Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that the company has reached a basic agreement with Asahi Kasei Corporation on collaboration for the production of battery separators for automotive batteries in Canada. The two companies will begin detailed discussions with the goal to establish a joint venture company before the end of 2024.
A battery separator is a porous membrane* with the function of preventing electrical short circuits by blocking contact between cathode and anode materials while allowing lithium ions to permeate through it. The separator is a critical component of lithium-ion batteries.
The two companies reached this basic agreement based on a shared understanding that it is important to establish a supply chain that would ensure stable supply of high-performance batteries in the North American electrification market, where mid- to long-term growth is expected. Based on this agreement, the two companies will begin discussions toward the establishment of a joint venture company which will produce separators for automotive batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) Honda will produce and sell in North America as well as for batteries to be supplied to other OEMs.
The two companies will share each other’s strengths, such as high value-added material technologies and electrification technologies, to produce high-quality separators to be utilized for EV batteries. This will enable the realization of high-performance EVs, which will lead to the acceleration of respective initiatives toward carbon neutrality.
Comments by Hiroyoshi Matsuyama, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei Corp.
“At Asahi Kasei, we have been positioning our energy storage business as one of the ‘10 Growth Gears (GG10),’ which will drive the future growth of Asahi Kasei Group. At the core of this area, our Hipore™ lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator business has been leading technological innovation throughout its history of more than 40 years to contribute to the advancement of LIBs. Through this collaboration, by deepening our cooperation with Honda, which has extensive experience in North America and has been committed to electrification of automobiles, we will play a role in the growth of the EV market as well as the energy transition in North America by contributing to a further increase in the productivity, safety and battery life of LIBs required in the era of full-fledged electrification.”
Comments by Manabu Ozawa, Managing Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
“Striving to realize carbon neutrality, Honda has set a goal to make BEVs and FCEVs represent 100% of our global vehicle sales by 2040. Separators are extremely important battery materials that contribute to the enhancement of battery performance and durability, which are essential for EVs. The production of separators in Canada through the partnership with Asahi Kasei, which has outstanding technological strengths and extensive knowledge, will be a challenge Honda will take on with great significance. Through this initiative, Honda will continue creating EVs with greater competitiveness and fulfill demand for electrified vehicles in the North American market where continuous growth is expected into the future.”
*Porous membrane is a membrane that features network of tiny holes (pores) which makes the membrane permeable. Due to the permeability, porous membrane is used for separators and ion-exchange membranes.
Honda today unveiled the (yè) Series (“Ye Series”), an all-new EV series Honda will introduce to the Chinese market, including the world premiere of the first set of the Ye Series models, namely (yè) P7 (“Ye P7”) and (yè) S7 (“Ye S7”), as well as the concept model for the second set of series models, the (yè) GT CONCEPT (“Ye GT CONCEPT”).
Honda is planning to launch a total of six the Ye Series models in China by 2027.
The three models unveiled today are scheduled to be exhibited at the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2024) to be held later this month in Beijing, China.
Honda is currently offering the e:N Series EV models in China, where electrification of automobile products is in progress, and the all-new Ye Series models will be a new addition to the lineup. The new series was named with the Chinese letter which means “shine brilliantly,” representing Honda’s desire to enable everyone who drives Ye Series models to unleash their innermost passions through the joy of driving, and let their individuality shine brilliantly.
To represent Honda’s determination to continuously pursue new challenges and advancements and to accelerate its transformation in China where the EV shift is proceeding rapidly, the all-new Ye Series models will wear the new “H mark” designed exclusively for Honda’s next-generation EV models.
As next-generation EVs, the Ye Series models are being developed in pursuit of more value for customers. In addition to human-centric packaging based on the M/M concept*1, which is the foundation of Honda car design, the Ye Series models feature driving performance that further refines the “joy of driving” by applying a newly developed dedicated EV platform developed in China and integrating it with electrification technologies Honda has amassed over many years. As for application of intelligence technologies, including offering of an AI-powered assistant, the Ye Series models are being developed with the aim to create a “space” where all occupants can enjoy comfortable mobility.
*1 The M/M (Man Maximum, Machine Minimum) concept is the foundation of Honda car design, which calls for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components to increase the efficiency of the space inside the vehicle.
About the Ye P7 and the Ye S7
The all-new Ye P7 and the Ye S7, the first set of Ye Series models, were developed based on the newly developed dedicated EV platform and will be available in two variations – a one-motor rear-wheel drive model and a two-motor four-wheel drive model. Both variations are designed in pursuit of the “joy of driving.” More specifically, the rear-wheel drive variation was designed to offer sporty and crisp handling, and the four-wheel drive variation was designed to offer both high power and highly responsive handling to realize driving at the will of the driver.
Inside the vehicle, a spacious cabin enables both front and rear seat occupants to enjoy a comfortable ride, while also enjoying driving experience with a sense of intelligence, which can be achieved by changing emission patterns of LED lights on the instrument panel and door panels that change in conjunction with the AI-powered assistance and other functions.
The vehicle designs reflect the respective style and image each model strives to create: the Ye P7 expresses a seamless, sophisticated and smart sense of the future and the Ye S7 expresses a more emotional sense of the future that stimulates people who see the vehicle.
The all-new Ye P7 and Ye S7 models are scheduled to go on sale at the end of 2024.
About the Ye GT CONCEPT
The Ye GT CONCEPT is a concept model developed with the aim of creating a model that represents Honda EVs in China. In keeping with the “low & wide” silhouette that pertains to its GT (Grand Tourer) name, the driver’s seat is designed to immerse the driver in the driving experience, much like a race driver. Moreover, the dynamic performance has been thoroughly refined to provide the ultimate driving experience in which the driver enjoys a sense of unity with the vehicle.
For the front seat passenger, a far-focus display that provides a sense of depth and experience as if viewing a large screen, will be adopted for the first time for Honda automobile products, offering an immersive space similar to a private theater.
As the second set of the Ye Series models, production models based on the Ye GT CONCEPT are scheduled to go on sale before the end of 2025.
Honda has set a global goal of realizing carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved by 2050. Toward this end, starting with the introduction of the e:NS1 and e:NP1 models in 2022, Honda is planning to introduce a total of 10 Honda-brand EV models in China by 2027, and striving to make EVs represent 100% of its automobile sales in China by 2035.
Overview of Honda exhibits at the Auto China 2024 in Beijing
Honda will exhibit a wide variety of electrified models at the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2024), including next-generation EV models, namely the Ye P7, the Ye S7 and the Ye GT CONCEPT unveiled today, as well as the e:NP2 and the e:NS2, the second set of e:N series models and multiple plug-in hybrid models. Auto China 2024 will be held in Beijing, China (Press days: April 25-26, Trade days: April 27-28, Public days: April 29-May 5, 2024).
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan) and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) announced today that the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding under which they will begin a feasibility study of a strategic partnership in the fields of vehicle electrification and intelligence.
To further accelerate efforts toward carbon neutrality and zero traffic-accident fatalities, it will be essential to strengthen environmental and electrification technologies as well as software development. The two companies have reached the understanding based on the belief that it is necessary to combine their strengths and explore the possibility of future collaboration.
The scope of the feasibility study includes automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products.
Makoto Uchida, president and CEO, said: “It is important to prepare for the increasing pace of transformation in mobility in the mid-to-long-term, and it is significant that we have reached this agreement based on a mutual understanding that Honda and Nissan face common challenges. We look forward to further discussions and aim to find win-wins for sustainable growth.”
Toshihiro Mibe, Honda director, president and representative executive officer, said: “In this period of once-in-a-century transformation in the automotive industry, we will examine the potential for partnership between Nissan and Honda. Our study criteria will be whether the synergy of the technologies and knowledge that our companies have cultivated will enable us to become industry leaders by creating new value for the automotive industry.”
Monster Energy Honda Team rider Ricky Brabec (U.S.A., age 32), riding the CRF450 RALLY factory bike, won the overall motorcycle category for the second time since 2020 in the Dakar Rally 2024, opening round of the FIM* World Rally-Raid Championship held in Saudi Arabia, which concluded with Stage 12 on Friday, January 19. This is the first time since 2021 that Honda has won the Dakar Rally.
Ricky Brabec rode his first Dakar Rally in 2016 with Team HRC (current Monster Energy Honda Team). After taking the overall lead in Stage 6 in this year’s edition, Brabec defended his position with solid riding in the subsequent stages to take the victory by a margin of 10 min 53 s for his second Dakar win.Adrien Van Beveren (France, age 33) was 3rd, and Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Chile, age 29) was 6th, giving Monster Energy Honda Team 3 top-ten finishes.
The Dakar Rally, known as “the most dangerous sporting event in the world,” was first held in 1979, making this year its 46th edition. Honda first competed in the third Paris-Dakar Rally in 1981. Its first victory came in 1986 on an NXR750, which was followed by three consecutive wins up to 1989. Honda left the Dakar the following year, and in 2013, decided to race once again in the Dakar Rally, then held in South America, with its new CRF450 RALLY factory bike. The race venue was moved from South America to Saudi Arabia in 2020, which Honda won. Honda also won the following year.
Ricky Brabec | Monster Energy Honda Team
“It’s a nice way to start the year with a victory. It wasn’t easy as the course was really tough and so was the competition. Ross [Hero] and my own team kept me on my toes, but not just me, I think we were keeping everyone on each other’s toes. It was definitely a fight to the end for everyone. I’m really happy we’re all here and all safe and we can go home. This time was a little bit different as I feel like this one was more earned as it was a lot tougher. In 2020, we had a big gap from the get-go. Here, I think me and Ross spent three days with a couple of seconds difference. It was a tight race for all of us. Ten minutes is not a big gap here on the rally. I had two good days, two opportunities to make a good push, but also stage 11 was a scare factor for me because I knew Ross was starting behind me, 18 minutes behind, and if he caught me it would be over. Stage 11 was hard but I stayed focused, got to the finishing line and didn’t lose too much time, so I’m really happy with this and I’m really happy for the team. I’m happy for all of us, we did an excellent job all of the two weeks. I think number 9 will be my lucky number from now on.”
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation
“Congratulations to Ricky Brabec for the win. Thanks also to Adrien Van Beveren, Jose Ignacio Cornejo and all the Monster Energy Honda Team for completing a tough rally and finishing in the top 10. I know that the past three years have been very frustrating. I believe that the fact that we were able to turn that frustration into strength and take back the championship will be a great source of inspiration for Honda and HRC in the future. This is good news to kick off 2024 with. We hope to keep this momentum to win titles in many categories for both motorcycles and automobiles this season. Finally, I would like to thank all of our fans for their support and all of our sponsors for supporting our activities.”
About Ricky Brabec
Birth date: April 21, 1991 (32 years old)Birthplace: U.S.A.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that the company will make organizational and operational changes, effective April 1, 2024, as it continues working toward the fulfillment of its vision to serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential” in the areas of mobility and people’s daily lives.
While maintaining the direction of the organizational changes the company implemented over the past few years with an eye toward the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050, Honda will make additional changes to further accelerate its electrification business and to create new value by leveraging its broad and expanding range of mobility products and services by fully utilizing the company’s global resources.
Key points of the organizational changes effective April 1, 2024
1) Creation of Automobile Production Operations 2) Creation of Supply Chain & Purchasing Operations 3) Creation of Quality Innovation Operations
Details of the organizational changes
1) Creation of Automobile Production Operations：
Automobile Production Operations will be newly created to further strengthen product quality and establish high standards for the production system while deepening coordination and collaboration with each of the business and regional operations as well as functional operations.
The Production Unit and Production Engineering Units, currently under Automobile Operations, will be consolidated into this new Automobile Production Operations to enhance global coordination and collaboration and fully utilize global resources toward electrification and the realization of carbon neutrality.
2) Creation of Supply Chain & Purchasing Operations:
The Supply Chain & Purchasing Unit, currently under the Automobile Operations, will be elevated to the Operations level and become Supply Chain & Purchasing Operations, which will be in charge of realizing enhanced QCD in the electrified era by executing various measures including the strengthening of purchasing planning functions and the establishment of optimal purchasing operations for each parts category suitable for the next-generation SDV architecture.
3) Creation of Quality Innovation Operations:
The Quality Innovation Unit, the Quality & Compliance Audit Division and the Certification & Regulation Compliance Division will be consolidated into the new Quality Innovation Operations to further strengthen company-wide quality governance, including the areas of quality assurance and cyber security, from the perspective of digitalization.
By further accelerating the series of initiatives Honda has been taking to transform itself through electrification and new value creation, Honda strives to remain and become even more recognized as “a company society wants to exist” in the electrified era.
