Fusion Renault-Peugeot ?
Publié : 19 sept. 2007 10:39
Paru aujourd'hui dans le FT...
Renault-Peugeot link could give Sarkozy a champion
By Paul Betts
Published: September 18 2007 18:52 | Last updated: September 18 2007 18:52
Carlos Ghosn has not given up hope. The chief executive of Renault and Nissan continues to believe that a trilateral tie-up between his French and Japanese car groups with General Motors is “inevitable”.
There are no new negotiations taking place with the US manufacturer and none is likely in the immediate future. Renault and GM considered forging a transatlantic alliance but abandoned discussions last year, largely because GM’s management was not convinced this was in the best interest of the US company.
Yet, Mr Ghosn still thinks the strategy makes sense in the long term. He said so in a recent French newspaper interview although acknowledged there seemed little appetite for such a move at GM right now. He also suggested he was not interested in acquiring Volvo or Jaguar, both owned and put up for sale by Ford.
So, while he waits for his recalcitrant American sweetheart to make up her mind, he is focusing on Renault’s Commitment 2009 plan and Nissan’s Value Up project – both designed to improve margins and make the two more competitive.
His domestic rival, Peugeot-Citroën, is also engaged under Christian Streiff, its new chief executive, in a similar exercise, dubbed Cap 2010, to reduce costs, develop models more quickly and double profits.
The problem for both French car manufacturers is that they continue to struggle in an oversaturated European market where they are facing tough competition from resurgent rivals such as Volkswagen and Fiat.
Under the circumstances, can France afford the luxury of two volume manufacturers? The idea of combining Renault and Peugeot has so far been a taboo subject. The rivalry between Renault, a former state-owned company in which the government still owns a 15 per cent stake, and family-controlled Peugeot has traditionally been fierce. But merging the two to create a single, more competitive French champion could be just the sort of move that would fit in with President Nicolas Sarkozy’s proactive industrial policy designed to promote new French global leaders.
Peugeot in the past has always treasured its standalone strategy. Mr Streiff, however, has hinted this could change with the group becoming more open to alliances and mergers. As for Mr Ghosn, instead of continuing to woo his American girlfriend, perhaps he should start turning his attention to the girl next door.
Peu de chances selon moi que ça ait lieu, mais l'idée ne serait pas mauvaise...
Renault-Peugeot link could give Sarkozy a champion
By Paul Betts
Published: September 18 2007 18:52 | Last updated: September 18 2007 18:52
Carlos Ghosn has not given up hope. The chief executive of Renault and Nissan continues to believe that a trilateral tie-up between his French and Japanese car groups with General Motors is “inevitable”.
There are no new negotiations taking place with the US manufacturer and none is likely in the immediate future. Renault and GM considered forging a transatlantic alliance but abandoned discussions last year, largely because GM’s management was not convinced this was in the best interest of the US company.
Yet, Mr Ghosn still thinks the strategy makes sense in the long term. He said so in a recent French newspaper interview although acknowledged there seemed little appetite for such a move at GM right now. He also suggested he was not interested in acquiring Volvo or Jaguar, both owned and put up for sale by Ford.
So, while he waits for his recalcitrant American sweetheart to make up her mind, he is focusing on Renault’s Commitment 2009 plan and Nissan’s Value Up project – both designed to improve margins and make the two more competitive.
His domestic rival, Peugeot-Citroën, is also engaged under Christian Streiff, its new chief executive, in a similar exercise, dubbed Cap 2010, to reduce costs, develop models more quickly and double profits.
The problem for both French car manufacturers is that they continue to struggle in an oversaturated European market where they are facing tough competition from resurgent rivals such as Volkswagen and Fiat.
Under the circumstances, can France afford the luxury of two volume manufacturers? The idea of combining Renault and Peugeot has so far been a taboo subject. The rivalry between Renault, a former state-owned company in which the government still owns a 15 per cent stake, and family-controlled Peugeot has traditionally been fierce. But merging the two to create a single, more competitive French champion could be just the sort of move that would fit in with President Nicolas Sarkozy’s proactive industrial policy designed to promote new French global leaders.
Peugeot in the past has always treasured its standalone strategy. Mr Streiff, however, has hinted this could change with the group becoming more open to alliances and mergers. As for Mr Ghosn, instead of continuing to woo his American girlfriend, perhaps he should start turning his attention to the girl next door.
Peu de chances selon moi que ça ait lieu, mais l'idée ne serait pas mauvaise...
