Honda reveals two new 0-series electric vehicles that will be built in Ohio

LAS VEGAS- Honda Motors on Tuesday at the CES technical conference, the company’s latest electric vehicles, which will be produced at a multibillion-dollar manufacturing facility in central Ohio, were unveiled.

Vehicles are Honda 0 Saloon which appears updated version of the concept car shown last year at CES, and the Honda 0 SUV. Both “0-series” vehicles are prototypes, meaning they’re intended for customer production, but could still see some changes ahead.

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

The exterior of the cars is markedly different from current Honda models, featuring a sleek, futuristic design. Honda said the new 0-series cars are designed with three main principles in mind: “Thin, light and smart”.

Lance Wolfer, vice president of sales for American Honda Motor, said the automaker has been taking feedback on cars introduced last year for new models.

“The reason we’re doing this is because it gives us an opportunity to get some input and feedback from the community,” he told CNBC. “It gave us extra confidence.”

On Tuesday, Honda also announced a new operating system for Honda 0-series vehicles called “Asimo OS,” which the company said will offer highly automated driving technologies such as hands-free driving.

The name Asimo refers to Honda humanoid robot that car manufacturer first introduced over 20 years ago at CES.

Honda plans to install Asimo OS in all Honda 0 series models, including Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon series models.

It is not clear how announced plans to unify between Honda and another Japanese automaker Nissan engine may affect any of the company’s product plans.

Honda’s 0-series electric cars were unveiled a day after the campaign association with Sonycalled Afeela, has unveiled its first EV model. Called AFEELA 1, the vehicle is expected to go on sale in California this year, with deliveries expected in 2026.

California is the nation’s largest market for electric vehicles, where automakers regularly launch such models first to boost sales and meet strict state fuel economy and emissions standards.

The company said that the AFEELA 1 sedan will be available in two trim levels starting at $89,900.