Honda Australia still has the 0 Series Alpha small electric SUV on its radar – even after the rest of the previously planned 0 Series models were canceled last month.
The Japanese brand’s local arm says the discontinuation of several 0-series electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a global product restructuring has not had a significant impact on its electrification plans and the remaining SUV remains on its wish list.
It was previously said that all 0-series models were being tested for Australian showrooms.
“The decision made globally does not mean the 0 Series is completely dead,” Honda Australia director Robert Thorp said Daily Sparkz.
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“There are still opportunities for us to look in this area. If everything works out, we will do our best to market them.”
One of those options is the remaining 0-series Alpha small SUV.
“There were two models that were ultimately discontinued, but in terms of development there is still the 0 Series name, and there is still a 0 Series vehicle that I think we will launch (abroad) next year,” the Honda boss said.
“We are looking at that (for Australia) but along with everything else we have available.”
The two discontinued 0-Series models – a sedan and a large SUV – were aimed at the US market, while the remaining 0-Series Alpha small SUV is intended to be positioned as a more affordable electric vehicle for the Asia and Pacific markets.
Production of the Alpha is still scheduled to begin in India in 2027 and release in Japan and India has been confirmed.
The removal of the U.S.-focused models comes as Honda struggles with financial pressures from declining sales and lower profits and will end incentives for electric vehicle buyers in the U.S. in September 2025.
The easing of emissions regulations in the U.S. following the February 2026 repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Decision – which formed the basis of vehicle emissions laws for more than a decade – was also a factor.
While not on its Australian division’s public wish list, Honda has also canceled its planned collaboration with Sony to build an electric sedan – the Afeela 1 – that was due to launch later this year, along with a follow-up SUV due to launch in mid-2028.
The axing of the 0 Series sedan and large SUV will not affect Honda Australia’s growth ambitions, Mr Thorp said, after the company reported a 9.2 per cent increase in sales in 2025 – although the brand has not set a future sales target.
“It’s a comprehensive strategy,” Mr. Thorp said Daily Sparkz. “The Australian market has not fundamentally changed as a result of the 0-series decision… our plans have always been for 0-series with a niche volume.”
“The Zero Series was always intended to be a model that represented a brand opportunity for us – a demonstration of technology – but it was always intended to be niche.
“So yeah, it’s a little annoying to miss this opportunity, but in the short term it doesn’t really change any overall strategy.”
The Honda Super-ONE will be the first electric vehicle in local Honda showrooms when it launches in the second half of 2026. Its design is inspired by the original Honda City hatchback sold here between 1984 and 1993.
Before it hits the market, Honda’s local introduction of the new model will include the reborn Prelude sports coupe – priced from $65,000 on-road – which will soon arrive in showrooms alongside the updated CR-V midsize SUV.
The latter includes a lower-priced, entry-level CR-V hybrid variant whose drive-away price is $49,900, $7,000 less than the cheapest gasoline-electric version offered last year.
“We’ve been very open about this. We still believe the transition to an electrified era will come first through hybrids,” Mr Thorp said.
“The majority of consumers going hybrid first will happen a lot and so our strategy, particularly in the short term, is very much focused on that.”
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