As Honda and Nissan push forward with merger plans, Mitsubishi Motors may bow out, citing doubts about its influence in the new partnership.

As talks between the automakers continue, analysts say a combination makes sense but may face hurdles, including short-term financial hardship.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida met with Honda counterpart Toshihiro Mibe on Thursday to say he wanted to end their merger talks after the larger automaker proposed making Nissan a subsidiary, said a source with knowledge of the matter.