Nissan is preparing to sell off its 5% stake in French automaker Renault. The Japanese manufacturer plans to use the approximately $640 million in revenue it will earn from this sale in new vehicle development investments. The statement on the subject was made by Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa to the Japan-based Nikkei newspaper.

Nissan decides to reduce its stake in Renault

The company’s recent economic difficulties were influential in the decision to sell. Nissan could not achieve the expected sales performance, especially in major markets such as China and North America. The 2024 fiscal year ended with a loss for the company. During this process, 9,000 employees were laid off and a decision was made to cut global production capacity by 20%.

Nissan, which has been in a strategic partnership with Renault for many years, is considered a remarkable development for reducing its share in the partnership by selling these shares. This move by the company stands out not only as a step to create financial resources, but also as a strategy to gradually distance itself from Renault.

In the last quarter of 2024, talks were initiated for a possible mega-merger between Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi. If this merger were to happen, it would have created the world’s third largest automotive group.

However, at the beginning of 2025, the talks were suspended due to Honda’s condition that Nissan become a direct subsidiary. Despite the interruption of the process, the contact between the parties has not completely ended. According to internal sources, a possible collaboration with Honda may be on the agenda again.

With the new CEO Ivan Espinosa taking office, it is expected that such strategic collaborations will be put on the table again. So what do you think about this issue? You can share your views with us in the comments section below.