What began as a rumor in Japanese media earlier this week has now been formally confirmed. Honda and Nissan have signed a memorandum of understanding for a feasibility examine to discover the potential of collectively developed electrical autos. If the 2 automakers attain an settlement, the partnership might additionally embrace working collectively on software program.
The collaboration continues to be in its infancy but when Nissan and Honda do ink a deal, the plan is to channel efforts into “automotive software program platforms, core elements associated to EVs, and complementary merchandise.” The software program half might pertain to security and/or autonomous driving applied sciences for the reason that press launch revealed by each corporations talks about “zero traffic-accident fatalities.” It additionally features a shared objective of reaching carbon neutrality.
In line with a report revealed by Nikkei Asia a number of days in the past, Nissan and Honda wish to develop a brand new platform solely meant for electrical autos. The collaboration might prolong to engineering EVs collectively. As well as, the Japanese automakers might pool cash to purchase a standard EV powertrain and batteries.
A tie-up wouldn’t solely pace up growth but additionally carry R&D prices down. Honda is now not working with Common Motors to co-develop inexpensive electrical crossovers, so the actual fact it’s searching for a brand new associate isn’t any shock. The collaboration with GM is more likely to be restricted to the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX on the Ultium platform.
Nissan has a associate in Renault in relation to EVs and different forms of autos. The subsequent-generation Micra will likely be closely based mostly on the reborn Renault 5. It may use about 80 % of the identical components and can enter manufacturing in 2026 at Renault’s Douai manufacturing unit in northern France.
With Chinese language competitors intensifying whereas the Volkswagen Group and Stellantis are doubling down on EVs, Nissan and Honda do not wish to path behind. Nevertheless, for the reason that two have simply signed an MoU, it means a collectively developed platform/automotive is unlikely to come back out within the subsequent few years, offered a last deal is agreed upon.
