Japanese carmakers extend supply agreement

MAZDA Motor Corporation has announced a new agreement to supply minivans to its Nissan Motor Company, expanding an ongoing supply accord between the two Japanese rivals.

The model will be based on Mazda’s Premacy minivan – known in other countries as the Mazda5 – and supply to Nissan under the new contract will commence in May this year.

Nissan said the model it will sell will be a “clearly differentiated” version of the Premacy and would only be sold in Japan.

Nissan and Mazda have existing mutual original equipment manufacturing (OEM) agreements, under which Mazda also provides the small Bongo van to Nissan, which sells it as the Nissan Vanette. Likewise, Nissan provides the AD/AD Expert van to Mazda for sale as the Mazda Familia Van.

Mazda markets the Premacy/Mazda5 in around 60 countries and regions globally, with cumulative production volume reaching over 885,000 units between March 1999 and December 2010.

Nissan said its OEM business involves a large number of automakers across the globe, with all schemes “ensuring win-win relationships that benefit both OEM suppliers and recipients”.

The company said this new agreement will also contribute to Renault-owned Nissan’s global investment efficiency.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the two companies said they will continue working with each other as major business partners and maintain their long-term relationship.