Honda, Sony join hands to build EVs

Honda is teaming up with Sony to build electric cars and “create a new era of mobility and mobility services”. The two Japanese firms have announced that they would move forward with forming a new company together later this year, with their first EV projected to go on sale in 2025.

• Sony had announced its plans to enter the auto industry in January
• Sony’s concept, the Vision-S, has already been spotted testing

Under the joint venture, both Honda and Sony will plan, design, develop and sell its own EVs, but won't own or operate manufacturing facilities. Honda will manufacture the first EV at one of its factories, while Sony will develop a new platform for mobility services.

"Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different," Honda president Toshihiro Mibe said. "Therefore, I believe this alliance – which brings together the strengths of our two companies – offers great possibilities for the future of mobility.”

Technology giant Sony confirmed its plans to enter the EV market back in January, revealing a pair of bespoke EVs, as well as plans to launch a new operating company called Sony Mobility Inc this spring. One of its concepts, the Vision-S, has already started testing on public roads. The luxury saloon was made primarily to showcase Sony's autonomous driving and in-car entertainment systems. It’s not yet clear whether it will go into production as part of this partnership with Honda.

“Through this alliance with Honda – which has accumulated extensive global experience and achievements in the automobile industry over many years – we intend to build on our vision to make the mobility space an emotional one and contribute to the evolution of mobility centred around safety, entertainment and adaptability,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said.

What are your thoughts on the tech and the auto giant collaborating to make EVs? Let us know in the comments.

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