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FCA-Renault merger faces tall odds delivering on cost-cutting promises

FRANKFURT/DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Renault promise huge savings from a mega-merger, but such combinations face tall odds because of the industry's long product cycles and problems translating deal blueprints into real world success, industry veterans told Reuters. BMW's 1994 purchase of Rover, and Daimler's 1998 merger with Chrysler both made sense on paper. The companies promised to hike profits by combining vehicle platforms and engine families. Both combinations proved unworkable in reality, and were unwound. Renault and Nissan, which have been in an alliance since 1999 designed to share vehicle components, have only managed to use common vehicle platforms in 35% of Nissan's products despite an original target of 70%, according to Morgan Stanley. FCA and Renault have raised the stakes for themselves by ruling out plant closures. That increases the pressure to achieve more than $5 billion in promised annual savings from pooling procurement and research investments. The two companies have yet to fill in many of the blanks in the merger plan put forward by Fiat Chrysler. Renault's board is expected to act soon to accept the proposal, but that would lead only to a memorandum of understanding to pursue detailed operational and financial plans. A final deal and the legal combination of the two companies could take months to complete if all goes well. Pressure to cut automotive pollution is driving the latest round of consolidation. Automakers are looking at multibillion-dollar bills to develop electric and hybrid cars and cleaner internal combustion engines. Fiat Chrysler and Renault are betting they can design common electric vehicle systems, then sell more of them through their respective brands and dealer networks, cutting the cost per car. Developing all-new electric vehicles can bring more opportunities to share costs from the outset, industry experts said. "With the emergence of connected, autonomous, electric and shared vehicles, carmakers face immediate investments, so new opportunities for sharing costs have emerged," said Elmar Kades, managing director at Alix Partners. However, most electric vehicles lose money. This is a challenge for city car brands in Europe in particular. Both Renault and Fiat rely heavily on this segment for sales.

Nissan teases Gripz concept inspired by 240Z rally cars

The rumor about Nissan's crossover concept for the Frankfurt Motor Show wearing the brand's famous Z badge is starting to make a lot more sense thanks to the latest teaser video. Dubbed the Gripz, this CUV takes inspiration from both 240Z rally cars and high-performance, road-going bicycles. So while this model might not be the next Z-car, it's definitely trying to evoke that style. According to Nissan, the Gripz "explores a new sporty direction for a crossover concept and was conceived to create an innovative new driving sensation." The video appears to briefly show a turbine at work, indicating the engine might be turbocharged. There's also a glimpse at a chronograph-inspired gauge cluster. Unfortunately, the company's latest clip doesn't give away much more than that, but there are some great glimpses of those old-school racers. The Gripz gets a full debut in Germany on Sept. 15. Nissan Gripz Concept makes its global debut in Frankfurt Designed to build on Nissan's pioneering Crossover leadership, Nissan's Gripz Concept will make its global premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Inspiration for the Nissan Gripz Concept came from the legendary 240Z desert racers as well as the sleek two-wheel world of road cycling. The design explores a new sporty direction for a Crossover concept and was conceived to create an innovative new driving sensation. The world premiere will take place at the Nissan stand on September 15th, 2015. Stay tuned for more innovative Crossover thinking from Nissan. Related Video:

CES 2018 brings a buffet of automotive tech — here's a taste

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