Fiat Chrysler in Tie-Up Talks With Renault: Sources

Fiat Chrysler in Tie-Up Talks With Renault: Sources
A FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) logo is displayed during a press day ahead of the Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, on March 6, 2019. Harold Cunningham/ AFP/Getty Images
Reuters
Updated:

MILAN/PARIS—Fiat Chrysler and Renault are in talks on a comprehensive global tie-up that could address some of the main weaknesses of both carmakers, two sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters on Saturday.

The talks are at an advanced stage, the sources said. The Financial Times earlier reported that FCA and Renault were discussing a deal to forge “extensive ties” to tackle structural challenges facing the global auto industry.

A spokesman for FCA declined to comment on the report. Renault spokesman Frederic Texier said the French carmaker had no comment.

Pressure for consolidation among carmakers has grown with the challenges posed by electrification, tightening emissions regulations and investment-thirsty technologies for connected and autonomous vehicles.

FCA and Renault have a combined market capitalization approaching 33 billion euros ($37 billion) and total global sales of 8.7 million vehicles. Besides bringing greater scale, a tie-up could help patch flaws on both sides.

FCA has a highly profitable North American RAM trucks business and Jeep brand but has been losing money in Europe, where it may also struggle to keep pace with looming carbon dioxide emissions curbs.

Renault, by contrast, is an electric-car pioneer with relatively fuel-efficient engine technologies and a strong presence in emerging markets, but no U.S. business.

Renault's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo drives during the second Formula One practice session in Melbourne on March 15, 2019, ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AFP/Getty Images)
Renault's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo drives during the second Formula One practice session in Melbourne on March 15, 2019, ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix. Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AFP/Getty Images

Any tie-up would likely face political and workforce hurdles, particularly in Italy. Most of FCA’s European plants are running below 50 percent capacity.

It was unclear whether the FCA-Renault deal talks would conclude successfully, the sources said.

The plan under consideration could involve some transfer of equity, one source said. “This isn’t just another partnership —it’s more than that.”

Both carmakers have also been exploring tie-ups with other partners.

While FCA has recently revived discussions with PSA Group, a France-based transnational automobile manufacturer, Renault is seeking a merger with Nissan, its partner in a troubled 20-year-old alliance.

A tie-up between FCA and Renault would not preclude a consolidation of the alliance with Nissan, one of the sources said.

Pedestrians walk past a television screen showing a news programme featuring former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2018. (Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images)
Pedestrians walk past a television screen showing a news programme featuring former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2018. Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images

The Renault-Nissan partnership, underpinned by crossed shareholdings, has been strained by the scandal surrounding former chairman Carlos Ghosn, who was ousted in the wake of a Nissan internal investigation.

Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard (L) and Nissan Motors president and CEO Hiroto Saikawa (R) chat during a press conference at the Nissan headquarters in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on March 12, 2019. (Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images)
Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard (L) and Nissan Motors president and CEO Hiroto Saikawa (R) chat during a press conference at the Nissan headquarters in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on March 12, 2019. Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

A tie-up that included Nissan would vault the ensemble to the rank of global No.1 carmaker with 13.8 million annual sales. It would also maintain a foothold in China, where both FCA and Renault are marginal players.

The discussions follow weakening U.S. auto demand that has prompted cutbacks at several carmakers. FCA reported a 29 percent decline in first-quarter operating profit as sales and margins weakened in its North American profit center. Sales dropped 5 percent to 24.48 billion euros ($27.43 billion).

By Giulio Piovaccari and Laurence Frost