Major Japanese carmakers Nissan and Mazda have struck agreements with Chinese companies to lower their average CO2 emissions and avoid penalties in Europe. Under European Commission rules, brands can form so-called pools—groups in which one company offsets another’s excess emissions with its cleaner performance.

Nissan has joined forces with BYD, the global leader in electric-vehicle production. The decision stems from the fact that sales of the Micra and LEAF electric models are not yet delivering the necessary emissions cuts. Mazda, for its part, has partnered with China’s Changan, with which it is developing the electric Mazda 6e and CX-6e lineup.

Taken together, these moves signal a notable shift in the global market. Japanese brands once set the tempo, but today they must adapt to a landscape where Chinese manufacturers hold leading positions in electric cars and low-emissions technologies. In this context, pooling looks like a pragmatic step—less a shortcut than a bridge while strategies align with the new reality.