Every two years, the Japan Mobility Show gives us a preview of the future of motoring as envisioned by the major Japanese manufacturers. Sadly, for Honda, the resounding message coming from this year's show was that the future is getting a little farther away. That's the case for American drivers, at least, thanks largely to the effects of the Trump administration according to Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe.
In Tokyo this year, the company unveiled a trio of cool, next-gen electric vehicles at the show, each more compelling than the next. First up is the new 0 Series α, a new addition to the 0 Series of EVs that Honda has been teasing us with for a few years now.
Back in January at CES, the company showed off the evocatively styled 0 Saloon and 0 SUV. Both made quite a stir, particularly the former, which was impossible to admire without picking up strong Lamborghini vibes. Mibe confirmed that those cars are still on track, coming towards the end of 2026 or 2027. However, expected sales have been reduced.
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Mibe didn't give specifics there, only saying: "The volume initially will probably be less than we had envisioned earlier."
Honda 0 Series α EV looks similar to the SUV prototype from CES 2025 (Honda)
The newly unveiled 0 Series α is a new, third member of Honda's nascent next-gen EV family. It looks nigh identical to the SUV concept, but in reality, it's significantly smaller. It will be cheaper, too, enabling it to target the Indian market. It has a hope of going elsewhere in the world, including Japan and Europe, but Honda representatives said repeatedly that it's not for the American market. Mibe said it's "probably too small" for the US market.
So, too, the Super-One Prototype. This tiny hatchback made a run up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, wrapped in camouflage to hide its decidedly angular profile. In Tokyo, Honda stripped off the graphics, revealing a cheeky mini-sized machine with big box fenders and endless personality. While Honda didn't quote a power output, it surely won’t be a rocket ship, but with the instant torque of an EV, plus a variety of selectable synthesized engine notes, it should still be a mighty good time.
Indeed, it was. I got a brief go behind the wheel of a prototype machine at Honda's proving grounds in Tochigi, Japan. Though it wasn't much for outright speed, the brisk acceleration combined with petite dimensions made me grin ear-to-ear. Sadly, though, that's probably the only chance I'll ever get to drive one. The Super-One is intended for drivers in Japan and the United Kingdom, with potential expansion elsewhere in Europe based on demand.
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