Honda-Nissan Merger Planned for 2026

• Honda and Nissan are officially in merger talks.
• Mitsubishi, which is part of Nissan's smaller alliance, is also along for the ride.
• If all goes to plan, the merger could be finalized as early as 2026.

Honda and Nissan have officially signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to result in a merger, the companies announced Monday. If approved, a joint holding company would be established encompassing the two automakers, resulting in the third-largest carmaker by sales volume in the world.

"Honda and Nissan are two companies with distinctive strengths," Honda president Toshihiro Mibe said in a statement. "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 environmental shifts that the auto industry is facing."

What would a Honda-Nissan merger mean? The companies outlined a few possibilities.

• Standardizing vehicle platforms and powertrains across multiple brands
• Shared resources for things like manufacturing and research and development
• Integrating the operational or "back-office" duties

Mitsubishi — which is part of the smaller Nissan global alliance — also agreed to participate in the merger discussions.

A definitive agreement outlining the merger is expected to be completed by June 2025. If approved by shareholders from both companies, as well as government officials, the new holding company is estimated to launch publicly in August 2026.

"I believe that by uniting the strengths of both companies, we can deliver unparalleled value to customers worldwide who appreciate our respective brands," Nissan president Makoto Uchida said in a statement. "Together, we can create a unique way for them to enjoy cars that neither company could achieve alone."