Although Daimler has recently retreated a bit in China, the new car maker will at some point have to expand in Asia, possibly by forging links with Japan's troubled Nissan Motor, which was apparently in talks with Chrysler about a possible takeover.

ECONOMIST: A new kind of car company

Japan's No. 2 automaker Nissan Motor Co. reports earnings Friday.

NPR: Toyota Raises Annual Forecasts On Profit Rise

Last month, it signed a production agreement with Japanese rival Nissan Motor to supply it with 36, 000 small cars for sale in Japan.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Peugeot deal boosts Mitsubishi

Nissan Motor Co. recalled 480, 000 vehicles globally, some 137, 000 of them in Japan, for the air bag problem.

NPR: Toyota, Honda, Nissan Announce Air Bag Recall