Honda Motor and Nissan Motor are in discussions to jointly develop operating systems and automotive software to lower costs, according to a report by Nikkei. This collaboration may extend to strengthening charging infrastructure to enhance their competitiveness in the electric vehicle (EV) sector.
In March, both companies had announced a feasibility study on a strategic partnership in vehicle electrification and intelligence, covering automotive software platforms and EV-related core components.
Nissan reported global retail sales of about 272,405 units in May, a 0.8% decrease from last year, while Honda's global production for May was 304,423 units, down 7.5% from last year.
Separately, the UK new car market saw a 1.1% increase in June, reaching 179,263 units, marking the first time in five years that half-year registrations surpassed one million, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) achieved their highest monthly market share since December 2023, but private BEV uptake has decreased by 10.8% year-to-date, with only 16.6% of new cars being BEVs.
SMMT also called for government support to boost consumer interest in zero-emission vehicles. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, emphasized that while the market is improving, challenges remain, particularly in private consumer segments.
Additionally, Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive, warned of the risk of the UK losing its chance to lead in electrified performance car powertrains due to insufficient investment in domestic battery supply chains. Speaking at the SMMT International Automotive Summit, Leiters highlighted the need for a strategic industrial strategy to enhance the supply chain and support the development of high-performance electric vehicles.