Sony and Honda are planning a joint venture to develop and sell electric cars. The partners plan to launch their JV this year, with sales of the first electric model planned for 2025.
The two Japanese companies have stated that the new company will develop and sell the vehicle. The vehicle itself is to be produced by Honda, they said. However, such issues have not yet been resolved: “The two companies will proceed with negotiations toward executing various definitive binding agreements, including a joint development agreement and a joint venture agreement, with a goal of establishing the New Company within 2022, subject to execution of the definitive agreements and relevant regulatory approvals,” Honda writes. Financial details, a possible corporate headquarters or who will lead the joint venture are not yet known.
Sony had unveiled its second electric car prototype earlier this year and announced it was looking into entering the e-car market. That will now likely happen – assuming a final agreement is reached with Honda – in the joint venture. However, the joint venture, which has yet to be named, will not own and operate any production facilities itself. Therefore, Honda will “probably” build the vehicles, but the decision is not yet final.
On the other hand, Honda’s expectations of Sony are clear: “It is expected that a mobility service platform will be developed by Sony and made available for the New Company,” the automaker added.
According to Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida’s statement, the company wants to help develop mobility focused on “safety, entertainment and adaptability.” Sony’s Purpose is to ‘fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology,” Yoshida said.
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe adds, “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.”
global.honda, sony.com
Keyword: Sony & Honda announces plans for EV joint venture