Featured Honda CEO Doesn't See Dramatic Increase In EVs

I think he's realistic - actually talking about the next 5 years in our local reports - they've got to look at what they can sell - or they're an ex-car builder.

Their "Honda E" is probably not the sort of car which they'd sell in USA, I suspect too small. Honda Australia is pushing to get it here - where maybe it might fill a niche at the right price?

 

As a former GE employee, Jack Welch taught us to be a fortune 500 company is to start with a fortune 5 company.

Bob Wilson

 

Honda teased with this in 2002 Honda FCX - Wikipedia
The concept in 1999 looks familiar too Honda FCX - Wikipedia

Since Honda partnered with GM 5 or 10 years ago most of their small cars have morphed into mid sized compacts and hybrid selections have gone almost extinct. And to compound the problems with the service, all their diagnostics are proprietary and change enough within model generations to make troubleshooting near nightmare status.

 

Article also mentions the Honda Energy Management Concept. I think that's easily the biggest contribution Honda is making towards electrification. I'm really looking forward to seeing that take off.

 

i think honda and toyota are both on the right path. i can only hope ford, gm and chrysler are as well.

 

and who? American Motors? the 80's are calling lol

 

that's my concern. toyota and honda are fairly agile companies. u.s. manufacturers are are barges with small rudders

 

The cultural norms are diametrically opposed. With Tokyo the largest City in the world by far, it's no wonder their culture is slightly different from the one we live with.

 

it's intentional though. our companies are designed to do well when the economy is well, and to go bankrupt when it isn't.

 

American companies are good at tearing themselves into bits and then forming new versions of themselves from the leftovers. GM is a 10 year old company with 100+ years of history, for example. I'm not sure I'd call it agility, but it does respond to change.

 

with government help. if the economy didn't turn around so quickly, and gas prices stay low, and easy credit, they'd be oob again

 

After 50 year with quantitative easing, a few decades of pyramid, hedge and ponzies, there is no real economy anymore, except in the memories of old long retired economists and the imaginations of the new corp.

 

the fed was supposed to smooth out the ups and downs, but it seems to just exacerbate them

 

queue brixit
I pronounce it brick(s) it
good leadin for just 3 words

in case some still think quantitative easing was thought up and originally implemented by one of ours.

 

Add QE and thus little wiggle room, huge government debt at all levels and few plans to deal with it, and record consumer debt. Mix well, allow to simmer and the over stimulated economy looks good for a time. But eventually who is going to buy all that maturing debt? Already bond markets are struggling.

 

oh boy, this thread has turned into the tin foil hat club, better make them gold coated since that is what the majority of economy know it all's seem to buy

 

It's fun to realize that when infinite billions of dollars can be created with a few keypresses at the Fed, all human labor is essentially worthless.

Hmm. Maybe fun wasn't the word I was looking for.

 

You folks are funny.

 

I wish everyone was more like me.

Give me the big ticket as I try to check my ego at the door.

But in North America, and the USA specifically, you have the contended reality that Americans like SUV's and Bigger is ALWAYS better.
That's resulted in car manufacturers NOT producing smaller vehicles and in some cases limiting their production to specifically ONLY Trucks and SUV's.

So when Honda doesn't project great demand for EV's. They can say that with a self fulfilling assured confidence.

This I think is sad.
Not just for the fact that it slows, smaller EV vehicle products development and marketing for the US. But also because it just continues the false and I think damaging "Bigger is Better" thinking.

I'm NOT against SUV's and Trucks. I am not.
But I'm a right tool for the job person. And that extends to automotive choices.
I LOVE smaller vehicles. In urban America? There is great advantage to small. Easier to park, maneuver and maintain. Not to mention, automatically better gas mileage.
But all that seems to be forgotten or buried, in hypnotic marketed desire for multi-row seating, and high driving position.

Hey, if you need a SUV or a Truck, and those tools make the most sense for the majority of your vehicles needs? Please get one.
But too much IMO I see people buying vehicles NOT as best tool for the job, but best tool to fit the projected personal image they want to project.

I would like to see ( but do not expect to see it ) a trend towards the idea that smaller can be better.
And not just the unfortunately too valid idea that Americans only want bigger.

But that would mean a shift in thinking that is unsupported by almost every marketed dynamic.