Honda May Build Ladder-Frame SUVs And Trucks With Nissan’s Help

The proposed Honda-Nissan merger collapsed in 2025, marking one of the automotive industry’s most high-profile breakups. Thankfully, the split avoided the volatility seen during the DaimlerChrysler era.

By 2026, discussions between the two manufacturers remain ongoing. Nissan has experienced significant growth, while Honda is currently recovering from its first recorded financial loss in nearly seven decades. Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi continue to collaborate on the standardization of parts to optimize production costs, while Honda and Nissan are concurrently developing unified vehicle operating systems. Despite these challenges, the companies remain committed to their strategic partnership, aiming to compete with the rapid pace of the Chinese automotive market while maintaining healthy profit margins.

Honda is reportedly exploring a partnership with Nissan to develop body-on-frame vehicles. This shift from Honda’s traditional independent engineering could strengthen its position in the competitive truck and SUV market, where its current unibody-focused lineup often faces limitations.

A Honda Based On The Frontier

While details are limited, the potential collaboration may range from badge engineering to shared platforms, potentially leveraging the next-gen Nissan Frontier for Honda’s entry into ladder-frame vehicles. Nissan has confirmed talks regarding large-vehicle collaboration in North America, while Honda could reciprocate by assisting with advanced six-cylinder hybrid powertrains. This would help Honda electrify its D-segment SUVs—such as the Pilot and Ridgeline—addressing a notable gap in its current lineup.

Not The First Time

This isn’t Honda’s first ladder-frame venture; they partnered with Isuzu from 1993 to 2002 to share models. The rebadged Tourmaster pickup, along with the Passport and Acura SLX, failed due to poor differentiation and high pricing. With only about 2,000 Tourmasters produced, the collaboration ultimately struggled to gain market traction.

It is to be hoped that Honda has learned from its past experiences, suggesting that any future collaboration with Nissan regarding pickups and SUVs will extend beyond simple badge engineering. While both manufacturers have yet to issue an official statement, it would not be unexpected to see further developments as the partnership progresses.

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