Nissan CEO Set To Be Replaced, Could Reignite Honda Merger Talks

A few weeks ago, it seemed the proposed Nissan-Honda merger was finally dead in the water, with both companies releasing statements to that effect.

However, reports emerged that talks could be reignited should Nissan CEO, Makoto Uchida, step down from his position. Now, it appears that move may be forced as soon as this week.

Reuters has reported directors of Nissan will meet on 11 March to discuss a potential replacement for Uchida, citing three people familiar with those discussions. Internal candidates that could replace Uchida have been named as CFO Jeremie Papin and CPO Ivan Espinosa.

In late February, the Financial Times reported Honda would be willing to resume talks should Uchida leave the CEO position.

According to the Financial Times, Honda insiders had suggested that the manufacturer would be willing to resume talks should Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, step down from his role.

Previously, Uchida said he intended to stay in the role – one he’s held since 2019 – until 2026. However, that FT report suggested Uchida was facing mounting internal pressure from board members as well as Renault, which holds a 36 per cent stake in Nissan, to leave the role within the coming months. If the Reuters story is true, it appears that may have been accelerated further.

Nissan and Honda signed a memorandum of understanding on 23 December last year, agreeing to look into merging operations, strengthening an agreement made earlier in 2024 to collaborate on electric cars. However, those fell apart after it emerged Honda wanted to change that merger to a wholesale takeover of Nissan, with official statements released on 13 February.

Nissan elaborated, stating: “As a result of these discussions, both companies concluded that, to prioritise speed of decision-making and execution of management measures in an increasingly volatile market environment heading into the era of electrification, it would be most appropriate to cease discussions and terminate the [memorandum of understanding].”

Honda’s statement didn’t offer anything additional, although the two have stated they intend to continue collaborating as part of a ‘strategic partnership aimed at the era of intelligence and electrified vehicles.’