissan

In 2010, Nissan announced that its own hybrid technology no longer is based on Toyota's.

On April 7, 2010, Daimler AG exchanged a 3.9% share of its holdings for 3.9% from both Nissan and Renault. This triple alliance allows for the increased sharing of technology and development costs, encouraging global cooperation and mutual development.[20]

The Nissan Note and Qashqai in the UK are both produced at their UK factory in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear. On January 9, 2009, it was announced that 1,200 jobs were to be cut at the Sunderland plant. The decision was blamed on economic reasons, including a downturn in the car selling market. Nissan's senior vice-president for manufacturing in Europe, Trevor Mann, said the company was "right-sizing our operations to the market demand."[24]

Nissan also produces cars at its factory at Roslyn, near Pretoria, South Africa.

Nissan North America relocated its headquarters from Gardena, California to the Nashville, Tennessee area in July 2006. A new headquarters, Nissan Americas, was dedicated on July 22, 2008, in Cool Springs (Nashville, Tennessee). Approximately 1500 employees work in the facility.

On June 30, 2006, General Motors convened an emergency board meeting to discuss a proposal by shareholder Kirk Kerkorian to form an alliance between GM and Renault-Nissan. On October 4, 2006, however, GM and Nissan terminated talks because of the chasm between the two companies related to compensation to GM from Nissan.

On May 17, 2006 Nissan released the Atlas 20 hybrid truck in Japan. It released a Cabstar hybrid truck at the 2006 Hannover Fair.

The company's head office moved from Tokyo back to Yokohama in August 2009.

On February 23, 2008 The Tamil Nadu state government (India) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with auto manufacturing consortium, Mahindra-Renault- Nissan to set up a production unit at Oragadam in suburban Madras.

The consortium comprising Indian auto major Mahindra and Mahindra, Renault (France) and Nissan (Japan) will begin with an initial investment of Rs4000 crore to manufacture nearly 50,000 tractors every year other than cars, utility vehicles and spare parts. The project is expected to increase Tamil Nadu’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Rs18,000 crore annually while providing 41,000 jobs.

Nissan began development of fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) in 1996 and launched limited lease sales of the X-Trail FCV in Japan in fiscal year 2003.

In 2002, Toyota and Nissan agree to tie-up on hybrid technologies, and in 2004, Nissan unveiled the Altima hybrid prototype.

[edit] Vehicle recalls

On March 2, 2010 Nissan announced the recall of 540,000 vehicles to fix brake pedals and gas gauges. The brake pedal recall affects 179,000 vehicles in the US and about 26,000 in the Middle East, Canada, Russia and several other countries.

Certain 2008 to 2010 Nissan Titan pickups, Infiniti QX56 and Nissan Armada Sports Utility Vehicles, and some 2008 and 2009 Nissan Quest minivans are being recalled.[25]

Nissan also announced the recall of several models of trucks and SUVs, including 2004–2006 Armadas and Titans, 2005–2006 Infiniti QX56s, and Frontiers, Pathfinders and Xterras made in August 2003 and June 2006. The recall was made in response to a risk that the electrical relays in the engine control modules for those vehicles may fail, possibly rendering the engine inoperable. The recall affects about 2,200,000 cars worldwide.[26]

[edit] Environmental record

Nissan Leaf at the 2010 Washington Auto Show, where it was announced as winner of the 2010 Green Car Vision Award by the Green Car Journal.

Prior to announcements about the Nissan Leaf, Nissan Motors has had no special environmental record, at least as perceived relative to its competition. This may change in the future owing to a new emphasis on the development, production and marketing of electric automobiles. Nissan is planning to sell electric cars in the US coastal markets by December 2010, and within the US interior by June 2011. The company claims its EV model, the Nissan Leaf, has a maximum speed of 90 mph (140 km/h) and can go 100 miles per charge. It is projected to take eight hours to charge the car fully. Nissan's car uses a lithium ion battery. The vehicle is intended for short distances, and is not meant for replacing traditional cars for long trips. As with other electric cars these products from Nissan won't emit pollutants from their exhaust. Any pollution involved in their operation would come from the production of the electricity needed to charge the car, depending on the type of power generation facility.[27] Nissan has chosen to develop 100 percent electric cars rather than biofuel or ethanol running cars based upon cost analysis.[28] On May 12, 2009, Nissan announced the company will produce EVs at its Oppama plant from fall 2010 with capacity of 50,000 units a year. Batteries for EVs will be supplied by Automotive Energy Supply

Corporation, a joint-venture between Nissan (51%), NEC Corporation (42%) and NEC TOKIN Corporation (7%).[29]

[edit] Leadership

Presidents and Chief Executive Officers of Nissan:

1933–1939 Yoshisuke Aikawa 1939–1942 Masasuke Murakami

1942–1944 Genshichi Asahara

1944–1945 Haruto Kudo

1945 Takeshi Murayama

1945–1947 Souji Yamamoto

1947–1951 Taichi Minoura

1951–1957 Genshichi Asahara

1957–1973 Katsuji Kawamata

1973–1977 Tadahiro Iwakoshi

1977–1985 Takashi Ishihara

1985–1992 Yutaka Kume

1992–1996 Yoshifume Tsuji

1996–2000 Yoshikazu Hanawa

2000–present Carlos Ghosn

[edit] Products

[edit] Automotive products

Older Style Nissan Logo (1984-2001)

Main articles: List of Nissan vehicles and List of Nissan engines.

Nissan has produced an extensive range of mainstream cars and trucks, initially for domestic consumption but exported around the world since the 1950s. There was a major strike in 1953.

It also produced several memorable sports cars, including the Datsun Fairlady 1500, 1600 and 2000 Roadsters, the Z-car, an affordable sports car originally introduced in 1969; and the GT-R, a powerful all-wheel-drive sports coupe.

In 1985, Nissan created a tuning division, NISMO, for competition and performance development of such cars. One of Nismo's latest models is the 370Z NISMO.

Until 1982, Nissan automobiles in most export markets were sold under the Datsun brand. Since 1989, Nissan has sold its luxury models in North America under the Infiniti brand.

Nissan also sells a small range of kei cars, mainly as a joint venture with other Japanese manufacturers like Suzuki or Mitsubishi. Nissan does not develop these cars. Nissan also has shared model development of Japanese domestic cars with other manufacturers, particularly Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and Isuzu.

In China, Nissan produces cars in association with the Dongfeng Motor Group including the 2006 Nissan Livina Geniss. This is the first in the range of a new worldwide family of medium sized cars and is to make its world debut at the Guangzhou International Motor Show.

Nissan launches Qashqai SUV in South Africa, along with their new motorsport Qashqai Car Games.

In 2010, Nissan created another tuning division,IPL, this time for their premium/luxury brand Infiniti.

[edit] Electric vehiclesMain article: Nissan electric vehicle

Nissan will launch electric cars in Europe in 2010 with different business models in different countries.[30]

Nissan Motor Co. has nearly completed development of a lithium-ion battery using a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide cathode (NMC). The new system, which will reportedly offer almost double the capacity of Nissan/AESC’s current manganese spinel cell.[31]

The new Nissan Leaf is expected to be marketed in North America, Europe, and Japan, beginning in late 2010. Nissan has announced it will manufacture the new Leaf compact electric car at its Sunderland plant in the UK. The annual production capacity will be 50,000 vehicles at Sunderland.[32]

[edit] Non-automotive products

Nissan has also had a number of ventures outside the automotive industry, most notably the Tu-Ka mobile phone service (est. 1994), which was sold to DDI and Japan Telecom (both now merged into KDDI Corporation) in 1999. Nissan also owns Nissan Marine, a joint venture with Tohatsu Corp that produces motors for boats and other maritime equipment.

[edit] Global sales figures

Calendar Year Global Sales

1998 2,555,962

1999 2,629,044

2000 2,632,876

2001 2,580,757

2002 2,735,932

2003 2,968,357

2004 3,295,830

2005 3,597,851

2006 3,477,837

2007 3,675,574

2008 3,708,074

2009 3,358,413

2010 4,080,588

[edit] Manufacturing locations

Data extracted from Nissan's international corporate website.[33]

World locations of Nissan Motors factories

Japan o Oppama, Yokosuka, Kanagawa (Oppama Plant & Research Center)

o Kaminokawa, Tochigi (Tochigi Plant)

o Kanda, Fukuoka (Kyushu Plant & Nissan Shatai Kyushu Plant)[34]

o Kanagawa-ku , Yokohama, Kanagawa (Yokohama Plant)

o Iwaki, Fukushima (Iwaki Plant)

o Hiratsuka, Kanagawa (Nissan Shatai Shonan Plant)

o Nagoya, Aichi (Aichi Machine Industry Atsuta & Eitoku Plants)

o Matsusaka, Mie (Aichi Machine Industry Matsusaka Plant)

o Tsu, Mie (Aichi Machine Industry Tsu Plant)

o Uji, Kyoto (Auto Works Kyoto)

o Ageo, Saitama (Nissan Diesel Motor, currently owned by the Volvo Group)

o Samukawa, Kanagawa (Nissan Kohki[dead link])

o Zama, Kanagawa (Zama Plant closed in 1995, currently Global Production Engineering Center and storage unit for its historic models)

India

o Oragadam , Chennai

Brazil

o São José dos Pinhais , Paraná

Indonesia

o Cikampek , West Java

Iran

o Karaj , Tehran

Malaysia

o Segambut , Kuala Lumpur

o Serendah , Selangor

Mexico

o Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes

o Cuernavaca, Morelos

Morocco

o Tangier, Tangier Med port (Under construction, Renault-Nissan plant)

Egypt

o 6th of October City , 6th of October Governorate

Pakistan

o Karachi , Sindh

Philippines

o Santa Rosa City , Laguna

South Africa

o Rosslyn, Pretoria, Gauteng.

Spain

o Barcelona

o Ávila

o Cantabria

o Montcada i Reixac

Thailand

o Bangna, Samutprakarn

Republic of China

o Taipei , Taiwan

United Kingdom

o Sunderland, County Durham , North East England

United States

o Smyrna, Tennessee

o Canton, Mississippi

o Decherd, Tennessee

Russia

o St. Petersburg, Russia (Completion 2010)