Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Honda Begins Sales of China-Built Insight EV in Japan

The move signals a pragmatic shift toward reverse imports to fill gaps in Honda’s home-market EV lineup.

Overview

  • Honda opens orders in Japan on Friday, pricing the crossover at ¥5.5 million and limiting sales to 3,000 units.
  • The vehicle is adapted from an SUV built by Honda’s joint venture with Dongfeng in China for Japanese buyers.
  • Honda lists an estimated 535 km WLTP range and fast charging that brings the battery to 80% in about 40 minutes.
  • The release follows last year’s EV pullback, when Honda cut planned spending to ¥7 trillion through fiscal 2030 and paused three North America models because demand was weak and U.S. tariffs were high.
  • Honda says the reverse import could modestly lift use of its plants in China, where sales have been sluggish.