Honda unveils two new 0 Series electric vehicles to be built in Ohio

LAS VEGAS — Honda engine on Tuesday at the CES technology conference, it revealed the company’s latest electric vehicles, which will be built at a multibillion-dollar manufacturing complex in central Ohio.

The vehicles were Honda 0 Saloon, which is an updated version of the concept car revealed last year at CES, and the Honda 0 SUV. Both “Series 0” vehicles are prototypes, meaning they are intended for customer production, but could still see some changes in the future.

Honda said production models based on both prototypes are expected launch in North America 2026, starting with an SUV and then a sedan. The automaker declined to release specific details about the new electric vehicles, such as expected pricing, range and performance.

The exterior of the vehicle is noticeably different from current Honda models, with a sleek, futuristic design. Honda said the new 0 Series vehicles are being developed with three core principles in mind: “slim, light and smart.”

Lance Woelfer, Honda Motor’s vice president of U.S. auto sales, said the automaker took feedback from the vehicles it revealed last year for the new models.

“That’s why we’re doing it, because it gives us an opportunity to get some input and feedback from the community,” he told CNBC. – This gave us additional confidence.

On Tuesday, Honda also announced a new operating system for Honda 0-series vehicles called “Asimo OS” which the company said will offer highly automated driving technologies such as hands-free driving.

The name Asimo refers to Honda a humanoid robot that is a car manufacturer first introduced more than 20 years ago at CES.

Honda plans to install Asimo OS in all Honda 0 Series models, including the production Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon models.

It is unclear how announced plans to merge between Honda and another Japanese car manufacturer Nissan Motor could affect any production plan of the company.

Honda’s 0-series electric vehicles were revealed a day after the company’s connection with Sonycalled Afeela, presented its first EV model. The car, called AFEELA 1, is expected to go on sale in California this year, followed by deliveries in 2026.

California is the nation’s largest market for electric vehicles, where automakers routinely launch such models first to help sales and meet strict state fuel economy and emissions standards.

The company said the AFEELA 1 sedan will be available in two trims, with prices starting at $89,900.