Honda has detailed the keys to the strategic plan that it will follow for the year 2030. The Japanese manufacturer has announced the global launch of up to 30 electric cars. It will also establish strategic alliances to ensure the supply of batteries for its new electric vehicles.
Sling, one of the giants of the Japanese automotive industry, has started up all the machinery with the aim of carrying out an ambitious electrification process. In Europe, Honda’s transition to the era of all-electric mobility has already begun. The arrival on the scene of the new Honda Civic marks the culmination of the electrification process of its product offer in the Old Continent. Now the company will go one step further by increasing its range with new 100% electric and plug-in hybrid models.
The strategic plan that Honda is following goes far beyond the European territory. What will happen to this brand in the United States, China or Japan itself? A great electric offensive is also coming. Honda has held an important event in which it has given the main keys on this roadmap that points to the next year 2030 as one of the key dates in the immediate future.
Honda adjustments to reduce manufacturing costs
In recent years, Honda has been carrying out a series of actions aimed at consolidating existing businesses. The foundations have also been laid to be able to materialize the product offensives that are already underway and, above all, to adapt to the new times. Times marked by electrification, connectivity and automation.
Honda has reduced the number of trim level variations and options for global models to less than half the number in 2018. And a strategy that will be followed by 2025. This reduction in the number of versions has made it possible to reduce manufacturing costs by 10% compared to 2018.
Honda’s strategy for the acquisition of batteries for electric cars
One of the key challenges facing the automotive industry in the nascent era of the electric car is none other than the global procurement of batteries. Honda has two basic approaches to secure supply of a critical component.
At this time and in the future Honda will ensure the supply of lithium-ion batteries in each region by strengthening the external partnership. In North America, the brand will use General Motors’ Ultium technology. In the case of China, it will be decided to strengthen collaboration with CATL. And in Japan, Envision AESC batteries will be used.
On the other hand, and from the middle of this decade, Honda will accelerate its research and development of next-generation batteries. For the solid-state batteries that it currently has in development, Honda has decided to build a demonstration line, which should be operational in the spring of 2024. Honda electric cars that arrive from 2025 will use the new generation batteries. .
Honda’s new electric cars for 2030
Honda will conduct a product offensive adapted to the characteristics of each region. A commitment to electrification that also affects Acura, Honda’s premium signature that is available in North America. These are the keys confirmed by the company itself:
- North America: In 2024, two new mid- to large-size Honda electrics that are currently in development with General Motors will be introduced. One of these models will be sold under the Honda brand and another as Acura. Both will be SUVs.
- China: Honda will introduce a total of 10 new electric cars by 2027.
- Japan: Also in 2024, a new small-sized electric vehicle intended to be used as a commercial vehicle will be unveiled. After this launch, Honda will focus on the development of two other small electric cars. Among them will be an SUV.
After the second half of this decade, Honda predicts that the electric car will have reached a level of popularity sufficient to have to present new generation models. It is because of that from 2026 it will start using the Honda e: Architecture platform, a dedicated architecture for battery electric vehicles. Another goal for 2027 is the introduction of affordable electric cars by General Motors.
All these initiatives will allow Honda to launch 30 electric cars globally by 2030. By then the company hopes to be able to manufacture more than 2 million electric vehicles annually. And speaking of electric model production, Honda plans to build new electric vehicle factories in China. More specifically in Guangzhou and Wuhan. It is also on the agenda to build another electric car production center in North America, although at the moment there are no more details about it.
Last but not least, Honda has confirmed the introduction of two sports models, one special and one flagship. Both will be electrified vehicles.
Source:
Sling