Japanese automakers Nissan Motor and Honda Motor are reportedly exploring a collaboration to standardize automotive software and enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, according to the Nikkei newspaper.
In March, Nissan and Honda announced their deliberations on a strategic partnership to jointly develop EV components, aiming to strengthen their positions in the expanding global market for battery-powered cars.
The collaboration may extend to developing a unified operating system for vehicle control, aimed at reducing production costs, Nikkei reported without disclosing its sources. Additionally, both companies are said to be considering cooperation in six areas, including boosting EV charging infrastructure, to improve their competitive edge in the EV sector.
“We are open to collaborating in various regions, both domestically in Japan and internationally,” Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida remarked earlier this year.
Representatives from Nissan and Honda have not yet responded to requests from Reuters seeking comment on the Nikkei’s report.
Nissan, known for pioneering mass-market EVs with the Leaf in 2010, and Honda are confronting heightened competition in the global EV market, notably from companies like Tesla and emerging Chinese and South Korean automakers. Both Japanese firms have faced challenges in critical markets such as China, where consumers are increasingly opting for competitively priced EVs equipped with advanced software, notably from Chinese brands like BYD.