As Honda and Nissan negotiate the terms of a possible merger, we take a speculative look at what new vehicles could spawn from the unprecedented collaboration.

In December 2024, reports emerged that two of Japan's automotive juggernauts are looking to form a merger akin to the automotive equivalent of a 'dream team.' On Dec. 23, the leaders of Japanese automakers Nissan (NSANY) and Honda (HMC) announced that they intend to merge under a holding company in an effort to stay competitive against its rivals in a world shifting towards electric vehicle adoption.

The problem is there is no likely outcome that would leave both companies and their employees better off than they are today.

Nissan needs to triple its profits by 2026 to be eligible for a merger with Honda.At a joint press conference announcing the memorandum of understanding for the merger, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe made it clear,

The mooted Honda Nissan merger and the fallout from leadership change at Stellantis suggests the auto industry must brace for turmoil, where size is a survival necessity.

The proposed merger between Nissan and Honda is running into some speed bumps, if a Carscoops report is to be believed. The automotive portal, citing Bloomberg, stated that Honda is pushing its potential partner to

To hit this target, Nissan will need to rake in approximately 400 billion yen in fiscal 2026—roughly $2.6 billion at current exchange rates. That’s a tall order, especially considering Nissan’s operating profits plummeted by 90.

While Honda does have the Prologue, that vehicle was part of a $5 billion joint venture with GM that only lasted through the development of two vehicles. The Prologue has been a surprise EV hit, selling over 33,000 in 2024 and outselling the larger gas-powered Honda Passport.

Nissan Motor Co. will stop making its AD compact van in November to pare back excess production as Honda Motor Co. prepares to fold the flailing carmaker into its business.