Nissan teams up with Honda for collaborative R&D strategy

Nissan and Honda have announced that the two companies have agreed to carry out joint research in fundamental technologies in the area of platforms for next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

The agreement is based on the memorandum of understanding signed by the companies earlier this year regarding the commencement of discussions on a strategic partnership for the age of intelligence and electrification.

A MOU was also signed to facilitate deepening the framework of the strategic partnership, which is being discussed and considered on a broad scope.

Nissan and Honda re engaged in specific discussions and deliberations with a view to collaborating in various fields to further accelerate efforts to realise carbon neutrality and a traffic accident-free society. Both companies are promoting R&D and investment in various technologies in order to promote the spread and evolution of EVs, especially SDVs which are the scope of study in the fields of intelligence and electrification.

Both companies agree that the software field, including autonomous driving, connectivity and AI, which will determine the value of vehicles in the future and become a source of competitiveness, is an area where technological innovation is extremely rapid and where synergies can easily be obtained through the fusion of resources from both companies, such as technological knowledge and human resources.

Based on this shared view, Nissan and Honda have entered into a joint research agreement on fundamental technologies for the next-generation SDV platform and are also considering the possibility of providing new value through co-creation.

Going forward, Nissan and Honda will continue to study ways to create further synergies between the two companies while working towards the speedy implementation of specific measures.

Next-generation SDV platform

The next-generation SDV platform is the cornerstone of the field of intelligence and the two companies have agreed to conduct joint research on fundamental technologies. Nissan and Honda aim to complete basic research in approximately one year and based on the results consider the possibility of mass production development.

Major areas of cooperation

Batteries are key components of EVs, and the two companies will consider the scope of cooperation, including sharing specification and mutual supply. Bringing together the battery technologies and assets of both companies will enable the companies to offer a wide range of battery options, from high output to low-cost models. The partnership will also enable cost reduction through investment diversification and risk-hedging, as well as the advantage of volume.

The two companies have also reached a basic agreement to standardise the specifications of their battery cell modules for EVs from a medium to long term perspective, with the aim of enabling the batteries they plan to procure to be usable in vehicles from both companies.

The agreement also includes the standardisation of the specifications of their respective e-Axles, over the medium to long term, to be used in the next-generation EVs of both companies.

Mutual vehicle complementation

With models to be sold globally by Nissan and Honda, the two companies will consider supplementing models from a short-term to medium to long term perspective. For the short term, Nissan and Honda reached a basic agreement on models and regions to be complemented by each company, and also agreed on the outline of a product review system to be jointly operated by both companies.