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.

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Bengaluru-headquartered electric vehicle major Ather Energy has announced that its fast-charging network ‘Ather Grid’ has surpassed 400 charging points across Tamil Nadu. This expansion aims to alleviate range anxiety for EV owners and support the growing adoption of electric vehicles in the state.

With charging stations now in 38 cities, including tourist destinations like Coonoor and Rameswaram, the network connects key travel routes such as Coimbatore to Bengaluru and Chennai to Pondicherry. The company also noted that a total of 480 fast charging points are available in the state, which includes over 50 LECCS (Light Electric Combined Charging System) chargers. Developed by Ather, the LECCS standard allows different brands of light EVs to use the same charging network.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Tamil Nadu has been one of our earliest markets and ever since we entered the state in 2019, we have been investing in building a reliable charging network there. Charging has often been seen as one of the key barriers, and it’s something we’ve focused on solving from day one. Crossing 400 fast chargers in Tamil Nadu is a reflection of that commitment. It’s about giving riders the confidence that a charger is never too far away. As our retail footprint grows, the charging network will continue to scale alongside it, making EV ownership truly seamless.”

The company has partnered with local businesses like Coffee Day Global and Ganga Sweets to deploy these charging points. This expansion is part of Ather's broader national effort, which has seen the establishment of over 3,300 fast-charging points across India. The chargers can provide up to 15 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes, making it more convenient for riders on the go.

In addition to its charging infrastructure, Ather maintains a strong presence in the state with 44 experience centres and 42 service centres in 35 cities, offering comprehensive sales and after-sales support.

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Bengaluru-headquartered premium electric two-wheeler company Ultraviolette Automotive has announced a strategic investment from TDK Ventures, the venture capital arm of Japan’s TDK Corporation, along with participation from backing from existing investors Zoho Corporation and Lingotto (previously Exor Capital), among others.

With this TDK Ventures joins the likes of Qualcomm Ventures, Zoho Corporation, Speciale Invest, Lingotto (Formerly Exor Capital), and TVS Motor Company as a strategic investor in the EV company. It also counts the likes of Sriharsha Majety (Co-founder & CEO, Swiggy), Ankit Nagori (Co-founder, Cure Foods; former Chief Business Officer, Flipkart), Aprameya Radhakrishna (Co-founder, TaxiForSure), and Dulquer Salmaan (renowned actor and automotive enthusiast) among its early backers.

At present, Ultraviolette sells the F77 electric motorcycle and is gearing up to expand its product offerings along with manufacturing, research and distribution network globally.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, said, “Mobility is undergoing a radical transformation, and at Ultraviolette, we are leading that change through cutting-edge innovation. Our partnership with TDK Ventures fast forwards our efforts, from advanced battery platforms to intelligent vehicle systems. This collaboration not only accelerates our vision of future ready mobility but also reinforces our commitment to delivering electric vehicles that are aspirational and globally relevant.”

Niraj Rajmohan, CTO and Co-founder of Ultraviolette, said, “Through this partnership with TDK Ventures, Ultraviolette will continue to innovate in deep-tech to shape the future of mobility. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries in building safer, smarter, and a more efficient electric mobility eco-system.”

Ravi Jain, Investment Director, TDK Ventures, said, “We look forward to bringing our TDK Goodness to Ultraviolette and their ambitious plan to design the next generation of energy efficient and performance EV 2W platforms. TDK Ventures is excited to support Ultraviolette in their relentless pursuit of growing their global reach."

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In a significant step toward creating a global ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) ecosystem, Geely Holding Group’s aerospace subsidiary, Geespace, successfully launched 11 new satellites into orbit on 9 August 2025. The launch took place in Shandong Province, China, and marks the fourth successful orbital deployment for the company's Geely Future Mobility Constellation (GEESATCOM).

With this latest launch, Geespace now operates 41 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), bringing it closer to its goal of having 72 satellites in operation by end-2025. The company plans to accelerate deployments over the next two months to reach 64 operational satellites, which will establish comprehensive global satellite IoT coverage.

The GEESATCOM project is a key part of Geely's vision to build an integrated space and earth mobility ecosystem. The LEO satellite network is designed to provide highly reliable, wide-coverage communication services for various strategic industries, including:

• Connected vehicles and urban air mobility
• Emergency response and maritime operations
• Energy infrastructure

This network will support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connected vehicle platforms by providing crucial data for precision positioning and connectivity. Geespace has already established partnerships with telecom operators in over 20 countries and its proprietary satellite communication chips and high-precision positioning modules are now in mass production across Geely's vehicle portfolio.

To further demonstrate the technology, Geely is providing high-precision positioning and emergency satellite communications for official vehicles at the World Games 2025 Chengdu, showcasing the practical applications of its satellite infrastructure in real-world scenarios.

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Kia India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer in the country, has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with ASDC (Automotive Skill Development Council) to promote automotive skill training in the country.

The partnership will promote a 30-day training model module combining classroom-based theoretical learning and practical on-the-job experience. The course includes 15 days of foundational training at ASDC-certified training centers covering core automotive concepts and dealership functions. In addition, it will also feature Kia-specific process to familiarise candidates with brand standards, systems and product knowledge. The curriculum will provide students with 15 days of experiential learning at authorised Kia dealerships under expert supervision.

Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “This collaboration with ASDC represents a pivotal step in Kia India’s commitment to shaping a future-ready ecosystem, one that is anchored in skilled human capital and elevated customer experience. By creating a robust talent pool through structured training and certification, we are not only empowering India’s youth with meaningful employment but also reinforcing our dealer network with professionals who embody Kia’s values of quality, care, and innovation. Ultimately, this initiative will translate into a more seamless, informed, and rewarding journey for every Kia customer across the country.”

The co-developed learning model aims to provide candidates with the technical know-how and workplace readiness to be effective from day one. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will undergo an evaluation at the ASDC centre, get certificate jointly awarded by Kia India and ASDC, and eligible for the direct recruitment by Kia dealerships into Sales and Service roles.

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