Photo: Sony
Two of Japan’s biggest companies, Sony and Honda, have confirmed their joint venture that makes and sells electric vehicles. It will be established later this year, with deliveries starting in 2025.
In a joint statement, the two revealed that details are still being finalized, and the venture will be set for regulatory approval.
They added, “The new company is expected to plan, design, develop, and sell the EVs, but not own and operate manufacturing facilities.”
Honda will head the production at one of its factories, while Sony will lead a platform for mobility services. However, this was not elaborated in the statement.
Sony, known for its electronic gadgets and entertainment products, showed interest in the car industry with its first prototype vehicle revealed at the 2020 CES consumer tech trade show. In December 2020, the Vision-S 01, as the vehicle was called, was tested on public roads in Europe.
The company’s interest in the car industry was raised to another level with the Honda joint venture and the reveal of a new sports utility vehicle concept.
“With our imaging and sensing, cloud, 5G and entertainment technologies combined with our content mastery, we believe Sony is well-positioned as a creative entertainment company to redefine mobility,” said Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida at CES in January.
On Friday, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said that they believe the two companies will work well together.
“Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different.”
Mibe added, “Therefore, I believe this alliance, which brings together the strengths of our two companies, offers great possibilities.”
