Honda Ye line of EVs in China

by Conrad Layson

Honda unveiled three new all-electric vehicles destined for the Chinese market. The Ye line, where the Chinese character “烨” means “shine brilliantly”, will debut later in April at the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exposition, also called Auto China 2024. The three models are the Ye P7 crossover EV, styled to evoke a “seamless, smart sense of the future”, the S7 a variant of the same crossover EV styled to express a “more emotional sense of the future”, and a concept called the Ye GT Concept, a low-slung sporty body than the first two EVs. All three vehicles will ride on Honda’s new dedicated EV platform developed for the Ye product line. The P7 and S7 will be equipped either with a rear-mounted electric motor for a sporty rear drive experience with crisp handling, or two electric motors, one on each axle, offering power and a highly responsive driving experience. The P7 and S7 go on sale in Q4 of 2024. The release version of the GT Concept will go on sale in Q4 of 2025. In time, Honda indicated the Ye sub-brand will comprise six individual models.

The new Honda EV platform revolves around the M/M concept, defined as Man Maximum, Machine Minimum. The M/M design ethos calls for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space for vehicle components, thus increasing the efficiency of the space inside the vehicle. All of which translates into an engaging driving experience while offering passengers an airy, comfortable environment. At work is Honda’s still undefined Architecture W, a platform designed specifically for the Chinese market. Using a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension will go far in fulfilling Ye’s promise of superior ride and handling characteristics.

Honda feels the new Ye brand will help it accomplish its goal of becoming a New Energy Vehicle only manufacturer in China by 2035. Ye will go on sale alongside Honda’s current line of e:N Series EVs, a line of lower-cost sub-compact crossovers and Honda’s EVs from the Lingxi brand, both of which are produced with joint-venture partner Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. The Ye P7 will be built by the joint venture GAC HONDA R&D Co., Ltd. . The Ye S7 will be built by Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. , separate from the other two Dongfeng-Honda EV brands. Honda’s new H logo, which lacks the traditional surrounding frame, will adorn both the P7 and S7, along with the Concept GT. Honda officials indicated that the new logo signifies that the Ye brand will offer as-yet undisclosed technological features to engage and delight Chinese customers, establishing a digital ecosystem that enhances the customer experience through the purchase of digital products, services as well as vehicle upgrades implemented telematically throughout the ownership experience. More details should emerge at the official unveiling during Auto China 2024 in Beijing late in April.

(for more information on the 2024 Beijing show, contact AutoForecast Solutions LLC )