The quickly advancing electrical automobile trade typically raises extra questions than it solutions. The Honda-Nissan merger isn’t any totally different. When full, it might change into the world’s third-largest automaker, however many particulars stay below wraps. Maybe they’re ready for readability on EV coverage after Trump’s inauguration, or perhaps the complexities of the merger forestall all solutions from surfacing directly.
Nonetheless, a number of key questions stay that Honda and Nissan should handle within the coming weeks and months.
Welcome again to Crucial Supplies, your each day round-up of stories and occasions shaping up an thrilling world transfer away from fuel automobiles. Additionally on right this moment’s agenda: Sony Honda Mobility will undertake the direct-to-consumer gross sales mannequin for its newly launched Afeela EV and an replace on BYD being accused of “slavery-like” circumstances for its manufacturing facility employees in Brazil; Brazilian officers say BYD introduced tons of of employees to the nation on irregular visas.
30%: Honda-Nissan Merger Particulars To Preserve An Eye On
Picture by: Nissan
As a member of a family with 5 Hondas—my household owns 4 Honda two-wheelers and the Metropolis sedan in India—I’m desirous to know extra concerning the firm’s new merger plans.
One among our Honda two-wheelers, the Activa, has been flawlessly operating for 22 years. My brother’s Metropolis sedan has 100,000 miles on it. (Though it has a consuming downside.) The corporate is aware of a factor or two about constructing belief and making dependable, long-lasting autos.
That’s one vital base coated so far as EVs are involved. It’s one of many the reason why the Prologue is a gross sales champion regardless of being made by Common Motors.
However Honda wants greater than the Prologue’s success to stay related in an trade more and more dominated by Chinese language rivals. And Nissan can not financial institution on the early success of the Leaf or the lukewarm Ariya—the latter is definitely a lot better than you assume, as InsideEVs not too long ago reported in depth.
Now, what’s going to the possession and management of the brand new holding firm seem like? How will they crew up for next-generation batteries and software program tech? How do they work collectively on manufacturing challenges?
As for the primary query, Automotive Information says management of the brand new firm shall be primarily based on third-party evaluations and each corporations’ common closing costs over a time frame. Honda has the benefit on this entrance. In line with an estimate by Japanese publication Nikkei—assuming Mitsubishi suits in someplace—we’re a 5-to-1 share ratio in favor of Honda. It will maintain 77-78% of the brand new firm, Nissan could find yourself with 15-16% and Mitsubishi with 6-7%.
Right here’s extra from Automotive Information on management, manufacturing and know-how:
Honda’s management has been comparatively steady below CEO Toshihiro Mibe, who took workplace in 2021. Solely three years into the job, Mibe will doubtless keep within the wheelhouse.
If Mibe assumes the highest function on the holding firm, who would change him because the operational chief of Honda, and what turns into of Nissan’s prime brass?
The massive query is what traces shall be shuttered and which manufacturing methods, Nissan’s or Honda’s, shall be adopted going ahead? And, which suppliers would be the chosen few?
Honda is arguably forward in making its goals actuality. It has begun constructing North American EV manufacturing hubs in Ohio and Ontario. It has operating prototypes of its next-generation 0 Collection electrical autos. And in 2025, it begins verifying solid-state battery manufacturing.
With Honda within the lead, its packages will doubtless maintain sway.
That is merger is monumental in scope. Its complexity means we gained’t have all of the solutions instantly.
Nonetheless, with China’s international dominance looming and the unprecedented challenges of scaling up the EV enterprise whereas crafting a compelling worth proposition past the “good for the planet” narrative, Japanese automakers have an opportunity to emerge as late bloomers within the EV race. Now, right here’s hoping that additionally they get the regulatory certainty that they deserve.
60%: Sony Honda Mobility Adopts The Direct-To-Shopper Gross sales Method
Picture by: Honda UK
Sony Honda Mobility launched its high-anticipated Afeela electrical sedan at CES 2025 on Tuesday in Las Vegas, Nevada. The corporate will undertake a direct-to-consumer gross sales technique just like Tesla, Lucid and Rivian—circumventing the dealership expertise totally.
The Afeela 1 will are available two variants, Signature and Origin. Deliveries of the $102,900 Signature start first, beginning in mid-2026. The cheaper model will go on sale in 2027. So, we’re nonetheless some time away from seeing these cutting-edge fashions on the streets.
The direct-to-consumer gross sales mannequin could witness some supplier resistance since Honda depends on an enormous supplier community. Scout is dealing with an identical backlash from Volkswagen sellers. And the Afeela 1 can even be manufactured at Honda’s Ohio manufacturing hub, the place hottest fashions, just like the Accord and CR-V are made.
Prospects will be capable of go to showrooms to expertise and test-drive these automobiles. Right here’s extra from Automotive Information:
Along with leveraging its web site for reservations and gross sales, Sony Honda Mobility will open two bodily places within the second half of the yr the place customers can take supply of their Afeela 1.
The primary and second supply factors – every known as an Afeela Studio and Supply Hub – shall be in California, in Torrance and in Fremont, offering protection to each the southern and northern areas of the state.
The studios additionally will function Afeela showrooms the place clients can check drive the EV.
“The Afeela 1 shall be on show so guests will be capable of expertise the model and work together with the precise Afeela 1 automobile,” Yamaguchi stated. “Their questions shall be answered by specialists with in depth data of its revolutionary options.”
That is an costly automotive and it’s unclear if it would transfer the needle for the broader EV trade. However for $100,000, you get a number of automotive. The Afeela 1 has as much as 40 sensors, together with Lidar for autonomous driving (each time that turns into a actuality) and even a built-in PlayStation 5. InsideEVs has a superb walkaround of the Afeela from New York Metropolis forward of CES 2025. Be sure you test it out.
90%: BYD Introduced Staff To Brazil On Irregular Visas: Report
BYD’s alleged labor violations in Brazil are persevering with to unfold in sudden methods.
Final December, Brazilian officers accused BYD of “slavery-like” circumstances for its employees at an upcoming manufacturing facility within the nation, in response to a Reuters investigation. BYD denied the allegations, saying this was a public smear marketing campaign by “international forces.” The blame was additionally pointed to a development contractor named Jinjiang.
A Brazilian labor inspector has now advised the information company that BYD introduced greater than 100 employees on irregular visas. The nation’s Ministry of Labor could advantageous BYD for every employee present in allegedly degrading working circumstances.
A ultimate investigation is pending, however the allegations are critical. The report added that the employees needed to clock lengthy hours and request permission to go away lodging. A separate BBC story famous that the employees needed to sleep on beds with out mattresses and share one lavatory for each 31 members.
BYD is cooperating with the native authorities and has pledged to adjust to the nation’s labor legal guidelines, the report provides.
100%: Will Extra Automakers Workforce Up?
Picture by: Stellantis
The period of consolidation within the auto trade began final decade when France’s Group PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler Auto to type Stellantis, which now has 14 manufacturers below its umbrella, together with Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Peugeot. The automotive world order is altering in methods we by no means imagined, with Chinese language automakers seemingly unstoppable and electrification posing recent challenges. The Honda-Nissan alliance marks the start of yet one more chapter.
Which different automakers would possibly profit from a strategic partnership? Share your ideas within the feedback.
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