In December, 2001, Louis Schweitzer, Renault Chairman and CEO, and Carlos Ghosn, Nissan President and CEO, opened the new LCV assembly plant built on Renault's industrial complex in Sao Jose dos Pinhais, Parana, Brazil. The new plant was designed to assemble the Renault Master van from year-end 2001 and began production of Nissan's Frontier pickup in May 2002.

In September 2002, Nissan entered the competitive but vibrant Chinese market by signing a strategic partnership agreement with DongFeng Motor Corporation (Dongfeng). A new company was formed with 50% equity participation from each party. Operation commenced in July 2003. The new company incorporated Dongfeng's buses, trucks and commercial vehicles and the full range of Nissan passenger vehicles. In March 2007, to take advantage of the growing LCV market in China, Nissan entered into another joint venture agreement with Dongfeng Motor Company Limited. Zhengzhou Nissan Automotive Company was formed for growth and development of Nissan branded LCVs for the Chinese market.

In March 2003, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced a basic agreement through which Mitsubishi Motors would supply its "Minicab" (popularly known by the name Clipper), mini-commercial vehicle to Nissan on an Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) basis. In April 2007, the OEM agreement was expanded to include cross supply of products. Under the expanded OEM agreement, Mitsubishi would supply Nissan with the “TOWNBOX” minicar and Nissan would supply Mitsubishi with the “AD and AD Expert” car derived vans. Both companies benefited from improved productivity through expanded economies of scale, and offer their respective customers a wider range of products.

In January 2005, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Mazda Motor Corp. signed an agreement to continue Nissan's OEM supply of LCVs to Mazda. Since 1994, Nissan has been supplying the AD Van to Mazda, which badges it as the Familia Van. Based on this agreement, supply of the next-generation AD Van to Mazda commenced in the second half of 2006.

In January 2007, Nissan and Renault Trucks S.A.S., a unit of the Volvo Group, signed a Supply Agreement to start Nissan's OEM supply of light duty truck (LDT) to Renault Trucks in Europe. The LDT vehicle supplied is based on the new generation Nissan Cabstar and Atlas.

In 2005, Nissan entered into a collaboration with German conglomerate ZF Friedrichshafen AG for developing hybrid technology systems. As a first, the Cabstar Hybrid prototype was presented at the Hanover Motor Show in 2006. The two companies continue to develop the technology with a view to possible future production of Nissan Hybrid LCVs.

Recently Nissan has entered into a partnership agreement with ZF Friedrichshafen AG for the development and supply of an automatic transmission for vehicles to be launched in the US market from the year 2010. ZF already supplies various components to the LCV Business unit globally and is a strategic partner of the Nissan LCV Business Unit.

As part of its plan to enhance the LCV business in Europe, Nissan entered into a series of national agreements with Volvo Trucks Dealers in 2006 and 2007. Nissan offers them the Nissan franchise to sell the higher end of its LCV line up (Interstar, Cabstar and Atleon) thus enhancing sales networks with highly professional dealers.

In October 2007, Ashok Leyland of India and Nissan signed a Master Cooperation Agreement to form three joint venture companies for manufacture of LCVs in India. The plant with 100,000 LCV capacity in a first phase will be ready to roll out the first vehicle by 2011-2012.

Nissan has partnered with Cummins Inc. for the development and supply of two diesel engines which will meet 2010 EPA and CARB emissions standards. The engines will be tailored specifically for Nissan and will equip vehicles to be launched in the North American market from 2010.