https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/17/japans-honda-and-nissan-to-reportedly-begin-merger-talks.html
Weird that there's no mention of Renault in the article.
Read all of this with the knowledge that I'm waiting to talk to a service tech about our amazingly unreliable modern not-a-Nissan that's giving me a mood about iffy modern cars in general. I'm not sure how serious I am.
There's enough rad history that I feel bad saying it, but... I don't want more Nissan in my Honda, and nor is there really much Nissan I need Honda to get distracted fixing. Maybe it's time to let Nissan go as the Altima below should? I have feelings about the state of new cars that makes me less amenable to keeping the current batch afloat when perhaps there's room for someone to come in and say "what if we set aside cupholder arms races and any non-mandated electronics and just built the most solid car for the money?" The new Z is dandy, but Nissan in my head has completed the transition to where the Altima is among their *better* products (they don't still make it, do they?) and they've long since focused on Jukes, Kicks, and CVT-equipped Muranos. Eww. Let them rest.
I've always held Honda in high regard. Merging/acquiring Nissan will certainly drag them down.
something something horse E36 M3 and vanilla ice cream something something
What would these two past leaders say about this?
If the situation was Renault is ready to throw in the towel on Nissan, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm curious what Honda would really get out of this besides production capacity and a lot of models to cancel.
The guy in the bottom pic is crying in his noodles
As a Datsun guy I've considered Nissan the walking dead for at least a decade.
Nissan could use Honda's expertise and Honda would make good use of Nissan's market share.
We shall see what happens..................
Saw this one thing in the article: "Nissan-Honda-Mitsubishi."
My gut reaction was "omg, do two of the three even know how to make a profitable vehicle, let alone turn a profit as a business entity?"
Coniglio Rampante said:Saw this one thing in the article: "Nissan-Honda-Mitsubishi."
My gut reaction was "omg, do two of the three even know how to make a profitable vehicle, let alone turn a profit as a business entity?"
Could be a great Sesame Street episode: Nissan-Honda-Mitsubishi, Which one of these three is not like the others?
Wow.
It's like Honda is walking up to the tar pit and saying "let me save you." Hope they don't get sucked in.
CyberEric said:Wow.
It's like Honda is walking up to the tar pit and saying "let me save you." Hope they don't get sucked in.
That is my thought but as I think about it more my guess is Honda wants the market share................Mitsubishi and Nissan may be viewed as "parts cars" by Honda.
Is Honda doing OK? I was aware of the pending doom over at the company that brought us the Murano convertible.
I can think of another manufacturer that bought two brands in trouble just for their market share.
Hasn't worked out great for them
I'm hoping we get a Nissan GTR with Honda like reliability and joy, but am worried we get a Honda CRZ with Nissan like reliability and ownership experience.
====================================
Wait, what if Honda just says screw it, we'll let you weirdo's keep your ICE and 5 speed manuals in our Nissan sub brand, investing as little as possible until the government finally puts it out of business or the tooling wears out?
I for one look forward to the last 370Z rolling off the assembly line in Mexico City in 2045.
In reply to Peabody :
I didn't say it was wise, just that it might be their motivation.
CrustyRedXpress said:Wait, what if Honda just says screw it, we'll let you weirdo's keep your ICE and 5 speed manuals in our Nissan sub brand, investing as little as possible until the government finally puts it out of business or the tooling wears out?
I for one look forward to the last 370Z rolling off the assembly line in Mexico City in 2045.
I mean... that's basically Nissan in a nutshell. Make one chassis or other major design and leverage the hell out of it. Like Subaru did for the longest time, and still does to a degree.
The VQ engine, for example, looks for all the world like a timing chain conversion of the VG. It has a separate inner timing cover that seals to the heads in discrete locations, instead of being integrated. The RB engine on the other hand was a timing belt conversion of the old L six like what powers that orange beauty Mr. K is standing next to...
Subaru still uses the same rear diff as the first 510s 
And I am 99% sure that the last of the Legacies and STIs share significant suspension pickup dimensions with an '85 GL.
What could Honda possibly gain from this?
In reply to Duke :
Nissan is a lot lighter in EV and hybrid tech than Honda. They do have some innovative engine stuff going on, and Honda may want access to that, as well as their dealer networks and truck line. Nissan trucks sell horribly in the truck-heavy US but at the same time a lot of this is due to lack of corporate interest. Honda does not have this.
This may be a way for Honda to move forward with hybrid and EV tech while hedging their bets by having an ICE-centric brand available in their corporate lineup.
How do Nissan vs Hondas do in less developed countries? That adds up to a not insignificant market. How about the Chinese market?
I read something that suggested Nissan has some competitive hybrid models in Europe. Their hybrid system is more like the Volt's. I personally don't know much about these models. I don't know why they haven't brought this stuff to north america.
Japanese corporate governance has made big improvements in recent years, but they still have an unhealthy habit of buying shares in companies who they work with to support them, etc.
I think it's also possible that Honda and Nissan end up simply working together more closely the way Toyota/Subaru/Mazda are.
Honebishi? Nisda? Honsan? Honsanishi?
Hosmo or Hotsun
I would like to see Honda sell a real truck. It works for Toyota. Maybe Honda is buying into this to get the truck technology and then integrate it to their system?
Remember when Daimler merged (bought) Chrysler in the later 90s? That was awesome, wasn't it?
You'll need to log in to post.
