Honda reveals two new ‘Series 0’ electric vehicles to be produced in Ohio

LAS VEGAS— Hondamotors Tuesday at the CES technology conference unveiled the company’s newest electric vehicles that will be produced at a multimillion-dollar manufacturing complex in central Ohio.

The vehicles are the Honda 0 Saloon, which is a updated version of a concept car revealed last year at CES, and the Honda 0 SUV. Both “Series 0” vehicles are prototypes, meaning they are intended for customer production, but could still see some changes in the future.

Honda said production models based on both prototypes are expected launch in North America in 2026, starting with the SUV and then the sedan. The automaker declined to release specific details about the new electric vehicles, such as expected price, range and performance.

The exteriors of the vehicles are noticeably different from current Honda models, with sleek and futuristic designs. Honda said the new 0 Series vehicles are being developed with three basic principles in mind: “Thin, light and smart.”

Lance Woelfer, vice president of auto sales for American Honda Motor, said the automaker received feedback from vehicles it revealed last year for new models.

“That’s the reason we do it, because it gives us the opportunity to get feedback and opinions from the community,” he told CNBC. “It gave us extra confidence.”

Honda on Tuesday also announced a new operating system for Honda 0 Series vehicles called “Asimo OS” that the company says will offer highly automated driving technologies such as hands-free driving.

The name Asimo refers to a Honda. humanoid robot that the car manufacturer First introduced more than 20 years ago at CES.

Honda plans to install Asimo OS on all Honda 0 Series models, including production models of the Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon.

It is not clear how announced plans for a merger between Honda and fellow Japanese automaker NissanEngine could affect any of the company’s product plans.

Honda’s Series 0 electric vehicles were revealed a day after the company’s unveiling. alliance with sonycalled Afeela, presented its first electric vehicle model. The car, called AFEELA 1, is expected to go on sale in California this year and is expected to be delivered in 2026.

California is the country’s largest electric vehicle market, where automakers have routinely launched such models first to help sales and meet the state’s strict fuel economy and emissions standards.

The company said the AFEELA 1 sedan will be available in two versions, with prices starting at $89,900.