Just over one million was built by Mitsubishi Motors. “We have realized that a more radical shift is required than a collaboration in certain areas if both parties are to be leaders in this mobility transformation,” Mibe said.
In order to better adjust to electrification, Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi had already decided to exchange parts for electric cars, including as batteries, and to work together to develop software for autonomous driving.
After Carlos Ghosn, the firm’s former chairman, was arrested in late 2018 on suspicion of fraud and misusing corporate assets—charges he disputes—Nissan has been embroiled in a crisis.
After being freed on bond, he escaped to Lebanon. Ghosn called the proposed merger a “desperate move” in a video connection interview with media in Tokyo on Monday.
Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions, told The Associated Press that Nissan could provide Honda with truck-based body-on-frame big SUVs with high towing capacity and strong off-road performance, like the Armada and Infiniti QX80, which Honda does not currently have.
According to him, Honda may benefit from Nissan’s years of expertise in producing electric cars, batteries, and gas-electric hybrid drivetrains while it develops its own EVs and the next generation of hybrids.
