Honda and Nissan are expected to agree to jointly develop vehicle software, with plans to deploy a shared operating system and onboard computer in new cars arriving around 2029.
The collaboration covers one unified operating system and one shared onboard computer designed for software-defined vehicles, where features are delivered through code and over-the-air updates rather than fixed hardware.
Cost Sharing After Merger Talks
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe and Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa ended merger discussions but pursued the joint software platform as a way to split engineering expenses. Nissan, which posted losses in its April to June period and has undertaken workforce reductions, stands to benefit from shared development costs.
The collaboration comes as Japanese automakers face pressure from tariffs, with Nissan particularly affected by current trade conditions.
Autonomous Driving Development
Nissan has begun public road trials in Tokyo with British startup Wayve, testing Level 2 autonomous driving systems in Ariya electric vehicles ahead of a planned consumer launch in 2027. The system, described as "eyes on, hands off," allows the vehicle to manage speed and steering while requiring driver readiness to assume control.
Nissan has also adopted Nvidia's DRIVE Hyperion self-driving platform, while Honda has utilized Nvidia's industrial design tools. The shared Honda-Nissan computer would provide both manufacturers with a common foundation to integrate these external systems.
