Nissan-Renault and Mitsubishi are exploring opportunities to co-develop new models following the expansion of its strategic cooperation.

The brands are working on a jointly-developed small car which will include an electric version.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have also confirmed their intention to share technologies and product assets related to electric vehicles and latest-generation platforms.

Based on the current direction of discussions between Renault and Mitsubishi Motors, it is expected that two new saloon models would be launched under the Mitsubishi brand, based on vehicles from the Renault portfolio.

Secondary and additional studies around other projects will then be considered.

• The first saloon, to compete in the full-size D-segment markets of the United States and Canada and would be manufactured at the Renault-Samsung plant in Busan, South Korea.
• The second sedan model would compete in the global C-segment. The manufacturing location for this product is under discussion.

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors have an existing joint-venture company called NMKV which was established in June 2011 for the purpose of co-developing a range of Kei cars for both brands. The first of these products – the Nissan Dayz and Mitsubishi eK wagon – went on sale in Japan this year. Both products are manufactured at the Mitsubishi Mizushima plant in Japan.

Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, said: “Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors have jointly benefited from several collaborations in the past, most recently the successful joint-venture on Kei cars in Japan.

“I welcome the direction being taken towards this broader cooperation, creating new opportunities for Renault in addition to further leveraging the productive relationship between Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors.”