During his 2010 Mid-Year speech, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito talked about Honda’s growth strategy as well as the company’s direction for the next 10 years. Their goal is “to provide good products to our customers with speed, affordability and low CO2 emissions”.
So basically, the focus is on small cars, more hybrids and the advanced development of environmental technologies.
In 2009, Honda hybrid sales have increased by 16%, so the company has decided to accelerate widespread market introduction of their IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. Honda will introduce many IMA-equipped models in Japan within the next year, mainly small vehicles. The first model will be a Fit Hybrid that will arrive this fall.
In addition, the next-generation Civic Hybrid will be equipped with a high-output and compact lithium-ion battery that will be supplied by Blue Energy.
In 2012, a new plug-in hybrid system will be launched for mid-size and larger vehicles, and will make its way to Japanese and American markets. Ito also confirmed that Honda will begin overhauling their powertrain and transmission line-up starting in 2012, in order to further improve fuel economy.
Honda sells a 2.2-litre diesel engine in Europe, and is currently developing a smaller diesel engine for that market. A model equipped with this new unit will appear in 2012.
Further development is being performed on two other green technologies: Fuel-cell and hydrogen. A battery EV vehicle is said to go on sale in Japan and in the U.S. in 2012. The company will also work with Stanford University, Google Inc. and the city of Torrance, California in the development and testing of battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Honda will also begin demonstration testing of their next-generation personal mobility vehicles. They will combine an energy supply infrastructure, including solar-powered EV charging stations, with vehicles such as electric scooters, hybrid plug-in vehicles as well as the Monpal electric cart.
Finally, to satisfy the growing demand for electric motorcycles, Honda will introduce such models in both advanced and emerging nations. China and India will be the main markets for these vehicles.
So basically, the focus is on small cars, more hybrids and the advanced development of environmental technologies.
In 2009, Honda hybrid sales have increased by 16%, so the company has decided to accelerate widespread market introduction of their IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. Honda will introduce many IMA-equipped models in Japan within the next year, mainly small vehicles. The first model will be a Fit Hybrid that will arrive this fall.
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| Photo: Honda |
In addition, the next-generation Civic Hybrid will be equipped with a high-output and compact lithium-ion battery that will be supplied by Blue Energy.
In 2012, a new plug-in hybrid system will be launched for mid-size and larger vehicles, and will make its way to Japanese and American markets. Ito also confirmed that Honda will begin overhauling their powertrain and transmission line-up starting in 2012, in order to further improve fuel economy.
Honda sells a 2.2-litre diesel engine in Europe, and is currently developing a smaller diesel engine for that market. A model equipped with this new unit will appear in 2012.
Further development is being performed on two other green technologies: Fuel-cell and hydrogen. A battery EV vehicle is said to go on sale in Japan and in the U.S. in 2012. The company will also work with Stanford University, Google Inc. and the city of Torrance, California in the development and testing of battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Honda will also begin demonstration testing of their next-generation personal mobility vehicles. They will combine an energy supply infrastructure, including solar-powered EV charging stations, with vehicles such as electric scooters, hybrid plug-in vehicles as well as the Monpal electric cart.
Finally, to satisfy the growing demand for electric motorcycles, Honda will introduce such models in both advanced and emerging nations. China and India will be the main markets for these vehicles.