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,

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.

Despite an initial MoU involving Mitsubishi in talks of "participation, involvement, and synergy sharing" in the Honda-Nissan merger, it now appears the company wants to go solo. The report indicates Mitsubishi had considered joining the new holding company with Honda and Nissan but has now opted out.

Shares in Mitsubishi plunged nearly nine percent Friday after a report said it might not join a planned merger between industry giants Honda and Nissan. Honda, and its struggling rival Nissan, agreed last month to launch talks on the tie-up, which is seen as an attempt to catch up with Chinese rivals and Tesla on electric vehicles.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. won’t be a part of Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co.’s plans to combine their companies under a holding company, the Yomiuri reported.

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.