Honda is planning to launch at least four hybrids in China under both its namesake and Acura brands in an effort to double sales there during the next three years. Honda will debut three hybrids – the CR-Z, Insight and Fit Hybrid – this year. The company is also planning to sell its Acura NSX, which will have a hybrid powertrain in its next incarnation, in China. Additionally, Honda is working on mid-size and larger hybrids as well as a plug-in hybrid vehicle for China.
In all, Honda will launch 10 models that will either be new or fully revamped for China by 2015. The company will also produce the cars and their batteries in China in an effort to cut costs.
Honda, which debuted the first version of its Insight hybrid in Japan in 1999, said in January that it had cumulatively sold more than 800,000 hybrids worldwide by the end of last year. By comparison, Toyota’s Prius hybrid surpassed the three-million-vehicle mark last March.
Last year, China accounted for more than 646,000 Honda vehicle sales, 22 percent of the company’s worldwide total, up from about 19 percent a year earlier. China’s December 2011 sales were a record high for that month.
BEIJING, China, April 10, 2012 – Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. today announced its mid-term business strategy for China.
Outline of mid-term strategy
・ For the Honda brand, introduction of more than 10 new and full-model-change models is scheduled during the 3-year period from 2013 to 2015. By enhancing its product lineup, we will steadily increase our sales striving to double its 2011 unit sales in 2015.
・ Honda will more focus on the needs of customers in China and introduce a number of products that will bring joys to customers.
・ All Honda vehicles sold in China will shift to new engines that apply Earth Dreams Technology, Honda’s innovative next-generation technologies. The engines of all Honda brand vehicles will be renewed by the end of 2015. In this way, Honda will strive to realize the highest fuel economy in each vehicle category in the Chinese automobile market.
・ As for hybrid models, within this year, Honda will introduce three models to the Chinese market. All three models, the CR-Z, the Insight and the Fit Hybrid, are equipped with Honda’s original IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) lightweight and compact hybrid system.
・ Honda is currently preparing for local production of hybrid models in China. Through local procurement of key components such as batteries and motors, Honda will strive to reduce costs in order to popularize hybrid vehicles in China.
・ As the next step following the popularization of the IMA hybrid system, Honda will introduce to the Chinese market a new hybrid system most appropriate for mid- to large-sized vehicles as well as a plug-in hybrid system.
・ As for electric vehicles, Honda began demonstration testing in Guangzhou last year. Based on the results of this testing, Honda is preparing to begin local production at Guangqi Honda sometime toward the end of this year.
・ The new NSX will be introduced to the Chinese market which represents the Acura brand. The new NSX will apply the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD(R) (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) hybrid system which combines superior driving and environmental performance.
・ The Acura brand will strengthen its product lineup in China this year with introduction of the ILX, a small-sized sedan, and the RDX, a small-sized SUV, as well as the scheduled introduction next year of the RLX luxury sedan.
・ Moreover, starting in stages next year, the Acura brand is planning to introduce models equipped with new, relatively small-sized engines, for which demand is high in China.
・ The powertrains of all Acura models also will be renewed by the end of 2015 to bring the latest advanced technologies to customers in China.
・ Honda is considering the establishment of a Honda design studio in China. The R&D teams of the joint venture companies, the development team of Honda China and Honda research centers in Japan will work together to significantly enhance Honda’s R&D capacity in China. Through this initiative, Honda will further strengthen its system and capability to enable its Chinese associates to locally develop products that exceed the expectations of customers in China.
・ Along with the further localization of our development, Honda also will pursue further localization in the sourcing of parts and components. To increase cost competitiveness, Honda will further increase the number of new local suppliers.
・ In July of this year, the second plant of Dongfeng Honda will begin production. At this new plant, Honda will employ the world’s latest production technologies to achieve excellent environmental performance and to make it an advanced plant with a human-friendly workplace for associates.
・ Guangqi Honda is also making progress with a plan to build its third line and is aiming to begin production on this new line in 2014.
・ Honda is taking various actions to attain new growth while moving toward the new era of a fast-changing China. To communicate its passion, Honda will begin a new brand communication campaign with the key phrase of 「」 — meaning “a new future will be carved out when Honda takes new actions together with its customers.”
・ The Acura brand will also adopt a new brand key phrase of 「」, which will help communicate the values of Acura products and services more clearly to the customers. This means that Acura brand vehicles put the central focus on customers, and provide each customer with the joy of becoming one with the vehicle and the freedom of maneuvering at the will of the driver. In the area of service, we will put the focus on customers and further strengthen our well-established service by providing customized services for each customer.
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・ Honda will initiate the promotion of racing activities and expand the awareness of motorsports activities which are currently hasn’t yet gained great popularity in China. Honda will participate in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) starting this year. In addition, Honda will race on a spot participation basis in the China Touring Car Championship (CTCC), starting this year.
・ For this year’s China Grand Prix in November, Honda will participate both in WTCC and CTCC.
・ At the Honda booth, two concept models that focus on Chinese customers will make their world premiere. In addition, hybrid models (CR-Z, Insight, Fit Hybrid) which will be introduced to the market this year, will be on display.
・ At the Acura booth, in addition to the all-new NSX Concept, the ILX and the RDX which will be introduced to the Chinese market this year, will be on display.
・ The Honda booth and Acura booth will each host a press conference at 10:00am (11:00am Japan time) and 10:30am (11:30am Japan time), respectively, on April 23, 2012.
