Reuters reports Wednesday morning, citing three unnamed sources, that Japanese automaker, Nissan (TYO:7201) and France’s Renault Group (EPA:RENA) are gearing up to announce a restructured alliance in the coming days. According to the report, the two companies have finalized the deal, capping 10 months of tense negotiations.
"Nissan and Renault are engaged in constructive and ongoing negotiations. We will make a statement in due course when the agreements are concluded," the Japanese company said in a statement.
The automakers announced a framework agreement in February and had aimed to finalize negotiations as early as March but was delayed when senior Nissan executives and some directors challenged detailed provisions of the deal.
Under the original framework, Nissan would take as much as 15% of Renault's new electric vehicle unit, Ampere, while Renault would reduce its 43% stake in Nissan.
Talks have also been delayed due to a separate issue involving allegations against Nissan's chief executive Makoto Uchida. Uchida has been accused of carrying out surveillance of his then-deputy, Ashwani Gupta, after Gupta voiced opposition to some terms of the new Renault partnership.
Gupta, who held the position of chief operating officer and was considered a strong contender for the role of Nissan's CEO, left the company in June. The board is awaiting the final report on the surveillance claims.