Honda Motor Co. began sales in China of the first product developed on a dedicated architecture for full electric vehicles, aiming to strengthen its foothold in the world’s largest EV market.
The vehicle, the S1, is a compact crossover. It went on sale under Honda’s EV subbrand e:N this week priced from 175,000 yuan ($26,636) to 218,000 yuan after government subsidies, according to Honda’s China office.
The electric crossover is available with two ranges: 260 miles and 316 miles.
It is 4,390 mm long, 1,790 mm wide and 1,560 mm tall, with a 2,610 mm wheelbase.
The vehicle is produced at Honda’s joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Co.
Honda is set to launch sales of a second product, the P1, under the e:N subbrand in coming months.
The P1 is also a compact crossover. It will be assembled at the Japanese automaker’s partnership with GAC Motor Co.
Honda plans to roll out ten EV products under the e:N subbrand in China by 2027.
Honda also builds three other EV models in China – the X-NV and M-NV at Dongfeng-Honda, and the VE-1 at GAC-Honda. The three vehicles are all compact crossovers.
The company’s sales, dented by the coronavirus outbreak and tight parts supplies, slipped 33 percent to 101,061 in March, with year-to-date volume dropping 9 percent to 353,786, Honda’s China office said.
