Honda rules out hostile bid for Nissan after merger talks collapse

The talks started because we believe that we must build up capabilities to fight them, including the current emerging forces, by 2030,

Honda's chief executive Toshihiro Mibe said, in reference to the Chinese competition

That the both companies were not able to reach an agreement is very regrettable,

Honda's CEO and president Toshihiro Mibe told reporters

If cooperation requires it (purchasing Nissan shares), we will consider it,

Foxconn’s chairman Young Liu told reporters on Wednesday

Honda is pretty confident and has a lot in their favour, whereas Nissan is in a bad place. They don't have a dance partner right now,

said Christopher Richter, Japan autos analyst at brokerage CLSA

Going forward, the three companies will collaborate within the framework of a strategic partnership aimed at the era of intelligence and electrified vehicles,

the trio said in a statement

With the proposal suggesting Nissan would become a wholly owned subsidiary, we were not confident that our autonomy would be preserved or Nissan’s potential could be truly maximised.”

Nissan chief Makoto Uchida said

We never really thought about a hostile takeover bid option and have no plans to do so going forward,

Mr Mibe said on Thursday

We reaffirmed such integration would require decisive, painful decision-making,

he said