Raphael Nam

Yes, these are definitely two big companies, especially in the U.S. The CR-V from Honda, for example, is one of the best-selling cars in the country. And Nissan has cars like the Rogue SUV. And the reason why these talks are happening is because of these two transformative changes you just mentioned, Sarah. Let's tackle the first one, the pivot to electric vehicles.

Yes, these are definitely two big companies, especially in the U.S. The CR-V from Honda, for example, is one of the best-selling cars in the country. And Nissan has cars like the Rogue SUV. And the reason why these talks are happening is because of these two transformative changes you just mentioned, Sarah. Let's tackle the first one, the pivot to electric vehicles.

Yes, these are definitely two big companies, especially in the U.S. The CR-V from Honda, for example, is one of the best-selling cars in the country. And Nissan has cars like the Rogue SUV. And the reason why these talks are happening is because of these two transformative changes you just mentioned, Sarah. Let's tackle the first one, the pivot to electric vehicles.

Nissan and Honda have had trouble recognizing producing the kind of buzzy EVs that Tesla or South Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia have produced. So a combination would make sense. It allows the two companies to pool their expertise and their production together. And the hope is that they will become stronger.

Nissan and Honda have had trouble recognizing producing the kind of buzzy EVs that Tesla or South Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia have produced. So a combination would make sense. It allows the two companies to pool their expertise and their production together. And the hope is that they will become stronger.

Nissan and Honda have had trouble recognizing producing the kind of buzzy EVs that Tesla or South Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia have produced. So a combination would make sense. It allows the two companies to pool their expertise and their production together. And the hope is that they will become stronger.

It's why both companies said this week they are exploring a merger and talks have started. Although both Honda and Nissan are well-known, they're not among the very, very top players in the industry. A merger, though, would change that. It would make them the third biggest automaker in the world, behind just Toyota and Volkswagen.

It's why both companies said this week they are exploring a merger and talks have started. Although both Honda and Nissan are well-known, they're not among the very, very top players in the industry. A merger, though, would change that. It would make them the third biggest automaker in the world, behind just Toyota and Volkswagen.

It's why both companies said this week they are exploring a merger and talks have started. Although both Honda and Nissan are well-known, they're not among the very, very top players in the industry. A merger, though, would change that. It would make them the third biggest automaker in the world, behind just Toyota and Volkswagen.

Yes, indeed. It would make them more competitive both in China and outside of China. And it's important because I think for people in the U.S., it's kind of hard to see the threat posed by Chinese automakers like BYD because the U.S. has managed to prevent them from coming in with big tariffs and other restrictions.

Yes, indeed. It would make them more competitive both in China and outside of China. And it's important because I think for people in the U.S., it's kind of hard to see the threat posed by Chinese automakers like BYD because the U.S. has managed to prevent them from coming in with big tariffs and other restrictions.

Yes, indeed. It would make them more competitive both in China and outside of China. And it's important because I think for people in the U.S., it's kind of hard to see the threat posed by Chinese automakers like BYD because the U.S. has managed to prevent them from coming in with big tariffs and other restrictions.

But in Europe, where I'm from, you can really see how successfully Chinese companies have pivoted. to producing EVs, the future of the car industry I was telling you about. You can see it literally from the time you land at an airport, where you can see their ads everywhere. And of course, you're seeing more and more of their EVs on the roads.

But in Europe, where I'm from, you can really see how successfully Chinese companies have pivoted. to producing EVs, the future of the car industry I was telling you about. You can see it literally from the time you land at an airport, where you can see their ads everywhere. And of course, you're seeing more and more of their EVs on the roads.

But in Europe, where I'm from, you can really see how successfully Chinese companies have pivoted. to producing EVs, the future of the car industry I was telling you about. You can see it literally from the time you land at an airport, where you can see their ads everywhere. And of course, you're seeing more and more of their EVs on the roads.

They are not only selling these EVs cheaper, their quality has improved dramatically. And they're also hyper-focused on software, which is becoming critical for cars.

They are not only selling these EVs cheaper, their quality has improved dramatically. And they're also hyper-focused on software, which is becoming critical for cars.

They are not only selling these EVs cheaper, their quality has improved dramatically. And they're also hyper-focused on software, which is becoming critical for cars.

Yes, except now it's the Japanese automakers that are playing defense. But it's not just Japan. Just like the 80s, companies in the U.S. and Europe now see Chinese rivals as existential threats. Here's how Sam Abuel-Samid, an auto analyst based in Detroit, put it to me.

Yes, except now it's the Japanese automakers that are playing defense. But it's not just Japan. Just like the 80s, companies in the U.S. and Europe now see Chinese rivals as existential threats. Here's how Sam Abuel-Samid, an auto analyst based in Detroit, put it to me.