Sony partners with Honda to enter into the car industry

Sony’s dream to enter into the automobile industry is about to be accomplished. The Electronics company is entering into a “joint venture” with car-industry leader, Honda, to manufacture and sell electric cars. 

A press statement published on Honda’s website reveals the two companies have, in an agreement, signed a memorandum of understanding that expresses their commitment to work together in the future. 

“The two companies will proceed with negotiations toward executing various definitive binding agreements, including a joint development agreement and a joint venture agreement, with a goal of establishing the New Company within 2022, subject to execution of the definitive agreements and relevant regulatory approvals.”

Honda didn’t disclose the name of the new company, but says it will be established this year though sales of the first electric vehicle (EV) are expected to begin in 2025.

“The New Company is expected to plan, design, develop, and sell the EVs, but not own and operate manufacturing facilities,”. Honda will manufacture the very first model, while Sony will develop a platform for mobility services. The partnership will combine Honda’s expertise in the design and marketing of automobiles with Sony’s capabilities in image sensors, telecommunications, and entertainment technology.

Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida expressed that the company’s mission is to “fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.” The company sees its partnership with Honda Motor Company as a chance to build its vision to make the mobility space an emotional one, and contribute to the evolution of mobility centered on safety, entertainment, and adaptability. 

For Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe, “the New Company will aim to be at the forefront of innovation in mobility, evolution in mobility, and expansion of mobility around the world.” 

To accomplish this, the CEO stressed that the New Company will take a broad and ambitious approach to creating value that exceeds the expectations of customers, using Honda’s cutting-edge technology and know-how in respect to the environment and safety, as well as matching the technological assets of both organisations. 

“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.”

In the past, Sony has touted the possibility of producing its first car. This is the company’s chance to unleash this ambitious goal. During CES 2020, it debuted an electric car concept which it called the Vision-S, as well as the Vision-S 02. Back then the company said it had plans to launch “Sony Mobility” by the spring of 2022. However, it appears the initiative is history now that it is partnering with Honda Motors.