04/13/2026
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe visited a highly automated car supplier factory in Shanghai and said, “We have no chance against this,” citing China’s manufacturing edge.
He observed production lines with minimal human workers, highlighting major advantages in efficiency, speed, and cost.
The visit has pushed Honda to rethink its strategy, including reviving its independent R&D structure to boost innovation and faster development.
Chinese automakers like BYD and NIO can launch new models in 18–24 months with more automated factories and aggressive pricing.
Honda’s China sales fell from about 1.6 million units in 2020 to around 640,000 in 2025, reflecting growing pressure from Chinese EV competitors.
