Honda did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Honda CEO: Merger is not a Nissan rescue. Honda's shares had initially fallen when news first broke of the merger

Key Takeaways U.S.-listed shares of Honda jumped Monday morning after the Japanese automaker and Nissan announced plans to merge.The sides signed a memorandum of understanding Monday, with plans to finalize details in June 2025 and merge in August 2026.

The proposed deal aims to unify operations under a joint holding company, led by Honda, while maintaining the distinct identities of each brand, according to Honda's president, Toshihiro Mibe. If finalized, the merger would position the combined entity to better compete with market leaders Toyota and Volkswagen.

Japan’s second- and third-largest automakers hope the $50 billion deal would help them catch up with Tesla and China’s BYD in electric vehicles and advanced software.

The move would bring the two struggling car companies together in a bid to reclaim market share from rising domestic brands in China, the world's largest car market.

Speed limits are usually intended to prevent drivers from going too fast. Occasionally, though, they warn against bumbling along the road too slowly. Honda Motor boss Toshihiro Mibe and his Nissan Motor counterpart Makoto Uchida will need reminding of this if they don’t soon shift out of low gear for the tie-up they proposed on Monday.

Honda and Nissan have officially confirmed the rumors that they're pursuing a merger. Both would still operate under their brands but with a new joint holding company as parent. If Nissan-controlled Mitsubishi also came on board,

Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels.