Nissan "not opposed" to Renault-FCA merger

The company admits "many details need to be worked out" first.

Nissan's top executives found out about the merger talks between Renault and Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) just days before they were made public. The announcement took the company by surprise, and the fact that it was left out of the talks speaks volumes about its strained relationship with Renault, but it said it's not opposed to the two companies joining forces.

"We are not opposed" to the merger, an unnamed official told newspaper Nikkei. Renault and Nissan discussed the deal during a previously-scheduled meeting. The official added that "many details need to be worked out" before Nissan decides whether to give the merger its blessing. Of course, there's little stopping Renault from merging with FCA even if Nissan opposes the deal.

Renault began negotiating the terms of a merger with FCA after several failed attempts to merge with Nissan, which it owns a 43.4-percent stake in. Officially, the French company is studying FCA's offer. Behind the scenes, however, the deal has allegedly already been approved, and Automotive News reports Renault's board of directions will announce their decision as soon as next week.

Nissan and Mitsubishi wouldn't be part of the merged company, but they would be invited to participate in joint projects. Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Dacia already share several components, including engines, transmissions, and vehicle platforms. They also share factory capacity.

Nissan Pulsar pictured. Photo by Ronan Glon.