Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co, has announced a strategic realignment of its electrification roadmap, responding to evolving global market conditions and regulatory landscapes.

In a recent business briefing, Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer (Global CEO), emphasised on the company's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and zero traffic fatalities by 2050, while adapting to current challenges.

He reiterated that Honda's initial target to achieve 100 percent global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by 2040 remains unchanged. However, the company acknowledges a slower-than-anticipated adoption of EVs, particularly in the United States and Europe, due to relaxed environmental regulations and market uncertainties.

Conversely, hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) are experiencing increased demand, offering a practical solution for reducing CO2 emissions without the immediate need for extensive charging infrastructure.

Two-pronged strategy

To navigate these shifts, Honda has outlined two primary strategic directions:

• Enhancing EV and HEV Competitiveness: Honda aims to integrate intelligent technologies into its EV and HEV models, focusing on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connected services to deliver new value to customers.

• Reassessing Powertrain Portfolio: The company plans to diversify its powertrain offerings, balancing the development of EVs, HEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to meet varying regional demands and regulatory requirements.

Recognising the scale of investment required for electrification and intelligent technologies, Honda is exploring strategic partnerships, including ongoing discussions with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors. While a full business integration is not currently planned, these collaborations aim to strengthen shared technological capabilities and market presence.

The Japanese automaker which had announced an ambitious plan to invest 10 trillion YEN towards establishing a robust EV value chain, exemplified by its planned battery-focused project in Canada. Now, the company has revised the CAPEX to 7 trillion YEN till 31 March 2031.

“As for EVs, due to the recent market slowdown, our EV sales ratio in 2030 is now expected to fall below the previously announced target of 30 percent. On the other hand, the demand for HEV models is high. Therefore, we will position our HEVs, mostly next-generation HEV models which we will introduce in 2027 onward, as a group of products that will play a key role during the transition period towards the popularisation of EVs,” said Mibe.

The company targets total automobile sales volume of 3.6 million units, with a HEV sales target of 2.2 million units by 2030.  

Two-wheeler sales

Honda Motor Co. announced that its global two-wheeler sales reached a record 20.57 million units for the FY2025, capturing approximately 40 percent of the global two-wheeler market. The company set new all-time sales records in 37 countries and territories, reinforcing its leadership position in the two-wheeler segment.

Looking ahead, Honda expects continued growth in global motorcycle demand, particularly across the Global South, with India – a key market with a growing population and rising income levels – at the forefront. Industry-wide sales are projected to increase from the current 50 million units to approximately 60 million by 2030.

To capitalise on this growth, Honda plans to introduce a broader range of two-wheelers tailored to the varied needs of global customers. It will also optimise its supply chain to ensure more efficient delivery of both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric models.

As part of its commitment to environmental leadership, Honda is accelerating the electrification of its motorcycle lineup. This includes improving fuel efficiency in ICE models and expanding its range of flex-fuel compatible options.

In early 2025, Honda launched the Active e: and QC1 electric models in India. The CUV e: and ICON e:, designed as global electric commuter models, have already rolled out in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, with plans to expand to Europe and Japan later this year.

In a major strategic move, Honda will begin production of electric motorcycles at a dedicated, high-efficiency plant in India starting in 2028. This facility will focus on modularised models developed exclusively for electric platforms, aiming to boost affordability and scalability in electric two-wheelers.

Through these initiatives, Honda aims to broaden access to electric motorcycles, ultimately targeting the top position in the global electric motorcycle market.

By continuing to launch competitive products and strengthening its supply chain for both ICE and electric vehicles, Honda is positioning itself for long-term profitability. The company aims to achieve a 50 percent global market share and a return on sales (ROS) exceeding 15 percent by fiscal year 2031.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has announced a new partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) aimed at fostering innovation and creating business opportunities for startups in both India and Japan.

The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to bridge the startup ecosystems of the two nations.

The MoU was formally exchanged by Dr Tapan Sahoo, Executive Officer, Digital Enterprise, Maruti Suzuki India and Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, was also present during the signing.

As per the understanding, Maruti Suzuki India and JETRO will work together to help Indian startups gain access to Japan's innovation landscape, while Japanese startups will similarly have the opportunity to explore India's vibrant startup ecosystem.

Beyond access, the partnership will facilitate networking and participation for these startups in relevant industry events and activities, connecting them with potential partners. Indian startups selected through Maruti Suzuki's four innovation programs – Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge and Nurture – will be eligible to participate in these initiatives. Japanese startups, on the other hand, will be able to explore the Indian market through JETRO's support.

Hisashi Takeuchi, said, "Through our multi-format innovation programs, we have been engaging with startups in India to co-create technology-driven solutions relevant to the automobile manufacturing and mobility space. We see great potential in Indian startups, and with this MoU with JETRO, we will be able to provide a platform for these promising startups to explore the Japanese business landscape."

Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, said, "Maruti Suzuki stands as one of the finest examples of the successful partnership between India and Japan. With this MoU, we are creating opportunities for even more fruitful business collaborations between our two nations. This MoU aims to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and further strengthen the deep-rooted ties between India and Japan."

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Bengaluru-headquartered product engineering and innovation company Tata Elxsi has showcased its 'Battery Aadhaar' technology demonstrator at the Battery Summit 2025, organised by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India.

The demonstration formed part of a consortium-led initiative, backed by the UNEP-led programme 'Electrifying Mobility in Cities' and coordinated by NITI Aayog and the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Tata Elxsi, in collaboration with consortium partners – Tata Motors, Tata AutoComp Systems (TACO), IIT Kharagpur, WRI, LOHUM Cleantech, NUNAM Technologies and Oorja Energy, presented the 'Battery Aadhaar' concept to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other key government stakeholders. The solution was presented as an end-to-end enabler for the Indian battery ecosystem.

'Battery Aadhaar' represents a significant national endeavour to equip batteries with secure, digital identities. This innovative approach aims to ensure comprehensive traceability, regulatory compliance, and unparalleled lifecycle transparency – from the initial sourcing of raw materials to their second-life applications and eventual recycling. By meticulously capturing crucial lifecycle data such as manufacturer identity, usage history and material composition, 'Battery Aadhaar' is designed to prevent unsafe reuse, non-compliance issues and potential environmental risks.

The solution is built on Tata Elxsi’s proprietary MOBIUS+ platform, integrating robust blockchain-backed traceability, dynamic data flows and automated compliance reporting. Through MOBIUS+, Tata Elxsi is laying the groundwork for a digital and transparent battery ecosystem across India.

The demonstration at the summit highlighted several key functionalities of the platform, including:

• Creation of Battery Aadhaar and Digital Product Passports (DPP)
• Detailed chain of custody and lifecycle mapping
• Configurable public and private data access views
• Role-based dashboards tailored for OEMs, battery manufacturers, recyclers and regulators
• Real-time analytics, encompassing battery health prediction and estimation of residual useful life

Crucially, the platform has been designed to align with evolving Indian regulatory initiatives. Furthermore, its architecture is built for adaptability, ensuring future compatibility with international frameworks such as the EU Battery Regulation, emerging Japanese and North American standards, and future global battery passport specifications.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has launched a comprehensive training capsule to handle high voltage systems required for electric (EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs).

The training module is set to be introduced in over 130 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in 24 States and 4 Union Territories in India. As part of the carmaker’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, it will invest around INR 390 million to support the initiative.

The module will be introduced for second-year ITI students and covers topics such as – fundamentals of EVs and HEVs, safety procedures for handling high voltage systems, usage of special tools and equipment and best practices for system maintenance.

Furthermore, Maruti Suzuki India will also conduct specialised upskill training for faculty of the ITIs with train-the-trainer programs and provides training equipment and tools to conduct a pioneering training program.

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “We want to maximise adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in the country. When we researched the reasons for low adoption of EVs, one of the major hurdles in the minds of the customers was confidence in aftersales support. Incidentally, this is an area of strength for Maruti Suzuki. While 90 percent of EV sales happen in 100 cities, we will go 10x and cover 1,000 cities with more than 1,500 workshops equipped to provide service support to BEVs. The fundamental to good service is a trained technician. Our High Voltage training CSR program in about 130 ITIs of India will train more than 4,100 students every year. At the end of the course, these trained technicians are free to join Maruti Suzuki service network or any other OEM. Hence, this upskilling of students is strategic to BEV adoption in India. The high voltage training will be useful for strong hybrid cars also, and so there is a synergy between both technologies.”

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South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company has received approval from the government of Telangana to set up a new R&D Centre in the state.

The Korean major is expected to invest about INR 85.28 billion towards the 675-acre facility, which will include an R&D hub, an automotive test track, a pilot line and prototyping systems. It is expected to generate over 4,276 jobs in the region.

The approval was given by the Industrial Sub Committee in a meeting today, which saw chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu with Key Ministers Sridhar Babu Duddilla and Srinivasa Reddy Ponguleti in attendance.

“Industries that create employment and boost revenue must remain in Telangana,” said Deputy CM.

The new facility will work in tandem with the company’s global R&D facility in Namyang, South Korea. It will also leverage the synergies of its existing R&D facility in Hyderabad, which is spread across 15 acres.

India at present is the third largest market after North America and South Korea for Hyundai Motor Company globally.

This move, the Telangana government stated reinforces the State's stature as a preferred destination for global R&D and manufacturing.

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