Nissan, Mitsubishi to Develop Self-Driving Cars

Japanese automakers Nissan and Mitsubishi have partnered to develop self-driving cars.

The companies, already closely aligned as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, are two of the biggest names in car manufacturing in Japan, placing fifth and eighth respectively in the 2023 sales charts.

According to Japanese news outlet Yomiuri, the pair have agreed to a joint venture that will be launched by the end of the Japanese fiscal year (March 2025). The arrangement will see each company take a 50% stake.

The focus will be on developing vehicles with Level 4 capability, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Level 4 is considered full automation, with a car in full control of the driving in a specific area.

It’s understood that the plan is to produce self-driving taxis and other transit services as Japan continues its aggressive pursuit of widespread introduction of automated transportation.

Verification testing is due to begin next year, with Nissan currently concentrating on developing the vehicles and Mitsubishi focused on an AI-powered system that will essentially act as the vehicles’ brain, working out routing. 

And the initial mooted locations for the fruits of the JV program have already been identified, with the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture and Namie, in Fukushima, likely to be the first to benefit.

Related:Nissan Self-Driving Cars Hit the Road in Japan

Earlier this year, Nissan conducted a public demonstration of its self-driving capabilities in Yokohama. On that occasion a Nissan Leaf featuring camaras, radar and lidar sensors was used, although it is not yet clear if the company intends for this model to be used in its joint venture (JV) with Mitsubishi.

The company has also provided a manned mobility service in Namie, using automated EV shuttles, since 2021.

In March, Nissan published a road map detailing its plans for an autonomous future, which outlined its ambition to launch a commercial self-driving taxi service in the country by 2027.

Mitsubishi has been much less active on the AV front, but is now said to be keen to invest in start-ups and software developers operating in the sector.

The pair’s new JV is not restricted to autonomous driving. Also included in plans is a proposal for a service that would enable EV owners to connect their cars to homes and power grids.

This would allow them to use electricity from their car in their house, or even to sell it to power companies.