Sony May Enter EV Market With Help From Honda

Sony’s plan to enter the automotive scene may soon finally be realised with the help of fellow Japanese company and car maker Honda. Both companies have recently jointly announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), where the two would work together to produce electric vehicles through a new yet-to-be-named company that is expected to be formed later this year.

According to Honda’s press release published on its website, the partnership aims to combine its expertise in car manufacturing and sales together with Sony’s capabilities in image sensors, telecommunications, and entertainment. The automaker added that it will manufacture the first model, while the Japanese consumer electronics giant will develop a mobility service platform. The new company, on the other hand, will be handling the vehicle’s design, development, and sales.

“The New Company will aim to stand at the forefront of innovation, evolution, and expansion of mobility around the world, by taking a broad and ambitious approach to creating value that exceeds the expectations and imagination of customers,” says Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe. Meanwhile, Sony CEO Kenishiro Yoshida states that the partnership would provide the company with the opportunity to build on its vision to “make the mobility space an emotional one,” and contribute to the evolution of mobility centered around safety, entertainment and adaptability.

Both companies reveal that the new company’s first EV is expected to hit the market in 2025 but did not provide any details regarding its specifications or vehicle class. Seeing that Sony had previously showcased two of its EV prototypes, the Vision-S sedan and Vision-S 02 SUV, there’s a possibility that the upcoming car will be based on either model or even existing concepts from Honda, as well as future concepts from both companies. Regardless, it would certainly take a while until we find out more about the new jointly-established company and its first EV offering.

(Source: Honda [Official website])