It looked like Nissan and Honda might join forces to take on the auto industry’s biggest players. That deal is now dead. Talks between the two Japanese automakers collapsed after disagreements over strategy. But Honda might come back to the table, as long as Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, steps aside. A report from the Financial Times claims Honda would restart negotiations under new leadership at Nissan. So far, Nissan isn’t commenting. Honda, on the other hand, has distanced itself from the report, saying it hasn’t made any official statement. Nissan has been feeling the heat from China’s rising automakers and struggling to keep up in the U.S. hybrid market. A partnership with Honda could have helped them push back, but for now, they’re left figuring things out alone. Toyota still leads the pack in Japan, with Nissan and Honda trailing behind. A deal between the two could shake up the global industry, but unless Nissan is willing to make a big leadership change, Honda isn’t interested. Read More Mansory x Under Armour Reveal One-of-One Ford GT Inspired by Steph Curry Uchida’s Future at Nissan Looks Uncertain Nissan’s CEO Makoto Uchida says he plans to stay until 2026. His board might have other plans. Behind closed doors, directors are already debating how soon he should go. Renault, Nissan’s biggest shareholder, isn’t happy either. After the failed merger talks with Honda, the French automaker is reportedly considering cutting its 36% stake. That deal with Honda fell apart fast—just over a month. Insiders say Nissan wasn’t willing to admit how much trouble it was in. Honda also wanted Nissan as a subsidiary, something Nissan refused to accept. Now, Honda might be willing to return to the table, but only if Nissan finds a CEO who can handle resistance from within. Meanwhile, Nissan is trying to pull itself out of a long slump. Sales have been sliding for years, and management turmoil hasn’t helped. The company is rolling out a turnaround plan, which includes cutting 9,000 jobs and scaling back production by 20%. An update on that plan is coming soon. For now, Uchida is holding onto his position, but pressure is growing. The question isn’t just whether he stays—it’s whether Nissan can get back on solid ground before it’s too late. Nissan at a Crossroads Nissan needs a plan, and fast. Sales are falling, and its turnaround strategy isn’t delivering results. CEO Makoto Uchida wanted to add a million cars to Nissan’s sales numbers. Instead, the company is looking for a financial lifeline. Read More Ford Won’t Let Mustang GTD Owners Sell for Two Years Honda hasn’t ruled out a second round of merger talks, but it’s not making any promises either. There’s also interest from Foxconn, the Taiwanese tech giant best known for building iPhones. It wants to work with Nissan, though not as an owner. That leaves Nissan in a tough spot—it needs funding, but it’s not clear where it will come from. Behind the scenes, Nissan is pitching itself to private equity firms and tech investors, hoping someone steps in with fresh capital. It’s a sign of deeper trouble. The company is running out of time to fix its financial mess, and the board knows it. Source: Financial Times
