Ghosn: No Merger Ahead for Nissan, Mitsubishi

Nissan Motors Corp., which acquired a controlling 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in October, has no plan to fully combine the two companies, says Carlos Ghosn, chairman of both carmakers.

“A full merger is not on the table,” Ghosn tells reporters, adding, “We want Mitsubishi to reform itself.” He does confirm the two companies are likely to share platforms and manufacturing capacity in some cases.

Last month MMC told Reuters the two carmakers were pondering a plan to jointly build pickup trucks in southeast Asia. Chief Operating Officer Trevor Mann said the next-generation Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton produced in Thailand might share the same chassis.

Nissan acquired its holding in MMC to save the latter company from collapse after it admitted a year ago to manipulating fuel economy ratings for 20 of its models, including two minivehicles sold under the Nissan brand. The scandal slashed MMC’s stock price 50% and forced the resignation of its president.