TOM GARDNER, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, HONDA EUROPE
How important is the Civic these days, when you consider the rise of SUVS, big Jazz volume and the move to fully electric?
“Civic is one of our global pillars of the brand. It’s the North America Car of the Year for the second year running. There is a loyal understanding of the car in Europe and particularly in the UK [in which people know it] as a dynamic five-door hatchback. The sector still has a lot of appeal to people. And it is where the halo comes in terms of the Type R, which cascades down.”
The new Civic Type R will arrive next year. What can you tell us about it?
“More [information] will come in due course about the Type R. It fulfils a very important part of our DNA. The Type R is synonymous with Honda and our racing heritage is embedded in the product. It’s about putting a smile on your face. After my boss in Japan drove it, he sent me a text with a thumbs-up emoji, so that’s a very good sign.”
Are you readying Honda for electric performance cars?
“It’s too soon to say whether we would do [electric performance versions]. We will continue to package products that produce a joy of driving. We are looking to maintain dynamics and we have been praised on that with the Honda E.”
What can you tell us about the B-segment electric SUV? Does it look much like the similarly sized HR-V?
“It will have some of the same heritage [as the HR-V]. It shares some family [design] traits. It’s a different platform, called the e:n Architecture F, which is focused on front-wheel drive and driving performance. It’s a full battery-electric vehicle, which moves us into a different segment appealing to families and a lifestyle proposition.”
Honda is introducing a PHEV version of its upcoming CR-V. Are there plans to introduce more?
“This is our first PHEV. CR-V is a sector where we see quite a lot of demand for that kind of product and we are delighted to be able to bring it to market. There is no statement about other [PHEV] products at the moment. Honda is pursuing a multi-pathway strategy towards net zero, which includes fuel cells, e-fuels, swappable batteries and more. This PHEV plays a part in that.”
Why did Honda start its EV push with a low-range city car, when most volume brands went for family SUVS?
“An urban car was the most appropriate first battery EV for us. The last project leader’s goal for this product was that anybody who saw the Honda E for the first time would say ‘wow’. It evolved from the fact it needed to be true to Honda’s heritage and a flagship for our electrification intent.”
How will Sony and Honda’s partnership affect the company in Europe?
“The facts are still being ironed out on what happens next. The goal is to have the product on sale in 2025, which is an ambitious target. The intent is to sell in Japan, the US and Europe. The strengths of Honda is hardware and development of vehicles, as well as the customer care in our networks. From Sony, there is digitalisation and the new customer experience.
“The partnership is one of several Honda has embraced. Honda has stood alone more than most, but now you see us regularly embracing new partnerships – for example, with General Motors, Google, Cruise and now Sony.”