TOKYO -- Honda Motor and Nissan Motor have entered into discussions to standardize the basic software that controls their vehicles to try to catch up to Chinese electric vehicle makers and Tesla of the U.S, Nikkei has learned.

Nissan is in talks to supply cars to Honda in the United States, which would let the struggling Japanese automaker put to use an under-utilised American plant, the Nikkei newspaper said on Friday, without citing sources.

The move would be aimed at improving profitability and plant utilization for a turnaround, while helping mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs.