Sony Group and Honda Motor will collaborate to develop electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to market their first model in 2025, the companies announced on Friday.
The Japanese giants said they plan to jointly work on “high value-added battery electric vehicles” and “commercialise them in conjunction with providing mobility services”, according to a Honda statement.
The venture aims to utilise Honda’s mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology and after-sales service management experience.
Sony said it would provide expertise in the development and application of imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network, and entertainment technologies.
“Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different,” Toshihiro Mibe, Honda chief executive, said.
“Therefore, I believe this alliance which brings together the strengths of our two companies offers great possibilities for the future of mobility,” he added.
The venture 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, Sony said.
It is expected that a mobility service platform will be developed by Sony and made available to the venture.
“Through this alliance with Honda … we intend to contribute to the evolution of mobility centred around safety, entertainment and adaptability,” Kenichiro Yoshida, chief executive of Sony Group Corporation, said.
Sales of the first EV model are expected to start in 2025, the two companies said.
• George Russell
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