Japan: Nissan and Honda join forces to counter Chinese competition
Nissan and Honda decide to cooperate in the field of electric vehicles and automotive intelligence technologies to catch up with their Chinese rivals.
The two car manufacturers recognize that only joining forces in the electric sector will allow them to resist the rise of Chinese brands throughout the world.
Toshihiro Mibe, director, president and CEO of Honda, takes part in a joint press conference with Makoto Uchida, president and CEO of Nissan, in Tokyo, March 15, 2024. © Philip Fong / AFP
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With our correspondent in Tokyo
,
Frédéric Charles
This is an exceptional event: Japanese
manufacturers
rarely pool their resources.
Nissan and Honda
are watching with the greatest concern BYD, the Chinese champion of all categories of electric vehicles, challenging the Japanese manufacturers on their own march.
Nissan and Honda will launch a feasibility study on the development of a joint platform, key components, the use of software in vehicles, and joint purchases.
“
We cannot win this race by keeping a traditional approach
,” said Makoto Uchiba, Nissan boss.
“
A strategic partnership
”
The two groups want to strengthen their position in the electric sector, a market where Chinese brands have overtaken the entire Japanese automobile industry.
Sales of Nissan and Honda fell in China last year.
The company still has cooperation in the electric sector with Renault, mainly focused on Europe.
But the rebalancing of its alliance with the French manufacturer allows it to negotiate a “
strategic partnership
” with Honda to better face Chinese competition, particularly in the cheap electric segment.
China's overwhelming competitiveness is forcing Nissan and Honda, two fierce historical rivals, to work together.
Also read: Chinese electric cars: towards possible EU customs duties
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