Sony and Honda announced today they have signed a joint venture to establish a new company to engage in the sale of high-value-added electric vehicles (EVs) and provide services for mobility. These new electric vehicles will be produced under the Sony Honda Mobility Inc. name.
Sony and Honda, who have a 50:50 investment of 10 billion yen, plan to establish the new company within 2022. Sales of electric vehicles and the provision of services for mobility is expected to happen in 2025.
Honda will bring its cutting-edge environmental and safety technologies, mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology and after-sales service management experience. These will be combined with Sony’s expertise in the development and application of imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network and entertainment technologies.
Together, they aim to realise a new generation of mobility and services for mobility that are closely aligned with users and the environment, and continue to evolve going forward.
Honda already produces electric vehicles and has seen much success with its smart-looking electric hatchback the Honda e. This award-winning small car has already become an instant classic thanks to its neat lines and unique looks.
Last year Sony revealed its VISION-S 02 concept car (see video below). This seven-seater is designed to process information from its surroundings and environment in real-time using Sony’s advancing sensing technologies. It will be interesting to see what the collaboration brings and whether any of their vehicles will be based on these models.
Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony Group Corporation CEO, said: “Based on our vision to ‘make the mobility space an emotional one,’ Sony’s initiatives in the mobility business are centred around the three areas of safety, entertainment and adaptability.
“As we continue our learnings in these areas, we are excited to have met a partner, Honda, with extensive global achievements and knowledge, and to sign the joint venture agreement between the two companies.
“Going forward, we aim to contribute to the evolution of mobility by combining Honda’s cutting-edge environmental and safety technologies, mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology and after-sales service management experience, with our expertise in imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network and entertainment technologies.”
Toshihiro Mibe, Honda Motor Company CEO, said: “Honda continues to take on new challenges in the environmental, safety, and other advanced fields in order to be a driving force for social change through mobility, and ‘become the power that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative.’
“We are very pleased to have signed a joint venture agreement with Sony, which has strengths in advanced digital technology, and shares our desire to take on new challenges.
“Since its announcement in March, many people have expressed their expectations for this joint venture. At the new company, we will strive to create new value through the fusion brought about by the combination of our different industries, so please look forward to future developments.”
