Honda may delay new EV models due to Donald Trump presidency
The second-largest Japanese carmaker is uncertain about president-elect’s industrial policy
08 January 2025 - 08:34
byAbhirup Roy and Kantaro Komiya
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Honda premiered the first two models in its new 0 Series line of battery electric vehicles at the 2025 CES: the Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon prototypes.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Honda Motor will be cautious about starting production of new electric vehicles due to uncertainty about US president-elect Donald Trump’s industrial policy, a senior executive of the Japanese carmaker said on Tuesday.
The remarks from the second-biggest Japanese carmaker highlight how global businesses are staying vigilantagainst the unpredictable US policies as Trump takes office on January 20.
“Because of Trump’s initiatives, we might be very careful how we would start production” of upcoming electric models, Honda Executive Vice President Noriya Kaihara said at the CES technology conference in Las Vegas.
Honda will also be cautious about its battery plant plansin Canada, mindful of government regulations and EV market trends, Kaihara said.
“Maybe we might have to delay our start of the production of the EV models somehow,” he said.
Earlier at CES, the carmaker unveiled prototypes of upcoming Honda 0 electric cars, including an SUV model that will be introduced in the North American market in the first half of 2026.
Honda 0 models will be equipped with “eyes-off” level autonomous driving technology and will later be available in global markets including Japan and Europe, the company said.
Honda aims to sell only EVs and fuel cell vehicles by 2040, although it is also upgradinghybrids as a near-term linchpin for the US market amid a stagnating EV growth.
The comeback of Trump complicates the EV transition plans and Americas business of Honda, along with other global carmakers such as General Motors and Stellantis.
In November, Honda COO Shinji Aoyama said the carmaker may have to think about shifting production if the US were to impose permanent tariffs on vehicles imported from Mexico as touted by Trump.
On merger talkswith Japan's third-largest carmaker Nissan, Kaihara said Nissan has “a little bit overcapacity in North America” and may cut some workforce there, while declining to comment on discussion details.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Honda may delay new EV models due to Donald Trump presidency
The second-largest Japanese carmaker is uncertain about president-elect’s industrial policy
Honda Motor will be cautious about starting production of new electric vehicles due to uncertainty about US president-elect Donald Trump’s industrial policy, a senior executive of the Japanese carmaker said on Tuesday.
The remarks from the second-biggest Japanese carmaker highlight how global businesses are staying vigilant against the unpredictable US policies as Trump takes office on January 20.
“Because of Trump’s initiatives, we might be very careful how we would start production” of upcoming electric models, Honda Executive Vice President Noriya Kaihara said at the CES technology conference in Las Vegas.
Honda will also be cautious about its battery plant plans in Canada, mindful of government regulations and EV market trends, Kaihara said.
“Maybe we might have to delay our start of the production of the EV models somehow,” he said.
Earlier at CES, the carmaker unveiled prototypes of upcoming Honda 0 electric cars, including an SUV model that will be introduced in the North American market in the first half of 2026.
Honda 0 models will be equipped with “eyes-off” level autonomous driving technology and will later be available in global markets including Japan and Europe, the company said.
Honda aims to sell only EVs and fuel cell vehicles by 2040, although it is also upgrading hybrids as a near-term linchpin for the US market amid a stagnating EV growth.
The comeback of Trump complicates the EV transition plans and Americas business of Honda, along with other global carmakers such as General Motors and Stellantis.
In November, Honda COO Shinji Aoyama said the carmaker may have to think about shifting production if the US were to impose permanent tariffs on vehicles imported from Mexico as touted by Trump.
On merger talks with Japan's third-largest carmaker Nissan, Kaihara said Nissan has “a little bit overcapacity in North America” and may cut some workforce there, while declining to comment on discussion details.
Reuters
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