The good folks over at PickupTruck.com picked up on this interesting press release from Chrysler. It looks as though Chrysler LLC will be building on its relationship with Nissan Motors by building a full-sized trucks for the Japanese-European automaker. Dodge, as you all know, just came out with the new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Nissan's largest truck is the half ton Titan, which is seriously aging. Should we therefore assume that the truck is going to be a half ton replacement for the Titan? Possibly, but according to PickupTruck.com the Salitllo plant, which is slated for this future production, currently makes the three-quarter and one-ton Dodge Rams. Is Nissan moving up? Details are scarce, but it looks as though Cerberus has found a way to build more cars without having to worry about selling them. Press release below the jump.(UPDATE#1, it looks as though the truck will be a full size light duty replacement for the Nissan Titan. UPDATE#2 We just got off of a conference call with Chrysler's Tom LaSorda regarding the new Chrysler-Nissan deal, which involves a small and fuel-efficient vehicle for Chrysler built by Nissan and likely a Ram-based full-sized light duty replacement for the Nissan Titan in 2011. The small vehicle will be sold in North American and Europe for 2010. In both cases, the styling and design comes from the other company. The Dodge vehicle is apparently already designed and was built in the Japanese Oppama plan, which also makes the Nissan Cube. Is the Chrysler-based car Cube-based?)
Chrysler Will Make Full Size Truck for Nissan
AUBURN HILLS, Mich / TOKYO (April 14, 2008) - Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced two new agreements for the supply of products between both companies. In January, Nissan agreed to supply Chrysler with a new car based on the Nissan Versa sedan for limited distribution in South America on an Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) basis in 2009.
This new OEM exchange benefits both companies through range extension and the utilization of global manufacturing capacity. Highlights of the new agreement:
Nissan will manufacture an all-new, fuel-efficient small car based on a unique Chrysler concept and design. This new segment entry for Chrysler will be sold in North America, Europe and other global markets in 2010, and manufactured at Nissan's Oppama Plant in Japan.
Chrysler will manufacture a full-size pickup for Nissan. Based on a Nissan unique design, this truck will be manufactured at Chrysler's Saltillo (Mexico) Assembly Plant. In order to accommodate this product, Chrysler will shift volume from Mexico to its U.S.-based assembly plants that produce pickup trucks. Sales of the pickup in North America will start in 2011.
This latest OEM supply agreement extends a long standing product exchange relationship between the two corporations, with Nissan affiliate JATCO already supplying Chrysler with transmissions since 2004.
"Forging the right tactical partnerships is critical to the long-term success of Chrysler," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler LLC President and Vice Chairman. "It also builds on the Company's inherent strengths, including the ability to respond rapidly and creatively to emerging opportunities."
"In January, we said we would continue to look for additional OEM opportunities with Chrysler," said Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Company. "This latest agreement builds on Nissan's proven track record to deliver win-win product exchanges with multiple manufacturers around the world," continued Tavares.
Since the signing of the first OEM agreement in January, the two companies have also agreed to maintain an open dialogue to explore further product-sharing opportunities.
[Chrysler/Nissan via PickupTruck.com]