Nissan to Sell 5% Stake in Renault, Raising ¥100 Billion to Boost EV R&D

Nissan Motor plans to offload 5% of its stake in French partner Renault, a move expected to raise approximately ¥100 billion (around USD 670 million). The proceeds will be directed toward accelerating new vehicle development, as the company navigates a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

The decision follows the revised Alliance Agreement in April, which lowered the minimum cross-shareholding threshold from 15% to 10%, enabling this strategic capital adjustment.

By shedding the stake, Nissan not only ends its investment obligation in Renault’s EV unit Ampere but also secures the right to rebalance its holdings. CEO Ivan Espinosa, who assumed the role in April, emphasized that the reallocation of capital is part of building a more resilient business model in the face of mounting industry challenges.

Moody’s recently downgraded Nissan’s credit rating to junk status, making this financial move a critical step. Earlier in March, Renault relieved Nissan from a €600 million investment obligation in Ampere and took over their Indian joint venture, freeing Nissan to refocus on core operations.

As global auto competition intensifies, this move could reshape the Renault-Nissan alliance’s power dynamic and signal a shift toward Nissan’s independent R&D ambitions.