Nissan and Honda Strengthen Technology Cooperation for Next-Generation Software-Defined Vehicles

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have signed a joint development agreement for the standardization of electronic control units (ECUs) and software components that will form the foundation of next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

Nissan and Honda are expanding their cooperation for the development of next-generation software-defined vehicles as part of their strategic partnership. The two companies have agreed to jointly develop and standardize the critical components of the numerous electronic control units that form the foundation of SDVs, along with the in-vehicle operating system, middleware, and vehicle control software running on these units.

It was announced that the jointly developed electronic architecture and associated software components are planned to be used in both companies' next-generation software-defined vehicles starting from fiscal year 2029.

A joint electronic architecture will be developed
Under the agreement, Nissan and Honda will establish common technical specifications for multiple core electronic control units to be used in the electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture of next-generation SDVs. The work will not be limited to hardware components alone; the critical parts of the in-vehicle operating system, middleware, and vehicle control software will also be included within the scope of joint development.

By developing these core technologies within a common standards framework, the two companies aim to make more effective use of their engineering expertise and development resources. This approach is expected to accelerate development processes, increase R&D efficiency, and contribute to reducing costs.

R&D and investment efficiency come to the fore
Nissan and Honda point out that, with the rapid advancement of software technologies in the automotive industry, the need for shorter development cycles and more efficient R&D investments has been increasing.

In this respect, the two companies have comprehensively evaluated potential cooperation opportunities in the field of software. As a result of these efforts, an agreement has been reached on the joint development and standardization of core ECUs and software components, which are among the fundamental technologies of next-generation software-defined vehicles.

The joint development approach is aimed at reducing development costs by benefiting from economies of scale, enabling faster implementation of innovative technologies, and enhancing the competitiveness of both companies.

Carbon neutrality goals and safe mobility
As part of their strategic partnership, Nissan and Honda continue to explore cooperation opportunities in various fields, not limiting themselves solely to software-defined vehicle technologies.

Through these efforts, the two companies aim to accelerate progress toward achieving carbon neutrality and toward the goal of zero fatalities in traffic accidents involving their vehicles. SDVs, which stand out as a critical technology area in terms of vehicle intelligence and electrification, are also among the priority topics of this cooperation.

Nissan and Honda stated that they will continue to explore opportunities for creating new value and deepen their cooperation by combining their technological and engineering capabilities. The companies aim to deliver tangible benefits to customers and society through the joint technologies to be developed.