Tech giant Sony has agreed a memorandum with car-building giant Honda to develop, produce and deliver new electric vehicles in three years’ time.
Electronics brand Sony and car manufacturer Honda have agreed a deal to form a new company that will focus on developing and selling electric vehicles in the future, with the first cars from the partnership set to go on sale in 2025.
The joint venture will “engage in the joint development and sales of high value-added battery electric vehicles and commercialise them in conjunction with providing mobility services”.
The confirmation of the arrangement outlines that the new company is expected to plan, design, develop and sell EVs, with Honda’s expertise in production meaning it will manufacture the vehicles. Sony will bring to the table digital services for a future mobility platform.
The news follows Sony’s announcement at the start of 2022 that it tends to become an electric car brand, having shown its Vision S 02 concept at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The seven-seat, 4.85-metre-long prototype SUV is powered by a pair of electric motors for a total of 420kW, offering a 0-100km/h time of less than five seconds. Battery technology, size and a predicted range were not disclosed when the brand revealed the Vision S 02, alongside forming a new company, called Sony Mobility Inc.
Images of the Vision S 02’s interior revealed similar design cues to Sony’s original Vision-S concept, with a full-width high-definition display instead of a conventional fascia, and headrest screens for second-row passengers. There’s also a rotary controller in the middle of the third row – potentially allowing those in the sixth and seventh seats to control audio or multimedia functions.
Commenting on the announcement,Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President, Representative Executive Officer and CEO, Honda Motor Co. said that “We will create value 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.
“Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different. Therefore, I believe this alliance which brings together the strengths of our two companies offers great possibilities for the future of mobility.”
Sean Carson