Nissan and Honda to co-develop software-defined cars with shared ECU and software standards from 2029

Nissan and Honda have signed an agreement to jointly develop software-defined vehicle (SDV) technology. The collaboration covers shared standards for electronic control units, the in-vehicle operating system, middleware and vehicle-control software — the foundations of a common electrical/electronic architecture the two companies can both build on.

Under the plan, the jointly developed E/E architecture is slated to feature in both brands' next-generation SDVs starting in fiscal year 2029. By pooling their work, the automakers aim to cut duplicated development effort, bring new technology to market faster and reduce investment costs through shared base technologies and components.

The joint ECUs will range from a high-performance computer built on SoC chips for demanding processing tasks down to zone ECUs that manage systems in individual areas of the car. Standardizing hardware and technical specifications is expected to streamline new-model development and ease the long-term engineering and maintenance burden.

The deal forms part of a broader strategic partnership that also targets carbon neutrality and a road environment free of traffic fatalities. Both companies say they will keep playing to their individual strengths while exploring further ways to share costs, achieve economies of scale and add value as the industry shifts toward electric, software-centric vehicles.