Honda has announced that its first new volume battery-electric vehicle in the U.S. will be named ‘Prologue’, signalling a new electrified era that will lead to 100% zero emission vehicle sales in North America by 2040. The all-new SUV is coming to market in early 2024.
In addition, the company will introduce an all-electric Acura SUV in the 2024 calendar year. Both will utilise the global EV platform powered by Ultium batteries based on the company’s strategic partnership with General Motors.
Honda also plans to launch a new series of EV models in the second half of the decade based on a new e:Architecture.
In April 2021, Honda global CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, announced a vision to achieve carbon-neutrality for its products and corporate activities by 2050, including key targets for sales of electrified vehicles. This vision calls for the sales ratio of battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles in North America to progress from 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2035 to 100% by 2040.
Dave Gardner, executive vice president of American Honda, says: “Our first volume Honda BEV will begin our transition to electrification and the name Honda Prologue signals the role it will play in leading to our zero-emission future. The Prologue will provide our customers with a battery-electric SUV with the excellent functionality and packaging they’ve come to expect from Honda.”
He adds: “We know customers who have a good experience with a hybrid vehicle are more likely to buy a battery electric vehicle in the future. Our strategy is focused on introducing a higher percentage of hybrids in core models in the near term, making a committed effort to achieve higher volume leading to the introduction of our Honda Prologue.”
Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 38 years and currently operates 18 major manufacturing facilities in the U.S. In 2020, more than 95 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America.
Keyword: Honda’s First U.S. Battery-Electric Vehicle to be Named ‘Prologue’