Nissan and Honda have joined forces to start developing electric vehicles in a bid to overtake China which is leading the global race.
The partnership sees the two Japanese car brands pull resources together to help accelerate efforts towards carbon neutrality in vehicles.
The partnership follows Chinese company Li Auto releasing its first pure electric car earlier this month, while BYD continues its EV production, selling over three million electric vehicles last year.
The competition between the two nations has sparked attention with Makoto Uchida, president and CEO of Nissan, emphasising the importance of increasing the pace of development.
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Nissan and Honda will join forces to develop EV technology
REUTERS
He said: “It is important to prepare for the increasing pace of transformation in mobility in the mid-to-long-term.
“It is significant that we have reached this agreement based on a mutual understanding that Honda and Nissan face common challenges.
“We look forward to further discussions and aim to find win-wins for sustainable growth.”
The partnership focuses on both the fields of vehicle electrification and intelligence with both companies working on a common goal.
The two car makers will also endeavour to create a vehicle with zero traffic-accident fatalities as well as advanced software development.
The scope of the collaborative study includes automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products.
Toshihiro Mibe, Honda director, president and representative executive officer, added: “In this period of once-in-a-century transformation in the automotive industry, we will examine the potential for partnership between Nissan and Honda.
“Our study criteria will be whether the synergy of the technologies and knowledge that our companies have cultivated will enable us to become industry leaders by creating new value for the automotive industry.”
Electric Nissan Leaf has sold more than 650,000 units worldwide
NISSANIn the UK, companies are also trying to compete, although not on the same level.
Most recently, Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Technologies announced it will invest £4billion into Somerset to build a gigafactory.
The factory would produce electric vehicle batteries to help ramp up production in the heart of the UK.
The 40GWh factory will create up to 4,000 jobs and is set to be the biggest battery factory in the country, it is expected to open in 2026.
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The Honda Saloon EV prototype HONDABill Revans, councillor at Somerset Council explained how the investment is momentous for the county, its economy and for future generations.