Honda intends to produce a cost-effective next-generation hybrid drivetrain in 2027. Honda is developing a hybrid arrangement for large cars in North America, with the goal of providing “powerful driving performance” and “high towing capability.” Over a four-year period beginning in 2027, Honda intends to deliver 13 new hybrid vehicles worldwide. It’s beginning to catch on. The majority of manufacturers have made big declarations in recent years to switch most, if not all, of their lines to electric power, often by 2030. Many automakers have already reversed their plans, with Honda being the most recent to say that it is evaluating its transition to electric vehicles. Honda highlighted the significance of hybrid technology as it eases the pace of its shift to electric powertrains, announcing plans to launch a next-generation hybrid system in 2027, which will include a unique system for large vehicles in the United States, at a news conference in Japan today. Honda’s EV ambitions were less aggressive than those of other manufacturers; initially, the Japanese automaker aimed for EVs to account for 30% of its global sales by 2030. However, the automaker considers even this level to be excessive. Honda attributes the “uncertainty in the business environment” and the “slowing growth of the EV market” to “shifts in environmental regulations” and other related factors, as well as “changes in trade policies of various countries.” Honda is seeing strong demand for its current hybrid vehicles and intends to increase its investment in this area, despite the fact that EV adoption has not progressed as swiftly as the company had hoped. Honda plans to improve its two-motor hybrid system further by merging it with a new all-wheel-drive electric drive unit with “highly precise and responsive motor control” and a next-generation platform that prioritizes weight reduction. Honda anticipates that these advances will result in a 10% increase in fuel economy over its current hybrid system. Honda specifically states that a new hybrid system built for larger vehicles will be launched in the North American market. Honda says this technology will provide “powerful driving performance, high towing capability, and high environmental performance.” According to Honda, this will be put on vehicles that will be released in the latter half of this decade, with the next-generation Pilot being a probable candidate. Honda plans to launch 13 next-generation hybrid vehicles globally over a four-year period beginning in 2027. These new hybrids will be identified by the streamlined “H mark” that was originally created for Honda’s electric vehicles. Furthermore, Honda intends to reduce the cost of its hybrid automobiles. It intends to cut the cost of its next-generation system by more than half compared to the system it presented in 2018 and by more than 30% compared to the system placed in its vehicles in 2023. According to Honda, cost savings will be boosted by more efficient manufacturing methods, the use of more common parts across models, and an expected increase in hybrid sales volume. Honda also restated its plans to develop a new, cutting-edge driver-assistance system capable of managing activities such as steering and acceleration during a drive, especially on surface roads and highways. According to Honda, this new technology will be offered in both electric and hybrid vehicles in North America and Japan beginning in 2027.
