Chrysler Ends Joint Venture with Nissan

Waiting for a Dodge-engineered Nissan Titan? We wouldn’t, especially after reading a joint statement issued by Nissan and Chrysler this afternoon thatproclaims all vehicle projects between the two companies are no more.

<P class=MsoNormal>“For the past several months,” the statement reads, “teams from both companies have been studying the viability of the projects in light of significant changes in business conditions.

<P class=MsoNormal>“Today, it was decided it was in the best interests of both companies to end the projects.”

<P class=MsoNormal>Not only does this split end the possibility of a Ram-based Titan, but it also kills any plans Nissan may have had to supply small cars to Chrysler–not surprising, as B- and C-segment compact cars are a strength of Chrysler’s latest corporate overlord, Fiat SpA. Chrysler had planned on selling a rebadged Versa as the Dodge Trazo in Sotuh America, and would have built a Nissan-based small car for North America in 2010 or 2011.

<P class=MsoNormal>Although the partnership seems to have dissolved, Chrysler still has active agreements with JATCO, a Nissan “partner” (much in the same way that Delphi is a GM “partner”) responsible for building continuously variable transmissions.