Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. have signed a joint development agreement to standardize electronic control units (ECUs) and software for their next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs), according to a statement released Aug. 31, 2026.

Under the agreement, the two automakers will establish common specifications for multiple core ECUs within the electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture of next-generation SDVs, along with the in-vehicle operating system, key middleware components, and vehicle control software.

The jointly developed ECU and software architecture is planned for use in both companies' next-generation SDVs beginning in fiscal year 2029.

The collaboration is part of a broader strategic partnership between Nissan and Honda, which have identified the software domain as a priority area given the pace of technological change and the need for faster development cycles and more efficient use of research and development investment.

By sharing engineering resources and aligning on foundational technologies, the companies said they aim to reduce development costs and achieve greater economies of scale. The targeted ECUs include high-performance main computers using system-on-chip (SoC) technology and zone ECUs that manage specific areas of the vehicle.