2020 Auto Show
2020 Auto Show
Posted on March 3, 2021
The theme of the 2020 Honda Auto show was ‘Transformative Times’. Transform into what you may well ask? Well, for many of the manufacturers it was an opportunity to showcase their new and improved electric car models and technologies. It’s more than just a toe in the water now. Foreign and domestic luxury brands are now committed to offering heavy electric power solutions in their SUVs. Ford spared no expense to roll out and show the new Mustang Mach-E SUV, another high speed battle tank that will be considerably less expensive than the Audi E-tron SUV.
In the Honda Auto Show, Honda’s main floor exhibition space had far less ‘electric’ gravitas than most other brands and this suggested to me that the company is still trying to determine its footing in the electric vehicle landscape. This is not to say that Honda has not committed resources to this technology. The newly designed Honda e one compact car, which will take advantage of the robust charging infrastructure in Europe, is an example of their electric vehicle tech. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a show stopper at this event. Instead the audience was encouraged to gaze at the Honda Clarity, Honda’s plug in Hybrid solution. Honda’s introduction of fully electric cars in the N.A. market could be seen to lag behind their competitors but I think they have their timing dialed in just right.
Honda’s ‘Blue Skies for our Children’ (reduced tail pipe emissions) displays were a real mix of corporate assets. Civic bodies, robotic arms, a black edition Pilot, a crushed Civic and Honda staff riding around on several Uni-cub personal mobility chairs were eye catching. This presentation also highlighted the theme of mobility for everyone. A circular platform display recalled the history of Honda on the outside and inside guests standing on a moving platter could see examples of future vehicles, motorcycles, and robotics and mobility assist devices. Honda is a technology company focused on personal mobility solutions.
I finished my day with a test drive in a Hyundai Kona EV. It’s a bit larger than the compact Chevy Bolt EV. Impressive acceleration from a stop, like all EVs and the high frequency whir of the engine was different to say the least. My co-pilot indicated that all EVs have difficulty keeping a full charge in cold weather. Losing up to 30% of your car’s range due to winter weather is not a winning feature for customers who live in central Ontario. Couple this problem with the higher costs of leasing new EV technology, the cost of installing a charging unit at your home, the lack of public charging infrastructure and the meager provincial incentives for EVs and you have a situation where EVs can’t measure up to Honda’s Hybrid gas-electric power plant. Honda presently has the right solution that is more economically friendly and convenient. I’m ready and waiting to transition into a 2021-2022 CRV gas-electric Hybrid.
Until next time,
Macky
