2024/03/18

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Corporation

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (hereafter, Nissan) and Mitsubishi Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Corporation) have signed a memorandum of understanding on a new joint business study for next-generation mobility services and energy-related services utilizing electric vehicles (EVs) in order to contribute to solving local community issues and creating a vibrant future.

Issues Japan, which is an advanced country, is facing social issues such as a shortage of drivers due to the declining birthrate and aging population, etc., and making it difficult to maintain public transportation due to a decrease in users depending on the region. Both companies have carried out various efforts to resolve these issues until now.

Nissan has been working on manned mobility services in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and autonomous driving demonstration tests in the Yokohama Minato Mirai district in order to realize the free movement of more people. We are also developing energy management combined with renewable energy by utilizing the electric storage and charging/discharging functions of EV batteries. Mitsubishi Corporation is working with partners and local governments to resolve social and industrial issues under the themes of ① utilization of regional energy resources such as renewable energy resources, ② carbon neutrality, and ③ creating attractive towns through solving regional issues. In the mobility field, we have been expanding the development of measures to improve traffic issues through the use of digital technology, such as implementing AI on-demand transportation for local governments and private enterprise transfers, etc. all over the country, starting with Shiojiri City in Nagano Prefecture, and demonstration operation of autonomous driving.

In the future, it is expected that issues in local communities will become more serious as the number of people with poor traffic access increases, lifestyle service provision functions decline, communities become diluted, and the importance of disaster prevention measures increases. Both companies believe that in order to solve these region-specific issues and revitalize the city, it is necessary to build new technology and service models, and that cooperation with a wide range of industries and cohesion across industries are essential, and have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-create a sustainable business model that contributes to society. The two companies aim to first jointly commercialize next-generation mobility services and energy-related services utilizing EVs in Japan, which is a country with advanced issues, based on the technology and knowledge they have cultivated.

■Comment from Nissan Motor Company President and CEO Makoto Uchida
Nissan is building a smart ecosystem that expands social possibilities while expanding customer mobility possibilities through exciting cars and technology. Through new mobility services and energy management, we contribute to solving regional issues and future-creating urban development. Together with Mitsubishi Corporation, which shares this sentiment, we will consider a strong and sustainable business model.

■Comment from Mitsubishi Corporation President and CEO Katsuya Nakanishi
In the mobility field, where major changes are occurring due to technological innovation and progress in decarbonization, we will proceed with studies with the aim of constructing a sustainable business model that solves social issues through the “EX/DX Integrated Promotion,” which Mitsubishi Corporation has set forth in its medium-term management strategy “2024 MC Shared Value Creation.”

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