Sony and Honda have revealed plans to begin selling their jointly manufactured electric automobiles in the United States in early 2026.
Because of its well-developed appetite for EVs, the United States was selected as the initial market. The automobiles will then go on sale in Japan later that year, and maybe in Europe as well. Preorders for automobiles will begin in 2025, with purchases and vehicle customization handled entirely online.
The two Japanese corporations announced earlier this year that they will collaborate on a new 50-50 venture, which would be known as Sony Honda Mobility. The partnership aims to combine Honda’s automotive knowledge with Sony’s strengths in sensors, software, and entertainment. The corporations expect that by working together, they would be able to catch up to younger EV producers like Tesla in the United States and BYD in China.
Izumi Kawanishi, a Sony executive, highlighted that the vehicles’ development will center on “the value of mobile space, not just as a physical means of mobility, but also as an entertainment and emotional space.” In other words, in-car software and entertainment systems will be a major selling point. Rivals like Tesla have managed to differentiate themselves from established manufacturers in this area, aggressively promoting their driver-aid technologies and adding frivolous extras like in-car video games.
The Sony-Honda vehicles will be manufactured in one of Honda’s 12 factories in the United States, however, no information on the expected volume has been released. According to AP News, the initial automobiles are not meant for widespread production.
