Sony and Honda have announced that they plan to sell their jointly developed electric vehicles in the US by early 2026.
The US was chosen as the first market because of its well-developed taste for EVs. The cars will then go on sale in Japan later that year, and then perhaps in Europe. Pre-orders for the vehicles will open in 2025, pushing sales and vehicle customization through online channels.
The two Japanese companies announced they would be collaborating on a new 50-50 venture earlier this year, with the company later called Sony Honda Mobility. The alliance aims to unite Honda’s automotive manufacturing expertise with Sony’s capabilities in sensors, software and entertainment. The companies hope that by joining forces they can catch up with newer EV manufacturers, such as Tesla in the US and China’s BYD.
“The first delivery [of vehicles] is expected to be in North America in the spring of 2026. In Japan, delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2026,” Yasuhide Mizuno, chairman of Honda Mobility, told reporters at a news conference. according to Nikkei Asia.
Mizuno added that the cars would be priced at “a reasonable amount” that matched the “high value added” of their components.
Sony CEO Izumi Kawanishi emphasized that the development of the vehicles would focus “on the value of mobile space, not only as a physical means of transport, but also as an entertainment and emotional space.” In other words, in-vehicle software and entertainment systems will be a key selling point. In this area, rivals like Tesla have managed to differentiate themselves from traditional automakers by aggressively marketing their driver assistance technology and adding gimmick features such as in-car video games.
Production of the Sony-Honda cars will take place at one of Honda’s 12 plants in the United States, although details have not been shared about the planned volume. AP News reports that the companies say the first vehicles are not intended for mass sale.
