Together, Honda and Nissan would also pose more of a threat to Toyota Motor Corp., which is the world’s biggest automaker followed by Volkswagen AG.

Honda and Nissan plan to merge as the two Japanese firms seek to fight back against competition from the Chinese car industry. The integration would create one of the world's biggest car producers alongside Toyota,

Nissan sold just over 3 million, according to a separate statement. China’s biggest automaker BYD sold 3.76 million vehicles over the same period, a clear illustration of how weak Nissan and Honda are alone, but how together, they may stand a fighting chance.