Nissan, Daimler-Benz Consider Truck Alliance

Nissan Motor Co. said today that it is in talks with Germany’s Daimler-Benz on a partnership to make and sell trucks and commercial vans, including a possible sale of shares in truck maker Nissan Diesel Motor Co.

Nissan Motor, Japan’s second-largest car maker, holds a 39.8% controlling share in Nissan Diesel.

Nissan Motor and Nissan Diesel said in a statement that they had been considering the alliance for several months and there was no time limit for the talks. “The three companies will continue with their talks to explore a cooperative business relationship in the days ahead.”

They added that an alliance with Daimler could extend beyond components currently under consideration.

The statement said no decision had been made on whether Daimler would take an equity stake in Nissan Diesel, although a spokesman later confirmed that the current talks included the possibility of it doing so.

Japanese media reports on Sunday said that Nissan Motor was in talks with Daimler to sell such a stake and that a deal could be reached by June.

Both companies had previously declined to comment.

Nissan Diesel and Nissan Motor are struggling with shrinking sales, while Daimler, which plans to merge with U.S. auto maker Chrysler Corp., is eager to boost its position in Asia.