Core Viewpoint - Nissan and Honda are discussing collaboration to utilize Nissan's underutilized factories in the U.S. to produce vehicles for Honda, aiming to mitigate the impact of U.S. auto tariffs on Japanese automakers [1][2]. Group 1: Collaboration and Production - Nissan has begun negotiations with Honda to supply vehicles from its U.S. factories, particularly focusing on producing pickup trucks at the Canton plant in Mississippi [1][2]. - The collaboration is seen as a strategic move to increase local production and reduce the high import ratios of Japanese vehicles in the U.S., which are 47% for Nissan and 32% for Honda [2][3]. - Both companies face significant profit declines due to U.S. auto tariffs, with Honda projected to lose 650 billion yen and Nissan up to 450 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2026 [2]. Group 2: Market Conditions and Challenges - The Canton plant's utilization rate is projected to be only 57% in 2024, significantly below the breakeven point of around 80%, indicating a need for increased production to improve profitability [3]. - The U.S. government's strong stance on tariffs, including a 25% tariff set to take effect in April, adds pressure on Japanese automakers to enhance local production [3]. Group 3: Negotiation Dynamics - Previous discussions aimed at forming a global automotive alliance between Nissan and Honda collapsed due to disagreements, but both companies are now focusing on cooperation to rebuild their relationship [4]. - Following a management change at Nissan in April, regular discussions between the executives of both companies have resumed, although they have denied immediate plans to restart formal merger talks [4].

Core Viewpoint - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has temporarily halted production of three vehicle models in the U.S. for the Canadian market due to escalating trade tensions and tariffs between the U.S. and Canada [1][2][9] Production Impact - The affected models include the Pathfinder and Murano SUVs, and the Frontier pickup, with production stopped in Tennessee and Mississippi [1][3] - The production pause is a response to a tariff dispute initiated by the Trump administration's 25% tax on auto imports, which led Canada to impose its own tariffs on American-made vehicles [2][4] Economic Viability - Nissan confirmed that the new tariffs have made it economically unviable to continue exporting these models to Canada, leading to an indefinite hold on production for the Canadian market [3][4] - Approximately 80% of Nissan's Canadian sales come from vehicles produced in Mexico and Japan, indicating a reliance on non-U.S. production for Canadian sales [4] Financial Challenges - Nissan is facing broader financial stress, reporting a net loss of $4.5 billion for the fiscal year ending in March and dealing with nearly $4.8 billion in debt due this year [5][9] - The disruption in production highlights deeper financial and operational challenges for the company, despite Canada representing a relatively small portion of its global business [5] Market Uncertainty - The future of U.S.-Canada trade talks remains uncertain, raising questions about whether the tariff situation will ease and if other automakers will take similar production steps [4]