Honda's newly launched Insight electric vehicle, now on sale in Japan. (courtesy of the company)
このページを で読む
With growing concerns over tighter oil supplies and higher crude prices due to the Middle East conflict, electric vehicle (EV) sales are regaining momentum.
In March, EV sales by a local manufacturer doubled in Vietnam, while in Australia, the share of EVs in new car sales climbed to a record high. In Japan, too, major domestic automakers are moving one after another to roll out new models.
Fresh Sparks in EVs
Honda announced that it will begin domestic sales of the Insight, a sport utility vehicle, starting on April 17. First introduced in 1999 as the company's first hybrid model, the sedan was discontinued in December 2022.
Now, about three and a half years later, it will return as a limited-run EV, with only 3,000 units to be sold. The price is ¥5.5 million ($35,000). A company official said Honda hopes the model will become "a pioneer for EVs and appeal to consumers looking to cut vehicle running costs amid soaring gasoline prices."
Nissan also unveiled an updated version of its Sakura mini EV on April 16. While enhancing the standard features of its mass-market trims, the company kept prices unchanged.
It also introduced a new lower-cost variant that can bring the buyer's out-of-pocket cost down to the ¥1.8 million ($11,000) range with government subsidies, effectively boosting price competitiveness through a de facto price cut. Prices start at ¥2,448,600 ($15,400).
In the new-car market, Toyota and Subaru have already launched fresh EV models, while Suzuki also plans to introduce a passenger EV this fiscal year. In the minivehicle segment, China's leading EV maker BYD is set to enter the Japanese market this summer with the Racco.
Asia Powers Ahead
Overseas, EV sales are slumping in the US, where purchase incentives have been scrapped following policy changes under the Trump administration.
But in parts of Asia, where oil stockpiles are limited, soaring gasoline prices are driving a sharp surge in EV demand.
VinFast, the Vietnamese EV maker, announced on April 10 that its domestic new vehicle sales in March rose 2.3-fold from a year earlier to 27,609 units. In Australia, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said EVs accounted for a record 14.6% of new car sales in March, up from 7.5% a year earlier.
An auto industry analyst said this shift toward EVs "could continue even after tensions in the Middle East ease."
RELATED:
- Honda EV Strategy Needs Revamp After Staggering Losses
- Toyota Battles US Tariffs but Sees Profit Growth Worldwide
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
(Read this article in Japanese)
このページを で読む
