Renault And Nissan Firm Up Alliance, Nissan Getting New Twingo

  • Renault and Nissan have struck a deal, which aims to help the troubled Japanese automaker.
  • Nissan can back out of their $649 million Ampere investment and sell some Renault stock.
  • The company will also be getting a restyled version of the Renault Twingo in 2026.

The Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance has been put through the wringer and things appeared to be on shaky ground. However, Renault and Nissan have now announced a series of “strategic projects.”

Starting with the fun stuff, Nissan will be getting a version of the upcoming Renault Twingo. It’s slated to arrive in 2026 and will feature unique styling created by the Japanese automaker.

More: Renault’s Updated Twingo Concept Hints At Next Year’s €20,000 EV

Little else is known about the model at this point, but the Twingo will be launched next year and cost less than €20,000 ($21,639). The EV is also slated to have a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch infotainment system.

Outside of Europe, Renault is slated to take over Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd by acquiring the 51% stake currently held by Nissan. This transaction is expected to be completed later this year and Renault sees the move as a “key opportunity” to expand its international business. Speaking of which, four new models are slated to be built at the Chennai plant.

While Renault is taking over, Nissan will continue to have a presence in India. As such, the Chennai plant will continue building models such as the Nissan Magnite.

Renault And Nissan Firm Up Alliance, Nissan Getting New Twingo

Five-seat Nissan C-SUV that will be built at Chennai plant

On the corporate side of things, Renault and Nissan have amended their alliance agreement to allow for greater flexibility of cross-shareholdings. In particular, the minimum shareholding threshold will be lowered from 15% to 10%. The change could allow Nissan to sell part of their Renault stake to raise funds for their restructuring.

While it remains to be seen if Nissan will do this, “any sale of shares would have to be made within a coordinated and orderly process with the other company, in which such other company or a designated third-party benefits from a right of first offer.”

Renault And Nissan Firm Up Alliance, Nissan Getting New Twingo

Speaking of giving Nissan flexibility, the company is being released from its commitment to invest in Ampere. The investment was announced in July of 2023 and would have seen Nissan fork over as much as €600 ($649 / £502) million.

The amendments and termination of the Ampere investment are subject to certain conditions being fulfilled, but these are expected to occur by the end of May. When this happens, Nissan should be in better shape for the future.

Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo remarked, “As a long-time partner of Nissan within the Alliance and as its main shareholder, Renault Group has a strong interest in seeing Nissan turnaround its performance as quickly as possible. Pragmatism and business-oriented mindset were at the core of our discussions to identify the most effective ways of supporting their recovery plan while developing value-creating business opportunities for Renault Group.”

Renault And Nissan Firm Up Alliance, Nissan Getting New Twingo

The Auto World

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