Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn said Friday the company will help Mitsubishi Motors Corp. under their planned tie-up to regain public trust damaged by a fuel economy scandal, although it will not be easy.

"The biggest challenge is to support Mitsubishi changing itself and growing and being profitable, and restoring its reputation," Ghosn said in an interview with Japanese and foreign media at Nissan's headquarters in Yokohama.

But he also said, "We are excited about this opportunity to support Mitsubishi changing and transforming itself."