Honda today held a virtual press conference on its electrification strategy in China. During the conference, Honda announced its new environmental and safety initiatives and also held the world premiere of two planned production models and three concept models of Honda-brand electric vehicles (EV).
A summary of the conference follows.
- All new models Honda will introduce in China after 2030 will be electrified, such as hybrid (HEVs) and EVs.
- Honda will introduce the first 10 Honda-brand EV models in China, namely the “e:N Series,” in the next five years. Honda envisions exporting these models from China.
- The first set of e:N Series models, e:NS1and e:NP1, will go on sale in spring 2022 from Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda, respectively.
- Three concept models are being developed with the goal to start sales within 5 years.
- Honda will begin enhancing its sales network in China preparing for the start of full-fledged EV business. This includes creating e:N Series area within existing dealership locations and, further ahead, launching dedicated e:N dealership locations in major cities.
- New dedicated EV production plants will be constructed at both GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda, with the aim of starting production in 2024.
- Application of Honda SENSING 360, an omnidirectional advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), will begin in China in 2022. Honda will continue expanding the application globally, and strive to apply it to all automobile models that will go on sale in all of the world’s major markets including China by 2030.
Environmental and safety targets
Starting from the desire to “help people and society,” Honda has been striving to serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential” by offering a wide variety of mobility products. To realize a sustainable society, Honda has been fully committed to addressing environmental and safety challenges and, in April of this year, announced its new goals to realize both “carbon neutrality” and “zero traffic collision fatalities” by 2050. While accelerating its initiatives in each region around the world toward the realization of these goals, Honda also will implement proactive measures in China, the country undergoing rapid technological innovation.
Initiatives Honda will take in China toward the realization of carbon neutrality
In April of this year, Honda announced its electrification target in all major markets of electrification combined, including China, which is to increase the ratio of EVs and FCVs within overall unit sales to 40% by 2030, to 80% by 2035, and then to 100% by 2040. To achieve these targets speedily and steadily, in China, after 2030, Honda will no longer introduce any new gasoline-powered models and will electrify all new models coming to market, such as HEVs and EVs.
1. Market introduction of the first Honda-brand EVs in China, the e:N Series
Honda will introduce the first Honda-brand EVs in China, the e:N Series, which will offer a new driving pleasure unique to Honda EVs. Sales of the e:N Series will begin with the e:NS1 and e:NP1, which will go on sale in China in Spring 2022.
The name “e:N” represents Honda’s desire to energize people who are trying to do things based on their own initiative in this era of electrification. The “e:” is from “e:Technology,” the collective brand name for Honda’s electrification technologies with which Honda strives for carbon neutrality. The letter “N” stands for “New/Next,” representing new value creation for the next-generation of mobility. The e:N Series lineup symbolizes a start of full-fledged electrified automobile business Honda will begin in China. Honda plans to introduce 10 e:N Series models over the next 5 years, and also envisions exporting these models from China.
2. e:N Series concept – Dynamics, Intelligence and Beauty
The e:N Series is being developed with the series concept of “Dynamic, Intelligence and Beauty.” With this concept, Honda strives to embody new value by advancing original technologies Honda has amassed to date, to realize next generation driving pleasure.
- Dynamics: The e:N Architecture developed exclusively for the e:N Series generates a sense of unity between the driver and the vehicle, which is unique to Honda, and realizes a sporty and exhilarating driving experience.
Intelligence: The e:N OS, an integrated system consisting of Honda SENSING, Honda CONNECT and a smart Digital Cockpit, creates a safe and pleasant “space” for our customers’ mobility. - Beauty: The e:N Design, a design identity that expresses the beauty unique only to EVs, enables e:N Series models to feature unique styling that lets people feel the future upon the first glance and touch of these vehicles.
3. The first set of e:N Series models – e:NS1 and e:NP1 - Developed based on the series concept, the first set of e:N Series models, namely e:NS1 and e:NP1, will feature sporty and exhilarating driving unique to Honda, along with a safe, pleasant and smart “space” for mobility and simple and sharp exterior styling. The e:NS1 and e:NP1 will go on sale in spring 2022 from Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda, respectively.
4. Three concept models that will expand the e:N Series lineup
For the further enhancement of the e:N Series lineup, Honda is currently developing three concept models, e:N COUPE Concept, e:N SUV Concept and e:N GT Concept, with a goal to start sales of these new models within the next 5 years.
5. Honda’s comprehensive electrification strategy in China – sales, production and battery supply system
In order to ensure steady delivery of an increasing number of the e:N Series models Honda will introduce in China from here forward, Honda will accelerate its electrification initiatives comprehensively, focusing not only on product development, but also on sales and production including the system for stable battery supply.
In the area of sales, timed with the sales of e:NS1 and e:NP1, an area dedicated to the e:N Series will be created at approximately 1,200 existing Honda dealership locations around China. Moreover, further ahead, Honda is planning to launch dedicated e:N dealerships in major cities of China, which will specialize in sales of e:N Series models. In addition, Honda will create more opportunities for customers to take time and experience the value the e:N Series will offer, including experience-oriented e:N Series events Honda will hold around China.
In the area of production, with a goal to start production in 2024, both GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda will strengthen their separate production systems and capabilities by constructing new, highly-efficient and environmentally-responsible EV production plants.
As for batteries, which will be key to the speedy implementation of electrification initiatives, Honda will accelerate collaboration with its strategic alliance partner, CATL, and further strengthen its highly-competitive battery supply system.
Honda is planning global exports of e:N Series models developed and produced in China to deliver new value to a greater number of customers around the world.
Initiatives Honda will take in China toward achieving zero traffic collision fatalities
Honda has been at the forefront of the world in putting a number of safety and driver-assistive technologies into practical application. Striving to lead efforts to realize a “collision-free society,” Honda will remain committed to pursue continuous advancement and popularization of safety technologies.
As the core of such safety technologies, Honda developed Honda SENSING 360 omnidirectional ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System), to further enhance intelligence of its ADAS by leveraging the knowledge and know-how Honda has amassed through the development of autonomous driving technology. Application of Honda SENSING 360 will begin in China in 2022 and will be expanded globally. Honda will strive to expand the application to all models to go on sale in all of the world’s major markets including China by 2030.
Working toward the realization of its 2030 Vision to “serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential,” Honda will further accelerate its initiatives in every region and strive for speedy and steady attainment of its global environmental and safety targets.
SOURCE: Honda
