A high-level Japanese initiative, involving former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, has put forward a proposal for Elon Musk’s Tesla to invest in Nissan, following the collapse of merger discussions between Nissan and Honda. The proposal, championed by former Tesla board member Hiromichi Mizuno, aims to secure Tesla as a strategic partner for the Japanese automaker.
The plan, supported by Suga and his former aide Hiroto Izumi, envisions Tesla acquiring a stake in Nissan, with a particular focus on its manufacturing plants in the United States. The proposal comes amid Nissan’s ongoing search for a tech partner to bolster its position in the automotive market, with board members reportedly considering Tesla and Apple as potential partners, the Financial Times reported.
The group behind the proposal believes Tesla’s innovative capabilities, including its cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) production, could provide valuable synergy for Nissan. Specifically, they see potential in Tesla’s Cybercab—a two-seater, AI-driven vehicle without steering wheels or pedals, which Musk has said will enter production in 2026.
Musk, replying to the Financial Times report on social media platform X, highlighted the unique nature of Tesla’s factory and its production capabilities, further fuelling speculation about Tesla’s interest in Nissan.
Following the news, Nissan’s stock surged by nearly 10%, reflecting positive market sentiment towards the potential partnership. The report also follows the recent breakdown of talks between Nissan and Honda to form a $60 billion car manufacturing alliance, leaving Nissan to explore other strategic avenues.
While Nissan has declined to comment on the latest developments, Tesla, Apple, and Suga’s office have also refrained from providing direct responses to requests for comment. Despite stepping down as Prime Minister in 2021, Suga remains a prominent figure in Japan’s political landscape, continuing to represent Nissan’s home prefecture of Kanagawa in the lower house of Japan’s parliament.
As Nissan seeks to navigate the evolving automotive landscape, this proposed collaboration with Tesla could mark a significant shift for the Japanese automaker, offering an opportunity to align with one of the leaders in the global electric vehicle sector.
