Honda and Nissan to jointly develop next-generation vehicles to be installed in 2029, with Mitsubishi also considering participation

Honda and Nissan Motors announced on the 31st that they will jointly develop fundamental technologies for next-generation car manufacturing, and will incorporate them into new models as early as 2029. The aim is to reduce costs and speed up development to compete with leading American and Chinese manufacturers. Talks regarding business integration broke down last year, but the two companies will continue to work together in the form of a "collaboration" that does not involve capital ties.

Regarding the collaboration between Honda and Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors also issued a comment on the 31st saying, ``We will consider joining in the direction of merging.'' The total global sales of the three companies in 2015 was approximately 7.3 million units. The three-company alliance of Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors has become more competitive with Toyota Motor Corporation at its center, as well as Suzuki and Mazda.

The next-generation car that Honda and Nissan are teaming up with is called an SDV (software-defined vehicle), and is characterized by the ability to communicate with the outside world to update software and improve functionality even after the car is purchased. It is attracting attention as a technology that will determine future competitiveness.

Both companies will be at the core of next-generation cars...