Key facts
- Honda and Nissan will collaborate on standardizing electronic control units and software for software-defined vehicles.
- The goal is to reduce development costs and accelerate the rollout of advanced automotive software.
- Vehicles featuring the shared technology are expected to launch as early as fiscal year 2029.
- Mitsubishi Motors is considering joining the collaboration.
Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced an agreement to jointly develop standardized electronic control units (ECUs) and software for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The partnership aims to establish common specifications for core ECUs, operating systems, and vehicle-control software, with a target to introduce this architecture in new vehicles starting from the 2029 financial year. This collaboration is driven by the increasing importance of software in modern vehicles for functions like driver assistance and connectivity, and aims to reduce escalating development costs. The move also reflects growing competitive pressure from Chinese automakers with advanced software features. Discussions began in 2024, following the abandonment of merger talks between Honda and Nissan over a year prior. Nissan's alliance partner, Mitsubishi Motors, is also considering joining the collaboration.