The coronavirus pandemic buffeting the auto industry may prove to be a watershed moment for the alliance of Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp., as they prepare deep cost cuts to survive.

The car-making trio is set to unveil Wednesday a series of measures aimed at closer operational integration. These were promised at the start of the year, and have been made more urgent by the steep drop in sales and unprecedented production halts rocking the sector.

After coming close to breaking up last year, the partnership could instead be crucial for the companies to endure the global health crisis.