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Nissan is optimistic about FCA partnership, but wants the right terms

BEIJING – Nissan is optimistic about partnering with a combined Renault and Fiat Chrysler (FCA), as long as it can protect the ownership of technology developed over two decades of working with Renault, a senior executive told Reuters. The executive, who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said he was cautiously optimistic about the possibility of generating "synergies" by sharing Nissan's autonomous drive know-how, electrification and greenhouse-gas-scrubbing technologies for powertrains. But he said the possible $35 billion merger of Renault and FCA would not give FCA the automatic right to use those technologies, which it needs to meet stringent emissions regulations and better compete in a industry being transformed by electric vehicles. He also floated the possibility that Nissan could look at boosting its stake in Renault, or a merged Renault-FCA, to gain more say in shaping the future of the alliance. "We would go ahead with partnering or cooperating with FCA only if we can guarantee tangible benefits from sharing technologies with FCA and only if we can work out conditions that are satisfactory to us," the Yokohama-based executive said. "If Renault wants to pursue this deal, we feel we need to look seriously at supporting them," he said. The executive's comments highlight how Nissan could look to leverage its advanced technology to gain greater bargaining power with a merged Renault-FCA. Renault is Nissan's top shareholder with a 43.4% shareholding, while Nissan holds a 15% non-voting stake in the French automaker. That unequal partnership has long rankled Nissan, which is the bigger company by far. A Nissan spokesman referred Reuters to a statement issued on Monday, where Nissan Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa said: "I believe that the potential addition of FCA as a new member of the alliance could expand the playing field for collaboration and create new opportunities for further synergies." "That said, the proposal currently being discussed is a full merger which — if realized — would significantly alter the structure of our partner Renault. This would require a fundamental review of the existing relationship between Nissan and Renault," Saikawa said, adding that Nissan would analyze and consider its "existing contractual relationships". BOOSTING STAKE?

Chrysler's mysterious limo spotted in trailer for new Wolverine movie

Way back in the warm, sunny days of June, we reported on a rather strange looking Chrysler-badged limousine spotted during filming for the latest installment in the Wolverine saga. Now, with the first trailer for Logan (or Wolverine 3, if you prefer its informal name) hitting the internet, we're getting another look at the odd limo, along with a few other offerings from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. There's a flock of "Federal Police" Rams and a spinning, bluish-green Rebel – we're guessing Wolverine and Professor Xavier stole it from some kind of work crew – judging by the gold-ish decals on the door and the work box in the bed. Our look at the Chrysler limo isn't great, although it does appear in two scenes of the trailer. We're thinking these shots are connected, and here's why. Our first sighting comes in a cemetery, where the hulking limo sits in the background while Wolverine takes a pull from a pint of liquor. This scene ties in neatly with the images from June – we've embedded the tweet that posted the original shots at the bottom – which shows Wolverine wearing the same clothing. Comparing the shape of the limo's mirrors in June with a later scene in the trailer, we can safely say that Wolverine eventually ends up driving the limo, with a worried Professor Xavier in the backseat. While FCA hasn't been shy about wanting to hook up with Hollywood blockbusters, Logan is quite a lot different than Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens, or even Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The tone of this entire trailer, from Johnny Cash's baleful cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt to the dire medical condition of Patrick Stewart's Professor Xavier, is depressing and emotional. That's a far cry from the super-successful superhero blockbusters that roll out of Marvel Studios every year. You can spot the exterior of the limo at 0:17, the interior at 1:03 (the scene is cut to make it look like Logan and Professor X are driving the Ram Rebel that appears at 1:02), and the police Rams at 0:48. Aside from the new FCAs, there's also a lovely first-gen Ford Bronco. Logan hits theaters on March 3, 2017. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video:

Merged Fiat-Chrysler HQ will be in London

You won't be seeing Sergio Marchionne in his famous sweaters running day-to-day operations of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles from Michigan. Although, he won't be doing it from Italy, either. The FCA CEO recently announced that the company's corporate headquarters would be located in London.
"Headquarters will be in London. It's clear that group executive functions, the board, my office, some of my functions, need to operate out of London, but that doesn't mean that I'm giving up my operational responsibilities of the US," said Marchionne to Automotive News at a press conference.
When the creation of FCA was announced, the company said its tax domicile would be in the United Kingdom. But it gave no specific location at that time. The business is still keeping most of the details under wraps.