The statement from Ford, the Renault-Nissan alliance and Daimler stressed the geographic spread of the firms.

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Ghosn, in fact, explicitly says the Renault-Nissan alliance someday could be expanded to include a North American carmaker.

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"This decision does not at all call into question the electric vehicle strategy of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, " the company said in a statement.

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Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of the Renault-Nissan alliance, said he wants his companies to move just as quickly as any Silicon Valley start-up.

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We are writing to advise you that Tracinda Corporation has asked the Board of Directors of General Motors Corporation to form a committee to immediately and fully explore, together with management, participating in the Renault-Nissan partnership-alliance.

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Despite falling short of its goals, however, the Nissan- Renault alliance increased sales in 2012 by 83 percent.

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