France, Jan. 30 -- French automobile company Renault is to trim its holding in Japanese partner Nissan as part of a deal rebalancing the troubled alliance between the two companies. The deal will also see Nissan take a stake in Renault's new electric vehicle venture Ampere.

The agreement comes after months of negotiations.

The companies described Monday's announcement as "an important milestone" on the road to defining a new basis for their partnership.

The agreement is intended to "strengthen the ties of the alliance and maximise value creation", a statement issued simultaneously by both companies said.

Renault will reduce its stake from 43.4 percent to 15 percent, the same size as Nissan's stake in its French counterpart, in what th...