Nissan Motor is open to a green car alliance with Chinese automakers, a senior executive said on Saturday, as it moves to tap the fledgling industry in the world's largest auto market. Nissan, 44 percent held by Renault SA, is joining General Motors and others in the race for green vehicles which industry observers say could be the next industry gold mine.
"It's impossible to develop electric vehicles alone. Joint effort is a more feasible solution," Yasuaki Hashimoto, president of Nissan China Investment Co, said in an interview on the sidelines of an industry event in the northern municipality of Tianjin. When asked whether Nissan was interested in being part of a green vehicle alliance, made up of 16 Chinese state auto groups, Hashimoto said: "We are open to all options."
"Mr Li had also said the alliance won't stop at the existing 16 member companies only. It can be expanded," Hashimoto said, referring to Li Rongrong, head of China's state asset watchdog who has recently retired.