Nissan Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp. are looking to mutually supply motor vehicles under each other's brands starting this fiscal year, sources said.
Nissan may supply Suzuki with a minivan in return for more minivehicle models, the sources said.
With domestic sales on the wane, the two automakers are trying to supplement their product lineups, they said.
Suzuki also wants closer ties with Nissan because General Motors Corp. liquidated most of its stake in Suzuki in March, the sources said, adding that Nissan and Suzuki may turn their alliance into a capital tieup.
Nissan, which does not make minivehicles, intends to expand its lineup with Suzuki's models because their sales are growing amid rising gasoline prices.
Nissan's minivehicle lineup consists of the Suzuki-made Moco and two other models from Mitsubishi Motors Corp. It expects to start selling another Suzuki-made model later this year.