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- Honda and Sony will be producing electric vehicles together.
- They aim to have the first new model on the road by 2025.
- Sony has already produced its own electric car as a proof of concept.
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News broke a few months ago that Honda and Sony signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly produce electric cars. Now, our friends at Kelley Blue Book and The Drive are reporting that these Honda/Sony electric cars will take to the road as early as 2025.
The accelerated timeline to produce zero-emissions vehicles is due to rapidly rising demand for electric mobility in the USA, UK and Far East. It might take some time for these new models to come to South Africa, but chances are you might be driving a Sony vehicle in future. PlayStation fans, rejoice!
Will the cars be branded Sonda or Hony?
"The joint venture will be called Sony Honda Mobility (at least on paper – we expect a pithier name and logo by the time this progresses to a badge on the hood of a car). Each parent will contribute USD37.52 million to the startup. They plan on producing their first EV in 2025. They aim to sell the cars in the USA, Japan, and Europe," notes Kelley Blue Book's Sean Tucker.
Do you think the time is right for electronics and software companies such as Sony, Apple and Google to jump into the mobility space? Would you actually buy a Sony, Apple or Google electric car if it offered decent range, fast charging and sold for an affordable price tag? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
"The new company will aim to bring together Honda’s cutting-edge environmental and safety technologies, mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology, and after-sales service management experience, with Sony’s expertise in the development and application of imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network, and entertainment technologies."
What about Apple and Google cars?
The Drive correspondent Nico Demattia says Sony isn't the first technology and electronics company to announce desires to build electric cars.
"Apple has been rumored to be working on an electric car project for years now, with some rumors of it partnering with other brands to build it, such as BMW and Hyundai. However, Sony is the first to officially confirm its plan to build and sell an actual production car and, not only that, also confirm a release date. It's easy to shrug off claims of a technology company building an electric car but Sony's partnership with Honda does make it real," he notes.
It's reported that Yasuhide Mizuno, a senior executive at Honda, will serve as CEO for Sony Honda Mobility, while Izumi Kawanishi, a senior executive at Sony, will become COO of the joint venture. Honda plans to have 30 fully-electric vehicles on sale globally within the decade.
READ: Volvo's XC90 T8 Recharge uses zero litres per 100km, and it's a pleasure to pilot
"At this point, it's unclear if the forthcoming EVs from Sony Honda Mobility will be part of that expansion, or if they'll be their own vehicles but it's clear what each brand brings to the deal. Honda will be able to provide all of its automobile-manufacturing expertise, while Sony will help provide the digital technology. Honda knows how to make chassis, electric motors, and cars that handle well. Sony is good at making digital imaging, mobility, and telecommunications tech," Demattia expounds.
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