Honda Australia’s EV Strategy Amid Global Shifts
Honda Australia has stated that it has not been significantly affected by the recent cancellation of the ‘0’ series electric vehicles (EVs). The Japanese carmaker announced in March that it was discontinuing three new EVs: the 0 Saloon, 0 SUV, and the related Acura RSX. These models were set to be manufactured in the US and were intended for Australia and other global markets.
However, just before production began, Honda issued a statement explaining that “starting production and sales of these three models in the current business environment where the demand for EVs is declining significantly would likely result in further losses over the long term.”
Key Developments in Honda’s EV Plans
- 2026 Honda Insight confirmed as new Chinese-built EV for export, opening the door for an Australian launch as a rival to the Mazda 6e and BYD Seal.
- Important upcoming electric cars cancelled: Honda faces significant losses as the global EV market experiences a downturn.
- Honda confirms new hot hatch for Oz!
About two weeks after this announcement, Honda also confirmed that its planned partnership with Sony to build an EV under the Afeela banner had been abandoned.
Insights from Honda Australia Director
Robert Thorp, Honda Australia’s Director of Automotive, explained that the decision to drop the 0 Series models was due to multiple factors. While the Saloon and SUV were being considered for Australia, they were primarily targeted at North America.
The evolving EV landscape in the US under President Donald Trump played a significant role in this decision. However, there are still Honda EVs in the global lineup that the Australian arm is interested in, including the 0 Series Alpha, which was revealed at last year’s Tokyo motor show.
“The remaining vehicle, being the Alpha, which is still part of the product plan globally, is probably going to be more of an Asian-led vehicle. And therefore the decisions to keep that are a little bit different. And certainly for us, we’re considering putting our hand up for that,” Thorp told CarsGuide.
“And so for us, that’s still a potential option for us. And I think that, from that perspective, EVs aren’t completely off. It’s just really trying to prioritise the investments and where it could be. So for those being North America, for us locally, those models, whilst we put our hand up for those two, they were only ever going to be niche in many respects. So whilst it’s a disappointment that we can’t potentially access them, they don’t fundamentally change our long-term plans or strategies.”
The production version of the 0 Alpha is expected to go on sale in Japan and India next year, meaning if it gets approval for Australia, it probably won’t be until 2028 at the earliest.
New EVs in the Pipeline
Honda recently confirmed its first EV for Australia, the tiny 3.6m long and 1.6m wide Japanese Super-One hatchback. Honda is keeping pricing and mechanical details of the Super-One a secret for now, but reports suggest a driving range of about 274km, making it a city-focused EV and likely a niche seller.
Another global Honda EV that the Australian arm is looking at is the recently revealed, reborn Insight. Up to now, the Insight was a hybrid model across three generations, but the fourth-gen version is a mid-size liftback/crossover BEV with a driving range of up to 535km (WLTC).
When asked if Honda Australia was considering any of Honda’s Chinese-made EVs, and the Insight more specifically, Thorp said, “we’re constantly scanning the globe for product in the Honda portfolio.”
“And if it makes sense and it ticks enough boxes, (those) boxes being can we actually physically bring it to market? Can we make it compliant? Does it actually meet consumer demand? Can we get a volume that’s sustainable, etc, etc, etc. Any model that can tick enough of those boxes we’ll always put a hand up and ask for.”
Impact on Future Strategies
Thorp said the cancellation of the 0 Series models has not had a major impact on the company’s preparation for the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).
“Any change we make, there’s an impact. You know whether, if it’s 70 per cent hybrid sales to 80 per cent hybrid sales, that has an impact. The date we bring in Super-One and we bring that to market has an impact. Having ‘0’ series in the future or not has an impact. But the variables are numerous and ever changing.
“I will say, though, that our current plans and a strategy which have been in place for a long time, with the knowledge of what the NVES parameters are, we’re very comfortable that our plan, in the material sense, works.”
