AllYouCanTech

Honda-Nissan’s $58 Billion Merger Encounters Major Obstacles

# **Honda-Nissan Merger Discussions at Risk Following Honda’s Audacious Proposal**

A planned $58 billion merger between Honda and Nissan, set to form the world’s fourth-largest automotive manufacturer, is now in jeopardy. The talks, which commenced in December, have taken an unforeseen twist after Honda suggested making Nissan a wholly owned subsidiary. This proposal has escalated tensions among the two Japanese carmakers and raised alarms among stakeholders and leaders.

## **The Original Merger Concept**

The initial blueprint aimed to unify Honda and Nissan under a jointly controlled holding company. This arrangement would have permitted both brands to keep their identities while preserving decision-making independence. However, as negotiations evolved, conflicts arose regarding equity distribution and asset assessment, causing friction between the two firms.

## **Honda’s Contentious Proposition**

Over the past weekend, Honda introduced a modified proposal, insisting on total ownership of Nissan. This surprising offer was presented as a “take it or leave it” proposition, leaving Nissan’s executives taken aback. The proposal marks a significant deviation from the original merger framework and has incited internal pushback within Nissan.

Despite an unfavorable response during a Nissan board meeting on Wednesday, no conclusive resolution has been made to abandon the merger discussions. Sources indicate that an official statement about the deal’s future might be postponed until next week.

## **Renault’s Involvement and Market Responses**

Renault, which possesses a 36% share in Nissan, has advised its Japanese partner to seek a higher premium for its stake should Honda gain control. Renault is also urging Nissan to hasten negotiations as it aims to prioritize its own business revitalization.

Nissan initially framed the agreement as a “merger of equals” to secure internal backing. Nevertheless, with Nissan’s current weaker financial status—its market capitalization sitting at merely one-fifth of Honda’s—control in the negotiations has shifted favorably toward Honda.

The merger discussions have also been complicated by Taiwanese electronics titan Foxconn, which last year expressed interest to Renault in acquiring a portion of its holding in Nissan. Renault has been incrementally decreasing its stake in Nissan after a restructuring of their 25-year partnership in 2023.

In response to reports regarding Honda’s updated proposal, Nissan’s stock increased by 7%, while Honda’s shares rose by 3.5% on Wednesday.

## **Obstacles and Future Perspectives**

During the original merger announcement in December, Honda’s CEO Toshihiro Mibe highlighted the necessity for a holding company framework to safeguard both brands. He also cautioned that the merger would only advance if Nissan effectively implemented a turnaround strategy, which includes reducing production capacity by 20% and eliminating 9,000 positions.

Both Honda and Nissan had initially intended to finalize and disclose their management integration direction by the end of January. However, due to the prevailing tensions, this timeline is now extended to mid-February.

As the situation develops, industry experts are keenly observing whether Nissan will concede to Honda’s bold proposal or if the merger discussions will ultimately fail. The result of these talks could significantly influence the global automotive landscape.

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*© 2025 The Financial Times Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be redistributed, copied, or modified in any way.*

Tesla Sales Drop in Europe and the UK Facing Market Obstacles

# Tesla’s Dwindling Sales in Europe: A Concerning Pattern

Tesla, previously the unchallenged frontrunner in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, is experiencing a notable drop in sales throughout Europe. Although the uptake of EVs is on the rise in the region, Tesla’s share of the market is diminishing at a concerning pace. Recent sales statistics from key European countries, such as France, Germany, and the UK, indicate a steep downturn in Tesla’s results, sparking worries about the firm’s future in one of the globe’s most competitive EV markets.

## A Sharp Decrease in Sales

Sales data from early 2025 across European nations highlight a worrisome trend for Tesla. In 2024, Tesla’s European sales decreased by about 13%, but the scenario has deteriorated significantly in the early part of 2025:

– **France**: Tesla’s sales dropped by **63%**, while total vehicle sales in the nation decreased by merely **6%**. EV sales in France fell by only **0.5%**, suggesting that Tesla’s decline isn’t indicative of the overall EV landscape.
– **Germany**: Following a **41%** decrease in sales in 2024, Tesla experienced a staggering **59%** drop in January 2025.
– **United Kingdom**: Tesla’s sales declined by **12%**, despite an increase in overall battery EV sales by **35%** compared to January 2024.

Other European markets have also reported notable declines:
– **Sweden**: **44%** decrease
– **Norway**: **38%** decrease
– **Netherlands**: **42%** decrease

These figures imply that Tesla is rapidly losing its footing in Europe at an unexpectedly fast pace.

## What’s Causing Tesla’s Troubles in Europe?

Various elements contribute to Tesla’s faltering sales in Europe, ranging from product-related challenges to external market forces and CEO Elon Musk’s contentious public persona.

### 1. **A Stagnant and Aging Model Selection**
Tesla’s lineup in Europe remains largely unchanged, primarily consisting of the Model 3 and Model Y across most markets. While these models once led the industry, competition has intensified significantly, with European brands like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz launching attractive EV options.

Furthermore, Tesla’s highly anticipated Cybertruck is not street-legal in Europe due to its dimensions and weight, rendering it irrelevant to the local market. The company is relying on the newly upgraded Model Y to drive sales, but its efficacy in doing so is still in question.

### 2. **Heightened Competition from European Manufacturers**
European carmakers have significantly increased their EV manufacturing, providing a broader array of models that cater to local tastes. Brands such as Volkswagen, Renault, and Hyundai are producing cost-effective and technologically advanced EVs that resonate with European consumers. Tesla, which once held a dominant position in the EV arena, is now finding it challenging to compete with these local contenders.

### 3. **Elon Musk’s Contentious Public Persona**
Elon Musk’s vocal political stances and controversial remarks may be impacting Tesla’s brand image in Europe. Musk has increasingly aligned himself with far-right political factions, causing friction in a region where progressive values and environmental issues heavily influence consumer decisions.

His recent participation in European political discussions and the dissemination of misinformation appear to have distanced potential buyers. Unlike in the U.S., where Musk maintains a loyal following, European consumers seem to be becoming less receptive to his behaviors.

## Is There a Path to Recovery for Tesla?

Tesla’s downturn in Europe poses a significant challenge for the company. To reclaim its position, Tesla might need to:

– **Broaden its product range**: Launching new models that cater specifically to European preferences, such as smaller, more affordable EVs, could assist Tesla in regaining its market share.
– **Enhance customer relations**: Tackling issues concerning service quality and vehicle dependability could improve Tesla’s reputation in Europe.
– **Separate itself from political disputes**: While Musk’s personal brand has played a crucial role in Tesla’s achievements, his increasingly divisive opinions may be counterproductive in Europe.

Tesla’s difficulties in Europe underscore the rapidly shifting dynamics of the EV market. Although the company continues to be a global leader in electric vehicles, its preeminence is no longer a certainty. If Tesla does not adapt, it risks being outpaced by more nimble and locally attuned rivals.

### Conclusion

Tesla’s decreasing sales in Europe signal a substantial shift in the EV market. Although the overall adoption of EVs is climbing, Tesla is relinquishing its hold on vital markets due to rising competition, an outdated product lineup, and increasing consumer discontent. Whether the company can turn this situation around remains uncertain, but it is clear that Tesla’s supremacy in Europe is no longer guaranteed.

Researchers Uncover a Quicker Technique for Crafting Sour Beer with Peas

# **Pea Sugars: A Revolutionary Approach for Quicker and Easier Sour Beer Brewing**

Sour beer has been a longstanding favorite among craft beer aficionados, delivering a tangy, fruity taste that evokes the essence of champagne. Nevertheless, conventional brewing techniques for sour beer tend to be labor-intensive and erratic, frequently demanding months or even years to attain the desired flavor. Recently, researchers from Norway have unveiled a method to streamline and accelerate this process—utilizing sugars extracted from peas.

## **The Brewing Dilemma of Sour Beer**
Sour beer has endured through the ages, with brewers depending on wild yeasts and bacteria to generate its distinctive zesty flavor. In contrast to regular beer production, where specific yeast strains are meticulously regulated, sour beer fermentation permits wild yeasts and bacteria to propagate on their own. This method frequently requires the beer to mature in wooden barrels for long durations, allowing microbes to cultivate intricate tastes.

However, this classical approach brings about several hurdles:
– **Lengthy Process**: Fermentation may last for months or even years.
– **Inconsistent Outcomes**: The resultant flavor can vary widely.
– **Intricate Brewing Procedures**: Often necessitates multiple mashing vessels and prolonged cooling periods.

To tackle these issues, scientists have been investigating alternative techniques to enhance the brewing process without compromising the beer’s unique flavor.

## **Pea Sugars in Brewing**
A group of scientists from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, under the leadership of Bjørge Westereng, has identified that sugars from field peas, beans, and lentils can greatly enhance the sour beer brewing procedure. Their findings, published in the *Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry*, indicate that these plant-based sugars can foster the growth of crucial bacteria while removing the need for protracted fermentation.

### **The Efficacy of Pea Sugars**
Peas possess raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs), a form of sugar that yeast does not utilize. Instead, these sugars act as a carbon source for lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are vital for sour beer fermentation. By incorporating RFOs, brewers can:
– **Promote Bacterial Growth**: LAB flourishes on these sugars, leading to swifter fermentation.
– **Boost Flavor Creation**: This method results in elevated production of lactic acid, ethanol, and fruity flavor compounds.
– **Shorten Brewing Duration**: The trial beers were ready in merely 19 days, in contrast to traditional methods that can take months or years.

## **Testing Brewing with Pea Sugars**
To validate their hypothesis, the team brewed four test sour beers:
– Two beers incorporated RFOs from field peas.
– Two beers were made without RFOs.
– All four beers underwent 19 days of fermentation.

### **Significant Results**
– **Accelerated Fermentation**: The lactic acid bacteria consumed all the pea sugars, speeding up the brewing process.
– **Improved Flavor**: The beers that included RFOs exhibited greater acidity and fruitier notes, akin to commercially available sour beers.
– **No “Beany” Flavor**: A typical concern regarding pea-based ingredients is their pronounced, unwanted “beany” taste. However, sensory testers reported no evidence of this flavor in the final product.

## **A New Chapter for Sour Beer Production**
The research suggests that sugars derived from peas could transform sour beer manufacturing. By substituting traditional starch sources with RFOs, brewers can produce high-quality sour beers through a quicker and more streamlined brewing approach. This advancement could enhance the accessibility of sour beer for both commercial brewers and homebrewing enthusiasts.

### **Future Prospects**
– **Sustainable Practices**: Utilizing plant-derived sugars from peas and similar pulses may foster more environmentally friendly brewing methods.
– **Reliability**: A more regulated fermentation process could yield more consistent flavor profiles.
– **Innovative Brewing**: This study paves the way for additional exploration with alternative sugar sources in beer crafting.

## **Final Thoughts**
The identification of pea sugars as a fermentation enhancer for sour beer marks an exciting advancement in brewing science. By streamlining the process and minimizing fermentation duration, this technique could render sour beer production more efficient and within reach. As research progresses, it’s likely that more breweries will embrace this cutting-edge method, introducing fresh and intriguing flavors into the craft beer landscape.

For further information, refer to the original study in the *Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry*:

The Most Notorious Contributors to the Continuous Deterioration of the Internet

# The Rise of “Enshittification”: How the Internet and Tech Are Getting Worse

## Introduction

In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged among internet users: beloved platforms, services, and technologies are becoming increasingly frustrating, intrusive, and exploitative. This issue has been aptly termed **”enshittification”** by Canadian author Cory Doctorow. This concept refers to the slow decline of online platforms as they prioritize profit over user satisfaction, often resulting in poorer services, an increase in advertisements, and heightened surveillance.

Doctorow suggests that enshittification unfolds in three phases:
1. Platforms initially offer great experiences to attract users.
2. They then cater to business customers (advertisers, sellers, etc.) in a bid to boost profits.
3. Ultimately, they exploit both users and businesses to extract maximum value before their downfall or replacement.

This article examines some of the most notable instances of enshittification in the current digital environment.

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## 1. Smart TVs: From Entertainment to Surveillance

Smart TVs were once hailed as a groundbreaking upgrade, providing internet access, streaming capabilities, and voice control. However, they have now turned into **data-collecting devices** that favor advertisements and monitoring over user experience.

– **Intrusive Advertising:** Numerous smart TVs now show ads on their home pages, even in high-end models.
– **Data Gathering:** Television makers and streaming platforms monitor viewing behaviors and sell this data to advertisers.
– **User Unfriendliness:** Some TV remotes now focus on app shortcuts at the expense of essential functions like input selection.

Consequently, many users are choosing **”dumb TVs”** or external streaming devices to reclaim their viewing experience.

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## 2. Google Assistant: A Once-Great Tool in Decline

Google Assistant was once a premier voice assistant, providing smooth integration with smart home devices and powerful search features. However, it has recently faced **feature removals, declining accuracy, and corporate oversight**.

– **Basic Commands Fail:** Users report that simple actions like setting alarms or managing smart lights often malfunction unpredictably.
– **Feature Reductions:** Google has eliminated valuable functionalities, such as third-party voice applications and reminders.
– **Focus on AI Distraction:** Google is redirecting attention toward AI chatbots, causing Assistant to stagnate.

Many users are now seeking **open-source alternatives** or turning to rivals like Amazon Alexa or Apple Siri.

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## 3. The PDF Format: From Useful to Frustrating

The **Portable Document Format (PDF)** was once a groundbreaking method for document sharing across various platforms. However, it has gradually become cumbersome, insecure, and hard to navigate.

– **Adobe’s Dominance:** Adobe Acrobat has grown increasingly pricey and cluttered with unnecessary features.
– **Security Vulnerabilities:** PDFs often serve as a common route for malware and phishing attacks.
– **Text Selection Challenges:** Many PDFs are designed in formats that make text selection and copying nearly impossible.

Some users now prefer **simpler formats like Markdown or plain text** for sharing documents.

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## 4. Televised Sports: Paywalls and Fragmentation

Watching live sports used to be simplistic: just switch on the TV and enjoy the game. Today, however, sports broadcasting has evolved into a **complex web of paywalls, subscriptions, and exclusive deals**.

– **Multiple Subscriptions Needed:** Fans are required to sign up for several services (ESPN+, Peacock, Amazon Prime, etc.) to access all their favorite games.
– **Rising Costs:** The overall expense of legally watching sports has skyrocketed.
– **Increase in Piracy:** Many fans are turning to illegal streaming options due to the complexity and expense of legitimate choices.

This fragmentation is **alienating casual viewers** and making sports less accessible.

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## 5. Google Search: From Helpful to Ad-Driven

Google Search was once the benchmark for online information retrieval. Nowadays, it is **overrun with ads, AI-generated summaries, and SEO manipulation**.

– **AI Summaries:** Google’s AI-generated search results often contain **misleading or inaccurate information**.
– **More Ads, Fewer Organic Results:** Users must sift through numerous ads before encountering genuine search results.
– **SEO Manipulation:** Many websites artificially boost search rankings with low-quality, keyword-stuffed content.

Consequently, users are **turning to alternatives like DuckDuckGo, Kagi, and even Reddit** for more trustworthy search results.

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## 6. AI in Email: Unwanted and Unhelpful

Google and Microsoft have aggressively embedded **AI features into their email platforms** like Gmail and Outlook. However, these enhancements frequently complicate rather than resolve issues.

– **Inaccurate AI Summaries:** AI-generated email summaries often misrepresent crucial details.
– **Forced Adoption**