Honda unveils new EVs for China under Ye Series
Despite sharing the same model name, the Honda GTs revealed in Shanghai are (slightly) different vehicles. “The GAC Honda GT expresses a seamless, sophisticated and smart sense of the future, while the Dongfeng Honda GT expresses an emotional sense of the future that stimulates people who see the vehicle,” Honda states. While both models adopt a low and wide stance, the styling is intended to reflect each vehicle’s unique character and image, according to the Japanese carmaker.
The Ye Series was officially introduced at the Auto China in Beijing last year, where Honda unveiled its first two models: the Ye P7 (from GAC Honda) and Ye S7 (from Dongfeng Honda). These sit on a newly developed EV platform. At the same event, Honda also presented the Ye GT Concept, which now appears to have previewed the design of the Dongfeng Honda GT.
Although technical specifications for the new GT models have not been disclosed, Honda did announce a collaboration with CATL to develop a platform with cell-to-chassis technology, where battery cells are directly integrated into the vehicle body. In addition, the two companies will jointly develop an LFP battery that will be deployed in future Ye Series models beyond the P7, S7 and GT. However, no technical details have been released at this point.
It also remains unclear whether Honda’s Ye models will be among the 67 vehicle types slated to adopt CATL’s new Shenxing battery this year. The Shenxing cells, unveiled ahead of the show, promise charging rates of up to 12C – potentially enabling charging outputs of up to 1.3 megawatts depending on battery size.
The CATL tie-up reflects Honda’s broader strategy, outlined at the Auto Shanghai, to embrace local technologies and accelerate time-to-market in China. Honda will ‘leverage Chinese technologies to swiftly deliver products that meet the expectations of customers in China where technological innovations in the areas of electrification and intelligence are advancing rapidly’, the company states. In other words: fewer in-house developments, and more partnerships.
Beyond batteries, Honda also announced a collaboration with Momenta to develop driver assistance systems powered by AI rather than high-definition maps ‘to enable the system to drive/operate the vehicle once the destination is set via the navigation system’. For in-car infotainment, the company will partner with DeepSeek to ‘create more comfortable and enjoyable space for mobility’. All future Ye models will come with DeepSeek integration, and the feature will be rolled out to the Ye P7 and S7 via over-the-air updates.
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