This week Honda and Sony revealed a few more details of their planned strategic alliance in the field of mobility, with the two forming a new company that will sell EVs. Dubbed Sony Honda Mobility Inc., the new entity will be formed this year, with plans to sell the first EVs in 2025.
The new company is promised to combine Sony's entertainment, imaging, sensing, and telecommunication technologies with Honda's strengths in vehicle body manufacturing and after-sales service management expertise.
Just what kinds of EVs this new joint venture will produce and what they'll be called is still unknown, unless we take Sony's EV prototypes at face value. The signing of an agreement this week was interpreted as furthering plans to create a new brand of vehicles, one that will benefit from Sony and Honda tech, but will be distinct from the Honda lineup.
"Based on our vision to 'make the mobility space an emotional one,' Sony's initiatives in the mobility business are centered around the three areas of safety, entertainment and adaptability," said Kenichiro Yoshida, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation. "As we continue our learnings in these areas, we are excited to have met a partner, Honda, with extensive global achievements and knowledge, and to sign the joint venture agreement between the two companies."
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Sony has shown an SUV prototype as well not that long ago. |
Of course, Honda still has its own plans with GM that will result in Ultium platform models for itself and Acura starting in 2024, prior to the arrival of other EVs based on Honda's own platform later in the decade.
Sony is believed to have been looking for a partner in the automotive sphere since unveiling its EV sedan concept several years ago, which was a surprise hit that hinted that the electronics giant was looking for a way into the auto business. But just how involved in car manufacturing Sony wanted to be was an open question, and still is in some ways. We should get a better idea of the two companies' plans in the coming months, as longer-term plans begin to solidify.
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The Blazer EV is on the way, due to arrive next spring. |
Speaking of new EVs, Chevy gave the world its first glimpse at the Blazer EV SS a few days ago. Due to go on sale in the spring of next year, the midsize electric SUV will use GM's Ultium platform.
The Super Sport badging, of course, suggests that there will be a standard Blazer EV on the menu as well, with Chevy planning a number of versions, in addition to vehicles like the Equinox EV.
This week's reveal of the first image was all about exterior design, with the SUV showing off its long wheelbase and sleek styling. A dual-motor layout seems assured in the Super Sport version, but Chevy has refrained from sharing too many details at this point.
We'll see the Blazer EV SS in full later this summer on July 18, by which time it should be clearer what to expect in a few short months. But it's obvious that GM is taking electrification seriously, with the Ultium platform set to underpin quite a few vehicles in a short span of time.
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While a number of automakers have launched programs aimed at EV battery recycling, a new program by Volkswagen along with several partners will attempt a far more complex task: Recycling EV batteries multiple times to create a closed loop when it comes to raw materials. The effort will be an industry-first, aiming to increase sustainability in an era when battery materials are at a premium. |
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Last December Rivian (and last May Hyundai) announced plans to build brand-new electric-vehicle assembly plants in Georgia, which until now has just one auto assembly plant, manufacturing gas-powered Kias. Hyundai will spend $7 billion on an 8,500-employee assembly plant (which may build some ICE vehicles, too), and Rivian has just snagged $1.5 billion in incentives and land to build its $5 billion, 7,500-employee assembly plant in the state. |
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