Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. are considering investing in alliance partner Renault SA's new electric vehicle company Ampere, the French automaker said Tuesday.

Renault, which has been reviewing its decades-long capital tie-up with Nissan, unveiled the EV business spinoff as part of its group strategy update.

Renault said it is considering listing the new company in Europe in the second half of 2023.

Nissan's interest in the EV venture comes as it discusses with Renault a plan for the French automaker to reduce its stake in the Japanese company from 43 percent to 15 percent in a move to allow Nissan more autonomy.

Nissan, which also holds a 15 percent stake in Renault without voting rights due to French regulations, has sought to reduce its smaller partner's influence, calling the structure, which has lasted for more than 20 years, "unequal."

Nissan agreed with Mitsubishi Motors in 2019 to join forces under a new company controlled by major trading company Mitsubishi Corp. to escape Renault's influence, but the plan was put on hold following the resignation of Nissan's president at the time, sources familiar with the matter have said.

==Kyodo

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