Honda Shifts China R&D Strategy to Local Leadership Amid Intensifying Competition

At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, Honda said its China joint venture partners will take the lead on developing new EVs under the Honda brand.

The company is restructuring plants and cutting outdated capacity in China as it tries to sharpen operations and improve competitiveness.

Honda is also deepening local tech alliances, including work on smart cockpit and intelligent driving systems, to better fit China’s EV market.

A new product lineup is expected from 2027 onward, signaling a more localized R&D and product strategy in China.