Honda and Sony are forming a new joint venture to manufacture and market battery electric vehicles, with the first EV expected to hit the market in 2025.
Sony has already created two prototype vehicles known as “Vision-S” for the goal of demonstrating and guiding the development of its electric vehicle-related technology. Honda also offers an electric vehicle, the Honda e, which is a city car with a retro-style and adorable appearance that has won hearts.
Honda and Sony in New Joint Venture to Make Electronic Vehicles
Honda and Sony described their new endeavor as an extension of their previous discussions and exploration of strategic cooperation focused on developing innovative mobility services.
Toshihiro Mibe, the CEO of Honda Motor, stated,
“The New Company will aim to stand at the forefront of innovation, evolution, and expansion of mobility around the world, by taking a broad and ambitious approach to create value that exceeds the expectations and imagination of customers,”
He added,
“We will do so by leveraging Honda’s cutting-edge technology and know-how in relation to the environment and safety while aligning the technological assets of both companies.
While some media sites have characterized this new alliance as an attempt to “take on Tesla,” the reality is that all-electric vehicle manufacturers are following in Tesla’s footsteps and attempting to bring together a diverse range of industries to match Tesla’s supremacy.
The new Honda-Sony partnership will combine Honda’s mobility development and manufacturing capabilities, as well as after-sales service management, with Sony’s competence in image, sensing, telecommunication, network, and entertainment technologies development and application.
Mibe said,
“Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different. Therefore, I believe this alliance which brings together the strengths of our two companies offers great possibilities for the future of mobility.”
According to Honda and Sony, the ensuing alliance will-
“Realize a new generation of mobility and services that are closely connected with people and the environment and continue to improve going forward,”
The company’s mention of Sony’s competence in ‘imaging and sensing,’ which could allude to a prospective concentration on autonomous electric vehicles, is particularly intriguing. Honda and Sony will now move forward with negotiations to sign a joint development and joint venture agreement, with the goal of forming their new joint venture this year.
However, while the new firm would plan, design, manufacture, and sell electric vehicles, it will not own or run its own production facilities, instead of relying on Honda’s existing facilities. Sony is also anticipated to develop a mobility service platform that will be used by the new company. Check out Honda and Sony for further updates.