Sony and Honda have announced that they will form a new entity to develop electric vehicles and mobility services, through the company Sony Honda Mobility.
The company was founded in September with a capital of 10 billion yen, with Sony and Honda each taking a 50 percent stake.
The company plans to start taking orders in 2025, with the first deliveries expected in the spring of 2026 in the US.
The new EV will be developed with a focus on its role as an entertainment space, such as providing music and games and offering traditional transportation elements, such as driving performance and safety.
“First deliveries are expected in North America in the spring of 2026. In Japan, deliveries are planned to begin in the second half of 2026,”
said Yasuhide Mizuno, chairman of the joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility, quoted from Nikkei (14/ 10/2022).
Mizuno said that this car would be made at Honda’s factory in North America. In addition, the company is also considering entering the European market.
However, there is no mention of factory locations, EV platforms, or battery suppliers as they are considering all options including sourcing from LG or General Motors.
But for sure, Honda will contribute to the project with its expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and after-sales support.
The new model aims to help the two companies catch up in the EV market, where the Japanese automaker lags behind start-ups like Tesla from the US and BYD from China.
Other potential challengers may include Apple, which is also reportedly developing its own line of EVs.
Sony President and CEO Izumi Kawanishi said the joint venture intends to promote EVs as a space to be enjoyed even when not driving.
Asked about his strategy in relation to competitors like Tesla, Kawanishi stressed that the company had to win if it wanted to enter the business.
“Until now, cars have competed on factory elements, such as driving performance and safety,”
said Kawanishi.
“Such factors will continue to be important, but the company hopes to add value by combining it with software technology and to compete in this area,”
he said.
