Sources close to the top management of US car maker Ford say that the company is about to buy two of its top rivals: BMW of Germany and Honda of Japan. Ford is the world's largest producer of cars and trucks.
According to agency reports the details of the package are not known yet, but it appears not to be a merger of equals but a buy-out of both companies.
A computer firm with historical ties to the auto industry is said to be involved in the deal as well.
An announcement on the mega-deal is expected later this week.