The electric car market is creating alliances that were unthinkable until yesterday. The most recent example is that of Japanese engine manufacturing giant Honda and Sony Group Corporation, which signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a joint venture through which they plan to engage in the development and the joint sale of high value-added battery electric vehicles (EV) and market them with the provision of mobility services.
The two companies will continue with the goal of establishing the new company in 2022, with sales of the first electric vehicle model expected to begin in 2025.
In 2020, Sony introduced a concept car, the Vision-S, and soon after the company was looking for a major partner with experience in the mobility industry. At this year’s CES, the company unveiled a new concept SUV called the Vision-S 02. Now it’s moving forward with its vision thanks to a new deal with Honda.
The deal also opens the door to other partners interested in the electric mobility revolution, which also includes tech giants like Alphabet with the Waymo platform and Apple with the elusive Project Titan. Major investments in electric cars are also underway by Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota and other famous car brands.
The roles that the two partners will play are very clear: Honda will be responsible for the development and production of the cars and after-sales services, essential to customer satisfaction. Sony, for its part, will address in-car technologies, including in-car entertainment, an area in which Sony is a global leader.
The new company is expected to plan, design, develop and sell electric vehicles, but does not own or operate manufacturing facilities, so Honda is expected to build the first model of electric vehicle at its vehicle manufacturing plant. . Sony should develop a mobility services platform and make it available to the new company.
Sony’s goal is to fill the world with excitement through the power of creativity and technology. Through this partnership with Honda, which has accumulated vast global experience and achievements in the automotive industry over many years and continues to make groundbreaking breakthroughs in this field, we intend to build on our vision of ” make the mobility space an emotional space”, and contribute to the evolution of mobility focused on safety, entertainment and adaptability.
Kenichiro Yoshida, CEO of Sony Group Corporation.
Via global.honda