'The automotive world is abuzz with news of a potential merger between Honda and Nissan, two Japanese automakers grappling with their own unique challenges. Despite the headlines, the merger has been met with skepticism from analysts and confusion among industry insiders.

Even Honda’s CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, struggled to articulate the strategic benefits of the partnership. When recently asked why Nissan would make a good business partner for Honda, Mibe said “That's a difficult one." While the merger could create a global automotive giant producing 7.4 million vehicles annually, critics are questioning whether this union is a savvy strategic move or a desperate gamble.

Analysts believe Honda may be stepping in as Nissan’s white knight to prevent a potential hostile takeover by Taiwan’s Foxconn. Despite Honda’s insistence that the merger is “not a rescue,” many see it as an attempt to prevent further destabilization of Nissan and protect Japan’s automotive industry from foreign control.'

www.autoblog.com/news/honda-ceo-struggles-to-justify-a-merger-with-nissan

Japanese business philosophy differs from Western business philosophy - they generally are more integrated.
There are also economies of scale to consider...like multiple models based on, say 4 or 5 shared basic platforms.
Honda's already using a GM platform for their EV SUV, though that's likely a short-term deal.

That's exactly what they are doing. There's no competitive advantage for Honda (or Toyota, had they done so) to acquire Nissan. Honda and Toyota build better cars, have a better brand reputation. Nissan is viewed as a car for the 480 credit score crowd.

Just speculation at this point. Bunch of noise perhaps to boost sales?

Based on my excellent experience with Nissan, (340,000 miles on 2 Muranos, just added a '24 Rogue to the Garage) I'd have to say it's the other way around. It's different everywhere, but there's a Honda and Nissan Dealer here and Nissan is doing about 3 units to every 1 Honda.

Thats because Nissan has 0% for 84 months deals and other sales that are unheard of from Honda and Toyota.

I think one way the merger could work is cut out any overlap and rewind Nissan back to what it was in the 90's. A strong truck line, a real body on frame 4x4 Pathfinder, Xterra, 240SX, Maxima, GT-R etc. All vehicles Honda doesnt and never had.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said the "extremely tough situation" will force bold restructuring moves, “Globally, we currently have 25 vehicle production lines. Our current plan is to reduce the operational maximum capacity of these 25 lines by 20 percent,” Sakamoto said. “One specific method for this is to change the line speed and shift patterns, thereby increasing the efficiency of operational personnel.” “We have 12 or 14 months to survive,” a senior member of staff told the Financial Times. "This is going to be tough. And in the end, we need Japan and the US to be generating cash."

Even Honda’s CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, struggled to articulate the strategic benefits of the partnership. When recently asked why Nissan would make a good business partner for Honda, Mibe said “That's a difficult one."

https://x.com/DavidInglesTV/status/1861561228193374588?

That is an interesting way to "boost sales". It appears to not be working so well.

Given all the lawsuits and falling sales and stock values Nissan is facing, you are in the minority with your glowing reviews.

Yep, about a half a step up from Mitsubishi.

I hope they don't merge , it will tarnish the Honda brand IMO.We have had 6 Hondas including my current 2016 HRV AWD and 3 Acuras all have been great cars ! The only major problem we ever had was on one of the Acura RDXs , my wife was told not to drive it and they gave her a loaner for a month due to the air bag recall. We had a Nissan Pathfinder it was ok but nothing spectacular . I bought the HRV so I wouldn't have to take my Ram pickup out in the crappy winter and salty roads and it has been great ! It goes thru a few inches of snow no problem ! It has 88,000 miles , I change the oil regularly : replaced two front tires , a battery and did all four brakes. thats it in 8 years ! My neighbor has two Nissans and it seems like he is always replacing brakes for some reason .

Right on, I prefer to keep it that way. Same thing used to be said about 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, '10's and '20's Chrysler Products?

I am 100% happy with my Nissans and Chrysler Corp, Daimler-Fiat Dodges. I don't want everyone else driving them.

Someone has to keep Glorious toyota, honda, Blunder Motors, BMW, Ford, VW, and Hyundai in business and it sure as F**K ain't gonna be Me.

I wish they would all fail, if someone gave me one from any Japanese company I would immediately sell it, no need for a new car anymore, and GET OFF MY LAWN!

LOL. Nissan is close to dead, but Stellantis might beat them.

Cool!

LOL. Nissan is close to dead, but Stellantis might beat them. [/quote

I used to live with a woman named Stella, she failed too...

People need to understand about the Japanese economy system..
It is common for (2) competitors to merge together, it has happend multiple times
in the automotive, industrial and electronic industries.
Also it is normal under certain conditions, for competitors to share their unique technologies
between them.
Last point..,
Even though the Japanese economy is the world's 4th largest behind China and Germany.
The Japanese currency (Yen) has lost about 45% of its value to the US$ just over the last 24 months,
as the world's global economy shifts and sputters....

Just my $0.02...

Rhino is dead on, I wish all of those car companies would go dead. Honduh, Nissan Toyota Hyundai and Kia at least.
I wouldn't want anything from any of them even if for free, plus gas maintenance and insurance included
I too would park one of any of those brands in my front yard with the biggest " for sale" sign I could find to plaster onto the windshield before I drove it once

I’ve owned seven different Nissans since 2005.
In all that time combined, only one has been to the dealer for one unplanned service visit and that was for a faulty automatic door lock actuator. It spent two days total from that.
The last new Chrysler I bought was a ‘95 Ram. It spent its first day in the shop after one week of my ownership. That was only the beginning. After over a dozen shop visits in a little over a year, I ended up filing a lemon law claim.
So, I’ll take my 850 FICO score and keep buying Nissans.

I've had 1 Nissans - an '88 Pathfinder & a '93 Pathfinder.
Really liked them, and they were bulletproof over - especially the '93, still running like a watch @ 260K when I killed it in a wreck.
Nothing from them any newer that I'd consider aspirational.
Off the top of my head, given today's market, the only vehicle that's aspirational (but impossible) is one of the Cadillac hotrods.
(I was OK with the Challenger, but prefer the original more.)

I've said it before and I'll say it again. My wife will need a new car in the next couple years.....what can I buy(remember I said car) She has a '14 Fusion that has been rock solid. Ford decided to drop it. She previously had 2 LHS...Chrysler decided to drop them. What will be the choices? Stellantis,GM or Ford make NOTHING close to that car. Idiots keep saying they can't make money selling anything but SUVs. Really? Toyota has been making BILLIONS selling Corollas and Camrys for YEARS!!!!!! Just did a google...1st year Camry....1983.....can't be any money made building a solid reliable sedan. My dad will roll over in his grave but my next vehicle may very well be a Toyota.....not by my choice but by their doing!

Yep. Domestic automakers have largely abandoned making cars. You want a car instead of a truck or SUV, you're buying an import most likely.