Honda and Nissan Negotiate Automotive Software Collaboration

Automakers Honda and Nissan are in the final stages of negotiation for a collaboration in the field of automotive software, according to Nikkei. The companies plan to jointly develop new systems, building upon certain technologies developed by Nissan.

The partnership aims to standardize the in-car operating systems (OS) and electronic control units (ECU) that manage a vehicle's electronic functions. An agreement is expected within July, with details regarding intellectual property rights for the technology still being finalized.

Honda has indicated it will compensate Nissan for access to the technologies slated for joint development. Nissan previously announced plans to introduce a software-defined vehicle (SDV) platform starting fiscal year 2026, which includes the OS, a data foundation, and a development environment.

This follows previous explorations of broader cooperation between the two Japanese automakers. In March 2024, they announced consideration for collaboration in SDVs and other areas, initiating joint foundational research. Merger talks collapsed in February 2025, after which discussions have continued on a project-by-project basis.