Honda CEO announces 10-year strategy

20th July 2010

Honda is preparing for the future. Speaking on the first anniversary his accession to the role of CEO, Takanobu Ito has announced Honda’s plans to “execute a new growth strategy.”

“This will take into account the global shift towards smaller sized vehicles, with smaller engines, due to increasing environmental awareness.”

In the short term, Honda will launch a new diesel engine in Europe in 2012, to fit underneath the firm’s current 2.2-litre offering. A new range of petrol engines and transmissions has been confirmed for 2012.

Ito announced that Honda will introduce more hybrid models, which will be based predominantly on the firm’s small cars. So joining the Insight, Civic and CR-Z will be a hybrid Jazz – called the Fit in Japan – which will arrive in Honda’s home market this Autumn. The car will arrive in the UK in 2011.

The next generation of Civic Hybrid will debut next year too. This time it will be powered by more advanced lithium ion batteries for improved performance and reduced emissions. While Honda is introducing hybrids on its small cars, a new plug-in hybrid system is being readied for the firm’s larger cars. This is set to debut in Japan and the USA in 2012, in the firm’s Accord models.

Honda maintains “fuel-cell electric vehicles will provide the ultimate mobility.” The firm will continue to develop its FCX Clarity model, along with the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to accompany it.

Finally, Ito confirmed Honda is continuing to work on an electric car which is scheduled to go on sale in the USA and Japan in 2012.

The moves outlined show Honda’s commitment to maintaining its market shares in developed markets. However, the firm has also confirmed that it plans to ramp up efforts in emerging regions too, planning to use its already-established motorcycle business in Asia as a springboard for its car division.

A sub-£7,000 car is planned for India in 2011, while an eco-focussed version of this car will arrive in Thailand and other Asian countries later next year.