Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, a junior partner of Nissan Motor, is considering not joining a planned business merger between Nissan and Honda Motor, sources told Reuters on Friday. Mitsubishi Motors plans to remain listed while continuing its cooperative relationship with both companies,

Mitsubishi is thought to be concerned about its management freedom, as the future of Nissan’s management restructuring is not clear.

Sources revealed on Friday that Mitsubishi Motors, a junior partner of Nissan and Honda, is considering not joining a planned merger between the two Japanese automakers. While Mitsubishi will maintain its cooperative ties with both companies, it plans to remain independent and listed, according to insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Comment Now! Mitsubishi has been invited to join a planned merger between Honda and Nissan, though the automaker is reportedly considering t

Rather than joining a complete merger with Honda and Nissan, Mitsubishi could work with them while staying independently listed.

Presidents of Nissan Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. -- Makoto Uchida, Toshihiro Mibe and Takao Kato -- pose for photos after attending a joint press conference in Tokyo on Dec.