Renault executives travelled to Japan this week to meet counterparts at Nissan in an effort to maximise the value of the French automaker's stake in the Japanese firm ahead of its merger with Honda, a source close to the matter told Reuters.

Renault SA wants a premium for its stake in Nissan Motor Co. if Honda Motor Co. takes over control of the rival Japanese automaker, according to people familiar with the matter.

There's a lot at stake here, with other players like Renault and Mitsubishi involved as well, to say nothing about Foxconn's intervention in the matter. At the core of this merger is the elephant in the room,