Honda and Nissan are continuing to work together in 2026, and a new report suggests their partnership could expand into body-on-frame vehicles. The possibility marks a notable development after their proposed merger failed in 2025, with the two automakers now exploring additional ways to cooperate.
Honda and Nissan Continue Working Together
The proposed Honda-Nissan merger became one of the biggest automotive stories of 2025 before the two companies could finalize an agreement. Despite the failed deal, the relationship between the automakers has continued into 2026.
Nissan has been blooming while Honda is recovering from its first recorded loss in nearly 70 years. Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are still working together to develop standardized parts aimed at reducing costs, while Honda and Nissan are also collaborating on unified vehicle operating systems.
The companies remain ‘friends’ with a shared goal of matching, or even beating, China Speed while maintaining healthy margins.
Honda Could Explore Body-on-Frame Vehicles
A report from Automotive News has added another potential dimension to the partnership. The publication reported that Honda is “exploring production opportunities with Nissan that could yield body-on-frame models.”
The possibility is notable because Honda has traditionally pursued its own approach with limited outside assistance. The Ridgeline is one example of that strategy.
If the plan moves forward, body-on-frame models could give Honda a stronger presence in the truck and SUV market. The Pilot, Passport, and Ridgeline are not slow sellers, but some of the characteristics that make those vehicles clever have also held Honda back in the light truck market. Full-frame models could potentially give the brand greater credibility in that segment.
Could Honda Build a Nissan-Based Truck?
Automotive News did not provide specific details about the potential project, leaving several possibilities open. The effort could involve a simple rebadge, or it could produce a co-developed vehicle using a shared platform.
Honda’s potential ladder-frame vehicle could be launched using the next-generation Frontier as its foundation. That platform could also underpin the reborn Xterra and a more off-road-oriented version of the future Pathfinder.
Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa previously discussed the companies’ talks with reporters, saying, “We continue talking about what we could do in North America, particularly around the D segment, larger vehicles, not C segment, but above the C segment.”
Honda Could Help Nissan With Electrification
The cooperation could also extend in the opposite direction, with Honda potentially helping Nissan develop more electrified models beyond e-Power technology.
Honda could assist Nissan in developing six-cylinder hybrids that Honda could also use for itself in the long run. The company has experience hybridizing V6 engines, with the Acura RLX/Honda Legend and NSX serving as examples.
Honda has also said it plans to electrify its D-segment SUVs in the future. The Passport, Pilot, Ridgeline, and Odyssey currently lack hybrid versions, despite most of their rivals having hybrid offerings in their respective segments.
That situation is notable given Honda’s history as one of the pioneers of hybrid powertrains.
Honda Has Tried a Ladder-Frame Partnership Before
This would not be Honda’s first experience with ladder-frame vehicles. The automaker had a partnership with Isuzu that ran from 1993 to 2002, with the companies rebadging each other’s models to fill gaps in their respective lineups.
Honda supplied sedans to Isuzu, while Isuzu provided Honda with pickup trucks and SUVs.
One unusual result was the Tourmaster, which was essentially an Isuzu Pickup with Honda badges. It was also offered with a diesel engine.
The Tourmaster flopped, largely because of its lack of differentiation and the higher price Honda placed on it. About 2,000 units, more or less, were produced. The Isuzu Rodeo-based Passport was also unsuccessful, as was the Isuzu Trooper-based Acura SLX.
Potential Honda-Nissan Collaboration Remains Unconfirmed
Honda’s previous experience could influence how it approaches any future pickup or SUV collaboration with Nissan. A joint project could potentially go beyond simply placing Honda badges on an existing Nissan model.
At the time of writing, neither automaker has said anything about the reported body-on-frame project. For now, Honda and Nissan continue their broader cooperation while the possibility of additional pickup and SUV development remains unconfirmed.
