Honda and Nissan Near Deal on Joint Vehicle Software Platform

Honda Motor and Nissan Motor are expected to reach an agreement as early as Monday to jointly develop a vehicle operating system and onboard computer, marking a significant step in their renewed cooperation following the collapse of merger talks last year. The partnership, first reported by Japan's Nikkei newspaper, would target new vehicle models arriving as early as 2029.

The potential deal represents the clearest sign yet that the two Japanese automakers are rebuilding their strategic alliance more than a year after their proposed $60 billion merger fell apart. A shared computing platform would allow both companies to split the substantial costs of developing software for next-generation vehicles, a critical advantage as the industry shifts toward software-defined cars where features are delivered through over-the-air updates rather than fixed hardware.

Honda confirmed it is discussing "potential areas of collaboration" with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors under their existing strategic partnership, though it stressed that no deal has been finalized. A Nissan spokesperson said the company is exploring "various possibilities" and would share details once something is confirmed....