We’ve seen reports just last week claiming that Honda and Nissan are in talks for a merger, and that the two companies were considering signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to that end. In a joint statement, the two Japanese car makers have announced that the MoU signing has happened.
With the statement though, it’s clear that these talks are in about as early a stage as possible. In the statement, Honda’s director Toshihiro Mibe says that “we are still at the stage of starting our review, and we have not decided on a business integration yet”. That’s set to change by “the end of January 2025”.
Also included in the statement are the goals of the potential merger, which include standardising vehicle platforms, integration of R&D, optimising manufacturing systems and facilities and improving operational efficiency. These sound like cost-cutting measures, which is understandable considering the financials of the Nissan half of the equation.
The very first goal suggests that there may be a homogenisation of cars made by the two brands as well. For what it’s worth, should the merger go through, both Honda and Nissan will be subsidiaries to the parent joint holding company, so they may still operate under their own names.
(Source: Honda)
