CES 2025 Goodbye Exhaust, Hello Asimo: Honda's Bold Leap Forward

The Japanese manufacturer's future model strategy for electric cars is becoming more concrete. The goal: cars that can drive without a human eye on the road.

Honda has a firm place in our automotive coordinate system. In 1967, Soichiro Honda's brand was the first Japanese brand on the German market. Models such as the Civic CRX, Prelude and NSX shaped its sporty image, while the Accord became a bestseller.

In recent years, however, Hondas have disappeared from our roads. In Germany, the market share is just 0.23 percent. At the CES in Las Vegas, Honda is putting its foot down and going into overtaking mode. Two new models, a crossover and a van-like saloon are to shape the face of the new Honda 0-Series electric label from 2026.

Seven models by 2030

Honda plans to launch seven electric models (BEV) on the market by 2030 and is investing 60 billion US dollars in them. This includes a new factory in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, where 240,000 cars are to roll off the production line every year from 2028. By 2040, Honda aims to sell 100 percent electric and fuel cell vehicles globally. By 2050, Honda aims to be completely CO₂-neutral. A paradigm shift for what is currently still the largest engine manufacturer in the world.

The two near-production demos at the CES are consistently further developed concept vehicles that Honda presented in 2024. Above all, the almost five-meter-long van saloon, which has only been modified with fine brushstrokes, once again shows the courage that Honda has long lacked. A futuristic design, as if from the hand of old master Bertone. Angular, extravagant and reduced, not really pretty, but perhaps groundbreaking.

Much of this spaceship is designed for the era of automated driving. Consistent lightweight construction, low production costs and good use of space were at the top of the to-do list. Above an extremely flat battery in the basement, there is plenty of space above for the best entertainment in auto mode.

Unusual crossover SUV

The second star of the show is a crossover that crosses between worlds. Smooth and flush at the front like a modern ambassador of the electric SUV guild, blessed with a mighty rucksack at the back, as if it wanted to collect rock samples on the planet Jupiter. A remnant of the Space Hub study. Anyone who is unfamiliar with the design today may find it ingenious tomorrow. Who knows?

Under the bonnet, both electric vehicles are identical and are based on the new EV architecture from Japan's number two. Honda is not yet commenting politely but firmly on technical details. However, it is clear that two compact electric motors distribute over 300 hp to both axles. A classic lithium-ion battery with an expected 80 kWh should be good for a range of around 500 kilometers. In order to keep the prices as attractive as possible, the engineers admit that only a 400-volt charging architecture is currently planned. This would hardly be state of the art even today.

Asimo becomes an operating system

Honda obviously wants to score points in the field of software, supported by self-learning artificial intelligence. And to achieve this, the Japanese are bringing Asimo on board. The iconic humanoid robot, which became the star of robotics in the 2000s, lends its name to the new 0-series operating system: Asimo OS.

Continuously evolving in the direction of behavioral control, Asimo has taken a close "look" at what colleagues do, what they want and how they behave. The new system developed in-house is intended to create the basis for Level 3 automated driving. In this case, the vehicle takes the wheel and the driver can focus on other things. Meanwhile, the AI learns to better assess people, machines and specific driving situations with every kilometer.

A brave new world, which Honda would like to make its mark on again in the future with the help of future cooperation partners Nissan and Mitsubishi. At the CES, the Japanese declared, not at all reservedly Asian, that they want to become the first car manufacturer to enable driving without any eye contact with the road in every conceivable driving situation.