The Honda 0 Alpha (officially stylized as ‘Honda 0 α’) that broke cover at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show on Wednesday drew 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.
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.
Made in Asia for Asia
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 said.
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 4.3m long and 1.8m 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, Honda
U.S. & Europe to get larger Honda EVs
In the U.S. and Europe, Honda will focus on the larger 0 SUV and 0 Saloon EVs. The company plans to introduce both models in 2026 and will manufacture them at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.
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.
