YOKOHAMA — With Nissan Motor Co. and its French partner Renault SA looking to expand their clout through a new cross-sharing deal with Germany's Daimler AG, the big question is: who is next in the realignment of the global auto industry?

In Japan, experts say eyes are on Honda Motor Co., the nation's second-largest automaker, although it has so far shown no indication of ditching its trademark go-it-alone policy.

Pressure has been heavy on carmakers to pursue expansion of scale to save on development costs of highly expensive green technology and to secure their foothold in fast-growing emerging markets by offering affordable compacts.