Isuzu, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu and Mazda invest in Toyota-Softbank backed Monet
Monet Technologies Inc. announced that it concluded capital and business partnership agreements with Isuzu Motors Limited, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Subaru Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. and Mazda Motor Corporation, respectively. Isuzu, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu and Mazda each plan to invest in Monet by August 2019 and acquire approximately 2% of its shares.
Simultaneously, Hino Motors, Ltd. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. plan to make additional investments in Monet and maintain their respective ownership stakes of approximately 10%.
Junichi Miyakawa, President and CEO of Monet Technologies Inc. commented on the partnerships: “In addition to those with Toyota, Hino and Honda, our new partnerships with Isuzu, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu and Mazda will enable us to acquire data on their vehicles and mobility services for coordination with the Monet platform. To build a high-level MaaS platform for an autonomous driving society, it is essential to integrate a wide number of datasets, and these partnerships will further accelerate our progress in building the MaaS business that Monet is aiming for. Monet will utilise the data provided by each company and leverage their automotive industry insights and networks. Together with our automotive manufacturer partners we will work to realise and spread innovative mobility services that can resolve Japan’s social mobility issues and create new value.”
Masanori Katayama, President and Representative Director of Isuzu Motors Limited, said: “Isuzu is providing various products and services to support people’s lives and social production activities. It is said that automobile industry is facing ‘a once-in-a-century innovation’ era with social issues such as serious driver shortages and the diversification of consumer needs, and Isuzu aims to create new solutions through collaborating with customers and partners. In view of this, participation in Monet will bring us tremendously valuable opportunities in a wide variety of industries so that we will make a contribution to sustainable society development.”
Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, commented: “By participating in Monet, Suzuki aims to resolve regional transportation issues by making mobility more convenient for residents and link these efforts to both the promotion of regional and industrial revitalisation and the creation of innovative next-generation mobility services. Suzuki would like to contribute to Monet’s creation of new value with transportation, using its diverse array of transportation modes, including motorcycles, marine products and electric wheelchairs, in addition to automobiles.”
Soichiro Okudaira, President of Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., commented as follows: “By participating in Monet, Daihatsu will work closely together with various regions to ensure the development of vital communities that residents want to keep living in. Through these efforts, we will realise sustainable mobility services that are loved by citizens.”
Akira Marumoto, President and CEO, Representative Director, Mazda Motor Corporation, said: “By sharing the experiences and thrills made possible by the fusion of cars and digital tools, Mazda is connecting different types of people with society, and providing a new type of car value—one that conveys the ‘joy of life’ with safety, peace of mind and enrichment. By co-creating together with other Monet participants, Mazda will pursue the possibilities of mobility services that ‘invigorate the mind and body’ to resolve social mobility issues in cities and regions.”
