Deal would create world’s third-largest carmaker with £46bn annual sales amid competition from China

Summary

Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi have confirmed merger talks to form the world’s third-largest carmaker by annual sales, aiming to tackle challenges from Chinese competition and the shift to electric vehicles.

The proposed merger, through a joint holding company, seeks to combine resources as Japan’s automakers struggle with declining sales and costly EV transitions, lagging behind leaders like Toyota and Chinese rivals BYD.

Nissan’s former CEO Carlos Ghosn criticized the plan, citing overlapping operations, while executives called it a pivotal move amid unprecedented industry changes. Mitsubishi will decide on joining by January’s end.

    • mlg@lemmy.worldEnglish
      81·
      4 days ago

      People complain about lack of STi and expensive as hell Corrolla GR, but I’d take that any day over a Nissan’d Mistubishi and Honda.

      RIP Lancer Evo

      • mean_bean279@lemmy.worldEnglish
        6·
        4 days ago

        Outside of Nissans CVT yall are absolutely sleeping on their interiors. Given the price they compete in they’re doing some really amazing work.

        Mitsubishi has also had the rather nice Outlander PHEV. The Mirage needs to go as it’s just too crappy and soils the brand, but their work has been fine. I owned an Evo and I’d love another, but that didn’t make them money.

        Toyota has also been steadfast against BEVs (which I can sort of understand, but their Bz4X is a shit attempt) and their new turbo motors have had some reliability concerns.

        Subaru builds the ugliest cars on the road with all that plastic now and their motors continue to suffer head gasket issues.

        Honestly a Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi corp would be capable of keeping up the fight. Especially given Nissan was an early player in the BEV game.

    • john89@lemmy.caEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      Alternative take: this merger will let them compete better with Toyota.

    • AlexisFR@jlai.luEnglish
      11·
      4 days ago

      But they can only improve now that they are separating from Renault.