Sony, Honda EV joint venture could roll out e-car by 2025

Sony and Honda have decided to set up a joint venture (JV) to develop, manufacture and sell electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025. The two companies have targeted to join hands by this calendar year.

As per initial reports trickling in, a JV called ‘New Company’ is set to be created to develop and commercialise electric cars. According to a joint agreement between the two companies, Honda will manufacture the first electric vehicle model to be developed by the two companies.

Sony had stunned everyone at the CES 2020 when it showcased the Vision-S as a sleek e-sedan. The Vision-S 02 SUV followed suit earlier this year at the auto show in Las Vegas. 

Sony Vision-S 02 SUV -- Courtesy Sony

At the CES in January, Sony’s Mobility division was revealed to all and it planned to get into the electric car segment. For this, Sony was scouting for strategic partners. 

With the Sony-Honda deal almost sealed, and if things go according to plan, the first EV from this JV stable is set to roll out at an early date — that is, by 2025!

Honda is likely to manufacture the car in one of its own facilities but will utilise a platform developed by Sony. 

But at this stage, it will be hard to say whether the car would be a sedan or an SUV. 

Sony’s two concept cars were not a Sony-only venture. Sony had tied up with Magna, Bosch, ZF, Continental, Qualcomm and Nvidia. 

Development of the electric sedan was revealed around two years ago and Sony continued in this direction, depicting the fact that the company wanted to take the car much beyond the concept stage. 

Sony’s chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida is of the opinion that its pact with Honda will allow them “to build on our vision” and also “make the mobility space an emotional one.” 

Yoshida strongly believes the pact would contribute to the evolution of an EV that would centre around safety, entertainment and adaptability.

Sony had said it had no plans to sell the Vision-S 01 electric sedan and claimed that it was just for testing autonomous driving technology. 

However, its tech plans may have altered this year, as Sony may be mulling to enter the market soon. This view gained ground as the new Vision-S 02 SUV was showcased.

Details about the battery were not available but it was “ultra-thin” that was placed underneath the floor in a bid to optimise the cabin space. 

Both the sedan and SUV concepts are all-wheel drive. There will be an electric motor at the front and another at the rear with a combined 536 horsepower. 

The platform has been conceived not only to roll out sedans or SUVs but minivans were also kept in mind while coming up with this EV concept.

When tested, the sedan could do 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) in just 4.8 seconds. And, the top speed is 150 mph (240 km/h). The SUV was slower in its acceleration since it was heavier.

The Sony sedan concept is a four-seater but the SUV can accommodate up to seven persons.

Sony is among a string of technology companies that want to venture into the automotive space, and other companies include Apple, LG Electronics as well as Foxconn. 

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So, Sony being a solid tech company, and Honda a solid auto giant, the JV could roll out some e-cars to reckon with from 2025.