本田四轮车开发部门再次从总部独立

Core Viewpoint - Honda is restructuring its development department by separating it from the headquarters to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the automotive industry, which is undergoing significant structural changes due to the rise of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and advancements in autonomous driving technology [2][4][5]. Group 1: Organizational Changes - Honda is re-establishing the development department of its four-wheeled vehicle segment under the Honda Technical Research Institute in Saitama, Japan, to foster creativity and improve the performance of new-generation vehicles [2][5]. - The Honda Technical Research Institute was originally established in 1960 based on the philosophy of founder Soichiro Honda, focusing on independent research and development funded by the headquarters [4][5]. Group 2: Market Context and Challenges - The global automotive industry is facing a structural transformation, with Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD demonstrating significant price competitiveness [5]. - By 2025, it is projected that the sales of new cars in China will surpass those in Japan for the first time, indicating a shift in market dynamics [5]. - Honda's automotive business is currently struggling, reporting an operating loss of 73 billion yen for the period from April to September 2025, compared to a profit of 258 billion yen in the same period the previous year [5]. Group 3: Strategic Decisions - The decision to separate the development department from the headquarters comes after a previous attempt in 2020 to centralize development functions, which limited the creative environment necessary for producing breakthrough products [5]. - Honda is also in discussions with Nissan for a potential business merger aimed at reducing the costs of developing new technologies, although initial negotiations did not reach an agreement [5].