Honda’s Electric Vehicle Lineup: 2024 Prologue and Acura ZDX
The software issues plaguing General Motors’ Ultium-based electric vehicles should not affect the launch of a pair of Honda Motor Co. electric vehicles that were developed on the same platform. This is positive news for the 2024 Honda Prologue, the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle, as well as the 2024 Acura ZDX, which is likewise Acura’s first pure EV. Both models were developed in partnership with GM, leveraging GM’s Ultium battery system and vehicle architecture.
Recently, GM has encountered software bugs with newer Ultium vehicles, requiring a temporary suspension of sales of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV while the automaker addresses various quality issues reported by owners. The Chevy team is working on an update to resolve these issues, which include infotainment system crashes and challenges within the charging infrastructure.
Why Honda’s Launch Remains Unaffected
According to Mamadou Diallo, senior vice president of automobile sales for American Honda, there are no concerns about potential launch delays related to software or other Ultium-associated issues. Diallo expresses confidence that all software problems will be resolved before Honda deliveries commence, affirming that Honda’s dedicated commitment to quality ensures that the vehicles will arrive in optimal condition, with all functions working properly and previous issues addressed.
Upcoming Launch Details
The Prologue is set to arrive in dealerships within a few months, starting with locations in California, followed by Texas and Florida, and then extending across the country. The ZDX will hit showrooms this spring, with online sales for the Acura set to begin next month, featuring both the EV and accompanying charging packages.
Honda’s Future Electric and Hybrid Innovations
Moving forward, Diallo is confident in Honda’s ability to acquire sufficient vehicles from GM to meet consumer demand. Furthermore, the 2025 Honda Civic hybrid is anticipated to launch this summer, with hybrid versions of the sedan and hatchback expected to capture 40 percent of sales. The Civic will utilize the same hybrid system found in the Accord and CR-V models.
Additionally, Honda is also introducing a version of the CR-V that features a hydrogen fuel cell. This vehicle will be produced in Ohio and is expected to be on sale this year. This innovative model will utilize a next-generation fuel cell system from Honda’s joint venture with GM in Michigan and stands out as it is also classified as a plug-in hybrid. Although officials have not specified if this model will be available for retail customers alongside fleet sales, it remains an exciting addition to Honda’s lineup.
Sales Performance and Projections
In 2023, Honda experienced significant success, successfully meeting previously pent-up demand for their vehicles. Sales for the Honda brand surged by 32 percent, totaling 1.16 million units in the U.S., while Acura sales witnessed a remarkable 42 percent increase.
It was a record year for sales of electrified vehicles, with hybrids now comprising one in four Hondas sold. The Honda CR-V emerged as the best-selling hybrid in the U.S. last year, and the Accord hybrid sedan was recognized as the most popular hybrid car. This noteworthy success is not entirely by chance; the automaker’s strategy includes offering the two most affordable Accord trims in gas-only variations while the remainder of the lineup is hybrid-only.
Looking ahead, Diallo anticipates a 10 percent growth in Honda brand sales for 2024, aiming for 1.2 million to 1.3 million units, while Acura sales are projected to reach 150,000, aided by aesthetic and feature enhancements for the MDX and RDX models.
