Former Tesla board member Hiromichi Mizuno has categorically rejected rumors suggesting that a Japanese group was trying to convince Tesla to invest in Nissan, the struggling automaker. Mizuno stated that he has no connection with this group and questioned whether Tesla has any interest in acquiring Nissan's factories, as mentioned in a news article.
In a statement on X, Mizuno expressed: "I have absolutely no involvement in what is reported in this article and have no knowledge of any similar measures by the Japanese government. I am no longer at Tesla, but personally, I doubt that Tesla has any interest in Nissan's factories, as Tesla's factory design is unique."
Interest in this issue arose from a Financial Times report mentioning a high-level Japanese group planning to seek investment from Tesla, under the direction of Elon Musk, to support Nissan. According to the source, Tesla would be interested in acquiring Nissan's plants in the United States. However, industry experts like Yasuhiko Hirakawa, investment director at Rakuten Investment Management Inc., point out that it would not be beneficial for Tesla to acquire Nissan, as it does not need inherited assets such as engines and assembly lines.
The market reacted positively to the news, with a 12% increase in Nissan's stock after the potential investment was disclosed. Although the proposal includes a consortium of investors led by Tesla, there is also the option of minority investment by Hon Hai Precision Industry to avoid total acquisition by this supplier.
The need for a new partner is becoming increasingly urgent for Nissan following the formal conclusion of the agreement with Honda Motor for the combination of both brands under a single holding. While Nissan's CEO, Makoto Uchida, has stated that it would be difficult for the company to survive without a new partner, the possibility of an alliance with Tesla has generated skepticism among industry observers.
Tesla, for its part, is facing challenges as demand for electric vehicles slows, reducing its annual sales for the first time in over a decade last month and cutting more than 10% of its workforce. While known for its investments in businesses that support its focus on high-tech electric vehicles, acquiring a stake in another automaker would be a significant shift in its strategy.
In this context, the question remains open about which Nissan assets could be attractive to Tesla if it were to consider a partnership.
