Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi cooperate in electrification

Nissan and Mitsubishi are already part of the Alliance, but they are now partnering with Honda.

With Toyota partnering with Daihatsu, Mazda, Subaru and Suzuki, the rest of Japan’s major automakers have also joined hands in the electrification field.

Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi have signed a memorandum of understanding “to jointly discuss a framework for further intelligentization and electrification of automobiles.”

This follows a Honda and Nissan announcement in March They are exploring whether they should cooperate on electrification and intelligence.

Now, Mitsubishi is getting in on the action, and the companies are working together “to further accelerate initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and a society free of traffic accidents,” including looking at electrification and software development.

They are touting the advantages of integrating each company’s technology and knowledge to help find collaborations and “new business opportunities.”

In a follow-up press release, Nissan and Honda confirmed that they will “look at adding models from a short- to medium- to long-term perspective,” suggesting there will be some platform sharing between the two brands.

There’s no mention of Mitsubishi in this article, however the triple-diamond brand shares its platform with Nissan.

In the short term, Honda and Nissan have reached an agreement on the models and regions each company will add, with both companies agreeing on the outline of a “product evaluation system.”

They note that this includes not only electric vehicles but also vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.

Honda and Nissan are also working on developing next-generation “software-defined vehicle” (SDV) platforms.

They aim to complete basic research on the project in about a year before considering mass production.

Nissan and Honda have agreed to share electric motors and inverters and unify electric axle specifications in the medium to long term for use in next-generation electric vehicles.

They are also looking to cooperate on batteries, pooling their technology and assets.

In the medium to long term, they will unify battery module specifications so that both companies can use each other’s batteries.

They are studying the supply of lithium-ion batteries from Honda and LG Energy Solution’s joint venture LH Battery Company, Inc. to Nissan in North America after 2028.

“The auto industry is in the midst of a transformation that is said to happen once in a century,” said Honda President Toshihiro Mibe.

“We expect that the combination of technology and knowledge accumulated by Nissan and Honda, as well as the strength and experience of Mitsubishi Motors, will help us solve many issues related to electrification and artificial intelligence on a global scale more quickly, and help lead social reforms as a leader.”

“We are delighted to welcome a new member to the strategic partnership between Honda and Nissan. Mitsubishi Motors has unique technology and expertise and has joined Nissan as a partner,” said Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida.

“Through the collaboration between the three companies, we hope this partnership will develop into something that creates greater value and provides unique products and services from each company to meet the diverse needs of customers.”

Asked about the rapid pace of change in the industry earlier this year, Mibe-san said: “Can we survive? That is the question. By 2030, we have to be a leader, in a position to compete with the top players.”

Uchida-san also agreed with these opinions, stating: “We cannot be complacent. New players are entering with high competitiveness and completely different business models.”

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has long dreamed of a partnership or merger between Honda and Nissan. Honda’s strong desire for independence and Renault’s controlling stake in Nissan have dashed those hopes.

THAN: Honda and Nissan confirm they may collaborate on electric vehicles and safety technology