Nissan To Merge 2 Osaka Dealerships With Fund

Nissan Motor Co. will integrate two dealership affiliates in Osaka Prefecture at December's end under a new company co-established with Nippon Mirai Capital Co., an Tokyo-based investment firm, according to Nikkei. Nissan and Nippon Mirai have set up a holding company capitalized at 500 million yen. The fund is taking a 51.3% stake, while Nissan will hold 46.2%. Two Osaka-based dealerships will be placed under the holding firm through a stock swap. With new-car sales not recovering anytime soon, Nissan seeks to establish efficient marketing structures. This one is a pilot project. Nissan mentioned that if this works out well, it hopes to consider similar strategies in other regions, referring to a further consolidation of dealerships.