Japanese technology, automotive giants team up for EV production

A new electric car company that brings together two big names in Japanese business, Honda and Sony, officially kicked off on October 13.

The electric vehicle from Sony Honda Mobility Inc. will go on sale in 2025, with deliveries coming first in the US in early 2026, and in Japan later that year, Chief Executive Yasuhide Mizuno told reporters, according to AP. Pre-orders start in 2025.

In March, Sony Group Corp. and Honda agreed to set up a 50-50 joint venture, with the idea of bringing together Honda’s expertise in autos, mobility technology and sales with Sony’s imaging, network, sensor and entertainment expertise.

Production will take place at one of Honda’s 12 plants in the US. But details such as pricing, platform and the kind of battery to be used were not disclosed. Production volume was also not given, but officials said this was a particular model and not intended for massive sales.

Mizuno, who is from Honda Motor Co., said the collaboration brings together hardware and software to deliver an emotionally satisfying experience on the move.

“It was necessary to take a totally new approach,” Mizuno told reporters in Tokyo. “We want to make this completely new.”

The US was chosen for the launch because electric vehicles are already popular there. He said that Japan came second as Honda’s home market, and other markets, including Europe, will follow, but no dates were set.

Izumi Kawanishi, the Sony executive who became a chief operating officer at Sony Mobility, said partners would be added to the project.