Toyota's former director and current chairman Akio Toyoda now denies that Nissan has ever asked for the brand's help. "They haven't approached us," says the chairman.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda denies that the Japanese car giant was offered to buy Nissan.
In a statement to InsideEVs through an interpreter, Toyoda said he has not heard anything.
– Nissan didn't approach Toyota about any mergers. But even if they had considered it, it would certainly have violated antitrust laws. So maybe they thought about it and decided not to do anything.
It is unclear why a Nissan-Toyota merger would violate antitrust laws, given that a Nissan-Honda partnership apparently does not, although Toyota's significantly larger market share may be a factor.
Inside EV's has reached out to Nissan for comment on Toyoda's remarks, but the automaker has yet to respond.
Conversely, there is nothing to suggest that Toyota envies a future merger between Nissan and Honda. Toyota has its own strategic partnerships.
The Japanese collaborate with Subaru on cars like the GR86/BRZ and bZ4X/Solterra. At the same time, they supply hybrid engines to Mazda. Just as in Austria, the Supra is built using BMW's technology for the Z4 roadster.
Toyoda does not see the Nissan-Honda merger as a threat. Rather, it is an opportunity for healthy competition, according to the chairman of the board.
– For me it's quite exciting because I look forward to seeing how they will collaborate and develop more competitive products.
"If exciting and competitive cars come out of that merger, it's positive for competition. Not just in Japan but globally."
If the Nissan-Honda merger, currently outlined in a so-called letter of intent between the two brands, becomes a concrete deal, it would create the world's third-largest automaker. However, it won't be enough to overtake Toyota.
The merger between Nissan and Honda is expected to be completed by 2026 if all goes according to plan.
