--- title: "Toyota Chairman Says Nissan Never Asked Toyota About a Merger" date: "2025-01-07" modified: "2025-01-07" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/nissan-never-even-asked-toyota-if-it-wanted-to-merge" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" - "Toyota News" tags: - "Toyota" --- # Toyota Chairman Says Nissan Never Asked Toyota About a Merger ![Toyota president Akio Toyoda gives a thumbs up as he speaks during a briefing on EV (electric vehicle) battery strategies at the companys showroom in Tokyo on December 14, 2021. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) (Photo by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images)]() *\BEHROUZ MEHRI\* [Nissan]() and [Honda]() are [nearing a merger come 2026]() if everything goes according to plan. It's a big move that's sure to shake up the auto industry should everything come together, and apparently, it was love at first sight. I say that because Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda explained in a recent interview with *[Inside EVs]()* that Nissan never even asked them to dance. "\[Nissan\] did not approach Toyota about any mergers," Toyoda told *InsideEVs* through an interpreter. "But even if they had considered that, it would definitely be violating anti-monopoly laws. So maybe they might have considered it, but decided not to because of that." I'm not sure why a Nissan-Toyota partnership would violate anti-monopoly laws but a Nissan-Honda partnership wouldn't, though maybe it has to do with Toyota owning so much of the overall market share. Regardless, *The Drive* reached out to Nissan and asked them to confirm Toyoda's claims. We'll update this story if we get a response. ![]() *Akio Toyoda. *Getty Images** That's not to say that Toyota is jealous, of course. It has its own partnerships, albeit on a much smaller scale. Toyota teams with [Subaru]() for both the GR86/BRZ and the [bZ4X]()/Solterra EVs. It also supplies its [RAV4 hybrid powertrain to Mazda]() and the [Supra]() is built alongside the[ BMW Z4](). Plus, Toyota seems to feel that the increased competition from Nissan-Honda will only make the industry better. "For me, it's quite exciting, because I'm looking forward to \[seeing\] how they're going to cooperate between each other and how they're going to develop more competitive products," Toyoda said. "If those kinds of exciting products, competitive products, come out \[of this merger\], I think it's a good thing for the competition not only in Japan but for the world." ![]() **Honda* *Nissan, Honda** Should the Nissan-Honda merger be finalized—they've only reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU)—Toyota would still be the world's largest automaker and the newly formed auto conglomerate would sit at third. But maybe it would've liked to have been asked before Nissan went straight to Honda. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()