Honda and Nissan partner on software-defined vehicle technology

Honda Motor and Nissan Motor have signed an agreement to co-develop core technologies for Software Defined Vehicles (SDV). The partnership focuses on standardizing Electronic Control Units (ECU), vehicle operating systems, middleware, and vehicle control software.

This technical collaboration follows the collapse of previous management integration negotiations in February 2025. Instead of a full merger, the companies have opted for a “technology-only” alliance to accelerate development speed and reduce research costs. The goal is to implement these shared systems in new vehicle models starting from fiscal year 2029.

By sharing the underlying “nervous system” of the vehicle, both manufacturers aim to better compete with leaders in the software-driven market, such as Tesla and BYD. While the foundational software and hardware will be standardized, both companies intend to maintain brand individuality through unique designs, user interfaces, and driving experiences.