Former Tesla executive Hiro Mizuno has refuted recent reports suggesting that the Japanese government is involved in discussions about Tesla acquiring Nissan factories. Mizuno took to X to address the claims, stating, “I have absolutely no involvement in what is reported in this article and am unaware of any such moves by the Japanese government.” Despite no longer being with Tesla, Mizuno expressed personal doubts about the feasibility of such a deal, highlighting the unique design of Tesla’s factories.
The report from the Financial Times on Friday alleged that a proposal to bring Tesla in as a strategic investor in Nissan was backed by Mizuno, ex-Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and former aide Hiroto Izumi. Sources familiar with the matter suggested that Tesla may be interested in acquiring Nissan’s U.S. factories, driven by concerns over potential tariff threats from former President Donald Trump.
While several Nissan board members are reportedly aware of the initiative, Mizuno denied any involvement in the discussions. Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to Mizuno’s statement with a dismissive tweet, calling the reports “fake news.”
Tesla’s factories are known for their unique design, with the company emphasizing that the factories themselves are the “product.” The layouts are tailored for efficiency and productivity, making it unlikely that reworking existing Nissan factory layouts would align with Tesla’s operational philosophy.
Overall, the notion of Tesla acquiring Nissan factories remains speculative, with key stakeholders denying involvement and highlighting the fundamental differences in factory design between the two companies. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Tesla and Nissan navigate potential strategic partnerships and acquisitions in the future.