LONDON -- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is in advanced discussions to forge extensive ties with Renault, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing multiple people informed on the talks.
The paper said the automakers were seeking to join forces to tackle structural challenges facing the global auto industry.
An agreement might ultimately lead FCA to join the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance in the future, some of these people added, while also warning that this outcome would mean taking a complicated path that would involve winning over Nissan.
FCA has also been holding cooperation talks with PSA Group about sharing platforms but the talks with Renault have moved beyond sharing technology and have advanced faster than those with PSA, the FT said.
The discussions are ongoing and could still fall apart, the sources told the paper, cautioning that a number of structures and options are being considered. It is unclear to what extent Nissan has been involved so far in the discussions, the paper said.
The paper cited Renault and FCA as declining to comment and said a spokesman for Nissan did not reply to a request for comment.
Renault spokespeople did not return phone calls seeking comment.
