Toyota’s Akio Toyoda Comments on Nissan-Honda Merger: Exciting and Competitive Products Anticipated

January 9, 2025 – Toyota President Akio Toyoda addressed the potential merger between two major Japanese automakers, Honda and Nissan, at the CES 2025 exhibition.

Toyoda clarified that Toyota Motor Corporation is not involved in any such discussions. “Nissan has not approached Toyota regarding any merger,” he stated, “and even if they had, it would certainly violate antitrust laws.”

He noted that the Japanese government, and possibly others, would likely oppose the consolidation of these two competitors, given their similar market sizes and business scopes. Reports indicate that Nissan and Honda intend to commence merger negotiations this year, with a target completion date set for late summer 2026.

In the backdrop of China’s rapidly advancing automotive industry, the Japanese sector faces significant challenges in transitioning to electrification and software integration. Toyoda reflected on this uncertainty, saying, “If I knew the upcoming trends, I could make a fortune through investments. But the future is filled with uncertainties, and we can’t predict what’s next. This era is both challenging and intriguing for managers.”

Regarding the potential Honda-Nissan merger, Toyoda expressed enthusiasm, looking forward to competing with the new lineup of vehicles. “This is exciting for me,” he said, “as I’m eager to see how they collaborate and introduce more competitive products. If exciting and competitive vehicles emerge from this merger, I believe it will positively impact competition in Japan and globally.”

Previous reports suggest that Honda and Nissan plan to finalize the framework for their business merger around late January 2025.

Leave a Reply