Nissan Motor Co has signed a memorandum of understanding with fellow Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co under which they will begin a feasibility study of a strategic partnership in the fields of vehicle electrification and intelligence. The partnership will include a feasibility study of automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products.
- Nissan and Honda join hands to develop EVs
- Aim to bring cost of EVs down and take on Chinese players
- EVs from either of the two manufacturers still a few years away from India
Given the ongoing global shift towards EVs, Nissan will likely adopt a common EV powertrain with Honda, as a part of which the two automakers could team up on purchasing, designing and developing a shared EV platform. This would help the two Japanese carmakers bring down EV costs and go neck and neck against Chinese players including BYD which benefit from in-house sourcing of components.
In a statement, the two companies announced that they have reached the understanding based on the belief that it is necessary to combine their strengths and explore the possibility of future collaboration.
Despite the growing demand of electric vehicles in India, Nissan and Honda are two of the only few major car manufacturers that are yet to enter the lucrative space. Honda had previously announced that it will transition its Indian business into a hub for electric vehicles with its project ‘ACE’. A Honda Elevate-based EV is also said to be a part of project ACE, with a launch expected in about two years from now.
Nissan is also readying as many as four new models for India, along with a facelift for the Magnite SUV. The upcoming Nissan cars also include an entry-level hatchback based on the CMF-AEV platform. The affordable EV will take on the likes of MG Comet and Tata Tiago EV, but a launch timeline is yet to be ascertained.
Hormazd Sorabjee
Anurag Chaturvedi
