Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- venture /VEN-cher/
- conglomerate /kuhn-GLOM-er-it/
- well-positioned /wel-puh-zish-uhnd/
- redefine /ree-duh-FINE/
- alliance /uh-LAHY-uhns/
[noun] – a new activity, usually in business, that involves risk or uncertainty
He learned many things from a failed business venture last year.
[noun] – a company that owns several smaller businesses whose products or services are usually very different
Mr. Kent was the head of this conglomerate for 15 years.
[adjective] – in a good situation to be able to do something
The store is well-positioned to expand and introduce more products.
[verb] – to change the meaning of something or to make people think about something in a new or different way
Social media has redefined friendships.
[noun] – an agreement to work with someone else to try to achieve the same thing
We formed an alliance to solve problems in our neighborhood.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Japan’s Sony (SNE) and Honda (HMC) announced on March 4, 2022, that they plan to start a joint venture to develop and sell electric vehicles. They will establish a new company this year before releasing the electric cars in 2025. In a joint statement, the two firms said that details of the agreement are still under discussion.
Honda will be in charge of production, and Sony will create a platform that provides mobility services. “The new company is expected to plan, design, develop, and sell the EVs, but not own and operate manufacturing facilities,” the two firms added. Sony recently announced plans to establish a new company called Sony Mobility to test a commercial launch of its Vision-S concept electric cars. The Japanese conglomerate is best known for its consumer electronics. “With our imaging and sensing, cloud, 5G and entertainment technologies combined with our content mastery, we believe Sony is well-positioned as a creative entertainment company to redefine mobility,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. “Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different,” said Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe in a statement. “Therefore, I believe this alliance, which brings together the strengths of our two companies, offers great possibilities,” he added.
Honda will be in charge of production, and Sony will create a platform that provides mobility services. “The new company is expected to plan, design, develop, and sell the EVs, but not own and operate manufacturing facilities,” the two firms added. Sony recently announced plans to establish a new company called Sony Mobility to test a commercial launch of its Vision-S concept electric cars. The Japanese conglomerate is best known for its consumer electronics. “With our imaging and sensing, cloud, 5G and entertainment technologies combined with our content mastery, we believe Sony is well-positioned as a creative entertainment company to redefine mobility,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. “Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different,” said Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe in a statement. “Therefore, I believe this alliance, which brings together the strengths of our two companies, offers great possibilities,” he added.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Describe your country’s automotive industry.
- What factors do you consider when choosing a car?
- If you were to team up with Sony and Honda, what kind of product would you create?
- Do you think Sony and Honda’s alliance would be successful?
- What will cars look like 20 years from now? Please explain your answer.
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- develop
- production
- entertainment
- cultural
- possibility