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.
Nissan’s former CEO Carlos Ghosn, who fled prosecution in Japan by hiding in a box as cargo on a plane, criticized the plan…
FTF(them)
To be fair to him, Japan’s justice system sounds truly awful! I had no idea, but just went down a rabbithole learning about it.
To be fair to him, Japan’s justice system sounds truly awful! I had no idea, but just went down a rabbithole learning about it.
Then he shouldn’t have set up shell companies and funneled Nissan company funds into those to buy himself expensive real estate around the world. One doesn’t accidentally set up a shell company, deposit company funds into it, and then use those funds to buy expensive apartments in Paris.
Completely agree, I don’t know specifics of his case. But Japan’s justice system really does sound horrific - if you’re a defendant, there’s no presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and there’s a cultural expectation that you’ll bow to the state and accept guilt regardless of circumstances… seems like a very antiquated system to say the least. I had no idea.
Sounds like a cultural expectation of accountability to me. Living in a country that is the complete opposite, I can respect having a national sense of everyone should be doing the right thing and if you’re suspected of not doing so, you need to have the character to prove it thoroughly.
I’ve seen someone use that box trick before.
I’m a big fan of Honda cars. Not much of a Nissan fan (I know lots of people swear by them, but I had a bad experience with a Nissan lemon years ago). And I’ve heard Mitsubishi cars are a complete joke from a reliability perspective. So this news does not fill me with hope. If they can drag the build quality up to Honda’s standards then fine. But that’s not usually how these things pan out.
Don’t worry, when this new company eventually merges with Toyota, who already own parts of Subaru and Mazda, it will be perfectly positioned for acquisition by Stellantis.
Stellantis def has the expirence needed to turn Toyota into a unreliable brand. It’s their bread and butter.
Wait there are people who like Nissan? My old one chewed through alternators
I’m not sure what Honda gains from this other than production capacity. I suppose that depends on how closely merged the companies will be – they may only share platforms rather than go full badge engineering.
2 fewer Japanese car companies to compete with.
Hondas competition has always been Toyota. Now it can be “Toyota vs. Honda” instead of “Toyota vs. Honda vs. Mitsubishi vs. Nissan”
That’s it VTECS your Evo
Rotary Evo
What will the new name be?
Mitsuhonsan?
Honsubisan?
Nitsubida?
Arasaka
Friggin Corpos, man.
They will most likely keep the brand names. But operate as a single company. Similar to how GM or Nissan operated after mergers. Not really different.
Aren’t Nissan and Mitsubishi almost part of Renault?
The Mitsubishi Colt is now a rebadged Renault Clio and the Mitsubishi ASX is a Renault Captur
All cars are other cars these days, it’s nearing car singularity. I drive a Toyota that looks like a Citroen and has an engine from the Opel.
When buying a new vehicle, you have several choice. You may purchase motorbike, car, van, or utility. Such variety.
Want car? Here car. Why complicate thing?
The Mitsubishi Colt is now a rebadged Renault Clio
Huh. They’re not very common here; when I saw one driving yesterday I was wondering why it reminded me so much of Renault.
I just want the Mitsubishi Delica in the US
The one (the boxy one, pre 1995) where the driver sits on the front axle has an outstanding design. Too bad they don’t make this design anymore due to crash safety reasons. The one (ca. 1995 onwards) where the driver sits behind the front axle looks boring, like any other generic family van.
I currently own a 1994 Star Wagon. I love it but the safety and reliability have me desperate for a replacement. I wish there were anything in the US market that was a similar Multi Purpose Vehicle form factor. The ID buzz range and price are a no-go for me.
Guess my next car will be a Subaru or Toyota then.
RIP in peace Honda.
Rest in peace in peace?
Amen.
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I’ve had a Nissan sentra and a maxima for many years. Now I got a Toyota hybrid and a Honda van and both are great cars. I think this will be great.
My Honda Fit somehow braves northeastern winters better than most of my previous cars. I don’t get it either.
I don’t know why the fit is the perfect vehicle, but I swear by mine
i41 cannot wait to get my grubby hands on the wheel of my ’26 MiNiHo.
This is the first time I’ve seen “I, for one” as i41.
I want the MiNiHo model i41
Good.
