Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. confirmed ongoing discussions about potential collaboration on Wednesday but denied reports suggesting a merger decision. Nissan shares surged over 22% in Tokyo following reports citing unnamed sources that the two companies might merge, forming the world's third-largest automotive group. Meanwhile, Honda's shares dipped nearly 3%. The reports also indicated that Mitsubishi Motors, a Nissan alliance partner, was part of the discussions. The three automakers had previously announced plans in August to collaborate on electric vehicle (EV) components, such as batteries, and conduct joint research on autonomous driving software. Earlier in March, a preliminary agreement for cooperation between Honda, Japan's second-largest automaker, and Nissan, the third largest, was made public. In response to the market reaction, Nissan and Honda released a joint statement clarifying that they are exploring "various possibilities for future collaboration" but have yet to make any final decisions. European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses A merger, if realized, could create an automotive giant valued at approximately $55 billion, based on the combined market capitalization of Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors. Such a move could strengthen their position to better compete with industry leaders Toyota Motor Corp. and Germany's Volkswagen AG. Currently, Nissan is reevaluating its alliance with Renault SA while addressing financial challenges. The automaker recently announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs globally, equivalent to 6% of its workforce, and reduce production capacity by 20%. It reported a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida has emphasized the need for greater efficiency and adaptability to market trends. He recently took a 50% pay cut to accept responsibility for the company’s financial difficulties. A twice-yearly shot could help end AIDS Honda has also faced challenges, with profits declining nearly 20% in the first half of the fiscal year due to weaker sales in China. The rise of Chinese automakers and the industry's ongoing transition from fossil-fueled vehicles to EVs have created a challenging environment for Japanese automakers. While a potential merger would increase their combined production capacity, Toyota, which produced 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, would remain Japan’s largest automaker. In comparison, Honda manufactured 4.2 million vehicles, Nissan 3.4 million, and Mitsubishi just over 1 million.

Nissan and Renault have changed their mutual cross-shareholdings equal at 15%, ironing out a source of conflict in the Japan-French auto alliance. Renault Group will transfer 28.4% of the Nissan shares it owns into a French trust, so its stake will be the same 15% that Nissan Motor Co. has in the French automaker. Read more: Nissan plans to halt production in Russia Voting rights would be “neutralized” for most decisions, the two companies said in a statement Monday. The move had been anticipated because of leaks to various media outlets. Read more: Nissan has launched all-new Nissan Magnite in Bangladesh The Nissan-Renault alliance began in 1999, at a time when the Japanese automaker was in tough financial straits. The disparity was a cause of friction, especially after Nissan became far more profitable than Renault.

Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki was the chief guest at the launching event held on Saturday, who unveiled the new Nissan Magnite model. Managing Director of Pacific Motors Ltd.- Intekhab Mahmud, Deputy Director-Farzana Khan, Assistant Director-Md. Najimul Haque and other Directors, Department heads and senior officials of the company were also present at the launching ceremony. The all-new Nissan Magnite stands as testimony to Nissan’s DNA of relentless innovation, Japanese engineering, and advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technologies, featuring numerous first-in-class elements to provide customers with a differentiated, innovative, and accessible ownership experience. Also read: Bhasan Char needs more resources to fulfill Rohingyas’ expectations: Ambassador Naoki With a compelling combination of ‘Carismatic’ design and solid performance, the all-new Nissan Magnite further strengthens Nissan’s footprint in Bangladesh, catering to the market’s growing demand for SUVs with an expanded offering, said a media release. Bangladesh is also the latest addition to the Magnite’s 15 export markets – a list that includes Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Uganda, Kenya, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius, Tanzania and Malawi. Designed in Japan and manufactured in India, Nissan Magnite has come to represent the best of Nissan’s global SUV heritage. Also read: MRT symbolizes changing Dhaka’s face: Ambassador Ito Naoki Its versatile build, advanced technology and exceptional range of safety features has seen it emerge as one of our most-coveted offerings in recent years. This is evidenced by the significant increase in production, as well as the expansion of its export markets over the past months – and we are excited to now bring this eagerly-awaited SUV to our consumers in Bangladesh. As the first global product to launch under the Nissan NEXT transformation plan, the Nissan Magnite recently celebrated the production of 50,000 units, achieving this milestone within 15 months despite the impact of COVID-19 and the semiconductor shortage. Read The most popular car models in Bangladesh It has also has won numerous awards including BBC TopGear’s "Best Turnaround Vehicle in the Indian Market" and "Compact SUV of the Year 2021"; MotorOctane’s "Game-Changer of the Year" Autocar India's "Value for Money Car of the Year"; carandbike India's "Compact SUV of the Year"; carandbike India's "Gadget of the Year" and "Best Social Media Campaign"; and FlyWheel Auto Awards' "Special Jury".

Japanese automaker Nissan is planning to halt production at its plant in Russia because of “logistical challenges.” Nissan Motor Co. did not provide a specific date but said Tuesday production will stop “soon.” Its plant in St. Petersburg produced 45,000 vehicles last year, including the X-Trail sport utility vehicle. Read:Ukraine says Russian general killed The Yokohama-based manufacturer said the safety of its employees is its top priority. Nissan earlier stopped exports to Russia.

Nissan said Monday it is investing 2 trillion yen ($17.6 billion) over the next five years and developing a cheaper, more powerful battery to boost its electric vehicle lineup. The Japanese automaker’s chief executive, Makoto Uchida, said 15 new electric vehicles will be available by fiscal 2030. Nissan Motor Co. is aiming for a 50% “electrification” of the company’s model lineup, under what Uchida called the “Nissan Ambition 2030” long-term plan. Electrified vehicles include hybrids and other kinds of environmentally friendly models other than just electric vehicles. Read: Elon Musk tweets to ask if he should sell some Tesla stock The effort is focused mainly on electric vehicles to cut emissions and meet various customers’ needs, said Uchida. Nissan also will reduce carbon emissions at its factories, he added. The company has been struggling to put the scandal of its former Chairman Carlos Ghosn behind it. Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades, after he was sent to Japan by French alliance partner Renault, was arrested in Tokyo in 2018 on various financial misconduct charges. Uchida made no mention of the scandal but referred to “past mistakes” he promised won’t be repeated at Nissan. Nissan’s “electrification” rests on developing a new ASSB, or all solid state battery, that it categorized as “a breakthrough” for being cheaper and generating more power than batteries now in use. That means electric powertrains can be more easily used in trucks, vans and other heavier vehicles because the batteries can be smaller. The ASSB will be in mass production by 2028, according to Nissan. The costs of electric vehicles will also fall thanks to the battery innovation to levels comparable with regular gasoline cars, Uchida said. Read: Dutch court orders former Nissan boss Ghosn to repay salary “Nissan has emerged from a crisis and is ready to make a new start,” he said. All top automakers, including Nissan’s Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp., are working on electric vehicles, amid growing concern over climate change and sustainability. Global consumers are also demanding more safety features. Uchida said Nissan was hiring 3,000 engineers to strengthen its research, including digital technology for vehicles. Nissan, based in Yokohama, Japan, has suffered recently from the computer chips shortage that’s slammed all automakers because of lockdowns and other measures at chip factories to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The maker of the Infiniti luxury models, Leaf electric vehicle and Z sportscar is projecting a return to profitability for the fiscal year through March 2022 after racking up two straight years of losses.

Dhaka, Apr 12 (UNB) - Standard Chartered Bank has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Motors Bangladesh Ltd (HMBL), Pacific Motors Ltd and Millennium Ssang Yong Motors Ltd. 

Nissan, reeling from a scandal over its former superstar executive Carlos Ghosn, sank into red ink in the latest quarter as its vehicle sales fell around the world, and the Japanese automaker slashed its profit forecast for the year.

Slumping Nissan Motor Co. is offering voluntary separation packages to many of its U.S. workers as it tries to resize itself to match lower sales.

Japanese securities regulators are recommending that automaker Nissan be fined 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over the under-reporting of compensation of its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn.

Yokosuka, Oct 24 (AP/UNB) — An electric car with smooth four-wheel drive and a virtual friend for the coming age of automated driving are among the technology in development from Nissan.