Mitsubishi already has hyperlinks with Honda and Nissan, and now the automaker has joined a wide-ranging partnership that was initially fashioned between Honda and Nissan in March.
The information was first reported by the Nikkei on Sunday and confirmed by the three automakers on Thursday.
In a joint assertion, the automakers mentioned they’ve signed a memorandum of understanding to collectively discover the potential for collaboration, particularly within the areas of auto electrification and software program improvement. Additionally they mentioned Mitsubishi becoming a member of the partnership will assist present further synergies and enterprise alternatives in comparison with a partnership solely made up of Honda and Nissan.
In line with the earlier Nikkei report, Mitsubishi teaming up with Honda and Nissan will depart Japan with two dominant auto teams. One will likely be Toyota and its related manufacturers and the opposite would be the alliance between Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. Mixed, the 2 teams final yr bought over 19 million automobiles.
CEOs of Honda and Nissan examine EV partnership – March 2024
Nissan already owns 34% of Mitsubishi and the 2 share automobile platforms and expertise through their present alliance that additionally consists of Renault. Mitsubishi has additionally collaborated with Honda previously, most just lately within the space of battery leasing for EVs through a three way partnership known as Altna.
Japanese automakers are consolidating in an effort to scale back prices but in addition catch up within the EV race after years of selling hydrogen gasoline cells as a substitute. Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru additionally in Might introduced plans to collaborate on internal-combustion engines.
The strikes are aimed toward warding off competitors from worldwide rivals, and notably from China which final yr overtook Japan to change into the world’s largest automobile exporter.
Individually, Honda and Nissan introduced on Thursday plans to collectively discover platforms for next-generation software-defined automobiles. An SDV is a automobile the place each software program and {hardware} options may be enhanced over time via software program, sometimes through over-the-air updates.