SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: A new Honda vehicle sits on the sales lot at Marin Honda on June 09, 2022 in San Rafael, California. As supply chain issues continue, foreign auto manufacturers like Honda, Toyota and KIA all have below average inventories of new cars in their showrooms. The available supply of new cars in the U.S. was down 40 percent compared to the same period in 2021.
A new electric car company that merges Sony and Honda, two well-known Japanese companies, was officially launched on Thursday, according to a report by the AP.
According to Sony Honda Mobility Inc.'s chief executive, Yasuhide Mizuno, the electric car will go on sale in 2025 and begin deliveries in the US and Japan in early 2026, respectively. Preorders will begin in 2025 as well.
50-50 Joint Business Venture
In order to combine Sony's imaging, entertainment, network, and sensor skills with Honda's auto, mobility technology, and sales expertise, Sony Group Corp. and Honda came to an agreement in March to establish the 50-50 joint business venture.
One of Honda's 12 US manufacturing facilities will handle the production. However, information about costs, platforms, and the type of battery to be utilized was still unannounced.
But officials stated that this was a special model and was not meant for general sales. The production amount was also not disclosed.
Mizuno, a representative of Honda Motor Co., claimed that the partnership combines hardware and software to provide a pleasant experience while driving.
Why the US was Picked as the Launch Location
Due to the country's existing popularity of electric vehicles, the US was picked as the launch location. Honda's home market, Japan, came in second. Mizuno said that other areas, such as Europe, will soon follow, although specific dates have not been established yet.
The project will include partners, according to Izumi Kawanishi, a former Sony executive now the chief operating officer at Sony Mobility.
Global demand for "zero-emissions" automobiles is expected to rise due to people's growing concerns over climate change, as per AP.
Sony, which manufactures the PlayStation video game system and operates in the film and music industries, displayed a concept electric car at the CES technology show in Las Vegas two years ago and has been keen to work with an automaker ever since.
Honda already offers electric vehicles, however not as many as some of its competitors, such as Ford Motor Company or Nissan Motor. Although the products are not yet for sale, Tokyo-based Honda has partnered with General Motors to share platforms for EVs in North America.
WUHAN, CHINA - JULY 14: (CHINA OUT) An employee wears a protective mask while wiping the Honda of ENS1 during 2022 Central China International Auto Show on July 14, 2022 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. More than 80 brands took part in the 2022 Central China International Auto Show which started on Thursday. According to local reports more than 30 domestic electric vehicle brands participated in the exhibition.
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
