Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp, best known for TVs, displays and appliances, has unveiled an unexpected innovation: an electric minivan concept that turns the car interior into a full-fledged living space. Dubbed the Sharp LDK Electric Minivan, the project represents a dramatic leap into the EV world.

The concept, described as a “living room on wheels”, signals Sharp’s ambition to reimagine how people use their vehicles not just for travel, but as multifunctional spaces for work, relaxation, and entertainment.

Sharp’s entry into the electric-vehicle space underscores a growing trend: consumer-electronics firms expanding into automotive design as cars become increasingly digital, connected, and software-defined. The company’s background in high-resolution displays, solar technology, and smart-home ecosystems uniquely positions it to merge comfort, energy efficiency, and entertainment inside a vehicle.

Sharp plans to showcase the LDK concept at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, with production targeted for 2027. The project draws on Foxconn’s EV platform expertise, leveraging their 800-volt vehicle architecture and manufacturing capabilities.

Inside the LDK+

Sharp calls its concept LDK+, short for “Living, Dining, Kitchen +” a phrase that echoes the open-plan layout common in Japanese homes. The name reflects Sharp’s goal: transforming vehicle interiors into livable, functional extensions of one’s domestic environment.

Key Features and Design Highlights

• 65-inch Rear Display A cinema-sized screen spans the rear section, enabling the vehicle to double as a media hub, gaming lounge, or even a meeting room.

  

• Rotating Rear Seats Passengers can switch between driving mode and “face-to-face” lounge setups, creating flexibility for family use or business settings.

• Liquid-Crystal Privacy Glass Side windows can shift from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, offering privacy for rest or entertainment.

  

• Solar Integration and V2H Support The concept includes rooftop solar panels and energy-storage functionality, allowing two-way energy flow between the vehicle and home a growing feature in modern EVs.

• Sliding Doors and Spacious Layout True to minivan form, the LDK features wide-opening sliding doors, making it easy for families and groups to enter and exit.

Engineering and Performance Vision

While Sharp has not released full specifications, early reports suggest the LDK minivan may feature an LFP battery pack of around 100 kWh and could deliver up to 410 miles of range under the WLTP cycle. Built on an 800-volt electrical system, it will support high-speed DC charging, improved energy efficiency, and better performance in colder climates.

Foxconn’s platform partnership provides Sharp with an established manufacturing and supply-chain foundation, which could help the company overcome traditional barriers for new entrants in the EV sector.

What Comes Next

Industry watchers expect more details about the Sharp LDK to surface at the Tokyo Auto Salon in early 2025, including prototype previews and potential pricing tiers. If Sharp meets its 2027 production goal, it would be among the first major Japanese electronics brands to commercialise an EV under its own name.

Observers also note that Foxconn’s broader EV ambitions ,including platforms like the Model C and Model E , could serve as a backbone for Sharp’s production vehicles, helping control costs and accelerate development.

Whether it ultimately reaches production or remains a forward-looking concept, the LDK+ captures a vision of a world where people don’t just travel in cars they live in them.