The mooted Honda Nissan merger and the fallout from leadership change at Stellantis suggests the auto industry must brace for turmoil, where size is a survival necessity.

Nissan now faces an uphill battle to triple its profits by 2026 or risk losing Honda. Honda’s financial stability highlights the stark contrast to Nissan’s weak earnings outlook. Nissan’s cuts haven’t solved its biggest problem,

Honda, Nissan, and Renault's merger may take on a new direction, per Bloomberg. According to the outlet, Honda is worried that Renault, which owns about 35 percent of Nissan, may be bought up by a third party while the deeply complex merger works its way toward completion.

The problem is there is no likely outcome that would leave both companies and their employees better off than they are today.

Honda is eager to ensure there's no foreign influence on its merger with Nissan, especially since Taiwan's Foxconn has been eyeing the ailing brand

Honda reportedly wants Nissan to buy out the share Renault has in it, before the two Japanese brands shack up together in 2026.