Honda strengthens its partnership with Sony. The two Japanese brands will use a common platform for their future electric cars.
A Common Platform for Honda and Sony
In a cost reduction effort, Honda and Sony have announced that they will be using the same platform in their upcoming electric models. The two companies already have a joint venture named “Sony Honda Mobility” established in 2022. This mutually beneficial agreement aims to leverage their skills in the electric cars sector.
The two Japanese firms have decided to take it a step further by developing a common platform. This platform will be utilized in the upcoming electric vehicles of the 0 series at Honda and in the models of the Afeela brand marketed by Sony. Honda has confirmed that there will be 7 vehicles in their new lineup, with the first being an original sedan, similar to the Saloon concept shown in the photo.
Saving 600 Million Euros?
With this increased level of collaboration, the two companies aim to compete with Chinese manufacturers. An electric vehicle platform is a complex module representing about 10% of the production cost of an electric car, with initial development costs estimated at 600 million euros.
Sharing the same platform does not mean that the models of both brands will be similar. Sony’s cars are expected to be more luxurious than those from Honda, focusing on the in-vehicle experience. However, the models may share motorizations and batteries. Platform sharing is a global trend in 2024, with vehicles like the Mini Countryman and Ford Explorer adopting common platforms from other manufacturers like Volkswagen.
The common platform between Honda and Sony may accelerate the launch of their future models and enhance their competitiveness in the electric vehicle market.