Investors, suppliers and employees alike will be breathing a sigh of relief today after Renault and Nissan announced they had agreed a new basis for their Alliance that stretches back to 1999 but had looked increasingly rocky in recent months.
Nissan chafed that Renault’s stake in it stood at 43% while it only owned 15% of Renault. That smouldering imbalance has now been defused by Renault agreeing to reduce its stake in Nissan to the same 15%, with the remainder placed in a trust.
Renault still benefits from the dividend of Nissan’s profits that the extra 28% generates, but now both companies have equal say in the future of the other, based on voting rights.
The agreement still needs to be ratified by the boards of both companies, but assuming it passes, Renault and Nissan can resume collaboration on automotive development in an atmosphere of shared trust.
Analysts