Purchasing

The RNPO (Renault-Nissan Purchasing Organization) joint venture:

• defines worldwide purchasing strategy by product family,
• selects the best suppliers on the basis of quality, costs and delivery times,
• combines Renault and Nissan order volumes and develop component standardization.

In 2007, RNPO covered 83% of Renault and Nissan purchases.

Engineering

Interchangeable components
The Alliance has adopted a policy of interchangeable components. This consists of using the same parts or fittings on different models, across several platforms and segments. The sharing of components improves cost efficiency and enhances manufacturing flexibility while preserving the specific identity of each brand and model.

Shared powertrain components
Cooperation in the common use and development of engines and transmissions within the Alliance is accelerating.

> Download the diagram of shared powertrain components

Advanced research and engineering
Renault and Nissan pool their resources to drive advances and offer new products in the following areas:

• fuel cell-powered vehicles and hybrid vehicles,
• materials,
• electronics and powertrains,
• safety.

Cross-production and commercial cooperation

Renault and Nissan leverage their complementarity in terms of geographic presence and expertise. The group which possesses leadership in a given region promotes the development of the other partner by providing active support in sales, marketing and/or production.

Examples of cooperation:

• Renault has been present in the Mexican market since 2000 with the Scénic and the Clio, which are produced in Nissan's plants in Cuernavaca and Aguascalientes,
• in 2004, Nissan began producing the Trafic (launched by Renault) in its Barcelona plant. This vehicle, the result of a joint project, is now marketed in three versions: Trafic (Renault), Primastar (Nissan) and Vivaro (Opel/Vauxhall),
• in late 2007, the Renault group launched the QM5 in South Korea, the Group's first cross-over vehicle. Designed and engineered by Renault, developed by Nissan and manufactured by Renault Samsung Motors in South Korea, it is an excellent example of cooperation!

Sharing best practices

Each company takes inspiration from its partner’s experiences to improve performance.

• Quality: the Alliance Quality Charter defines quality procedures and establishes joint tools. In addition, the Quality functional task team (FTT) studies the most efficient quality practices of both Renault and Nissan.
• Manufacturing: exchange of best practices and the joint development of the Renault Production System (SPR) and the Nissan Production Way (NPW).