Honda is preparing an all-new, affordable electric vehicle (EV), which could put it on a collision course with Chinese and South Korean rivals in Australia.
Due to be unveiled internationally early next year, the small crossover/SUV is expected to be slightly larger than the existing Honda HR-V but smaller than the company's ZR-V, and will be based on the 0 (as in 'Zero series') Alpha concept unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show some 12 months ago.
While there is no confirmation as yet about an Australian debut, Honda has revealed that it is open to all EVs if they meet certain requirements.
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2027 Honda 0 Alpha launch date in Australia
"We're constantly looking at what's available globally that we can bring here locally," according to Honda Australia Director, Robert Thorp.
"And through that process, we have to make sure that it can tick a lot of boxes. Whether it be from a volume perspective, whether it be from a profit perspective, and can it also find a market here as well?"
To help keep the as-yet unnamed production version price competitive, it will be built in India for global consumption, with Japan set to be one of the first export destinations.
As a result of leveraging a lower-cost manufacturing base, it is anticipated that pricing could kick off from about $40,000 for the entry-level grade.
To put that in perspective, today's ageing HR-V range that is sourced from Japan kicks off with the Vi petrol from $32,900 drive-away, while the e:HEV X strong hybrid is priced from $39,900 drive-away.
What the 2027 Honda 0 Alpha is like
Using a new, EV-only architecture that has been engineered for efficiency under Honda's "Thin, Light, and Wise" development philosophy, the production 0 Alpha will feature a low-slung yet wide five-door crossover body with high ground clearances and a spacious interior for five occupants offering plenty of luggage space.
It has been reported that two battery pack sizes will be offered in the electric Honda, in 61kWh and 75kWh versions, in line with rivals like the Atto 2 and Kia EV3, as well as the Skoda Epiq, Volkswagen ID Cross and other smaller EV crossovers.
While declining to divulge specific details, Thorp added that his company is on the right track to offer Australian buyers what they want from the brand.
"We obviously can't provide any detail, or confirm anything we might be doing in terms of future line-up today," he said.
"But, what we do have planned in the future, and what we're working towards, we're pretty confident that we'll have a line-up that will continue to connect and resonate with the market.
"That includes a continuation of our strategy, which is hybrid led, but EVs when and where it makes sense."
The 2027 Honda 0 Alpha rivals
With soaring fuel prices and the ongoing cost of living crisis, sales of smaller cars and crossovers are likely to rise, giving the company an opportunity to stake a claim against newer yet more-established players from China like BYD, Geely, GWM, MG and GAC.
Honda Australia General Manager of Automotive Nick Parkington is confident of a small-car sales recovery after years of falling demand in Australia.
"I'd like to think there's probably a plateauing in terms of some of those smaller segments that have been on a long decline over a long period of time," he believes.
"For some, there might even be a resurgence. Because there is convenience, there is practicality, and in our instance (with the Super-One), there is personality, in somebody's second car, or somebody's Monday to Friday commute.
"I think there's space in the market for us, and other brands for that matter… to absorb a little bit of a small-car upsurgeance.
"A lot of that is because of the product itself, and a lot of that is because of some very big macro-economic factors that make more economical sense."