Sony is ambitiously trying to become a key player in the next generation of cars.

　　According to foreign media reports, on March 4, Japan's Sony Corporation and Honda Motor announced that the two sides will jointly develop and sell electric vehicles, and set up a joint venture this year, planning to start selling the first model in 2025. The move underscores Sony's ambitions to become a key player in next-generation cars.

　　(Image source: Sony)

　　In the new joint venture, Honda will be responsible for producing the first model, contributing its expertise in body building and aftermarket services; while Sony will be responsible for developing a mobility services platform that provides its expertise in imaging, sensing, telecommunications, networking and Expertise in entertainment technology.

　　The partnership announcement comes as Honda seeks to cement its position in the rapidly changing auto industry, with plans to switch to a purely electric drivetrain by 2040. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe has said in an interview that new partnerships, even with tech companies outside the auto industry, will be key to the transformation.

　　At the same time, Sony has also been eyeing opportunities to enter the automotive space. In January, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida announced the formation of a company called Sony Mobility, which he said would enter the electric vehicle market.

　　While Sony's once dominance in consumer electronics has been eroded by Asian rivals such as South Korea's Samsung Electronics, it still has cutting-edge technology in areas such as key sensors needed for autonomous driving.

　　The rapid transition to electric vehicles around the world, driven by a global push to cut carbon emissions, has created an opportunity for tech companies to jump into the auto market, which is easier to build than combustion-engine vehicles. At the same time, these tech companies are also faced with the challenge of meeting stringent vehicle safety regulations while making the cars able to withstand a variety of driving environments.

　　As a result, tech companies such as Sony entering the automotive industry can leverage expertise in digital and software technologies while leaving car manufacturing to external partners. For other tech companies like Apple, this model is often the best way to get into the auto industry.

　　This article is reproduced from Gasgoo