Japan’s Honda, Hino join SoftBank Toyota mobility venture
by The Associated Press
The partnership is aimed at enhancing mobility services
PHOTO: Honda factory in Karawang, West Java/Honda
TOKYO – Japanese automakers Honda and Hino are joining a partnership between SoftBank and Toyota for mobility service innovation such as self-driving cars.
Japanese technology company SoftBank Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp., the nation’s top automaker, announced late last year a joint venture for mobility services, in what they called a “united Japan” effort to face global competition.
Honda Motor Co., Toyota’s rival, and Hino Motors, Toyota’s truck division, said Thursday each company will acquire a 9.9 per cent stake in the 2 billion yen ($20 million) Toyota-SoftBank venture Monet Technologies Corp.
Each company invests $250 million yen ($2.3 million), according to the companies.
Toyota and SoftBank also announced Thursday a Monet Consortium, which includes partnerships with 88 other companies, including Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan and East Japan Railway Co. to enhance mobility services.
