Honda Restructures Global Auto Operations to Win the Future of Electric and Intelligent Vehicles

Japanese auto giant streamlines R&D and strategy to sharpen competitiveness and speed up innovation

Honda Motor has announced a major organizational overhaul aimed at making its automobile business faster, smarter, and more competitive in a rapidly evolving global market. The changes will take effect on April 1, 2026, and place strong focus on improving how Honda develops, plans, and delivers cars to customers worldwide.

Over the past few years, Honda had separated its research teams, one focused on current production models and another on future technologies. That structure helped strengthen innovation. However, as market conditions shift more quickly than expected, Honda now believes closer integration is the key to staying ahead.

Under the new structure, all automobile research and development functions, including those handling software-defined vehicles (SDVs), will be consolidated under Honda R&D Co., Ltd. This move is designed to create a great flow from early technology planning to final product launch, helping Honda bring new vehicles to market more efficiently.

The company is also reorganizing its automobile operations by creating a new Business Strategy Unit and Regional Business Unit. These changes are expected to strengthen product planning, sales performance, and long-term profitability.

While changes will also impact motorcycle and power product divisions, the spotlight remains firmly on automobiles. With electrification and intelligent technologies reshaping the industry, Honda is positioning itself to compete boldly and stay relevant in the next era of mobility.