Some Details about Announced Nissan – Chrysler Partnership

A few days ago we had a telephone talk with Nissan’s VP of Corporate Communications and asked a few questions in regard with their rumored and recently announced partnership with Chrysler LLC. According to the terms of this partnership Chrysler builds a full-size truck for the Japanese automaker at its Mexico plant and Nissan in its turn builds for Chrysler a small car at its plant in Japan.
The official has not revealed much information as these projects will be completed only in 2010 and 2011 some aspects were clarified.
In regard with the engine type used for Titan (we are not aware whether Nissan will change the truck name) the official told us that partnership with Chrysler will allow the Japanese automaker offer more options to its customers. That’s why the next-gen truck can be powered not only by Nissan’s VK56 V8but also by one of engines offered by Chrysler. Also Nissan will be able to expand the range of options currently offered by the Titan. Regarding the design of this truck it will be almost completely changed to position the Titan as purely Nissan’s vehicle.

Speaking about the small car it will be manufactured on the basis of Chrysler’s design project so we did not manage to get much information about it. As there is no official information I regard with whether this car will be a front-wheel-drive, we asked whether at least a chance that it can be rear-wheel-drive. Currently Nissan’s plants located in Oppama deal mostly with front-wheel-drive vehicles manufacturing (such cars as the Tiida/Versa, Cube, Note and March) we can assume that Chrysler’s small car will also be the same. However this small detail has not confirmed yet by anyone.
So despite of all the information received it is not enough, of course, to imagine these new cars that’s why all we can do is just wait until the two automakers represent us their brainchildren.