Throwback to 2006… Honda’s stock is at the same place it was 15 years ago. The Japanese car legend has been coasting in neutral, without an electric or self-driving plan — Until now. Honda just announced its first fully electric car (“The Prologue”) and plans to be 100% electric in North America by 2040 (FYI: Nothing excites car shoppers like a literary reference in a vehicle name).
But one weird thing... Honda’s not building the new Prologue — General Motors is taking care of that. This goes back to a “strategic alliance” announced last year. But Honda’s kind of acting like Robin saying they’re cofighting crime with Batman.
- Awkward: Honda’s first electric car will be pumped out of GM’s Mexico plant.
- Awkwarder: Even its higher-end Acura electric will come from GM’s Tennessee plant.
- Awkwardest: Honda says it has designed the “exteriors and interiors” — But GM’s making the batteries and powertrain, and running the assembly.
Is it an alliance or a dependence?... So far, it’s not clear if GM is teaching Honda how to drive electric, or if GM is in the process of it slowly taking over. Honda claims it won’t rely on GM forever and will make its own Prologue after 2024. But Honda is also in the middle of a 15-year stretch of stagnation, without electric or fully self-driving mojo. So GM could be helping Honda complete the transition to 100% electric. Or maybe this “alliance” could develop into a longer-term dependence.