Nissan said today it would take a 13.5 per cent stake in France's Renault to strengthen ties between the partners.
The figure is lower than a planned stake of 15 per cent announced in October. Analysts have attributed the change to a rise in Renault's share price and a weaker yen.
Nissan said it retains the right to increase its stake in Renault up to 15 per cent and would consider a supplemental move after closing its books for the current financial year and finalising its forecasts for 2002/03.
The deal is subject to approval by an extraordinary meeting of Renault shareholders scheduled for today.