
Core Viewpoint - Nissan and Honda are secretly restarting business cooperation negotiations after previously refusing to engage, driven by significant pressures from declining performance and external challenges [2][3][4]. Group 1: Business Cooperation - Nissan and Honda are discussing collaboration to address profit pressures from U.S. tariff policies and to explore joint research in battery supply and software technology [4]. - The negotiations follow a four-month cooling period and indicate an increasing likelihood of cooperation between the two companies [4]. - Both companies face significant challenges, including Nissan's declining market share and Honda's need to accelerate its technological transformation [7][9]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Nissan's global sales for the fiscal year 2024 were 3.346 million units, a nearly 3% decline year-on-year, with a consolidated net sales of 12.6 trillion yen (approximately 612.61 billion yuan), down 0.4% [8]. - The company reported an operating profit of 69.8 billion yen (approximately 3.39 billion yuan) with an operating profit margin of 0.6%, and a net loss of 670.9 billion yen (approximately 32.62 billion yuan), marking a 94% year-on-year drop in net profit [8]. - To address these financial difficulties, Nissan plans to cut 20% of its global production capacity, close seven factories, and lay off approximately 20,000 employees [8]. Group 3: Industry Implications - If Nissan and Honda successfully restructure their businesses, it could lead to significant synergies, particularly in cost reduction and technology sharing [10]. - The merger could enable better negotiation power with suppliers, potentially reducing parts procurement costs by 10%-15% and improving production efficiency by over 20% [10]. - The collaboration could enhance both companies' competitiveness in the electric vehicle market, leveraging Honda's battery technology and Nissan's advancements in intelligent driving systems [11].