Sony and Honda collaborating to develop EV and sell by 2025

Japanese automakers and electronics giants are collaborating on an electric vehicle. Sony and Honda have agreed to form a joint venture this year to begin selling electric cars by 2025, both companies announced Friday.

Honda and Sony plan to combine their expertise in mobility development, technology and sales with Sony’s expertise in imaging, telecommunications, networks, and entertainment. It is rare for Japan to have a union of traditionally different manufacturing businesses. Electric vehicles lack gasoline-powered engines and feature complicated electronics, so it makes sense.

The joint venture will develop and design the product, but will use Honda’s plant for manufacturing. Sony will develop the mobility services platform.

Honda was founded by Soichiro Honda, an engineer, industrialist and reputed nonconformist. He started out helping at his father’s bicycle repair shop and eventually built Honda into a global powerhouse. He is often quoted as saying things like: A diploma is worthless, learn to work with your hands, or work for yourself and not a company.Ads by 

Sony was founded by Akio Morita, who co-wrote “The Japan That Can Say No,” which advocated for a more assertive and prouder Japan, and Masaru Ibuka.

“Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different,” Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe said in announcing the agreement.

“I believe this alliance which brings together the strengths of our two companies offers great possibilities for the future of mobility.”