Nissan and Crysler teem up with Versa

[alonsorules8]

According to Forbes.com Under the Original Equipment Manufacturers arrangement Nissan will supply 30,000 Versa's to Chrysler a year. Beginning as early as this year.

It will be weird to see Versa's with Chrysler badging.

[XterraVersa]

But it may bring more aftermarket support for the Versa.

[Rockhound]

Can't say I'm too hot on the deal. Chrysler is on their last leg, literally. Cerberus (the investment group that bought Chrysler from DaimlerBenz) and the new CEO (Bob Nardelli) are learning that it's pretty rough running an already ailing domestic car company. They've already slashed four models (Crossfire, Pacifica, PT Cruiser convertible, and Magnum). There's even been talk about importing (horribly crappy) Chinese cars from automaker Chery. I wouldn't be too surprised if Chrysler 'went away' in a year or two. Most industry analysts think that at least one of the "Big 3" won't make it to 2010 or so.

Frankly, I'd rather not have the Versa associated with Chrysler...but at least I know it's a Nissan vehicle. Maybe if they brand it as a Dodge they'll squeeze a Hemi in it - because that makes every car better (sarcasm).

[BBISHOPPCM]

I honestly feel there is more positive in this... for once, Chrysler will have a decent, reliable vehicle; and the Versa will see even more wide-spread use.

[BBISHOPPCM]

http://www.forbes.com/markets/....html Here is the full article; they specifically stated that this will not be a full-on partnership, so Chrysler won't have much of a chance to sink Nissan when their company goes under Titanic-style.

[Mr. LS]

http://www.forbes.com/markets/....html Here is the full article; they specifically stated that this will not be a full-on partnership, so Chrysler won't have much of a chance to sink Nissan when their company goes under Titanic-style.

Please forgive my ignorance, but I did not see anything in that article about the Versa, only stating having an engine around 1.8 liters. I think they might be talking about one of there other small cars like the Micra or something, not the Versa, but who knows, right now it is just hearsay.

[BBISHOPPCM]

I find it likely that they will use the B platform with the MR18DE engine (versa chassis and drivetrain) with a custom testosterone-pumped body designed by or for Chrysler. The Micra is not yet available in the US, so the odds are in the Versa's favor.

[reyes1212]

I hope this opens up many more aftermarket options!!!

[Ever Victorious]

As much as I dislike current (and most past) Chrysler products, I don't think it would be a good thing to see them go under. They still have been holding on to old ideals about cars for far too long, and then they threw all their weight behind Hemi products as gas prices were shooting through the roof.

If it's a viable stop-gap to get them back on their feet so they can have another crack at American ingenuity, I'm for it. Especially if it increases the chance of aftermarket parts for the Versa.

[XterraVersa]

There's even been talk about importing (horribly crappy) Chinese cars from automaker Chery.

I can see the lead paint recalls already...

[BBISHOPPCM]

If the Toyota Yaris is the most dangerous car on the road.... what does that make the Chery? Seriously, have you seen the test video?

[Ever Victorious]

Wow, i just had a weird thought.

Renault invested heavily in AMC to help prop them up, but in the end Renault sold AMC to Chrysler in 1987.

Renault and Nissan are parterned, and now they may be helping to prop up Chrysler. In 2007.

Smells familiar.

[MinisterofDOOM]

with a custom testosterone-pumped body designed by or for Chrysler.

Testosterone pumped like this



Or this



Or this

[Rockhound]

^ Hilarious.

...and then they threw all their weight behind Hemi products as gas prices were shooting through the roof.

Typical American 'ingenuity'. Just like when Ford was bathing in cash in the 90s, instead of, oh, reinvesting that stash into stale products like the worn-out Taurus and Escort, they went on a spending spree and bought up Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin, Volvo, and a chunk of Mazda. During that time, they let the Taurus wither on the vine with modest 'cosmetic' changes, eventually killing the nameplate (only to resurrect it for the failing 500). How could you let America's best selling car (at one time) get so bad? Now they wonder why people are still choosing the Camcordaltima over the Fusion. Hmmmm, I wonder...

Now that Ford is on the ropes (just not quite as dire as bankruptcy-watch @ GM or deathwatch @ Chrysler) they're selling off those brands right and left to try and 'slim down' to a more 'profitable' beast. Big 3 decision makers keep looking like fools, year after year.

[blindsnyper]

they have the same thread in gen chat ( zerothread/305275) and well...

Ah....a badge that fits the little POS

bastard

hear is the link they had http://www.autoblog.com/2008/0...erica/

[Rockhound]

bastard

You can dish it out, but can't take it, huh?

Back to the subject at hand, Reuters reports that the Chrysler-badged Versa would be sold in South America in 2009 - doesn't sound like a domestically available rebadge. On the other hand, Nissan is trying to get Dodge to build them full-size trucks for the US market. That thing got a hemi?

[themadscientist]

versa+hemi?

[Andrews Chalmers]

What these deals do is reduce the pressure on Nissan sales (because what Chrysler is doing is committing itself to purchasing a fixed amount in relatively predictable schedules).

There's no way that Chrysler can take Nissan down in this deal. It is at most a joint venture (although I don't see any joint-investment mentioned) - more like a structured sale/re-badging business.

[blindsnyper]

You can dish it out, but can't take it, huh?

nope

versa+hemi?

no, id rather see the versa with the 2.4L turbocharged caliber engine

[BBISHOPPCM]

The 1980's Nissan Z-24 engine (used in the Pathfinder, Pickup, Stanza, and the mass-recalled Van) was advertised as being a "Hemi" (as it actually does have hemispherical combustion chambers). Never knew it foreshadowed a joint venture....

[MinisterofDOOM]

On the other hand, Nissan is trying to get Dodge to build them full-size trucks for the US market. That thing got a hemi?

I would have absolutely no objection to a Cummins-powered 1-ton Titan.