Honda to Launch China-Made Electric Vehicle in Japan to Expand Lineup
Honda Motor Co. announced it will begin selling the China-built electric vehicle, Insight, in Japan starting this Friday. This marks the first time the automaker is reverse-importing a Chinese-made EV to the domestic market, aiming to diversify its limited lineup of environmentally friendly cars. The new model, based on an SUV from Honda’s joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Corp., features specifications tailored for Japanese consumers, including a 535-kilometer cruise range and premium interior comforts. Priced at 5.5 million yen, Honda plans to sell up to 3,000 units. This strategic move occurs as Honda recalibrates its global EV investment, having reduced its budget through fiscal 2030 due to high U.S. tariffs and weak global demand. While the company suspended three North American EV projects, it continues to address domestic needs and aims to slightly improve factory utilization rates in China, where sales have been sluggish. The Insight becomes the second China-manufactured model sold in Japan, following the Odyssey minivan. Additionally, Honda plans to import two U.S.-made models later in 2026, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance product availability through overseas production hubs amidst shifting market dynamics.
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Honda to Launch China-Made Electric Vehicle in Japan to Expand Lineup
Honda Motor Co. announced it will begin selling the China-built electric vehicle, Insight, in Japan starting this Friday. This marks the first time the automaker is reverse-importing a Chinese-made EV to the domestic market, aiming to diversify its limited lineup of environmentally friendly cars. The new model, based on an SUV from Honda’s joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Corp., features specifications tailored for Japanese consumers, including a 535-kilometer cruise range and premium interior comforts. Priced at 5.5 million yen, Honda plans to sell up to 3,000 units. This strategic move occurs as Honda recalibrates its global EV investment, having reduced its budget through fiscal 2030 due to high U.S. tariffs and weak global demand. While the company suspended three North American EV projects, it continues to address domestic needs and aims to slightly improve factory utilization rates in China, where sales have been sluggish. The Insight becomes the second China-manufactured model sold in Japan, following the Odyssey minivan. Additionally, Honda plans to import two U.S.-made models later in 2026, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance product availability through overseas production hubs amidst shifting market dynamics.
The Mainichi