Honda, Late to the EV Party & Putting in Half-Hearted Efforts, Now Disappointed with Results - CleanTechnica

Honda has been notably slow and reluctant in embracing full vehicle electrification, lagging behind many competitors in the auto industry. The company delayed launching a long-range electric vehicle and ultimately outsourced its development, with the Honda Prologue essentially being a GM Ultium-based platform rather than an in-house creation. Honda executives have expressed skepticism about EVs over the years, and the company’s efforts to convert its loyal customer base to electric vehicles have been minimal. This half-hearted approach has contributed to poor sales and financial results, with Honda reporting a significant operating profit decline in the first quarter of its 2025-2026 fiscal year, partly due to a ¥113.4 billion (~$780 million) one-time charge related to EV development issues and exposure to U.S. tariffs. Honda’s struggles extend to key markets like China, where over half of new vehicle sales are plug-in vehicles, but Honda admits it is underperforming and failing to compete effectively on cost and technology compared to local Chinese EV makers