Nissan was deep in trouble late last year when rival Honda offered a lifeline: a $60 billion tie-up that would help both Japanese automakers compete against the Chinese brands upending the car industry.

There's strife of the horizon as Nissan vehemently opposes Honda's suggestion of making the struggling carmaker its subsidiary.

Reportedly disrespected by Honda's proposal to make it a subsidiary, Nissan is still looking for a partner. Its future may depend on finding one.