TOKYO -- One of the biggest factors driving the proposed partnership between Nissan Motor and Honda Motor is their struggle to catch up to younger rivals like Tesla in the speed and scale of investment.
Japanese automakers have steep hill to climb in spending and cash flow

When it comes to investment, Nissan and Honda are well behind both Tesla and China's BYD. (Photo by Yoshiharu Okanishi)
TOKYO -- One of the biggest factors driving the proposed partnership between Nissan Motor and Honda Motor is their struggle to catch up to younger rivals like Tesla in the speed and scale of investment.