Nissan Motors is considering buying a controlling stake in scandal-plagued Mitsubishi Motors, Japanese media reported Thursday.

    Japan's second-largest carmaker plans to spend more than 200 billion yen (1.85 billion dollars) to acquire more than 30 % of Mitsubishi Motors, (Kyodo) News agency reported, citing unnamed sources.

    Under the move, Nissan would become the largest shareholder in its rival, overtaking the 12.6 % currently held by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.