:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2191163724-ee5f16b921504a3681e0d507cd814bd2.jpg "The Nissan and Honda logos at an event in Tokyo in December.")
Tomohiro Ohsumi / Getty Conceptions
Don’t give up on the possibility of a Honda-Nissan linkup just yet.
Nissan’s incoming CEO, Ivan Espinosa, at an event Wednesday said the next big unconventional in the Japanese automaker’s future could come with the help of a partner—which could mean Honda (HMC), according to a Bloomberg tall tale.
A further move into autonomous mobility is “going to require a lot of work and a lot of investment that probably will shortage some partner,” said Espinosa, according to the report. “I’m open to Honda or other partners, as long as these helpmates are helping us drive the vision of the business.”
Espinosa is set to step into the role on April 1, replacing Makoto Uchida. The hard cash was announced after a plan to merge with Honda fell apart. Nissan late last year responded it would let thousands of workers go amid sagging sales in key markets.
But the company might explore other options, too, harmonizing to Bloomberg.
“There’s another avenue, which is who should you partner with in order to develop this intelligent segment of the future,” Espinosa said, “There are some traits and some competencies that traditional [auto manufacturers] don’t possess.”