Honda scraps future electric plans and faces $15.7 billion loss

13 March 2026

The road to an all-electric future hit a massive pothole for one of the world's most famous carmakers. Honda announced a major change in its business strategy - the company decided to cancel three highly anticipated electric cars that were supposed to lead its charge into the North American market. This sudden U-turn comes at a very high price as Honda expects to lose about JPY 2.5 trillion - roughly £11.43 billion.

Initially, car companies raced to build new electric cars as fast as possible, but the demand for EVs has cooled down in the US market. Honda noticed that fewer people are rushing to buy battery-powered cars than originally predicted. To protect its bank account from even deeper losses, the company chose to stop development on the Honda 0 Sedan, the Honda 0 SUV, and the next Acura RSX. These models were intended to show off Honda's newest technology and boldest designs.

The most eye-catching loss in this lineup is the Honda 0 Sedan. This vehicle had a very low, flat nose and a shape that resembled a mix between a supercar and a futuristic van. Honda originally planned to release this car in North America by 2027. It was meant to be the flagship of the "0 Series," a new line of electric cars built from the ground up to be light and efficient. Unfortunately, that dream ended before it could reach the driveway.

The Honda 0 SUV was the more practical partner to the sedan. While it still looked modern with its "pixel" style lights and a tall, spacious cabin, it was designed for everyday families. It was supposed to run on a new software system called ASIMO OS. This model was expected to be a common sight on American roads and a primary source of income for Honda's electric division. By canceling this crossover, Honda is giving up on a vehicle that many expected to be its biggest seller.

Luxury fans will likely miss the Acura RSX the most. This wasn't a small sports coupe like the famous Acura from the past. Instead, it was a sleek "coupe SUV" with a sporty roofline. The Acura RSX was nearly ready for the public, with production scheduled to start later this year. It promised high performance with dual motors and all-wheel drive. Because it was so close to being finished, canceling it now turned into a huge waste of time and engineering effort for the brand.

The decision to cancel all three projects affects the people who build them. Honda planned to manufacture all three of these EVs at its factories in Ohio, and the cancellation raises serious questions about future work for those American plants. Honda stated that the current business environment is simply too difficult. The company believes that selling these specific vehicles right now would only lead to more financial trouble in the long run.

The massive £11.43 billion loss includes the money already spent on designing the cars and preparing the factories. It is a staggering amount of money for any company to lose on projects that will never see the light of day. Honda says it is now "reassessing" its path forward - the company will look for different ways to stay competitive without spending billions on models that people might not buy in large numbers yet.

Honda is not giving up on electric cars entirely, but it will take a much more cautious approach to the shifting US market. Honda is choosing to hit the brakes rather than drive into a financial storm. For now, the wild designs of the 0 Series and the sporty promise of the Acura RSX will remain as drawings and prototypes rather than real cars on the street.

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