Sony and Honda to make electric cars in US from 2026

Sony and Honda have formally inaugurated a joint venture to produce electric vehicles, report agencies.

The entity, known as Sony Honda Mobility, will produce its first vehicle in the United States, with exports across the globe – including Japan, opening the door to Australia.

It will be headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The electric vehicles will commence production in early 2026, with sales in the United States and Japan soon after.

Pre-orders will open in 2025, with sales and vehicle configuration to have an online focus – perhaps with a central delivery centre and a minuscule in-person presence in major shopping centres, Chief Executive Yasuhide Mizuno told reporters.

In March, Sony Group Corp. and Honda agreed to set up the 50-50 joint venture, with the idea of bringing together Honda’s expertise in autos, mobility technology and sales with Sony’s imaging, network, sensor and entertainment expertise.

Production will take place at one of Honda’s 12 plants in the U.S. But details such as pricing, platform and the kind of battery to be used were not disclosed. Production volume was also not given, but officials said this was a special model and not intended for massive sales.

Mizuno, who is from Honda Motor Co., said the collaboration brings together hardware and software to deliver an emotionally satisfying experience on the move.

“It was necessary to take a totally new approach,” Mizuno told reporters in Tokyo. “We want to make this completely new.”

The U.S. was chosen for the launch because electric vehicles are already popular there. Japan came second as Honda’s home market, and other markets, including Europe, will follow, but no dates were set, he said.

Izumi Kawanishi, the Sony executive who became chief operating officer at Sony Mobility, said partners will be added to the project.

Demand for “zero-emissions” vehicles is expected to grow worldwide amid concerns about climate change and sustainability.

Sony, which makes the PlayStation video-game console and has movie and music businesses, showed an electric car concept at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas two years ago, and has been eager to find an auto partner.

Honda has electric vehicles in its lineup, although not as plentiful as do some rivals, like Ford Motor Co. or Nissan Motor Co. Tokyo-based Honda has teamed up with General Motors to share platforms for EVs in North America, but the products are not yet on sale.