Renault-Nissan alliance sells record 8.3 mn vehicles in 2013

The alliance between Nissan and Renault sold a record 8.3 million vehicles last year, giving it fourth spot among global automakers, new data showed today, as the pair reportedly boost ties to cut costs.

Nissan said it sold 5.1 million units globally in 2013, a 3.3 per cent rise from a year ago, while the French automaker earlier reported that it sold 2.63 million vehicles in 2013.

The group sold a total of 8.3 million vehicles last year, including sales by Russian affiliate AvtoVAZ, putting it behind top three automakers Toyota, General Motors and Germany's Volkswagen.

Last week, Toyota said it sold a record 9.98 million vehicles in 2013, its highest-ever annual sales volume, thanks to a weaker yen as well as strong demand in the United States and China, which is now the world's biggest car market.

The Camry sedan and Prius hybrid maker beat US-based GM, which sold 9.71 million cars last year, while Volkswagen logged annual sales of 9.5 million units.

The figures come after Japan's Nikkei business daily reported that Nissan and Renault plan to boost their alliance by bringing together production as well as research and development in a bid to save about USD 3.8 billion annually.

Despite their close links -- Renault is the Japanese automaker's biggest shareholder and they are both chaired by Carlos Ghosn -- the pair have operated largely independently of each other, except on parts procurement and engine development.