Nissan, Honda Team Up on Vehicle Software for 2029 Models

Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. have agreed to jointly develop standardized electronic control units and software for vehicles scheduled to enter the market from fiscal 2029, the companies said, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Nissan and Honda will jointly develop electronic control units and software for next-generation software-defined vehicles beginning in fiscal 2029. [Photo: Honda Facebook]

Under the agreement, Nissan and Honda will standardize multiple electronic control units (ECUs) that form the core of their next-generation software-defined vehicles, along with an in-vehicle operating system, key middleware and vehicle-control software.

The companies began discussions in 2024 on cooperation in electric vehicles and automotive intelligence technologies.

Their latest agreement focuses more broadly on software-defined vehicles, whose functions can be controlled and updated through software.

Nissan, based in Yokohama, produces models including the Leaf electric vehicle and Infiniti luxury vehicles. Honda produces models including the Accord, Civic and Odyssey.

The agreement does not specifically commit the companies to developing particular vehicle models or limit the collaboration to electric vehicles.

The partnership reflects growing competition in the global automotive industry as automakers invest heavily in automated driving, connected-car technologies and software-defined vehicles.

By sharing components and software-development costs, Nissan and Honda expect to improve development efficiency, reduce costs and accelerate the introduction of new technologies.