Daimler and Renault-Nissan are undertaking a joint feasibility study into a new front-wheel drive platform.

Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show, Nissan technical chief Andy Palmer revealed that the new architecture was being looked at as a successor to the current range of Mercedes models based on its MFA platform, including the A-class and GLA and also a whole range of future Renaults, Nissans and Infinitis.

The so-called JC1 (joint compact first generation) structure is planned to support at least two different wheelbase lengths, varying track widths and both front- and four-wheel-drive layouts, as our sister magazine, Autocar UK revealed earlier this year.

"Daimler needs an MFA successor and we need more cars in that segment," said Palmer. "There’s now a study to see if we can develop a joint platform. Step two would be common manufacturing, which is also part of the study."

Daimler and Renault-Nissan are planning to team up on the current MFA architecture, with the new Infiniti Q30 being planned to be spun off the platform in 2015 and built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant.