Nissan may be on the brink of revitalising dormant manufacturing capacity in the United States, as reports suggest the company is in discussions to build a pickup truck for Honda. Although no official sources were cited, speculation points to Nissan’s Canton plant in Mississippi as a likely candidate for the potential production agreement.
This development could represent a major turnaround for Nissan’s North American operations, which have been significantly downsized in response to steep financial losses. The Japanese automaker recently reported a staggering net loss of $4.5 billion in its most recent fiscal year, prompting the company to scale back both current output and future manufacturing projections across the region.
Rumblings of a collaboration between the two Japanese giants are not new. Earlier this year, when speculation of a possible merger between Honda and Nissan gained traction, both firms acknowledged the prospect of sharing resources. Among the potential joint ventures discussed was the use of Nissan’s body-on-frame platforms by Honda to expand its presence in the U.S. truck segment.
At present, Honda’s only pickup offering for the American market is the Ridgeline, a unibody model. Nissan, on the other hand, manufactures the Frontier — a body-on-frame truck — at the Canton facility. Honda currently lacks a comparable vehicle in its line-up, raising the possibility that the automaker could be considering a significant shift in platform architecture for future pickup models.
While the specifics remain unconfirmed and the available information sparse, the scenario offers a plausible strategy for Honda. By leveraging Nissan’s existing body-on-frame platform and U.S.-based production lines, Honda could sidestep import tariffs and manage development costs more effectively. Such a move would also align with reports that Honda is gradually phasing out the current unibody configuration of the Ridgeline in favour of a more rugged alternative.
Speculation has also reignited surrounding the potential return of the Nissan Xterra, a mid-size SUV that was discontinued in 2015. In April, Nissan executive Christian Meunier hinted at the vehicle’s possible revival, though the remarks were largely seen as aspirational. However, a cooperative effort with Honda — particularly one involving shared platforms and hybrid powertrain development — could shift the financial calculus in favour of reintroducing the Xterra. Honda’s proven expertise in hybrid technologies could make such a model viable under increasingly stringent global emissions regulations.
As both companies explore strategic opportunities to reduce costs and improve market competitiveness, a manufacturing alliance in the U.S. appears to be a realistic — and potentially mutually beneficial — outcome. While confirmation remains pending, the prospect of a Honda pickup emerging from a Nissan factory is gaining credibility within industry circles.
