Honda reportedly building new mass-market sub-$30,000 EV to try and bring EVs to the masses as it looks for ways to boost its EV presence.
The Honda 0 Series lineup could be joined by a smaller EV according to new report.
Honda is pursuing talks with Nissan for a potential merger, but that doesn’t mean the company is going soft on EVs with a new report suggesting the Japanese auto giant is preparing a new mass market EV as it prepares to go full steam ahead on its new “0” Series lineup of vehicles to help bring them to a larger pool of customers.
In addition, the planned EV could also allow Honda to avoid tariffs on imported vehicles if it’s produced in the U.S. as President Trump threatens to tighten the noose on select trading partners including Canada, Mexico, and China.
New EV will build on success
The Honda 0 Series was introduced at CES 2025.
According to the report from Japanese publication Nikkei the new model will be built in the United States at its EV Hub facility in Ohio. The new model would be an attempt to appeal to entry-level buyers with the report saying it would start at under $30,000. This pricing would allow the model to potentially have pricing parity with ICE-powered vehicles which will be important if the Trump administration rolls back the tax credits and other incentives that are currently in place for EVs while building on the success of the Honda Prologue.
In addition, building the EV in the U.S. will also allow the company to avoid tariffs on imported vehicles. Tariffs would add a large chunk to the sticker price of any new vehicle but this rumored EV would suffer from the adverse effects of tariffs since Honda would be forced to raise the price of the model to still generate a profit but lose a large pool of customers in the process especially those who feel they were priced out of the market by any sudden uptick in price due to a potential tariff.
More Honda Stories
- First Drive: 2024 Honda Prologue — A Partnership Pays Off
- Honda’s New 0-Series EVs will Sport Edgy Styling, Offer Hands-Free/Eyes-Off Automation
- Honda Confirms Acura EV Will be Built at New EV Hub
New EV will be preceded by two others
The 0 Series models will feature a high-tech cabin powered by the new ASIMO OS.
While the new EV would make a splash when it eventually makes its way to showrooms, it will not do so right away. Instead, Nikkei says it will take center stage after the appearance of the first two “0” Series models: a sedan, and an SUV with these two models projected to start at just under $50,000 and scheduled to make their way into showrooms by 2026.
Honda for its part is not commenting on the validity of the report but it will be interesting to see if the new EV will be built on a formal “0” Series platform or if the company will turn to General Motors for another EV platform to help breathe life into the baby EV with separate rumors suggesting the Chevrolet Bolt might be the one to donate its platform for the cause.
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