Nissan and Honda may team up to slash EV prices and take on Chinese automakers like BYD

Nissan and Honda are considering teaming up to introduce more affordable EVs to compete with Chinese automakers like BYD. 

The partnership could include a new EV platform.

As automakers look to prevent falling further behind EV leaders like BYD, partnerships could become more common.

Sources at Nissan said the automaker may discuss joint battery and vehicle development with Honda. 

Nissan looks to move to a common EV powertrain, which the two could partner up on purchasing. 

Another possibility is jointly designing and developing a shared EV platform.

The aim is to reduce EV prices as the automakers look to Chinese automakers with low-cost models like BYD.

BYD, which started as a battery maker, has a significant advantage by building nearly all vehicle parts in-house.

The Chinese EV leader declared a “liberation battle” against ICE vehicles by slashing EV prices and introducing electric cars with prices as low as $9,700 (69,800 yuan).

China’s surging EV growth pushed the nation ahead of Japan to become the leading global vehicle exporter last year.

Once viewed as an EV pioneer with the launch of the LEAF in 2010, Nissan is now falling behind the market. 

Following a bumpy start, Nissan Ariya production is finally running smoothly at Honda’s intelligent factory.

(2024 Nissan Ariya electric SUV. Source: Nissan)

Nissan slashed prices by up to $6,000 on the 2024 Ariya in the US, which now starts at $39,590, as it looks to regain market share.

Meanwhile, Honda’s first electric SUV, the 2024 Honda Prologue, will start at $47,400 in the US. 
With the $7,500 EV tax credit, the EV starts at under $40,000. The Prologue is based on GM’s Ultium platform, with up to 296 miles range.

(2024 Honda Prologue.Source: Honda)

Japanese automakers, including Nissan, Honda, and Toyota, are falling behind in the EV market due to a slow shift from hybrids.

Ref: Nissan and Honda may team up to slash EV prices and take on Chinese automakers like BYD (electrek)

 Photo Credit:  Nissan, Honda