Hot off the launch of its first electric vehicle (EV) and an expansion of its hybrid model lineup, Honda’s local director says there’s plenty more being checked out for the approaching years.
Speaking with CarExpert on the Australian media launch of the brand new Super-One EV, director for Honda Australia, Robert Thorp, indicated a variety of recent models are into consideration for Australia between now and 2028 – though would not be drawn to substantiate what exactly they’re.
“Our strategy beyond 2026 [into] 2027-2028, we’re an entire host of models,” Mr Thorp said.
“We won’t speak to that today, but the basics of our strategy aren’t changing.”
Said strategy is a core give attention to hybrids, emphasised by the expansion of the ZR-V and CR-V SUV lineups to be now majority e:HEV hybrid models, along with the arrival of the Prelude hybrid sports coupe.
It’s unclear what else Honda Australia might be looking into, given the majority of its core lineup is either mostly e:HEV hybrid models or entirely hybrid – just like the Civic and Accord, for instance.
Taking a look at the Japanese-market range, the Fit (Jazz) hatchback and Step Wgn MPV each shape as logical next steps as they’re each available with hybrid powertrains – though CarExpert has been told time and time again to not hold out hope for the Jazz returning to the Australian market.
The Step Wgn e:HEV makes a number of sense if Honda desires to return to the people mover segment it once dominated, as CarExpert understands Chinese-made Hondas, like the present Odyssey e:HEV also sold in Japan, are usually not on the cards for Australia.
The 0 Series Alpha electric SUV – the only surviving 0 Series model after Honda made strategic culls of future models it showed in Tokyo last 12 months – can be a robust likelihood for Australia.
Revealed in prototype form for the 2025 Tokyo motor show last October, the 0 Series Alpha is scheduled to go on sale sometime next 12 months, aimed mainly on the Japanese and Indian markets.
Further details are scant, however the Alpha is a small-medium electric SUV likely somewhere between the present HR-V and ZR-V by way of size, and pitched as a more attainable offering in comparison with the now-cancelled 0 Series SUV hence the give attention to Japan and India.
Honda has also been spied testing a bigger, hybrid-powered three-row SUV to sit down above the CR-V in Asian markets, expected to make use of the Avancier name. Given it’ll likely be inbuilt Thailand, which currently supplies the Accord to Australia, this might be one other possibility for our market. Thai media reports it’s expected to debut before the tip of 2026.
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This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
