Japanese auto majors Nissan Motor Co and Honda Motor Co, which have officially announced integration between the two companies by establishing a joint holding company, which aims to develop Japan’s industrial base as a ‘leading global mobility company’.

On 15 March, the partners first came together by announcing a strategic partnership for vehicle intelligence and electrification, which was followed by an announcement on 1 August to deepen the strategic partnership towards exploring fundamental technologies in the are of platforms for next-generation software defined vehicles (SDVs).

Given the highly competitive global automotive industry landscape and the pace of new technological innovations, the partners have now further joined forces to become more competitive.

In a joint announcement, the companies have said that through the business integration, they aim to bring together ‘management resources such as knowledge, human resources, and technologies; create deeper synergies; enhance the ability to respond to market changes; and expect to improve mid- to long-term corporate value.

In addition, Nissan and Honda will create a ‘leading global mobility company’ by bringing together Nissan and Honda's four-wheel-vehicle and Honda's motorcycle and power products businesses,

The outlined potential synergies include – standardising vehicle platforms across ICE, HEV, PHEV and EV Models; joint research in SDV and collaboration in all R&D functions; optimise manufacturing systems and facilities; integration of purchasing functions to provide competitive advantage across the supply chain; operational efficiency improvements; integrating sales finance function and establishment of a talent foundation for intelligence and electrification.

As per the understanding, Nissan and Honda will establish a joint holding company which is set to be listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026. Post the listing, both the companies will become a wholly-owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company and will delist from Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The partners expects with the synergies in place they can attain sales revenue exceeding YEN 30 trillion and operating profit of more than YEN 3 trillion.

The new organisation will see Honda nominate a majority of internal and external directors. The President and representative director or president and representative executive officer of the joint holding company will be selected from among the directors nominated by Honda.

On the other hand, Nissan Motor Co, Honda Motor Co, and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the possibility of Mitsubishi Motors’ participation, involvement and synergy sharing in relation to the business integration through the establishment of a joint holding company outlined in an MoU signed between Nissan and Honda.

Makoto Uchida, Director, President, CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Nissan, said, “"Today marks a pivotal moment as we begin discussions on business integration that has the potential to shape our future. If realised, I believe that by uniting the strengths of both companies, we can deliver unparalleled value to customers worldwide who appreciate our respective brands. Together, we can create a unique way for them to enjoy cars that
neither company could achieve alone.”

"Honda and Nissan have begun considering a business integration, and will study the creation of significant synergies between the two companies in a wide range of fields. It is significant that Nissan's partner, Mitsubishi Motors, is also involved in these discussions. We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base," added Uchida.

Toshihiro Mibe, Director and Representative Executive Officer, Honda, said: "Creation of new mobility value by bringing together the resources including knowledge, talents, and technologies that Honda and Nissan have been developing over the long years is essential to overcome challenging environmental shifts that the auto industry is facing. Honda and Nissan are two companies with distinctive strengths. We are still at the stage of starting our review, and we have not decided on a business integration yet, but in order to find a direction for the possibility of
business integration by the end of January 2025, we strive to be the one and only leading company that creates new mobility value through chemical reaction that can only be driven through synthesis of the two teams."

At this time of change in the automobile industry, which is said to occur once every 100 years, we hope that Mitsubishi Motors' participation in the business integration discussions of Nissan and Honda will lead to further social change and that we will be able to become a leading company in creating new value in mobility through business integration. Nissan and Honda will start the discussion from today onwards with an aim to clarify the possibility of business integration by around the end of January in line with the consideration of Mitsubishi Motors," added Mibe.

Takao Kato, Director, Representative Executive Officer, and President and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors, said: “In an era of change in the automotive industry, the study between Nissan and Honda about a business integration will accelerate synergy maximisation effects, bringing high value also to the collaborative businesses with Mitsubishi Motors. In order to realise synergies and to make the best use of each company's strengths, we will also study the best form of cooperation.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company has announced that  its all-new Hyundai Nexo fuel-cell electric SUV has bagged 5-star crash test rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety assessment.

The Nexo, Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell electric SUV, emits only water vapor and is central to the company’s push for zero-emission mobility. The top rating follows five-star Euro NCAP results for the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 9. The rating validates Hyundai’s performance in crash protection and its suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies.

Euro NCAP, Europe’s independent organisation for evaluating vehicle safety, assesses vehicles across four areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, protection of vulnerable road users and safety assistance technologies.

The new Hyundai Nexo achieved results across all four areas, including:

90 percent in Adult Occupant Protection.

85 percent in Child Occupant Protection.

In adult occupant tests, the passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test, with protection of the knees, femurs, and all critical body regions for both driver and passenger. The Nexo performed well in the full-width rigid barrier test, achieved maximum points in the side barrier test and provided effective far-side occupant protection via its centre airbag. Whiplash protection for both front and rear seats was rated as good in rear-impact evaluations.

Child occupant protection performance was strong. The six- and 10-year-old dummies showed protection in all critical body areas in both frontal and side-impact tests, earning maximum points.

Additional safety features noted by Euro NCAP include an advanced eCall system and post-crash secondary impact prevention technology.

This achievement underlines Hyundai’s long-term commitment to hydrogen technology and safety innovation. The previous generation NEXO was the first fuel-cell electric vehicle tested by Euro NCAP in 2018, also achieving a five-star rating under the standards at that time.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

JSW MG Motor India has introduced the all-new MG Hector SUV featuring a revised exterior with new front and rear bumper designs, a new grille design and new alloy wheels at prices starting INR 1.19 million (ex-showroom) for limited units. The SUV comes in two new colours – Celadon Blue and Pearl White.

The interiors feature a Dual Tone Ice Grey Theme in the 5-seater trim and Dual Tone Urban Tan for the 6 and 7-seater trims. Exterior details include the new Aura Hex Grille, a hexagonal structure that symbolises strength and precision. New Aura Sculpt Bumpers at the front and rear deliver a muscular, assertive stance and also the Aura Bolt Alloy Wheels.

The all-new Hector's infotainment system, featuring a 14-inch HD portrait touch screen, receives a performance boost through Smart Boost technology. The system features the i-SWIPE Touch Gesture Control, enabling intuitive multi-touch operations for AC, music and navigation. Further convenience is provided by the Digital Bluetooth Key and Key Sharing capability along with Predictive Maintenance Alerts, Remote AC Control. A Full Digital Cluster with a 17.78 cm Embedded LCD Screen provides a driver interface.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The Hector was our maiden nameplate and quickly became synonymous with the MG brand, emerging as one of India’s most loved SUVs with 150,000 customers since its debut. With the All-New MG Hector, we take this legacy a notch higher by enhancing its design, comfort, and technology, offering an unmatched value proposition. We believe truly advanced mobility should not be an exclusive luxury reserved for the few. With this superior package, The All-New MG Hector will further democratize technology while setting a new benchmark for what a premium SUV can deliver.”

The new Hector also features a 360deg HD Camera with Wheel View, offering surround visibility along with tyre-level perspective. In terms of standard it gets ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS, Hill Hold Control and Brake Assist. The SUV is powered by a 1.5L Turbocharged Petrol engine (CVT & MT) offering 143 PS Power and 250 NM Torque.

Launched in 2019 as India’s First Internet Car, the MG Hector includes features such as a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a 35.56 cm (14-inch) HD infotainment system, 8-colour Ambient Mood Lighting, and MG’s advanced i-SMART connected technology with 70+ features, and an advanced ADAS suite. Further features include Push Button Engine Start/Stop with a Smart Key and Anti-Theft Immobilisation, automatic powered tailgate, air purifier with PM 2.5 filter, rain sensing wipers, Remote Control for Audio, AC & Mood Light in i-Smart App and front parking sensors.

The prices for the diesel variant of the all-new Hector SUV will be announced next year.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Tata Sierra has entered the India Book of Records for maximum fuel efficiency in 12 hours. In a certified run at NATRAX Indore, the Sierra delivered an exceptional 29.9 kmpl mileage, surpassing the previous national benchmark. The feat was executed by the Pixel Motion team, that drove the 1.5-lire Hyperion-engine powered Sierra continuously from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on 30 November 2025 with brief halts for driver swaps. The record was officially validated the same day.
The new 1.5-litre Hyperion petrol engine, engineered to deliver high efficiency without compromising refinement, performance or drivability, has an advanced combustion system, torque-rich performance band and friction-optimised architecture. 
The compact SUV also achieved a top speed of 222 kmpg at the track under specified test conditions. 
“Setting a national efficiency record so early in the Sierra’s journey is a proud moment for us. The Hyperion engine platform was built to push the boundaries of what petrol powertrains can achieve, and this milestone validates that effort. It strengthens the Sierra’s value proposition for customers and underlines TMPV’s commitment to bringing advanced, efficient and future-ready technologies to the market," said Mohan Savarkar, Chief Product Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Matthew Bowden is concluding a successful four-year tenure as Director of Škoda UK, departing to assume the role of Head of International Sales for Škoda Auto. Under his leadership, the UK market achieved significant growth, rising to become the brand's third largest global market and consistently exceeding performance records while maintaining a market share beyond four percent.

His successor, Eric Boutin, will join the Volkswagen Group UK board of management as Director of Škoda UK in the first quarter of 2026. Boutin brings extensive international experience from pivotal markets including Canada, China and United States. He is currently responsible for Škoda Auto's global customer experience programme, with direct oversight of the worldwide retail network and omnichannel integration, and is spearheading the brand's overarching customer centricity transformation.

This strategic leadership transition aims to leverage Bowden's commercial acumen on a global scale while injecting Boutin's specialised customer-focused expertise into the UK operations.

Damien O’Sullivan, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group UK, said, “Matthew has made a significant contribution towards Škoda’s evolution and growth over the past four years. I’m grateful for all he’s done for the brand and the Group and wish him well in his new role. I’m looking forward to welcoming Eric to the UK board of management and am sure his global experience and customer focus will support the brand’s future ambitions and Human Touch proposition.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!