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 research to discover the potential of collectively developed electrical automobiles. If the 2 automakers attain an settlement, the partnership may additionally embody 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 platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products.” The software program half may pertain to security and/or autonomous driving applied sciences for the reason that press launch printed by each firms talks about “zero traffic-accident fatalities.” It additionally features a shared purpose of reaching carbon neutrality.
According to a report printed by Nikkei Asia a number of days in the past, Nissan and Honda wish to develop a brand new platform solely meant for electrical automobiles. The collaboration may prolong to engineering EVs collectively. In addition, the Japanese automakers may pool cash to purchase a typical EV powertrain and batteries.
A tie-up wouldn’t solely velocity up growth but in addition convey R&D prices down. Honda is not working with General Motors to co-develop reasonably priced electrical crossovers, so the very fact it’s looking for a brand new accomplice is not any shock. The collaboration with GM is prone to be restricted to the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX on the Ultium platform.
Nissan has a accomplice in Renault in terms of EVs and different forms of automobiles. The next-generation Micra shall be closely primarily based on the reborn Renault 5. It’s going to make use of about 80 p.c of the identical elements and can enter manufacturing in 2026 at Renault’s Douai manufacturing unit in northern France.
With Chinese competitors intensifying whereas the Volkswagen Group and Stellantis are doubling down on EVs, Nissan and Honda do not wish to path behind. However, for the reason that two have simply signed an MoU, it means a collectively developed platform/automobile is unlikely to return out within the subsequent few years, offered a ultimate deal is agreed upon.