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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Marquardt, a supplier of mechatronic systems, has launched a concept vehicle, ‘The Centum’, to demonstrate the integration of functional controls into automotive surfaces. The project involved a collaboration with E Ink and Covestro to develop a door interior panel that embeds a responsive display within synthetic materials.

The project aimed to maintain the tactile properties of polyurethane (PU)-coated textiles while enabling a colour-changing display to remain invisible until activated. This supports industry trends toward backlit surfaces and integrated control elements.

The display technology uses E Ink, which provides a low-energy, durable electronic paper display designed for automotive environments. For coating, Covestro has developed a transparent film using INSQIN waterborne PU technology. The coating uses Impranil DLC-F, a waterborne polyurethane dispersion used in automotive topcoats.

The resulting material retains the texture of standard automotive textiles while allowing the underlying display colors to remain visible through the coating.

Felix Hake, Head of Innovation, Marquardt, said, “With The Centum, we wanted to demonstrate how intelligent functions can be integrated into interior surfaces without compromising design or quality. Working with E Ink and Covestro allowed us to create a material solution that combines a premium tactile experience with responsive visual effects.”

Dr Torsten Pohl, Global Head of Textile Coatings, Covestro, added, “This project highlights the versatility of INSQIN PU technology and Impranil DLC-F. By developing a transparent, automotive-grade PU coated synthetic compatible with E Ink displays, we were able to support Marquardt in integrating dynamic functionality into familiar surface materials.”

Pete Valianatos, Senior Director, E Ink, said, “Our e-paper display technology is designed to deliver dynamic visual experiences with low power consumption, while maintaining the robustness required for demanding applications. Collaborating with Marquardt and Covestro has enabled us to demonstrate how E Ink displays can be integrated behind coated interior surfaces, allowing automotive designers to introduce adaptive colour features without changing the established look and feel of premium materials.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Yazaki Innovations Inc (YII), the technology subsidiary of Yazaki Corporation, has announced the appointment of Manish Mehta as its new CEO and President.

Mehta has been a long-time associate of Yazaki Corporation and has spent over two and half decades with the organisation. He had joined the company as an Engineer Manager in 2001, and grew to the ranks of Vice-President Corporate Planning and Strategy in 2021.

He joined the company’s board of directors in 2023, and is now responsible for leading YII, which focusses on the integration of the parent company’s global product portfolio, manufacturing assets and product development with an approach to innovation.

The subsidiary is tasked with developing technologies across several industrial and transport segments. Its remit includes the engineering and development of solutions for the following areas:

• Mobility: Electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and Electric Vertical Take-off & Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
• Industrial & Infrastructure: Aerospace, construction and agriculture equipment and PreFab Home Wiring.
• Specialised Engineering: Off-road and specialty vehicles, alongside advanced manufacturing processes.

The organisation aims to combine Yazaki Corporation’s business assets with a methodology designed to address trending technologies in these sectors.

"I am pleased to announce my new role as CEO & President of Yazaki Innovations Inc (YII). Yazaki Innovations is the disruptive technology subsidiary of Yazaki Corporation, integrating the best attributes and strengths of the company’s global product portfolio, product development, manufacturing, and business assets with a quick, agile approach to innovation. This is an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to collaborating with internal and external partners to contribute to the future growth of Yazaki," said Mehta.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TSUYO Manufacturing Pvt Ltd has appointed Naveen Kumar Amar as Senior Vice President of Finance, effective 1 April 2026. Recognised as a global finance power leader, Amar brings over 20 years of expertise in financial strategy, corporate governance and operational efficiency within capital-intensive industries. His arrival marks a strategic move as the company accelerates growth in the EV powertrain sector.

Before joining TSUYO, Amar was CFO at SpiceXpress, where he led financial restructuring, cost optimisation and drove digitisation projects. He also managed international and domestic fundraising across equity and debt. At TSUYO, he will oversee financial planning, capital allocation, and governance as the company scales manufacturing and deepens EV powertrain investments.

The company recently secured Single Window Clearance from Karnataka Government for a proposed 20-acre EV Powertrain Campus in the Dharwad–Hubli region, a hub for design, testing and production. Last month, TSUYO launched next generation electric motor technologies for India’s light commercial vehicle market, emphasising modular design, deep engineering and Make in India innovation.

The leadership team welcomed Amar, stating his appointment strengthens alignment of capital strategy with long term objectives. TSUYO is also investing in advanced manufacturing infrastructure and localisation of key EV components to reduce import reliance and bolster the domestic EV ecosystem.

Amar said, “I am excited to join Tsuyo at a crucial moment in its growth journey, as the company scales its manufacturing capabilities and strengthens its position in India’s evolving electric mobility ecosystem. With experience across diverse, capital-intensive sectors, I see immense opportunity in building a financially disciplined, execution-focused organisation that can sustain high growth over the long term. The company’s focus on the convergence of deep technology, localisation and large-scale manufacturing presents a unique platform for creating enduring value. I look forward to partnering with the leadership team to enable Tsuyo’s ambition of becoming a globally acclaimed EV powertrain company."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German automotive luxury brand Audi has launched the new RS 5, featuring a high-performance plug-in hybrid system and a rear transaxle equipped with electromechanical torque vectoring. Marketed as quattro with Dynamic Torque Control, this system manages transverse torque distribution between the rear wheels within 15 milliseconds.

The system enables torque shifts between the rear wheels regardless of the power applied. Unlike mechanical equivalents, it operates during throttle application, off-throttle states and under braking.

It features a High-Voltage Actuator that uses a water-cooled permanent-magnet 400-volt electric motor providing 8 kW and 40 Nm of output. Overdrive Gears components use actuator torque to transfer differences of up to 2,000 Nm to the driveshafts.

The differential consists of a conventional unit with a low lock percentage that distributes applied torque to the left and right shafts.

The technology is designed to reduce understeer and oversteer by directing torque to the wheel with the most grip. If the vehicle begins to oversteer in a bend, the system increases torque at the inside wheel to provide stability. Conversely, it reduces torque at the inner wheel to prevent understeer, redirecting power to the outer wheel for traction.

Control is centralised via the HCP1 (High-Performance Computing Platform), which harmonises driver inputs with environmental data. This platform interprets steering intentions to provide unfiltered transfer to the wheels.

• Electromechanical torque vectoring at the rear axle works in conjunction with front-axle supports:
• Electronic Differential Lock: Enhances front-axle traction via the brakes.
• Brake Torque Vectoring: Provides additional front-end assistance.
• Adaptive Shock Absorbers: The twin-valve units are calibrated with the rear transaxle to improve throttle response and corner entry.

The system allows for customisable driving characteristics through various drive select modes, ranging from a balanced setup to a rear-biased configuration. Audi states the ‘fixed coupling’ of this electromechanical solution ensures torque distribution remains independent of drive torque, a distinction from clutch-based torque splitters.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!