Nissan, Honda to jointly develop ECUs for SDVs

MANILA: Nissan Motor Company Limited and Honda Motor Company Limited will jointly develop electronic control units (ECU) for next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDV). 

In addition, the two Japanese manufacturers will work on an in-vehicle operating system and key parts of the middleware, as well as vehicle control software that runs on the abovementioned ECU.

Rollout of the technology is expected to commence in 2029. These new ECUs and software will be deployed on products from both brands. 

“Recognizing the need to strengthen competitiveness through faster development cycles and more efficient investment, the two companies have conducted extensive studies on potential collaboration in the software domain,” Nissan wrote in a press release. 

“As a result of these discussions, Nissan and Honda have agreed to jointly develop and standardize the core ECUs and software that underpin next-generation SDVs,” it added. 

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Moving forward as partners 

Not too long ago, the two companies were in talks of merging with the possibility of establishing a “joint’ holding company. Despite appearing to be in dire straits, Nissan seemed to not like the idea of Honda becoming its parent company, and the merger did not push through. 

After finding itself in a similar financial strain, the latter now picks up the pieces of a terminated memorandum of understanding, and the two entities move forward as partners. 

The said alliance will see the two brands explore opportunities for collaboration across a range of areas to accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality and help realize a future with zero traffic fatalities involving their vehicles. 

Focus will be on SDVs, which is key to vehicle intelligence and electrification. 

On that note, it would be safe to expect that new nameplates from Nissan and Honda will be smarter and software-centered. 

Speed in research and development—to keep up with the competition—is also a key driver in the Nissan-Honda partnership. 

“Going forward, Nissan and Honda will continue to build on their respective strengths, explore opportunities to create new value, and deepen collaboration to bring tangible benefits to customers and society,” Nissan noted. 

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