Update: Introduction, conclusion, and ‘Made in Asia for Asia’ sections revised.
The Honda 0 Alpha (officially stylized as ‘Honda 0 α’) that broke cover at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show last October has entered road testing in India.
The first prototype appears at a time when Honda has canceled several planned Honda and Acura EVs, and appears to be shifting more focus toward hybrids and gas-powered models to protect its business interests.
The smaller member of the 0 Series has drawn attention from major global car markets, with the U.S., Europe, and Australia being no exception. However, TopElectricSUV has learned that Western markets, and even Australia, are in for disappointing news.
Made in Asia for Asia
Exploring the market strategy for the 0 Alpha during a discussion with Honda officials at its world premiere, we gather that the company is primarily targeting emerging markets. As in the case of the second-generation WR-V, Japan will be among the exceptions, if not the only one, to also receive this model.
Last October, Toshikazu Hirose, Chief Engineer for the 0 Alpha, told us that Honda will manufacture the EV in India.
The company operates a single car plant in the country, located in Tapukara, Rajasthan, and the upcoming EV, which has evoked plenty of initial interest locally, will help it improve capacity utilization. Hirose denied plans to build the 0 Alpha in additional Honda factories anywhere in the world.
Further into our conversation, Hirose confirmed that Honda will make the 0 Alpha in both right- and left-hand-drive versions. He said that the company will launch it first in India, in the first half of 2027, and later in Japan and Southeast Asia.
A Honda spokesperson also confirmed to us at the world premiere that the 0 Alpha won’t be going to North America or Europe. The same official told us that Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are the first internally approved export destinations for the 0 Alpha.
No plans for Australia & New Zealand
When probed about the chances of Honda launching the 0 Alpha in Australia and New Zealand, since those markets share certain similarities with Japan and Southeast Asia, Hirose responded with a definitive no. “With Australia and New Zealand, it’s just like U.S. market, they prefer large models,” he told us, following the reveal.
New EV-only platform
Honda has not disclosed the dimensions of the 0 Alpha, but Hirose told us that this model belongs to the same (small SUV) segment as the previous generation HR-V. Also marketed as the Vezel, the urban SUV measured around 4.3 m long and 1.8 m wide.
He revealed that the 0 Alpha will sit on a new “EV-only platform” and share some parts, which we assume would include electrical and interior components, with ICE or electric models based on other platforms.
The Japanese automaker does emphasize economies of scale, but in this case, Hirose informed us that the company has no plans to introduce a second model based on the 0 Alpha’s platform.
It’s an EV-only platform, but it will be using parts, for example, from a gasoline vehicle or another EV vehicle. Parts are being carried over, just the platform itself is going to be new.
Toshikazu Hirose, Chief Engineer of 0 Alpha, to TopElectricSUV at the prototype reveal in October 2025
Honda has officially canceled the development and planned U.S. production of the Honda 0 Saloon, 0 Series SUV, and Acura RSX EV. To us, that puts added importance on the 0 Alpha, which could now play a key role in the future of Honda’s EV business globally.
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
