Strength in numbers – Mitsubishi, Nissan, Honda aligned on strategic partnership
A new alliance and a new “Big 3” made of Mitsubishi, Honda, and Nissan are going all in toward greater intelligence and the electrification of automobiles. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by and between the three giants of automotive manufacturing and with it, they will begin considering a strategic partnership in the interest of building better vehicles for the future.
Mitsubishi joins the Nissan-Honda Alliance
The anticipated partnership aims to further accelerate efforts toward carbon neutrality and zero traffic-accident fatalities, and it will be essential to strengthen environmental and electrification technologies as well as software development. The two companies, Nissan and Honda, have reached an understanding based on the belief that it is necessary to combine their strengths and explore the possibility of future collaboration earlier this year. With Mitsubishi joining the fray, the scope of the feasibility study includes automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products.
Photo: Honda
“We are very pleased to welcome a new member to our strategic partnership with Honda and Nissan. Mitsubishi Motors has unique technologies and knowledge, and has been working with Nissan as a partner to date. However, by working together as three companies, we will evolve this partnership into one that creates even greater value, and we expect to be able to create products and services that are unique to each company and meet the diverse needs of our customers,” said Makoto Uchida, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
“At a time when the automotive industry is facing a once-in-a-century transformation, I expect that the synergy between the technologies and knowledge that Nissan and Honda have cultivated to date, combined with Mitsubishi Motors’ strengths and experience, will enable us to more quickly resolve the various issues surrounding electrification and intelligent vehicles on a global scale, and that we will be able to lead social change as a front-runner,” according to Toshihiro Mibe, Representative Executive Officer and President of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Further, Takao Kato, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation added “Nissan and Honda have been discussing collaboration, and we have now decided to join this discussion. In today’s automotive industry, which is undergoing rapid change due to technological innovations such as electrification and intelligent vehicles, collaboration with partners is essential. I believe that through this collaboration between the three companies, we will be able to discover new possibilities in a variety of fields.”
Photo: Nissan
Everyone knows the saying that “2 heads are better than 1”. With 3 heads all belonging to brands, manufacturers that are at the forefront of the industry, the future may very well be brighter and absolutely electric. Along with everyone else who has their eyes on this newest alliance, we hope that the future of vehicles and the motoring industry will only become better for mankind, and even for Mother Nature herself.
