Core Viewpoint - Honda is adjusting its product launch plans in China, particularly for electric vehicles, due to poor sales performance in the market [1][3]. Group 1: Product Strategy Adjustments - Honda will delay the launch of its flagship electric sedan originally scheduled for before December 2025 to after 2026 [1]. - The adjustment in strategy is influenced by the disappointing market feedback for the first models of its electric brand "Yay" [3]. - The S7 and P7 models, launched by Honda's joint ventures in China, have seen low sales, with S7 selling just over 1,000 units and P7 around 1,400 units since their launch [5]. Group 2: Market Performance - Despite integrating local electric and intelligent technologies, the S7 and P7 lack competitiveness in China's electric vehicle market [5]. - Honda's sales in China have been declining, with a 20.5% year-on-year drop, totaling 468,000 units, which is the largest decline among major Japanese automakers [7]. - In contrast, Toyota has performed well in China, with sales of 1.3017 million units, a 4.9% increase year-on-year [7]. Group 3: Financial Impact - Honda's sales in China account for over 20% of its global sales, making it the second-largest market after the U.S. [8]. - The company's sales peaked at nearly 1.63 million units in 2020 but are projected to fall to 852,000 units by 2024, approximately half of the peak [8]. - For the fiscal year 2024, Honda's net profit is projected to be 835.84 billion yen (approximately 38.63 billion RMB), a 24.5% decrease year-on-year [8].

Core Viewpoint - Honda is facing significant challenges in the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market, leading to delays in the launch of new models and a need to adjust its sales strategy to improve competitiveness against local companies [2][4][5]. Group 1: Product Launch and Delays - The first model of the "Yue" series, developed on a locally designed chassis, is set to launch in March 2025, but it has not met the sales standard of approximately 10,000 units per month, resulting in delays for subsequent models [2][4]. - The launch of the second flagship EV model, the "GT," originally planned for December 2025, has been postponed to 2026 or later due to poor sales performance [4][5]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Honda is struggling in the competitive landscape of the Chinese automotive market, particularly against local companies like BYD, which are aggressively pricing their vehicles [2][5]. - From January to September, Honda's new car sales in China decreased by 20.5% year-on-year, totaling 467,867 units, while competitors like Toyota saw a 4.9% increase in sales [5]. Group 3: Strategic Adjustments - In response to the competitive pressures, Honda plans to revise its EV sales strategy to enhance cost competitiveness and performance [2][5]. - The company has set a goal for all new vehicles to be electric or fuel cell vehicles by 2040 globally, with a target of achieving this in China by 2035, but this strategy will need to be adjusted due to the current market conditions [5].