Nissan Consolidates to 5 Major Platforms

Platform consolidation, often with equity-partner Renault SA, marks the current phase of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s recovery, as it tailors its lineup to versatile, global manufacturing plants.

When Nissan entered recovery mode in 1999, it had 24 platforms, five of which accounted for 62% of output. Nissan's goal, by 2005, is to cut platforms to 15, with the five highest-volume platforms comprising 91% of global output.

Two of those platforms, the B and C segments jointly developed with Renault, will top 1 million units annually when Renault production is included, a Nissan executive says.

In 1999, only one platform — the MS — accounted for production of more than 300,000 vehicles annually, Nissan says.

The front-engine, front-wheel-drive B-platform will be the largest — used by Nissan and Renault. Nissan's Cube, March and Micra currently are based on the B-platform.