It perhaps comes as no surprise when German auto manufacturing companies, like Volkswagen
, eat up fellow German companies or when British automakers merge to expand their scope. However, a union between French and Japanese auto companies was unheard of, especially when Renault and Nissan joined hands. That was in 1999, to be exact.
The partnership was spearheaded by a charter, which formed the Renault-Nissan Alliance in July 1999. Per the agreement outlined in the charter, the Renault company was granted an impressive 44.3% stake in Nissan. In return, Nissan
earned 15% of Renault’s shares. The compromise aligned the interest of both companies—and proved that teamwork really does make the dream work. By 2004—in just five years of partnership—the Renault-Nissan Alliance saw a staggering 5.7 million in combined sales and represented nearly 10% of the global automobile market.
Today, over 20 years later, the agreement between Renault and Nissan stands steadfast. These French and Japanese automakers continue collaborating to produce powerful and well-made vehicles.