On March 29, 2022, GAC Honda revealed more information about its new pure electric brand:
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The demand and R&D team of the Chinese market played a vital role in the development of the “JiPeng” series. Before 2025, Honda will release one e:NP series pure electric vehicle model each year to the market, and the Honda new energy vehicle exclusive factory will be completed and put into operation in 2025.
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“JiPai 1” is GAC Honda’s first pure electric SUV with a suspension that can light up the “H logo”. Based on the “e:N Architecture F” front-wheel drive pure electric platform design, it is equipped with a 68.8 kWh battery pack jointly developed with CATL, with NEDC range exceeding 500 km.
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The sport mode of “JiPai 1” supports Honda EV Sound wave simulation and is equipped with Honda’s first DMC driver status perception system.
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GAC Honda will establish a dedicated sales and service network for the new pure electric brand and introduce a “user co-creation” process system.
As early as April 3, 2020, Honda R&D and General Motors reached a cooperation agreement on the development of electric vehicles. Honda’s new electrification brand, e:N, will bring two debut models:
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Further expand the advanced technology cooperation between General Motors and Honda;
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Jointly develop flexible electric vehicles based on General Motors’ “Ultium” platform technology to reduce costs by expanding scale and effectively utilizing production capacity;
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The safety guarantee function of General Motors’ connected service OnStar will be integrated into HondaLink;
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General Motors’ advanced driver assistance technology Cruise will also be available in some specifications.
Honda seems to be highly focused on localizing the market in its electrification strategy. On April 3, 2020, Honda’s North American subsidiary and General Motors signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to establish a car alliance targeting the North American market and collaborate on procurement, R&D, connected services, and vehicle development under both companies. Based on the proposal, Honda’s North American division and General Motors will cooperate in multiple segments of the North American automotive market, including shared vehicle platforms, fuel cell technology, advanced driver assistance systems, electrification, and internal combustion engines from early 2021. As for Honda’s electrification segment, the two companies will design and manufacture two pure electric models for Honda based on General Motor’s BEV3 pure electric platform and Ultium advanced energy storage technology.
On March 29, 2022, GAC Honda disclosed the e:NP pure electric brand and its first model, the “Jipai 1,” which mentioned the important role of Chinese users, Chinese market demand, and Chinese R&D teams in the vehicle design and production process. With this in mind, Honda aims to leverage China’s advantages in electrification and intelligent industries, as well as its local industry chain resources, to design “the most suitable electrification products for China that lead the world.”
Honda’s localization and R&D strategy might help in its electrification progress, but the competitiveness of its products will ultimately determine its success. During the live broadcast, Honda did not provide detailed technical information about the Jipai 1. Additionally, the side view of the Jipai 1 released by Honda features a “strangely protruding” position of the chassis, which casts doubts on Honda’s sincerity regarding the progress of its electrification efforts.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.