Honda and Nissan are both major Japanese multinational corporations with significant histories in the automotive industry, but they also have differences in their product lines, market approaches, and recent business developments.

Honda, founded in 1948, is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Japan since 1955 and has a broad range of products including:

• Automobiles, including commercial and luxury vehicles
• Motorcycles and scooters
• Power equipment, such as electric generators and water pumps
• Lawn and garden equipment like lawn mowers and tillers
• Outboard motors
• Robotics
• Jet aircraft and jet engines
• Thin-film solar cells

Honda has a history of innovative marketing campaigns, such as "You meet the nicest people on a Honda," which helped them break into the US motorcycle market in the 1960s. The company has also been known for its engineering prowess, as demonstrated in its "Hondamentalism" campaign, which highlights the dedication of Honda engineers. In motorsports, Honda has a strong presence in Formula One and IndyCar racing . Honda has also been involved in alternative fuel vehicles, including compressed natural gas, flexible-fuel, hybrid electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and plug-in electric vehicles. Honda's net sales in 2007 were highest in North America.

Nissan, founded in 1933, focuses primarily on automotive products, including:

• Automobiles, including luxury and commercial vehicles
• Trucks
• Electric vehicles
• Autonomous cars
• Outboard Motors
• Forklift trucks

Nissan's history includes being a major vehicle producer for the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Nissan established the Datsun brand, which was used in the U.S. and other overseas markets before being phased out. They also established the Miss Fairlady marketing campaign to help promote their vehicles. Nissan initiated "Project 901" in 1985 to improve the technological development of their vehicles. Nissan has formed alliances with other car companies, including Renault and Mitsubishi.

Both companies have faced recent financial difficulties. Honda had to halve production in its UK plants after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and in 2022, Honda had a revenue of ¥14.95 trillion. Nissan has faced financial challenges, including significant job cuts and factory closures . In 2023, Nissan's revenue was ¥12,685.7 billion.

Both companies have also been in recent talks about a potential merger .

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

FeatureHondaNissanPrimary FocusMotorcycles, power equipment, and automobilesAutomobiles, trucks, commercial vehiclesBrand RecognitionKnown for engineering and innovative marketingKnown for Datsun line, performance vehicles, and strategic alliancesRecent ChallengesProduction disruptions due to natural disasters, market fluctuations, and transition to electric vehicles.Financial difficulties, executive scandals, production cuts and plant closures, restructuring after overexpansion, and alliance issues with Renault.Possible MergerMerger talks with Nissan are underwayMerger talks with Honda are underwayGlobal PresenceStrong in North America, Asia, and EuropeStrong in North America, Europe, and AsiaMotorsportsStrong presence in Formula One and IndyCar racing .Nismo division focusing on performance vehiclesAlternative fuelsStrong focus on a variety of alternative fuel vehicles.Focus on electric vehicles, including the Leaf.