Honda is expanding its footprint in the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market by partnering with Huawei to integrate the tech giant’s advanced self-driving technology into its new EV brand, “Ye.”
This collaboration is part of a growing trend where automotive manufacturers are turning to Huawei’s smart driving solutions.
Launched in April 2024, Honda’s “Ye” brand is aimed at Chinese EV buyers, and its initial lineup includes the Ye P7, Ye S7, and Ye GT models.
While the Ye P7 and Ye S7 were initially slated for a late 2024 release, their launch has been delayed to the first quarter of 2025.
The delay is attributed to marketing, communication, and smart technology challenges, which fell short of expectations set by Honda’s Japanese stakeholders.
Key Details:
- Self-Driving Tech: Honda will use Huawei’s smart driving solution in the Ye models instead of waiting for its own autonomous driving technologies to be approved in China.
- Choice of Technology: The Ye models may come with either Honda Sensing 360+ or Huawei’s smart driving solution, giving consumers a choice between the two systems.
- Declining Sales: Honda’s sales in China have dropped significantly in 2024, with a 30.7% decline in the first eleven months.
Honda has two EV factories in China: one in Wuhan, a joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, and another in Guangzhou, in collaboration with GAC Group. Both factories have an annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles.
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