By Steve Laser
Nissan and Honda have long been competitors in many market segments. From cars to SUVs, and vans to mini-vehicles, both offer an array of products on a global basis. Yet the business is rapidly changing, with increased competition, as automakers further electrify their fleets. And so, they have announced plans to merge, and it looks like Mitsubishi, a current alliance partner with Nissan, may be joining them.
During a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 23, Nissan and Honda discussed the signing of a MOU (memorandum of understanding) to work on developing a business integration via a future joint holding company. This follows two previous MOUs signed earlier this year, one for a strategic partnership for vehicle intelligence and electrification (March 15), and another for joint research in platforms for next-generation software-defined vehicles (Aug. 1).
“Today marks a pivotal moment as we begin discussions on business integration that has the potential to shape our future,” said Makoto Uchida, Nissan Director, President, CEO and Representative Executive Officer. “If realized, I believe that by uniting the strengths of both companies, we can deliver unparalleled value to customers worldwide who appreciate our respective brands.”
“Creation of new mobility value by bringing together the resources including knowledge, talents, and technologies that Honda and Nissan have been developing over the long years is essential to overcome challenging environment shifts that the auto industry is facing,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Honda Director and Representative Executive Officer. “Honda and Nissan are two companies with distinctive strengths.”
Potential business integration benefits include standardizing vehicle platforms in various product segments with ICE (internal combustion engine), Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle models. Integrating Research and Design (R&D), optimizing manufacturing, integrating purchasing, and more topics are to be discussed.
If all goes well, Nissan and Honda would become subsidiaries of a new, unnamed joint holding company, that could potentially start as soon as Aug. 2026. Yet it will be a lengthy process to complete, with many steps involved in a business integration, including shareholder approval of the existing companies. Plans and timing could change.
Meanwhile, Nissan and Honda are well underway developing new products individually
For example, Honda is set to preview two new prototypes of its O Series next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The automaker says the prototypes represent future models it is planning to introduce on a global basis beginning in 2026.
Nissan announced the ARC business plan in April this year, with the ambition to accelerate the transition to EVs and electrified models in a variety of market segments over the coming years. Uchida is shown above with an illustration of the Nissan Hyper Adventure, a sporty SUV EV concept that it premiered digitally at the Japan Mobility Show last year.
Commentary: Electric Sports Car of the Future? The Hyper Force Concept
Nissan and Honda have built iconic sports cars that appeal to enthusiasts worldwide. Nissan has the Z and is known to be working on a next-generation GT-R. Honda is rumored to be developing the next NSX, which could become a flagship for the O series, with a different name. Imagine a future, where Nissan, Honda (and Mitsubishi) work together, to develop electric sports cars. Since product development is a lengthy process, a co-developed sports car from scratch could take many years to emerge.
What if Honda (and Mitsubishi) joined forces with Nissan to offer their own versions of the next GT-R? Shown above is the Nissan Hyper Force electric supercar concept that premiered at last year’s Japan Mobility Show. This concept could preview the design direction of the next GT-R – or it could be something else.
The Hyper Force concept was designed for a high-output, all-electric powertrain with a solid-state battery that could deliver up to 1,000 kW. With an advanced version of e-FORCE all-wheel drive, a lightweight body with high-strength carbon, quick acceleration, enhanced cornering and handling, Nissan called Hyper Force a game changing hyper EV.
Exterior styling, co-developed with NISMO racing specialists, is tuned for aerodynamic efficiency, with details including front canards, a dual-level rear diffuser, and a plasma actuator. Some styling cues, like the headlights and taillights, are inspired by heritage models.
The futuristic, two-passenger cockpit features carbon-fiber sport seats and four-point seatbelts. With advanced autonomous drive, hyper LIDAR, and sensors tuned for sports driving, the Hyper Force is designed for both public roads and circuits.
Note: A potential business integration between Nissan and Honda is in the preliminary MOU stages and is subject to change or cancellation without notice.
News sources and photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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