Tokyo (AFP)

Renault officials tried Wednesday to reassure their Japanese partner Nissan on the project of marriage of the French group with the Italian-American manufacturer Fiat Chrysler (FCA) which, if it succeeds, will upset the balances of the alliance.

They met for operational advice at Nissan's headquarters in Yokohama, a suburb of Tokyo, in the presence of officials from the third member of the group, Mitsubishi Motors.

"There has been frank and transparent discussions on FCA's recent proposal to Renault," they said in a brief statement issued after the meeting.

"The meeting went well," a French source close to the talks told AFP. Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard "spoke at length" with Nissan boss Hiroto Saikawa.

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors "are open to technology sharing, there are still a lot of things to think about but they are open," added the source.

On arrival Tuesday at the airport, Mr. Senard had delivered a message of optimism: "I think all these recent events are very good for the alliance, and I will ensure that Nissan and Mitsubishi take full advantage ".

Fiat Chrysler on Monday presented a proposal for a merger with Renault, which said "consider with interest the opportunity of such a rapprochement".

- Nissan in the blur -

The operation raises many questions about the future of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance, born in 1999 and weakened by the ousting of its builder Carlos Ghosn, following his arrest in November in Japan for suspicions of financial malpractices.

"We believe the benefits (...) will also extend to Alliance partners, Mitsubishi and Nissan," said FCA boss Mike Manley.

Including Nissan and Mitsubishi, the merger would create a total of nearly 16 million vehicles - far ahead of the German giant Volkswagen (10.6 million) and Toyota (10.59 million) - which would be in a strong position to address the changes automotive industry (electrification, autonomous driving, connected vehicles ...).

At Nissan, which is wondering what would be his place in this new team, the announcement was initially greeted with reservations, even skepticism for some, while the Japanese manufacturer had rejected an offer to merge with Renault to focus on his recovery.

In front of the press, his boss Hiroto Saikawa was rather open to the idea, considering that an extension of the current partnership could be positive. "But I want to take a close look at the project with Nissan's interests at heart," he said before the meeting, according to reports from local media.

It was the second operational council of the alliance, a structure created in March to try to make a fresh start after the tumults caused by the scandal Ghosn. He had met for the first time on April 12 in Paris.

This collegial governance is composed, in addition to MM. Senard and Saikawa, Renault Executive Director Thierry Bolloré, and Mitsubishi Motors CEO Osamu Masuko.

Renault owns 43% of Nissan, which in turn owns 15% of Renault, but without voting rights, and 34% of Mitsubishi Motors.

Moreover, in the face of criticism, Mr. Saikawa, Ghosn's former loyal fan, recently announced to investors that he would halve his compensation this year for failing to prevent alleged financial malpractices. the group today blames the fallen car magnate.

? 2019 AFP