The holiday weekend began with the news that Kirk Kerkorian's front organization is trying to play yenta for the decidedly non-traditional marriage of Renault, Nissan and ... GM.
What's really behind this is Kerkorian's attempt -- which is not at all misguided -- to get Renault/Nissan brainiac Carlos Ghosn into the Renaissance Center, and work some of the magic that's put Nissan back in the black and into many garages around the world. If you like the Altima, Murano, 350Z, and most of the Infinitis now on the market, you can thank Ghosn.
As usual with a Kerkorian idea, though, this one has only a passing relationship with reality. Because really, why would Renault/Nissan want anything to do with GM?
Think about it: Nissan is a global car company with several world-class platforms, one of the best engines on this planet in their ubiquitous V6, and some of the most efficient plants in the industry. Why on earth would it want to tie up with a company that's still building the Buick Rendezvous? That still offers only a four-speed automatic on most of its domestic lineup? I mean, seriously?
Besides, the last time a Renault concern tied up with an American car company, it produced ... the Renault Alliance/Encore. When was the last time you saw one of THOSE on the road?
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