Japanese automaker Mitsubishi->ke58 is reportedly seeking a partnership with Nissan->ke62 that would help it develop a new mid-size sedan for the U.S. market. According to Automotive News, quoting a company source, Nissan has begun discussions with Mitsubishi, after the latter's talks with Renault,->ke72 Nissan's long-time alliance partner, broke down. Although Mitsubishi didn't confirm the rumor, a company spokesman did admit the automaker is looking for partners to help with R&D and production costs.

There is no word as to when such a partnership will come to fruition, much less when a new Mitsubishi mid-size will arrive in dealerships, but Nissan's D platform seems to be the most likely candidate for such a sedan. The platform underpins a range of Nissan-Renault alliance models, including the Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, and the Infiniti QX60.

A new mid-size would be Mitsubishi's first such vehicle in the U.S since the discontinuation of the Galant in 2012. Manufactured in North America, the ninth-generation Galant->ke372 was offered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.8-liter V-6 engine with up to 258 horsepower. The final Galant rolled off the assembly line in August 2012.

Click past the jump to read more about a possible Nissan-Mitsu car venture.

Why it matters

While this is far from an official company announcement, the news of a replacement for the Galant comes at a time when Mitsubishi desperately needs new products in the U.S. With a lineup consisting of only five nameplates and no cars larger than the compact Lancer,->ke1122 a mid-size sedan seems like a great idea for a manufacturer that's struggling to relaunch itself in the world's most competitive market.

As far as a possible Nissan-Mitsubishi cooperation is concerned, it wouldn't be the first time the two companies work together. Interestingly enough, the Japan-spec Galant, which was discontinued in 2005, was replaced by a rebadged Nissan Fuga, underpinned by the same FM-L platform used by the Infiniti G35->ke1384 and G37. The sedan is currently being sold as the Proudia, a nameplate Mitsubishi revived in 2012 after an 11-year hiatus.