Honda to launch all-electric battery car in China next year
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Japan’s Honda Motor will launch an all-electric battery car in China next year as demand for plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) expands in the world’s largest automobile market, a senior company executive said.
Yasuhide Mizuno, Honda’s China chief, told reporters on the sidelines of the Shanghai auto show on Wednesday the automaker was “expediting” the development of the EV. He said he expects the car to arrive in showrooms before the end of next year.
Mizuno added that plug-in hybrid models would likely follow, but did not say when that car might hit the market in China.
Carmakers in China are scrambling to develop and sell so-called new energy vehicles (NEVs) in anticipation of tougher new rules expected to be implemented as early as next year.
Those rules will likely require companies to generate as much as eight percent of their China sales with plug-in cars, either fully-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Questions & Answers
Q.When is Honda planning to release its first all-electric battery car in China?
When is Honda planning to release its first all-electric battery car in China?
Honda intends to launch its all-electric battery car in China next year. A senior company executive anticipates the vehicle will be available in showrooms before the end of next year.
Q.Who provided information about Honda's electric vehicle plans for China?
Who provided information about Honda's electric vehicle plans for China?
Yasuhide Mizuno, Honda's China chief, disclosed the information. He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the Shanghai auto show on Wednesday regarding the company's EV development.
Q.What other types of electric vehicles might Honda introduce in China after the initial launch?
What other types of electric vehicles might Honda introduce in China after the initial launch?
Plug-in hybrid models are likely to follow the all-electric battery car. However, the exact timeline for these models to hit the Chinese market was not specified by the executive.
Q.Why are carmakers in China rushing to develop new energy vehicles?
Why are carmakers in China rushing to develop new energy vehicles?
Carmakers are anticipating tougher new rules expected as early as next year. These regulations will likely require companies to achieve eight percent of their China sales with plug-in cars.
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