Sony and Honda join forces to develop EVs

Japanese auto manufacturer Honda and technology and media giant Sony and Honda are to team up in a joint venture to build high value-added battery electric vehicles (EVs), for sale within the next three years. The two companies said their strategic alliance aims to create a new era of mobility and mobility services, taking on the likes of Tesla.

Honda brings mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology and after-sales service management experience cultivated over many years to the alliance, while Sony offers expertise in the development and application of imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network, and entertainment technologies.

Negotiations toward executing various definitive binding agreements, including a joint development agreement and a joint venture agreement are ongoing, with a goal of establishing the New Company within 2022, subject to execution of the definitive agreements and relevant regulatory approvals.

Sales of the first EV model from the New Company are expected to start in 2025. The New Company is expected to plan, design, develop, and sell the EVs, but not own and operate manufacturing facilities, so Honda is expected to be responsible for manufacturing the first EV model at its vehicle manufacturing plant. It is expected that a mobility service platform will be developed by Sony and made available for the New Company.

Kenichiro Yoshida, chairman, president and CEO, Sony Group Corporation (pictured), said: “Sony’s Purpose is to ‘fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.’ Through this alliance with Honda, which has accumulated extensive global experience and achievements in the automobile industry over many years and continues to make revolutionary advancements in this field, we intend to build on our vision to ‘make the mobility space an emotional one,’ and contribute to the evolution of mobility centered around safety, entertainment and adaptability.”

Toshihiro Mibe, president and CEO, Honda Motor Co, added: “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 creating value that exceeds the expectations and imagination of customers. 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. 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.”