Report of Ford Calling to Ghosn for an Alliance

French car group Renault (RENA.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) had no comment on Wednesday on a report that Bill Ford had called its chairman and chief executive Carlos Ghosn to explore possible cooperation.

The Wall Street Journal Europe said Ford recently called Ghosn to say that if the Renault-Nissan alliance decided not to continue alliance talks with General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Ghosn should consider talking to Ford Motor Co (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

William Clay (Bill) Ford Jr is the president, chairman, chief executive and chief operating officer of the company founded by his great-grandfather.

Ghosn is chief executive at both Renault and Nissan (7201.T: Quote, NEWS, Research). "We have no information on any phone conversations between Ford and Mr Ghosn and cannot comment on the report," said a spokeswoman for Renault.



Limited teams of GM, Renault and Nissan executives are styduing the possible synergies of an alliance and will report back to Ghosn and General Motors Chief Executive Rick Wagoner by mid-October.

Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, the largest single shareholder in GM, suggested the three-way tie-up on June 30.


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PlanoA4 - 8/23/2006 12:07:08 PM

+1 Boost

Exactly, Ford knows they need help, GM appears to be too arrogant to figure that part out.

Rupert - 8/23/2006 7:24:50 PM

+1 Boost

renault nissan must be having the time of their lives; america's premier auto makers begging a french/japanese company that makes small cars and suvs for help.

oh, the irony, the french saving the americans.....

shiftless - 8/24/2006 11:36:36 AM

+1 Boost

Ford first didnt want to sell jaguar to Renault/Nissan because it claim that progress will continue on thier way foward movement.Since they dont have any buyers that are interested now.Maybe he still think Mr. ghosn might be able to bail them out.That is if they are still trying to acquire another luxery niche.

SteveL - 8/25/2006 12:36:55 PM

+1 Boost

GM executives never wanted and do not want a partnership with Renault/Nissan. That idiot that owns all that GM stock is the one that’s pushing for an alliance. GM continues to do much better. They do not need any partnership.
Ford on the other hand needs to at least get rid of Bill Ford. This guy does not have a clue.