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Honda Motor Co. said Tuesday it will develop “connected cars” jointly with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to offer online services to drivers.
Together with the Chinese e-commerce giant, Japan’s third-largest automaker by volume will aim to launch online payments for fuel, parking and other services in China through the jointly developed vehicles.
Global automakers are focusing on connected cars with internet access to provide drivers with online payments, shared traffic information and other advanced services.
Honda is hoping to attract more customers in China, the world’s biggest auto market, through the tie-up.
Discussion
What are the objectives of this collaboration between Honda and Alibaba?
In what ways has technology changed the design and functionality of cars?
How will new connected cars change the general attitude towards car ownership in Japan?