Joint ventures are becoming very popular with carmakers as they seek to share expensive development costs and pool expertise. Chrysler and Nissan have announced a new collaboration agreement, which will see two new vehicles that they will build for each other. First off, Nissan will use its small car expertise to build an all-new fuel efficient compact Chrysler (possibly based on the Eco Voyager concept - pictured), which will be sold in Europe and America from 2010. Going in the other direction, Chrysler will produce a full-size pick-up based on a Nissan design, for the North American market due to go on sale in 2011.

Meanwhile Toyota are also getting in on the collaboration act and have announced a joint venture with Subaru, to develop a sports car which should also be in showrooms by 2011. The car will be built at a Subaru factory but will be marketed by the two carmakers with different badges and names.