On March 4, Zhichepai learned that Sony and Honda are planning to set up a new company to jointly design and sell electric vehicles. The joint venture has not yet been finalized, but the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding stating their intentions. The new company, which has yet to be named, is expected to be set up this year, with the first electric car scheduled to go on sale in 2025.
Honda will produce the first model, the new company will be responsible for the design, development and sales of the vehicle, and Sony will develop a mobile service platform. The partnership aims to combine Honda's expertise in automotive manufacturing and marketing with Sony's capabilities in image sensors, telecommunications and entertainment.
"Sony's goal is to 'fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology,'" Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in a statement. "Through alliance with Honda, which has accumulated a wealth of global experience and achievements in the automotive industry over the years and continues to make revolutionary progress in this field, we intend to establish our vision of 'making mobile spaces emotional spaces' and contributing to mobility development centered on safety, entertainment and adaptability."
Toshihiro Mibe, CEO of Honda, said: "The new company's goal is to be at the forefront of global mobile innovation, growth and expansion, taking a broad and ambitious approach to creating value beyond customer expectations and imaginations. "We will do this by leveraging Honda's cutting-edge technology and expertise in environment and safety, while aligning both companies' technology assets." While Sony and Honda share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technical expertise are vastly different. Therefore, I believe that this alliance that combines the strengths of our two companies will open up great possibilities for the future of mobility." ”
Sony has already made clear its intention to enter the automotive sector, and this partnership marks Sony's first specific move into the automotive industry. At CES 2020, Sony showcased an electric concept car called the Vision-S, followed by the launch of the Vision-S 02 at CES 2022. At that time, Sony announced plans to set up an operating company called Sony Mobility by the spring of 2022; , now it seems unnecessary.