India's Motherson Group Proposes Acquisition of Marelli Holdings; Nissan Plans 370 Million Euro Restructuring, New HV Technology, Tochigi Plant Focus

India's Motherson Group has proposed acquiring Marelli Holdings, a Japanese automotive parts manufacturer, with discussions scheduled for May 26. This move is part of Motherson's strategy to become one of the top 10 global auto parts suppliers through aggressive mergers and acquisitions. Marelli is currently facing financial difficulties, prompting creditor negotiations and the likelihood of debt restructuring. Meanwhile, Nissan is undertaking a major restructuring effort, which includes potentially selling its Yokohama headquarters and parts of its Tochigi plant to raise funds. The restructuring is expected to cost an additional 370 million euros in the fiscal year ending March 2026, driven by job cuts and factory closures. Nissan is also advancing its next-generation hybrid vehicle (HV) technology, aiming to improve fuel efficiency and introduce it in the latter half of 2025. The company plans to launch a proprietary in-vehicle operating system and reduce its vehicle platforms from 13 to 7 by 2035, focusing on electrification, autonomous driving, and AI optimization to enhance competitiveness. Local government officials, including the governor of Tochigi Prefecture, have met with Nissan executives to request the continuation of production at the Tochigi plant amid the restructuring efforts.