Honda Motor Co. absorbing Nissan Motor Co. could give the two struggling Japanese brands the scale they need to take on China’s BYD Co., sales figures released Wednesday show.Most Read from BloombergHo Chi Minh City Opens First Metro Line After Years of DelayHonda,

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,

Talks about a possible merger of Nissan and Honda is the latest reaction as the global auto industry races to electrify prompted by China competition.

Honda’s chief executive said the move wasn’t a rescue of troubled Nissan.

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.

A Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. combination could give the two struggling Japanese brands the scale to take on China’s BYD Co., sales figures released Wednesday show.

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

Analysts questioned the timing of the Honda-Nissan potential deal amid intense competition from Chinese rivals, reported the news agency Reuters.