In early 2008, Nissan and Chrysler struck a deal that would share a full-size truck and a small car, with the intention of building up more cost-effective platforms in place of what both manufacturers had at the time. Then history happened, and in the face of rising costs and declining sales, Chrysler and Nissan have swept their previous small car and full-size pickup venture off the table, for now at least.
Nissan's move for their full-size pickup truck line was to use the new Dodge Ram for their next-generation Nissan Titan, starting in 2011. In return for using the Ram, Nissan was to prepare and manufacture Chrysler's Hornet small car for Chrysler's global markets beginning in 2010. Nissan's move to use the Ram for their Titan was attributed to the Titan proving to be an R&D drain, as the Nissan full-size did not turn out to be a star off the show floor.
With both manufacturers in the red and neither looking into an upswing within the near future, improving financial positions has become the primary objectives for both companies.
Source: Automotive News