FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Italian-American carmaker Fiat Chrysler on Monday proposed a merger of equals with France’s Renault in a deal that could create the world’s third-biggest carmaker and trigger a fresh round of industry consolidation. FILE PHOTO: The logo of French car manufacturer Renault is seen at a dealership of the company in Illkirch-Graffenstaden near… Continue reading Factbox: Auto industry consolidation – mega-mergers and alliances
Tag: Renault
Fiat Chrysler proposes merger with Renault to reshape car industry
Automotive industry Deal would create world’s third-largest automaker and ‘save €5bn a year’ by sharing research The Italian-American firm Fiat Chrysler is big in the US and SUV markets, while France’s Renault is stronger in Europe and on electric vehicle developments. Photograph: Toms Kalniņš/EPA Fiat Chrysler has proposed a merger with France’s Renault that would… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler proposes merger with Renault to reshape car industry
Nissan and Audi launches new electric car ads as automakers increase EV advertising effort
Automakers have notoriously been reticent to advertise electric cars, but we are starting to see some changes on that front with Nissan and Audi launching new electric car advertising efforts. The Sierra Club and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) have an interesting annual study of advertising instances and spending for electric… Continue reading Nissan and Audi launches new electric car ads as automakers increase EV advertising effort
FCA in merger talks with Renault
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has confirmed it is in talks about a transformative merger with its French rival Renault. The new company would be 50% owned by FCA and 50% by Renault. FCA stated the broad and complementary brand portfolio would provide full market coverage, from luxury to mainstream. Under the proposal, both carmakers would merge… Continue reading FCA in merger talks with Renault
Nissan ProPilot 2.0 Is A Lot Like Tesla Autopilot, With One Key Difference
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Published on May 26th, 2019 |
by Steve Hanley
Nissan ProPilot 2.0 Is A Lot Like Tesla Autopilot, With One Key Difference
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May 26th, 2019 by Steve Hanley
Next fall, Nissan will begin offering cars for sale in the Japanese market that include its new ProPilot 2.0 semi-autonomous driving technology. As CNN reports, ProPilot 2.0 will let drivers traveling on limited access highways to take their hands completely off the steering wheel as long as the car remains in the same lane.
Credit: Nissan
It will also allow for lane change maneuvers and will help guide the car through highway junctions when following a preset route with a hand on the wheel. The system alerts the driver to place a hand on the wheel whenever the car needs to depart from the travel lane it is in.
As the graphic above illustrates, the sensors for ProPilot 2.0 include an array of cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors. It clearly resembles graphics we are familiar with that illustrate how Tesla’s Autopilot system works (below).
How does Nissan allow drivers to take their hands of the wheel for significant periods of time when Tesla does not (Tesla notifies you after 15 seconds)? The key difference is the Nissan system includes a camera that monitors the driver’s eyes to make sure she or he is paying attention to the road ahead. For Nissan, the critical piece is whether the driver is monitoring the road visually, not whether a hand is placed on the steering wheel.
50 years ago, early cruise control systems allowed drivers to remove their foot from the gas pedal while driving long distances. Now, Nissan makes it possible for drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel for significant periods of time as well. The important metric in both cases is watching the road. No reading the newspaper or having sex in the back seat. Unless and until full Level 5 autonomous systems are offered, the driver must remain actively engaged in the driving process at all times.
Cadillac also monitors the driver’s eye as part of its new Super Cruise package and it is that ability that led Consumer Reports to rate Super Cruise as the best semi-autonomous system available today.
Jake Fisher, CR’s director of auto testing, calls that kind of driver monitoring “a game changer in terms of safety for these sorts of systems.” Monitoring the eyes of the driver is something Tesla, with is mastery of camera technology, could easily do but has declined to include in its Autopilot system.
Current systems like ProPilot and ProPilot Assist from Nissan are little more than adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems. ProPilot 2.0 will be a significant step forward. Nissan has offered no information on when, or if, this latest technology will be available on cars sold outside Japan.
About the Author
Steve Hanley Steve writes about the interface between technology and sustainability from his home in Rhode Island and anywhere else the Singularity may lead him. His motto is, “Life is not measured by how many breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away!” You can follow him on Google + and on Twitter.
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FCA, Renault deal could take more than one year to be finalised – CEO to employees
MILAN, May 27 (Reuters) – It could take more than one year for Fiat Chrysler and Renault to finalise a proposed merger of the two companies, FCA group’s chief executive told employees on Monday in a letter seen by Reuters. Fiat Chrysler has made a “transformative” merger proposal to its French rival, the Italian-American carmaker… Continue reading FCA, Renault deal could take more than one year to be finalised – CEO to employees
Fiat Chrysler proposes 50-50 merger with Renault
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has proposed merging its business with Renault that, if accepted, would create the third largest global automaker with 8.7 million in annual vehicle sales. FCA delivered Monday a non-binding letter to Renault’s board that proposes combining the business as a 50-50 merger. FCA’s proposal illustrates the growing desire among automakers to consolidate,… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler proposes 50-50 merger with Renault
Shares leap higher after Fiat Chrysler and Renault propose merger
VIDEO5:1405:14Fiat Chrysler submits proposal for merger with RenaultSquawk Box EuropeFiat Chrysler and Renault, two automakers looking to curb costs producing vehicles and pool resources for developing the next generation of automobiles, are planning a merger to create the world's third largest automaker.
According to a statement from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the combined business would be owned 50/50 between shareholders of FCA and Groupe Renault. A board of governors would hold a majority of independent directors.
Shares in Fiat Chrysler and Renault jumped 13% and 11.5% respectively.
The merger still requires approval by the boards of both automakers.
The joint organization would produce estimated sales of 8.7 million vehicles a year and would be considered the world's third largest car manufacturer.
Fiat Chrylser said the combined entity would generate savings of 5 billion euros annually ($5.6 billion) and be “carried out as a merger transaction under a Dutch parent company.”
The press release from Fiat Chrysler added that there would be no plant closures as a reults of the tie-up and the union should provide an opportunity to lead in the development of electric and autonomous vehicles.
During Fiat Chrysler's most recent earnings call, CEO Mike Manley was asked about the possibility of merging with another automaker and told analysts. “We are going into an environment where there are going to be opportunities.”
Fiat Chrysler's partnership with Renault is completely separate from the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance.
For Renault, the partnership with FCA renews speculation the French automaker's alliance with Japan-based Nissan may not last.
The two companies hold stakes in each other, but that alliance has been strained since the arrest of Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn late last year. Ghosn has been charged in Japan with committing financial crimes while serving as CEO of Nissan, charges Ghosn and his lawyers vehemently deny.
Last year, Fiat Chrysler sold 4.85 million vehicles worldwide, with the vast majority being sold in North America where Jeep and RAM Trucks are two of the most popular brands. Meanwhile Renault sold 3.81 million vehicles in 2018, with most of its business happening in Europe.
FCA Submits Proposal for a Transformative Merger With Groupe Renault to Create Preeminent Global Automotive Group
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Fiat Chrysler and Renault are in advanced talks to merge the automakers
FILE PHOTO: The logo of FIAT carmaker is seen on a vehicle in Cairo, Egypt, May 19, 2019. Picture taken May 19, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File PhotoMohamed Abd El Ghany | ReutersFiat Chrysler and Renault are in advanced talks to merge the two automakers.
Sources say the talks, which have been happening over the last several weeks, have picked up speed in recent days and could lead to an announcement regarding a merger or partnership as soon as tomorrow.
The CEOs of both automakers have made it clear they are open to partnerships with other automakers that would give them the economies of scale to further cut costs both in terms of manufacturing as well as in developing vehicles. The move could be especially beneficial in Europe where auto sales overall are under pressure.
During Fiat Chrysler's most recent earnings call, CEO Mike Manley was asked about the possibility of merging with another automaker. “We have made it clear in the past that we want to be active and proactive to develop our business and improve the value for our shareholders,” Manley told analysts. “We are going into an environment where there are going to be opportunities.”
Meanwhile, under former CEO Carlos Ghosn, Renault was increasingly interested in a full merger with Nissan, its partner in an alliance that has delivered mixed results. When the two automakers first formed their alliance in the late 1990s, the combination helped Nissan cut losses and ultimately become a highly profitable automaker. These days there's growing tension between Nissan and Renault since the arrest and detention of Ghosn late last year. Japanese authorities have charged Ghosn with a number of crimes relating to his tenure as CEO of the Nissan-Renault alliance.
Whether Fiat Chrysler ultimately joins the Nissan-Renault alliance is unclear.
A partnership between Fiat Chrysler and Renault would also help the automakers pool resources for the development of electric and autonomous vehicles. Renault's EV program is considered to be more advanced than Fiat Chrysler's, but neither automaker is considered a leader in electric vehicles.
A spokesperson for Fiat Chrysler would not comment when reached by CNBC. Renault could not immediately be reached for comment.