On October 24, 2025, Sharp Corporation announced that it would fully enter the electric vehicle (EV) business, and would launch a Sharp-branded EV in the domestic market in fiscal year 2027. By bringing together the technologies it has cultivated as a home appliance manufacturer, Sharp will propose new value to the mobility market with a unique concept that sets it apart from traditional automobile manufacturers.
The home appliance giant takes on a new challenge: the “LDK+” electric vehicle that can be used as a living room
In conjunction with this announcement, the company unveiled its second EV concept model, the ” LDK+ ,” which will be unveiled for the first time at Japan Mobility Show 2025, one of Japan’s largest mobility events, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 30 to November 9, 2025.
An innovative concept that creates value in “stopped time”
sharp EV
A change of mindset to utilize 95% of parking time
Sharp focused on the fact that 95% of a car’s ownership time is spent parked. Despite significant investment, the time the shift lever is in “P” traditionally generates little value.
New key message: “Part of your home”
This time, Sharp has adopted a new key message: “Part of your home.” This is an evolution from the conventional concept of “Park of your home” to “Part of your home.” Sharp’s vision of the future of mobility is one in which EVs are used not simply as a means of transportation, but as an extension of the living room.
Features and specifications of LDK+ 2nd edition
Compact minivan in collaboration with Hon Hai
sharp EV
The second concept model is based on the Model A EV from parent company Foxconn. Despite its compact minivan size, it boasts a spacious interior layout, combining a maneuverable body with a comfortable interior space.
Planned main specifications
- Passenger capacity: 5 people
- Cruising range: 300-400km (target)
- Body size: 3-number (to ensure spacious interior)
- Price range: Affordable price that families can easily afford
Innovative interior design
The greatest feature of the LDK+ is its innovative interior layout. Between the driver’s seat
and passenger seat is a console box equipped with a table and projector. When the driver’s seat is rotated backwards, it faces the rear seat, creating a space that feels like a living room.
Large-screen entertainment:
A roll-up screen is installed above the rear seats. By lowering it, you can enjoy movies in the car or hold online meetings on the large screen.
A fusion of Sharp’s unique technologies
Home appliance integration via AIoT platform
Through Sharp’s AIoT platform, EVs will be linked to AIoT home appliances, including kitchen appliances, air conditioners, and washing machines, of which over 10 million units have been shipped. AI will learn lifestyle patterns and preferences such as room temperature, creating a new lifestyle that is “closer to people.”
CE-LLM(Communication Edge – Large Language Model)
Equipped with Sharp’s proprietary AI technology “CE-LLM,” the edge device is equipped with AI technology, and by seamlessly utilizing cloud AI as needed, it achieves smooth and comfortable communication.
Plasmacluster air purification
Sharp’s signature Plasmacluster generator keeps the air inside the car clean, ensuring a comfortable environment whether you’re driving or using the car as a living space.
V2H systems and energy management
By linking with the V2H (Vehicle to Home) system, not only can you connect to your home’s energy system and use your home’s electricity in the car, but you can also link with solar power generation and home storage batteries through Sharp’s “Eee Connect,” achieving optimal energy management for the entire home.
Diverse use cases
Remote work room
Teruaki Otsu, chief of the Sharp I-001 project team, explains, “It can be used as a comfortable remote work room where you can concentrate, or as a study room for children supported by an AI tutor.”
Theater Room
Using the projector and screen, you can relax and enjoy movies and dramas in your own personal theater room.
Mobile Office
It also functions as a space for full-scale online meetings and presentations, utilizing the large screen.
Unique sales strategy
Collaboration with electronics retailers and home builders
Sharp is considering a unique sales channel that differs from the traditional car dealer network. It plans to sell to individuals through electronics retailers, major supermarkets, and home appliance manufacturers, aiming to create synergies with home appliance and home appliance sales.
Phased Market Launch
Sharp plans to first use the system internally, and based on its track record, it is also considering selling it to fleets (B2B). The company also intends to explore collaboration with car dealerships.
Strengthening the development system
Appointment of Teruaki Otsu, formerly of Nissan
Sharp has appointed Teruaki Otsu, who has over 20 years of experience at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., as chief of the I-001 project team. During his time at Nissan, Otsu was primarily involved in overseas business, marketing, and sales, and served as Global Chief Marketing Manager, responsible for vehicles sold worldwide.
Otsu said, “By incorporating Sharp’s unique technologies, we will be able to meet customer needs in areas that existing automakers do not address. LDK+ focuses not on the car’s performance, but on the interior space and usage scenarios, and is aimed at business, family, and personal use. We aim to change the lifestyle of cars.”
Collaboration with Hon Hai
The new “I-001 Project Team” is accelerating the EV business as a cross-sectional project in collaboration with each business division and parent company Hon Hai. The strategy is to establish a unique positioning by combining Hon Hai’s EV design and production technology with Sharp’s AIoT technology and energy solutions.
Potential in the Japanese EV market
The Japanese market has ample room for growth
CTO Taneya points out, “While the growth of EVs is slowing, it is a market that is expected to grow in the future. In particular, the EV penetration rate in the Japanese market is low at 1%, so there is significant room for market expansion.”
Meeting new user needs
Traditionally, car needs have centered around driving performance, exterior and interior design, fuel efficiency, safety, and driving range. However, with the evolution of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and integration with AI and cloud services, new user needs are emerging, including environmental friendliness, comfort from an entertainment perspective, integration with lifestyles, and customization to suit individual needs.
CTO Taneya expressed confidence, saying, “With the natural UI we’ve cultivated through our home appliance technology, a wide range of functions such as air quality improvement, device integration such as AIoT, and edge AI that enables quick responses, we can propose a new EV that is unique to Sharp.”
“Half a step ahead of people’s wishes.”
Sharp established its new corporate slogan, “Half a step ahead of people’s wishes,” in September 2025. By staying just a little bit ahead of people’s wishes, Sharp aims to deliver new experiences that bring surprise and joy.
LDK+ is a project that truly embodies this slogan. CTO Taneya says, “There is more that cars can do in our daily lives, and cars can fulfill more of people’s wishes. Only Sharp can offer proposals that are half a step ahead.”
He also paints a grand vision, saying, “By integrating cars and homes, we may see a time in 10 years when people say they still park their cars in the garage. With LDK+, we want to bring about changes in the way homes are built, the way people live, the structure of apartments, and even lifestyles.”
EVs as “super-large home appliances”
Sharp President and CEO Masahiro Okitsu commented, “LDK+ is a super-large home appliance for Sharp.” At the briefing, he also stated, “LDK+ is one of the home appliances that enriches your life, and it uses Sharp’s technology to create a comfortable space in your car, just like your home.”
This statement clearly shows that Sharp sees EVs not just as a means of transportation, but as a home appliance that expands living space.
Exhibit at Japan Mobility Show 2025
The second LDK+ model will be unveiled for the first time at the Sharp booth at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 30 to November 9, 2025. A press briefing at the booth will also feature a message from the CSO of Hon Hai, an important partner in realizing LDK+.
Steady progress towards commercialization
CTO Taneya explained, “This is lighter than the prototype model we previously showed, and it is closer to commercialization.” After unveiling the first concept model at the company’s technology exhibition, “SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase,” held in September 2024, the company has continued discussions with various partners and has steadily advanced its consideration toward commercialization.
The progress towards commercializing LDK+ is clearly accelerating, and we look forward to further technological innovation and partnership development until the product is launched on the market in fiscal 2027.
Summary: Home appliance manufacturers pioneering the future of mobility
Sharp’s entry into the EV market has the potential to bring a breath of fresh air to the automotive industry. Rather than focusing on traditional indicators such as driving performance and fuel efficiency, Sharp’s unique approach to proposing new value in mobility is one that only a home appliance manufacturer can offer, by taking advantage of “parked time.”
By integrating home appliance technologies that have been cultivated over many years, such as AIoT technology, energy management, and air purification technology, into EVs, we are trying to realize the innovative concept of an EV as a “Part of your home.”
Sharp’s EV business, which aims to launch in fiscal 2027, will not only provide new options for the Japanese mobility market, but also has the potential to transform our lifestyles. We can’t wait to see the second LDK+ model on display at Japan Mobility Show 2025.
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