New developments and revival in the rebirth of Nissan

• Patrick PÉLATA
  Member of the Nissan board In charge of product strategy,design and programme directors
  

Summary

In 1999, Renault announced its take-over of Nissan and the creation of the Alliance. In July, Patrick Pélata was one of the team sent to Japan by Carlos Ghosn to put new life into the company. Three months later, the team announced extremely ambitious objectives outlined in a cost-reduction plan : these objectives were to be achieved in the space of two years and the company would then enter a new growth phase. Patrick Pélata tells his story of this 'rebirth', and shows that it was the result of a delicate mix of fundamental elements peculiar to Nissan and to Japanese culture, tried and tested management rules common to western companies - the so-called 'revival' - and, perhaps, new management techniques - 'new developments'. The experience can also be summarised by demonstrating that using rigorous and creative means, one can devote all one's confidence and sparkle to a company which is not doing well.

Summary translated from French by Rachel MARLIN.

• The entire article was written by Thomas PARIS and translated by Rachel MARLIN.

To obtain this article, you can :

• download it for free in French (PDF help) or contact ecopar@paris.ensmp.fr (Reference RT270303).
• download it for free in English (PDF help) or contact ecopar@paris.ensmp.fr (Reference RT270303-ENG).

The entire article appears in French in the Journal de l'École de Paris du management N° 43.