Hyperdrive
Honda-Nissan Alliance Solidifies Japan Car Sector Consolidation
- The nation’s automakers have now coalesced into two groups
- Government plays a role in trying to maintain competitiveness
Makoto Uchida and Toshihiro Mibe shake hands prior to a joint news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 1.
Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Japan’s carmakers have solidified a combine-and-compete strategy for an automotive age defined by batteries and software, with three manufacturers joining forces to complement a separate Toyota Motor Corp.-led coalition.
Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. agreed this week to build upon a preliminary deal first reached in March, offering more details on how they plan to work together and also adding Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to the mix. While the companies haven’t yet discussed a capital alliance, forming one is a possibility, Honda Chief Executive Officer Toshihiro Mibe said.