TOKYO (AP) – Suzuki Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. are considering sharing the production of cars in Russia and Brazil, according to a report Saturday in the Japanese business daily Nihon Keizai.
Nissan may produce cars for Suzuki in Brazil, where Nissan started production in 2001, as well as at its new plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, which is slated to start production in 2009, the report said.
The newspaper did not cite sources but said the companies are studying a plan for Nissan to produce medium-sized Suzuki-brand cars at Nissan's St. Petersburg plant, which will have a production capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually.
They are also considering a plan for Nissan to make Suzuki cars in Brazil where Nissan has been manufacturing pickup trucks and SUVs, the report said.
Nissan and Suzuki officials were not available for comment Saturday.
Nissan, which has an alliance with Renault SA of France, and Suzuki, a Japanese automaker that specializes in minicars, have said that they will also share production facilities in emerging markets, starting at Suzuki's plant in India.