Sean McLain, a WSJ reporter specializing in the auto industry, discusses the impending 2026 merger between Honda and Nissan, two former rivals. He dives into Nissan's struggles and the electric vehicle race against fierce competition from China. The conversation highlights the cultural challenges of merging distinct corporate identities and the strategic urgency behind the deal. McLain also explores how Honda's strengths could impact the new automaker's competitive stance against innovative giants like Tesla.

In this discussion, Sean McLain, an experienced Journal reporter covering the car industry, shares his insights on the evolving electric vehicle market. He highlights the current slowdown in EV sales, driven by high prices and charging issues. McLain examines the competitive landscape, particularly the rise of Chinese manufacturers like BYD and the implications for established giants like Tesla. He also delves into Rivian's strategic partnership with Volkswagen as a response to production challenges, predicting a more dynamic market landscape by 2025.

We're tracking the seismic shifts in the car industry from scarce car chips to the impact of inflation. On this episode, we're joined by Wall Street Journal reporter Sean McLain and comedian Kurt Braunohler, who's just released the new comedy special "Perfectly Stupid."Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/businesswars.Support us by supporting our sponsor!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.