Nissan is signaling its openness to new alliances after recent merger discussions with Honda failed to progress. Incoming CEO Ivan Espinosa emphasized that while collaboration with Honda continues on certain projects, the door is open for talks with other potential partners.
The push for partnerships comes as Nissan grapples with a significant drop in global sales—from 5.8 million vehicles in 2018 to around 3.5 million today. This decline has made it harder to maintain supplier relationships and scale manufacturing efficiently. As the cost of developing electrified vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems, and connected technologies continues to rise, forming strategic alliances has become more crucial.
Although merger talks with Honda stalled under former CEO Makoto Uchida, Espinosa’s recent appointment on April 1 could open a path to renewed discussions. Nissan’s leadership indicates that no option is off the table.
In the meantime, Nissan remains active within its existing alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi. The company is also considering program-specific partnerships, such as joint development of large SUVs or pickup trucks. Nissan executives suggest that aligning model cycles with Honda or other manufacturers could help double production volumes, reducing costs for both sides.
Espinosa also stressed the importance of preserving Nissan and Infiniti’s brand identity in any partnership. Design chief Alfonso Albaisa is tasked with ensuring that Nissan’s Japanese design roots remain intact.
Financially, Nissan holds around 1 trillion yen ($6.7 billion) in cash. While it does not face an immediate cash shortage, Espinosa acknowledges a need to improve profitability and reduce fixed costs to ensure long-term stability.
Nissan is navigating a challenging future, but under Espinosa’s leadership, the company is ready to collaborate — or go it alone if necessary — in pursuit of its global vision.
