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.
The enshittification continues. Good day to be a Toyota fan
Alternative take: this merger will let them compete better with Toyota.
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
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.
There are a lot of design choices they got wrong but for the most part I like my Nissan. If parts were easier to replace it would be a great car
I had a 89 Nissan hatchback and I loved that gutless wonder.
Yeah I’m pretty sure mine is going to rust out before I stop using it. 130k miles and still going strong.
Mitsu’s lineup went to shit long ago, nothing more to lose
But they can only improve now that they are separating from Renault.
I don’t know, recent Renault EVs look quite ok