Honda and Nissan faced a challenging year in 2024, with global vehicle sales stagnating or declining.
Data released by Honda shows that its sales fell by 4.6%, to 3.8 million units last year, while production decreased by 11%, to 3.7 million vehicles.
On the other hand, Nissan’s sales recorded a slight decline of 0.8%, to 3.3 million units last year, while production dropped by 8.7%, to 3.1 million units.
Annual data released by both Japanese companies reinforced the reason why Honda and Nissan signed an agreement for a merger, which will allow the emergence of a new global heavyweight in the automotive industry.
It is worth noting that the two Japanese brands announced at the end of 2024 the beginning of negotiations for a merger, which is expected to be completed by June 2025 and give rise to a new group by August 2026, marking a historic change for the Japanese automotive industry that highlights the threat posed by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to some of the world’s most important car manufacturers.
The merger of Honda, the second-largest automotive company in Japan, with Nissan, the third-largest, will lead to the biggest revolution in the automotive industry since Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA completed a merger in 2021 to create Stellantis.
