PARIS (Reuters) - Renault executives travelled to Japan this week to meet counterparts at Nissan ( NSANF ) in an effort to maximise the value of the French automaker's stake in the Japanese firm ahead of its merger with Honda ( HMC ), a source close to the matter told Reuters.

Nissan ( NSANF ) and Honda ( HMC ) said late last year they would begin formal talks on a merger that could potentially create the world's third-largest auto group with annual output of 7.4 million vehicles.

Renault owns 36% of Nissan ( NSANF ), including 18.7% in a French trust, and has said it is open to the merger.

But the French company is pushing Nissan ( NSANF ) to negotiate a higher premium from Honda ( HMC ), given that Honda ( HMC ) is expected to take control of Nissan ( NSANF ), according to a report in the Financial Times, which first reported the trip.

A Renault spokeswoman declined to comment on any proposal for a control premium.

Nissan Europe said it could not immediately comment. Honda ( HMC ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Renault and Nissan ( NSANF ) overhauled an alliance of more than 20 years in 2023, rebalancing their cross shareholdings and refocusing on a limited number of projects and geographies.

Honda ( HMC ) and Nissan ( NSANF ) are aiming to reach a definitive merger agreement for a holding company by the end of June, including fixing the merger ratio, the FT reported.