Honda and Nissan to Merge?! What Does This Mean for EVs and ICEs? 🤔 | Lasfit Small Talk

[LASFIT]

Recent news suggests that Honda and Nissan might be discussing a potential merger. Many speculate this bold move is tied to the rapid rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Some articles even claim that the merger could be a strategic effort to counter the growing dominance of EVs in the market.

As two iconic brands that have long been leaders in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs), this potential partnership has everyone talking. Is it a game-changing strategy to take on the EV market? Or is it simply a way to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry?

What’s Your Take?
*Are EVs truly the future, or do ICEs still hold strong advantages?
*What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of EVs and ICEs in your opinion?
*If Honda and Nissan merge, could they become serious competitors in the EV space?
Let’s hear your thoughts! Whether you’re team EV or team ICE—or somewhere in between—we’d love to know where you stand in this debate.

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[kf59]

Recent news suggests that Honda and Nissan might be discussing a potential merger. Many speculate this bold move is tied to the rapid rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Some articles even claim that the merger could be a strategic effort to counter the growing dominance of EVs in the market.

As two iconic brands that have long been leaders in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs), this potential partnership has everyone talking. Is it a game-changing strategy to take on the EV market? Or is it simply a way to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry?

What’s Your Take?
*Are EVs truly the future, or do ICEs still hold strong advantages?
*What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of EVs and ICEs in your opinion?
*If Honda and Nissan merge, could they become serious competitors in the EV space?
Let’s hear your thoughts! Whether you’re team EV or team ICE—or somewhere in between—we’d love to know where you stand in this debate.

We drive a RAV4 Prime and Ford Lightning. If Toyota made a Prime truck, I would be driving that rather than the Lightning. All the benefits of EV on local miles without the restrictions on the highway, plus the superior resale value of a Toyota. If the merger brings more and improved engineering of that sort, sign me up.

 

[broncoaz]

I don’t understand why Honda needs Nissan. Honda has a wide range of well rounded and successful products, including the Prologue EV, while Nissan makes some cool stuff on the fringes but otherwise seems to be circling the drain.

I don’t see the traditional OEM’s succeeding to become the leaders in the EV space. Ford and GM are having a tough time getting profitable products to market while Tesla and BYD are expanding their range of profitable vehicles. I don’t think that Tesla will be the only EV company, but I do think they’ll stay on top here in the US for a couple of decades. If anyone will be able to move us from present day to The Jetsons it’s Elon Musk.

I’m pro EV, but don’t like government mandates banning new ICE vehicle sales in 2030 or 2035. When EV’s are ready for prime time the government won’t need mandates as the consumer will choose the better option. The commercial truck restrictions that were set to go into effect in 2025 have been suspended because while the technology exists to build EV dump trucks it isn’t cost effective. Massachusetts is offering up to $90K incentives on class 8 BEV’s, unfortunately those trucks cost in the $250-350K range at this point. Overall I believe that the commercial BEV can be cost effective if the cost per kWh is cheap, but MA prices from the grid are terrible. Tesla semis will be a game changer if they can scale them and reduce the price.

 

[The Weatherman]

These are the first to merge due to their failing ICE sales worldwide (US excluded.). They will not be the last.

 

[Adventureboy]

*Are EVs truly the future, or do ICEs still hold strong advantages?
ICE holds some advantages today in terms of towing and range. EV's hold most other advantages. The ICE towing and range advantages will dwindle in the next few years. EVs are more flexible for the future and will win.

*What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of EVs and ICEs in your opinion?

• EV - Cheaper and more efficient to operate by a large margin.
• EV - Instant torque, more controllable, drivable power
• EV - Quieter
• EV - More convenient fueling on a daily basis if home charging is available
• EV - No exhaust fumes
• EV - pre-conditioning climate controls in the garage.
• EV - Makes progress toward climate commitments whether governmental (regulated or not), Industrial/commercial, or personal
• EV - Much lower maintenance costs
• EV - Lower towing costs for shorter, non-highway local driving (eg. landscape or trade companies towing in the local area.
• ICE - EVs have a more expensive buy-in (the difference is dwindling and will go away in the next few years)
• ICE - EV charging infrastructure is not as good as ICE for road trips (improving steadily)
• ICE - EV can be tedious for those without the ability to charge overnight at home
• ICE - The only option today if you tow larger trailers regularly on the highway for long distances. The gap is being bridged by electric drive hybrids and the difference will eventually dwindle but this may take several years yet.
• EV - ICE Will become more and more difficult to meet increasing regulated emissions requirements complicating ICE engines and making maintenance increasingly more complex.

Break Even for most

• Time spent fueling - EVs spend less time if home charging is available. The exception is on road trips where fueling is done on the road. On average, EVs consume less of the driver's time if the majority of fueling is done at home.

*If Honda and Nissan merge, could they become serious competitors in the EV space?
They will and they must. The world is switching to EVs with North America a fair bit behind much of the rest of the world. ICE will decline and EV/Hybrid will accelerate in the short term. EV will lead the growth in the next 5 years. Honda and Nissan know this and are adjusting to this change.

Fun fact: Even freight trains are electric drives. They are massive electric-driven hybrids. Given the massive amount of power they require, most carry very large diesel generators to generate the electricity required to drive these massive electric motors much more efficiently than a direct ICE drivetrain.

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