Honda and Sony join forces, a new brand of electric cars is born

Honda and Sony join forces

Honda and Sony have announced their intention to jointly create a new brand that will be involved in making electric cars as early as 2022; according to what has been leaked, the first 4-wheel creation born from this collaboration could arrive on the market in 2025.

It is the first time that an important automotive company like Honda and a giant in the world of technology like Sony they combine to give life to a product together, and the many fans of both sectors have something to hope for in the coming years; for the moment we are still in the negotiation phase of the final details of the partnership, but there is every intention of starting work already in the current year, so as to arrive on the market in just over 3 years, with the intention next to expand its range and become not only car manufacturers but also mobility service providers.






Last year Honda announced its intention to become a company that sells only electric and hydrogen cars by 2040, so the news of the alliance with Sony is not surprising in the least; Honda's first electric experiments - such as the small and stylish Honda E - will be a very useful starting point for the development that will take place together with Sony, which in turn has already shown itself very interested in entering the world of electric mobility - as seen on the occasion of CES 2022 where Sony unveiled the Sony Vision-S 02 Concept, the project for an electric SUV.

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Sony, Honda Join Forces To Build EVs And ‘Redefine Mobility’

Sony and Honda will link up to produce an EV by 2025. Here, the Sony Vision-S crossover concept shown at CES 2022. Sony

Sony and Honda are teaming up, the new partners planning to launch a line of high-tech battery-electric vehicles that could “redefine mobility,” according to the entertainment giant’s CEO Kenichiro Yoshida.

Sony has been toying with the idea of getting into the automotive business for several years and confirmed it would finally move ahead during a presentation at CES 2022 in January. It hasn’t said whether it will produce a version of the Vision-S concept car shown in Las Vegas two months ago, but the first product from the joint venture is scheduled to launch by 2025.

“In the joint venture, we would like to lead the mobility evolution by combining our technology and experience with Honda’s long experience in mobility development and vehicle body manufacturing technologies,” said Yoshida in a statement. 

Interior of the Vision-S concept. SonyCars as Computers on Wheels

Today’s automobiles are computers on wheels, and Sony has extensive experience with the sensors, computer chips and digital displays that are found on virtually every vehicle. That puts it in a position to not only offer advanced safety technology but the latest in onboard infotainment systems. 

It lags behind in the vehicle R&D and manufacturing capabilities that could cost billions of dollars and take years to develop if it were to try entering the automotive market on its own, however. That’s where Honda comes in.

“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,” Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said in a statement. 

Sony Vision-S concepts. At CES 2022, Sony showed the concept with an integrated PlayStation 5 console. SonyWill Customers Go for Subscription Fees Atop Loan Payments?

Sony’s decision to enter the market comes at a time when its traditional expertise could pay off handsomely. 

During a presentation last week General Motors CEO Mary Barra revealed internal research estimating new vehicle buyers are willing to spend an average of $135 a month on infotainment and related services as well as advanced driver assistance systems like its hands-free Super Cruise technology. On Monday, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares laid out a similarly optimistic view that vehicle software, services and subscriptions could generate revenues of around $25 billion a year for the automaker by 2030.

Whether recurring payment services pan out may depend on whether motorists will seek the cheapest approach, using a smartphone or the car’s telematics module (such as GM OnStar) and integrated WiFi, to bring in their own apps and services.

As for Honda, the deal with Sony is the latest in a string of alliances and joint ventures it’s entered into. The third-largest Japanese automaker is working with GM to develop both autonomous vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell technology. GM also will provide Honda with two BEVs as the Asian automaker ramps up its own electrification program. The Sony tie-up is expected to further accelerate that effort.