--- title: "Nissan and Honda Could Merge and Take Mitsubishi With Them" date: "2024-12-17" modified: "2024-12-17" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/nissan-and-honda-could-merge-and-take-mitsubishi-with-them" categories: - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" --- # Nissan and Honda Could Merge and Take Mitsubishi With Them ![Nissan and Honda badges side by side, close up]() *\Josh Lefkowitz and Matt Cardy/Getty Images\* [Nissan]() and [Honda]() will soon begin merger negotiations, according to a report from Japanese business publication *[Nikkei]()* released on Tuesday. The two companies, along with Nissan partner Mitsubishi, are [already officially collaborating]() around electrification technology and software development. Challenges in scaling up EV manufacturing and maintaining profitability amid stiff industry competition are said to be major factors in the proposed union. Both automakers released identical statements in response to the news, saying, "As announced in March of this year, Honda and Nissan are exploring various possibilities for future collaboration, leveraging each other's strengths." Neither confirmed the beginning of merger talks, though both added that stakeholders will be notified of important updates at the appropriate time. The automakers may create a holding company and soon sign a memorandum of understanding, per *Nikkei*, and whatever deal results is expected to include Mitsubishi. Following the news, U.S.-listed Nissan and Honda shares were trading 9% and 1.2% higher on the day, respectively. ![Makoto Uchida (L), president and CEO of Japanese auto maker Nissan, and Toshihiro Mibe (R), director, president and representative executive officer of auto maker Honda, take part in a press conference in Tokyo on August 1, 2024. Japanese car manufacturers Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning a "strategic partnership" in the electric sector in the face of their common challenges in this area, the three groups announced on August 1. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)]() *Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida, left, and Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe take part in a press conference in Tokyo on August 1 following the announcement of the automakers' strategic partnership. *Richard A. Brooks/AFP via Getty Images** *Nikkei* cited the strength of Chinese EV makers and Tesla specifically as primary instigators for Honda and Nissan potentially joining forces. And while Honda's American subsidiary has posted solid numbers thus far through 2024, with total sales up 8.8% through the first nine months of the year, Nissan finds itself in a comparatively dire state. The average net profit for a U.S. Nissan dealership over the first half of 2024 was 70% less than during the same period in 2023, according to *[Automotive News]()*. An executive at the embattled automaker recently predicted the company [could only survive another 12 to 14 months as it exists today](), barring a miraculous business turnaround or a new partner swooping in with a safety net of cash. Honda could very well be that savior for Nissan. In fact, it was Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe who [reportedly raised the prospect]() of uniting the two automakers earlier this year, while they were already discussing working together on EVs. Should they merge, Japan's auto industry would primarily be the domain of two major players between them and Toyota, which owns about 20% of Subaru and 5% of Mazda. ![BURIRUM, THAILAND - 2014/10/05: Honda NSX CONCEPT-GT KEIHIN and Nisson GT-R CALSONIC IMPUL during practice session at Chang International Circuit in Burirum. Thailand's latest motor racing track, the Chang International Circuit (CIC) the first first FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A Circuit in Thailand, open with the Japanese Super GT. The track was designed by German engineer and auto racer Hermann Tilke with 4.554 kilometres long and consists of 12 corners. (Photo by Piti A Sahakorn/LightRocket via Getty Images)]() *Honda and Nissan race cars compete in a Super GT race in Thailand in 2014. *Piti A. Sakahorn/Getty Images** *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()