Sony partners with Honda to build connected cars

Sony electric vehicles

Sony has already marked a milestone in music, and in the world of game consoles. Now that vehicles are becoming more electric, Sony has thought about getting into the connected car business, and is taking it seriously.

Sony has already unveiled two very advanced prototypes, the Sony Vision-S 01 sedan and the Vision-S 02 SUV. Sony will not build cars alone, Sony doesn't have the infrastructure or experience to build cars. To do this, it has plans to build a joint venture with Honda, creating a new brand that would be the union of both tech giants.

According to the agreement, the two companies "intend to jointly develop and sell high value-added electric vehicles (EVs) and commercialize them while providing mobility services." 

The joint venture aims to combine Honda's auto manufacturing expertise, distribution network, supply chain and more. Sony would contribute its technological know-how, something that is becoming more and more important in the automotive industry.

Sony Vision will be jointly developed by Honda and Sony through the new joint-venture, which "plans, designs, develops and sells electric vehicles, but doesn't own and operate manufacturing facilities. This last detail is a key strategic factor.

Honda will build the cars at its existing manufacturing plants, with the first new cars coming out at least in 2025. Sony will develop new mobile services for Sony Vision. In early 2002 Sony announced commercial plans for the Sony Vision.
​