To everyone's surprise, Uchida's resignation comes hot on the heels of the collapse of merger negotiations with Honda. Negotiations stalled almost the moment it was suggested that

A leadership shakeup at Nissan could revive stalled merger talks with Honda, as the struggling automaker weighs its future.

Nissan Motor Co. will hold a board meeting on March 11 to discuss the future of Chief Executive Officer Makoto Uchida, according to people familiar with the matter.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida is under deepening pressure over the Japanese automaker's weakening performance and board members are due to gather on March 11 to discuss potential successors, people familiar with the matter have said.

Nissan is struggling right now. Next week, it might have a new leader directing its recovery. A report alleges that CEO Makoto Uchida could step down as soon as next week when the board of directors picks his successor.