Tokyo, Japan, October 9, 2024 — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today held the "2024 Honda 0 Tech Meeting" and introduced several next-generation technologies that will be applied to the Honda 0 series, a new electric vehicle lineup that Honda plans to launch globally starting in 2026. The development of the Honda 0 series adopts a new approach from Honda that starts from "zero," utilizing a new method for electric vehicle development — "Thin, Light, Smart." Through this development approach, Honda aims to provide five core values through its electric vehicles. 1) Art design that resonates with people 2) Safe and reassuring automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems (AD/ADAS) 3) IoT and connectivity technologies that turn electric vehicles into people's "space," giving new value to electric vehicles 4) Driving enjoyment integrated with the vehicle 5) Outstanding electric energy efficiency performance At CES 2024 held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January this year, Honda unveiled two concept cars from the Honda 0 series — Saloon and Space-Hub. Honda also announced plans to launch a production model of the Saloon in 2026. This production model will closely resemble the Saloon concept car and will be positioned as the flagship model of the Honda 0 series. Additionally, Honda announced plans to launch a total of seven Honda 0 series models globally by 2030, including small, medium, and large models. Honda plans to unveil a new Honda 0 series model at CES 2025 in January 2025, which will embody the technologies and electrification concepts introduced during the Honda 0 Tech Meeting in product form. Keynote Speech by CEO and Chairman Toshihiro Mibe Keynote Speech by CEO and Chairman Toshihiro Mibe <Next-generation technologies introduced at the Honda 0 Tech Meeting> Thin Honda will continue to emphasize and realize the M/M (maximum human, minimum machine) concept in the electric vehicle era through a "thin" development approach, striving to provide new values for electric vehicles, such as comfortable "space," through original design with low height and short overhangs. Through the "Light" development approach, Honda will work to achieve its unique sporty driving experience and world-class electric energy efficiency performance, which has always been Honda's goal in vehicle manufacturing. Newly developed dedicated electric vehicle platform Honda has developed a new EV platform using 2.0GPa-grade hot-stamped materials (ultra-high-strength steel plates), achieving thinness and low height while ensuring the safety and reassurance of occupants. Additionally, by combining thin battery packs and newly developed compact e-Axles, Honda's original low-floor technology places heavy components in low and central positions within the vehicle, achieving a low center of gravity and low inertia. This stabilizes vehicle behavior and enables sporty driving. Newly developed dedicated electric vehicle platform Newly developed compact e-Axle Honda's accumulated motor and inverter technologies from hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) development will be applied to electric vehicles to achieve a compact and efficient e-Axle. The inverter size has been reduced by approximately 40% *1, making it possible to achieve a horizontal layout, placing the inverter alongside the motor, which was previously difficult to achieve. With this compact e-Axle, both low-height styling and maximized cabin space will be realized. Newly developed compact e-Axle Thin battery pack By adopting Megacasting and 3D Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technologies, the IPU (battery) casing will be thinned by approximately 6% *1. Furthermore, by employing a body structure designed to disperse collision impacts, the additional space required to protect the battery will be reduced, allowing for greater space for battery installation. With these technologies, lighter and thinner battery packs will be installed with maximum efficiency, helping to extend the range of Honda 0 series models. Additionally, Honda is utilizing driving data from 5 million Honda vehicles (primarily hybrid vehicles) to apply battery degradation diagnosis and prediction technologies, striving to limit the decline in battery capacity (range) to no more than 10% after 10 years of use. Thin battery pack Active aerodynamic system Honda has developed an active aerodynamic system that automatically activates the front air deflector based on factors such as vehicle speed. The front air deflector is installed under the floor and can reduce air resistance for all body types, including SUVs with higher body heights or shapes that are easily affected by air resistance. This system not only reduces driving energy consumption without affecting daily usability but also allows the vehicle to exert high downforce performance, contributing to improved straight-line stability. New body rigidity management for high driving stability and lightweight By adopting a new steering stability index, a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience is achieved, allowing the body to flex during turns to control the load on each tire. Compared to the initial Honda electric vehicle, the simplified body structure contributes to an overall vehicle weight reduction of approximately 100 kg (220 lbs). New body rigidity management for high driving stability and lightweight Production technologies achieving "thin" and "light" Advancements in smart power unit (IPU) casing production technology The IPU (battery) casing production line will utilize a 6,000-ton giant casting machine (high-pressure, high-precision casting), significantly reducing the number of parts from over 60 to 5. Additionally, by connecting dedicated IPU casing parts of different sizes for each EV model with universal parts using FSW technology, efficient production of various IPU casings can be achieved. This will enhance overall production efficiency and limit the required capital investment. Honda will continue to advance these production technologies, including future applications to large aluminum cast body frame parts. Advancements in body lightweighting technology By adopting the world's first *2 CDC connection technology *3, the range of lightweight, high-strength materials can be expanded, reducing the weight of the body frame and improving electric efficiency performance while enhancing passive safety performance. Advancements in battery assembly line production methods The battery assembly line will utilize a newly developed battery production system to achieve high production efficiency and flexibility. Honda's flexible battery production system connects multiple batteries through AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and can flexibly combine production processes, allowing for adjustments to accommodate changes in production modes and fluctuations in production volume. Wise Honda will leverage the knowledge accumulated to date to further advance smart technologies, creating original software-defined vehicles (SDVs) that make the vehicles themselves smarter. Specifically, Honda will develop an original vehicle operating system and, as connectivity technologies evolve, strive to provide customers with new mobility experiences by applying smart technologies optimized for each customer. Even after customers purchase vehicles, Honda will continuously add/upgrade vehicle functions through OTA (over-the-air) updates, upgrading vehicles into more attractive products unique to Honda. Wise Four key projects that Honda will advance with the "Wise" development approach ● AD/ADAS (automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems) Honda is developing its AD/ADAS, aiming to provide an experience that encourages people to go out more spontaneously by supporting safe and seamless mobility, allowing people to enjoy peace of mind not only while driving but throughout the entire journey from home to destination. Automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems In 2021, Honda put Level 3 automated driving equipment into practical use, launching the new Legend equipped with Honda SENSING Elite, which meets the requirements for Level 3 automated driving (eyes-off) for conditional driving automation in limited areas. The Honda 0 series models will adopt AD/ADAS technologies utilizing Level 3 technology, providing more affordable automated driving vehicles to more customers. Additionally, the Honda 0 series models will be equipped with a system that can expand the driving assistance and Level 3 automated driving (eyes-off) conditions. This expansion will begin with eyes-off technology available during highway traffic congestion and will continue through functional OTA updates. Honda is further advancing its AD/ADAS technologies, such as high-precision and high-reliability sensing based on LiDAR, high-definition camera sensing of all surrounding environments, and high-performance ECUs compatible with Honda's original AI and sensor fusion. Furthermore, Honda's original AI technology combines the unsupervised learning *4 technology from Helm.ai in the U.S. with behavior models of experienced drivers, enabling the AI to learn with less data and provide highly accurate driving assistance. This will allow the system to accurately predict risks and smoothly avoid them, even when driving on unfamiliar roads for the driver/vehicle, enabling Honda to rapidly expand the scope of automated driving and driving assistance. By advancing this technology, Honda aims to become the world's first company to expand the application range of eyes-off functionality to all driving situations, providing safer AD/ADAS and greater peace of mind for customers. Automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems ● Driving enjoyment While advancing automated driving technologies for higher safety and reassurance, Honda is also promoting its original vehicle dynamics integrated control technology, which seamlessly connects various control technologies. With this technology, Honda is striving to provide the next-generation electric vehicle with a unique "driving enjoyment," achieving a sporty and exhilarating feeling that comes from the driver's mind and body merging with the vehicle. By adopting a steer-by-wire system, integrated control will be applied to all steer-by-wire devices such as the steering wheel, suspension, and brakes, allowing drivers to control according to their wishes. Additionally, by applying high-precision posture estimation and stability control based on 3D gyroscope sensors accumulated through the development of original robotics technology, vehicle behavior will be stabilized before instability occurs, enabling smooth cornering. During acceleration, the electric motor and braking system will work in coordination to timely and accurately control tire grip, ensuring stable and comfortable acceleration on various road surfaces. Driving enjoyment ● Energy management The Honda 0 series models will combine battery management technologies originally developed for HEVs with newly developed thermal management technologies, including battery thermal management, to provide comfortable cabin space and highly practical range to suit customers' usage patterns. Specifically, by improving the efficiency of the powertrain, the range in EPA mode will reach around 300 miles. Additionally, to address winter weather concerns when using heaters and other devices may lead to range reduction, the vehicle will use a human-centered temperature sensitivity index to achieve a balance between comfort and energy savings. By utilizing radiant heaters (which heat the cabin space through radiant heat) and efficient operation of heat pumps, the power consumption of heating devices will be reduced by approximately 13% *1, thereby minimizing energy consumption. Energy management ● Digital user experience (UX) Honda is committed to providing a new and exciting electric vehicle mobility experience through smart and digital technologies while minimizing user stress and maximizing driving and in-car enjoyment. To provide customers with a stress-free in-car experience, Honda will thoroughly simplify the operation of the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system and continuously improve personalized voice assistant support for each customer. Furthermore, by enhancing situational understanding through image recognition and utilizing Honda's original behavior prediction algorithms, the vehicle will be able to understand users' situations and intentions, proactively offering optimized suggestions and support for each customer. In terms of driving and in-car enjoyment, Honda will leverage rapidly evolving IT technologies to provide a wide range of content, including 1) entertainment services that make electric vehicles more enjoyable as mobile "spaces," 2) content that provides more enjoyment for driving enthusiasts, and 3) a "virtual carpooling experience" that connects people inside and outside the vehicle using XR (extended reality) technology *5. Through these digital UX technologies, Honda will create "the joy of driving, using, and connecting" for its next-generation electric vehicles.

Tokyo, Japan, October 9, 2024 — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today held the "2024 Honda 0 Tech Meeting" and introduced several next-generation technologies that will be applied to the Honda 0 series, a new electric vehicle lineup that Honda plans to launch globally starting in 2026.

The development of the Honda 0 series adopts a new approach from Honda that starts from "zero," utilizing a new method for electric vehicle development — "Thin, Light, Smart." Through this development approach, Honda aims to provide five core values through its electric vehicles.

Art design that resonates with people
Safe and reassuring automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems (AD/ADAS)
IoT and connectivity technologies that turn electric vehicles into people's "space," giving new value to electric vehicles
Driving enjoyment integrated with the vehicle
Outstanding electric energy efficiency performance

At CES 2024 held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January this year, Honda unveiled two concept cars from the Honda 0 series — Saloon and Space-Hub. Honda also announced plans to launch a production model of the Saloon in 2026. This production model will closely resemble the Saloon concept car and will be positioned as the flagship model of the Honda 0 series. Additionally, Honda announced plans to launch a total of seven Honda 0 series models globally by 2030, including small, medium, and large models.

Honda plans to unveil a new Honda 0 series model at CES 2025 in January 2025, which will embody the technologies and electrification concepts introduced during the Honda 0 Tech Meeting in product form.

Keynote Speech by CEO and Chairman Toshihiro Mibe
Keynote Speech by CEO and Chairman Toshihiro Mibe
<Next-generation technologies introduced at the Honda 0 Tech Meeting>
Thin
Honda will continue to emphasize and realize the M/M (maximum human, minimum machine) concept in the electric vehicle era through a "thin" development approach, striving to provide new values for electric vehicles, such as comfortable "space," through original design with low height and short overhangs.

Through the "Light" development approach, Honda will work to achieve its unique sporty driving experience and world-class electric energy efficiency performance, which has always been Honda's goal in vehicle manufacturing.

Newly developed dedicated electric vehicle platform
Honda has developed a new EV platform using 2.0GPa-grade hot-stamped materials (ultra-high-strength steel plates), achieving thinness and low height while ensuring the safety and reassurance of occupants. Additionally, by combining thin battery packs and newly developed compact e-Axles, Honda's original low-floor technology places heavy components in low and central positions within the vehicle, achieving a low center of gravity and low inertia. This stabilizes vehicle behavior and enables sporty driving.

Newly developed dedicated electric vehicle platform
Newly developed compact e-Axle
Honda's accumulated motor and inverter technologies from hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) development will be applied to electric vehicles to achieve a compact and efficient e-Axle. The inverter size has been reduced by approximately 40% *1, making it possible to achieve a horizontal layout, placing the inverter alongside the motor, which was previously difficult to achieve. With this compact e-Axle, both low-height styling and maximized cabin space will be realized.

Newly developed compact e-Axle
Thin battery pack
By adopting Megacasting and 3D Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technologies, the IPU (battery) casing will be thinned by approximately 6% *1. Furthermore, by employing a body structure designed to disperse collision impacts, the additional space required to protect the battery will be reduced, allowing for greater space for battery installation. With these technologies, lighter and thinner battery packs will be installed with maximum efficiency, helping to extend the range of Honda 0 series models.

Additionally, Honda is utilizing driving data from 5 million Honda vehicles (primarily hybrid vehicles) to apply battery degradation diagnosis and prediction technologies, striving to limit the decline in battery capacity (range) to no more than 10% after 10 years of use.

Thin battery pack
Active aerodynamic system
Honda has developed an active aerodynamic system that automatically activates the front air deflector based on factors such as vehicle speed. The front air deflector is installed under the floor and can reduce air resistance for all body types, including SUVs with higher body heights or shapes that are easily affected by air resistance. This system not only reduces driving energy consumption without affecting daily usability but also allows the vehicle to exert high downforce performance, contributing to improved straight-line stability.

New body rigidity management for high driving stability and lightweight
By adopting a new steering stability index, a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience is achieved, allowing the body to flex during turns to control the load on each tire. Compared to the initial Honda electric vehicle, the simplified body structure contributes to an overall vehicle weight reduction of approximately 100 kg (220 lbs).

New body rigidity management for high driving stability and lightweight
Production technologies achieving "thin" and "light"
Advancements in smart power unit (IPU) casing production technology
The IPU (battery) casing production line will utilize a 6,000-ton giant casting machine (high-pressure, high-precision casting), significantly reducing the number of parts from over 60 to 5. Additionally, by connecting dedicated IPU casing parts of different sizes for each EV model with universal parts using FSW technology, efficient production of various IPU casings can be achieved. This will enhance overall production efficiency and limit the required capital investment. Honda will continue to advance these production technologies, including future applications to large aluminum cast body frame parts.

Advancements in body lightweighting technology
By adopting the world's first *2 CDC connection technology *3, the range of lightweight, high-strength materials can be expanded, reducing the weight of the body frame and improving electric efficiency performance while enhancing passive safety performance.

Advancements in battery assembly line production methods
The battery assembly line will utilize a newly developed battery production system to achieve high production efficiency and flexibility. Honda's flexible battery production system connects multiple batteries through AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and can flexibly combine production processes, allowing for adjustments to accommodate changes in production modes and fluctuations in production volume.

Wise
Honda will leverage the knowledge accumulated to date to further advance smart technologies, creating original software-defined vehicles (SDVs) that make the vehicles themselves smarter. Specifically, Honda will develop an original vehicle operating system and, as connectivity technologies evolve, strive to provide customers with new mobility experiences by applying smart technologies optimized for each customer.

Even after customers purchase vehicles, Honda will continuously add/upgrade vehicle functions through OTA (over-the-air) updates, upgrading vehicles into more attractive products unique to Honda.

Wise
Four key projects that Honda will advance with the "Wise" development approach
● AD/ADAS (automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems)
Honda is developing its AD/ADAS, aiming to provide an experience that encourages people to go out more spontaneously by supporting safe and seamless mobility, allowing people to enjoy peace of mind not only while driving but throughout the entire journey from home to destination.

Automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems
In 2021, Honda put Level 3 automated driving equipment into practical use, launching the new Legend equipped with Honda SENSING Elite, which meets the requirements for Level 3 automated driving (eyes-off) for conditional driving automation in limited areas. The Honda 0 series models will adopt AD/ADAS technologies utilizing Level 3 technology, providing more affordable automated driving vehicles to more customers. Additionally, the Honda 0 series models will be equipped with a system that can expand the driving assistance and Level 3 automated driving (eyes-off) conditions. This expansion will begin with eyes-off technology available during highway traffic congestion and will continue through functional OTA updates. Honda is further advancing its AD/ADAS technologies, such as high-precision and high-reliability sensing based on LiDAR, high-definition camera sensing of all surrounding environments, and high-performance ECUs compatible with Honda's original AI and sensor fusion.

Furthermore, Honda's original AI technology combines the unsupervised learning *4 technology from Helm.ai in the U.S. with behavior models of experienced drivers, enabling the AI to learn with less data and provide highly accurate driving assistance. This will allow the system to accurately predict risks and smoothly avoid them, even when driving on unfamiliar roads for the driver/vehicle, enabling Honda to rapidly expand the scope of automated driving and driving assistance.

By advancing this technology, Honda aims to become the world's first company to expand the application range of eyes-off functionality to all driving situations, providing safer AD/ADAS and greater peace of mind for customers.

Automated driving/advanced driver-assistance systems
● Driving enjoyment
While advancing automated driving technologies for higher safety and reassurance, Honda is also promoting its original vehicle dynamics integrated control technology, which seamlessly connects various control technologies. With this technology, Honda is striving to provide the next-generation electric vehicle with a unique "driving enjoyment," achieving a sporty and exhilarating feeling that comes from the driver's mind and body merging with the vehicle. By adopting a steer-by-wire system, integrated control will be applied to all steer-by-wire devices such as the steering wheel, suspension, and brakes, allowing drivers to control according to their wishes.

Additionally, by applying high-precision posture estimation and stability control based on 3D gyroscope sensors accumulated through the development of original robotics technology, vehicle behavior will be stabilized before instability occurs, enabling smooth cornering. During acceleration, the electric motor and braking system will work in coordination to timely and accurately control tire grip, ensuring stable and comfortable acceleration on various road surfaces.

Driving enjoyment
● Energy management
The Honda 0 series models will combine battery management technologies originally developed for HEVs with newly developed thermal management technologies, including battery thermal management, to provide comfortable cabin space and highly practical range to suit customers' usage patterns. Specifically, by improving the efficiency of the powertrain, the range in EPA mode will reach around 300 miles.

Additionally, to address winter weather concerns when using heaters and other devices may lead to range reduction, the vehicle will use a human-centered temperature sensitivity index to achieve a balance between comfort and energy savings. By utilizing radiant heaters (which heat the cabin space through radiant heat) and efficient operation of heat pumps, the power consumption of heating devices will be reduced by approximately 13% *1, thereby minimizing energy consumption.

Energy management
● Digital user experience (UX)
Honda is committed to providing a new and exciting electric vehicle mobility experience through smart and digital technologies while minimizing user stress and maximizing driving and in-car enjoyment. To provide customers with a stress-free in-car experience, Honda will thoroughly simplify the operation of the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system and continuously improve personalized voice assistant support for each customer. Furthermore, by enhancing situational understanding through image recognition and utilizing Honda's original behavior prediction algorithms, the vehicle will be able to understand users' situations and intentions, proactively offering optimized suggestions and support for each customer.

In terms of driving and in-car enjoyment, Honda will leverage rapidly evolving IT technologies to provide a wide range of content, including 1) entertainment services that make electric vehicles more enjoyable as mobile "spaces," 2) content that provides more enjoyment for driving enthusiasts, and 3) a "virtual carpooling experience" that connects people inside and outside the vehicle using XR (extended reality) technology *5.

Through these digital UX technologies, Honda will create "the joy of driving, using, and connecting" for its next-generation electric vehicles.