09/07/2026
Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Co., and Honda Motor Co. have announced plans to work together in certain areas, but they have not merged into one company.
Honda and Nissan agreed to collaborate on technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), software, and intelligent driving systems.
Mitsubishi Motors, which is already part of the Nissan alliance, has also agreed to participate in some of these collaborative projects.
The goal is to share development costs and compete more effectively with global EV makers.
However, each company still keeps its own brand, management, and vehicle lineup. A full three-way merger has not happened.
Other info:
Three Japanese automakers are joining forces to take on the rapidly changing automotive industry.
Honda President Toshihiro Mibe has confirmed that Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are preparing to announce a project-based strategic alliance in the coming weeks. Rather than a full corporate merger, the partnership is expected to focus on sharing technology and development costs as all three companies navigate the industry's transition to electrification and software-defined vehicles.
The alliance comes at a challenging time for the Japanese automakers. Honda recently reported a significant financial loss driven largely by the cancellation of several late-stage EV programs, while Nissan continues its "Re:Nissan" restructuring plan aimed at restoring profitability. By working together, the three companies hope to reduce costs and strengthen their competitiveness against fast-growing EV manufacturers, particularly from China.
One of the partnership's key goals is the joint development of a standardized electronic control unit (ECU) and shared software architecture, targeted for introduction around 2029–2030. Reports also suggest the collaboration could expand into North America, where Nissan's underutilized Canton, Mississippi plant may produce midsize pickup trucks for Honda, potentially giving the brand a successor to the aging Ridgeline.
While the companies may share technology behind the scenes, each brand is still expected to maintain its own engineering philosophy, styling, and driving character. If successful, the partnership could help all three companies reduce development costs while accelerating the rollout of next-generation vehicles.
