Mitsubishi Motors is in talks to join a vehicle software alliance announced earlier this year between Honda Motor and Nissan Motor, to step up cost sharing in the development of next generation vehicles, according to unconfirmed reports in Japan.
Mitsubishi is looking to join the proposed partnership announced earlier this year between Honda and Nissan, which involves developing standardised operating software including artificial intelligence (AI) and connected technology for next generation vehicles, sharing component production for electric vehicle (EVs) and establishing smart charging networks in key global markets.
Earlier this month Just Auto reported Honda and Nissan were “thrashing out” the finer details of such an agreement, to share costs and speed up the development of new technology and infrastructure for next generation vehicles.
Japanese automakers have fallen behind the Chinese and also Tesla in making the transition to zero emission vehicles and are under increasing pressure to make up lost ground. Both Honda and Nissan have seen their sales and market share fall this year in a number of key markets while earnings have been hit by widespread discounting.
Nissan owns a 34% stake in Mitsubishi and the two automakers, along with Renault, already have vehicle platform sharing agreements in place under their Alliance partnership. In January the Alliance partners jointly announced a medium term plan to step up their global collaboration in EV and connected mobility.
