Is a new Japanese giant forming? How a Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi alliance could be the answer to fight off emerging behemoths BYD, GWM and MG

Nissan is fighting for its survival, according to reports.

Comments made by a senior official close to Nissan and published by UK newspaper the Financial Times, painted an alarming picture for the Japanese brand.

“We have 12 or 14 months to survive,” said a senior official close to Nissan.

The comments come as the car maker is looking for a new anchor investor as alliance partner, Renault, sells down its shares in the Japanese brand.

Slowing sales in the US and China have led to decreased revenue and profit.

Nissan is just one of many European, US and Japanese car makers struggling in China as the country's car buyers are increasingly choosing the tech-heavy local product instead.

“This is going to be tough. And in the end, we need Japan and the US to be generating cash,” said the senior official.

This could lead to a breakdown in the current Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance that was forged decades ago.

Honda has emerged as a new potential lead investor.

This could result in a new Japanese super group formed between Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi, which could help the trio fight off the fast expanding Chinese makers such as BYD, MG’s parent company SAIC, Chery and GWM that are gobbling up market share worldwide.

Nissan and Honda are already finalising a deal to work on electric cars, according to reports.

In its half yearly earnings report, Nissan said it plans to push forward with new electric cars in China and expand its e-Power range of hybrids in the US and add plug-in hybrids to help boost sales.

Nissan is about to go on a product offensive in Australia to regain the ground it's lost in the past few years.

New Nissan Australian boss, Andrew Humberstone, said the brand should be a top-six seller Down Under.

Speaking to CarsGuide earlier this year, Humberstone said the brand’s differentiation was a challenge and the company’s market share should be better, but it is doing things to guarantee its survival in Australia. He continually stated the brand is here to stay and can be trusted.

“The top two, three players have a lot of traction, but I do think we have some authenticity to be up there in the top six for sure,” he said.

Humberstone plans to take the brand’s performance from “mediocrity to excellence” and believes Nissan should be seen more as an Australian brand.

Nissan Australia plans to launch 11 new models here before March 2027. This includes the new Nissan Patrol 4WD, Nissan Navara ute, Nissan Ariya electric mid-size SUV and the next-generation Nissan Leaf that is ditching its hatchback form for an SUV body.

Humberstone said the brand’s e-Power hybrids have huge growth potential, and it can be assumed more petrol-electric vehicles are on the cards for Australia.