Toyota Motor Philippines offers a wide range of hybrid-electric vehicles for car buyers who aren’t quite ready to go full-electric.

But another Japanese carmaker plans to enter the local hybrid market – one that has been developing these types of cars for almost as long as Toyota.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) assistant vice president Misa Abe told AutoFun Philippines that the company plans to offer more than one hybrid model starting 2023. She also mentioned that these will be hybrids that "doesn't just have an emblem."

“We cannot disclose today which model we will be launching this year,” she said at the sidelines of the turnover ceremony for new HCPI president Rie Miyake.

“But definitely, we are seriously thinking about e:HEV for some models,” Abe added.

Honda “e:HEV” refers to the carmaker’s hybrid lineup, which is already available in other ASEAN markets.

These include the Honda Civic e:HEV, which replaced the top-spec Civic RS Turbo in the Malaysian market, and the Honda CR-V e:HEV that made its ASEAN debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2023.

There are also e:HEV versions on the Honda City and the Honda City Hatchback, along with the Honda HR-V.

Honda Cars’ move towards electrification in is line with the company’s plan to be carbon-neutral by 2050.

It will shovel 8 trillion yen (or around ₱3.2 trillion, as of press time) for EV research and development over the next 10 years, along with investing 5 trillion yen (or around ₱2 trillion, as of press time) in electrification and software development over the next decade.

Poor luck with hybrids

HCPI has already sold hybrid vehicles in the Philippines before, all of which were discontinued because of poor sales.

These include the second-generation Honda Insight, a five-door hatchback built to take on the Toyota Prius, and the Honda CR-Z two-seat sports car.

HCPI’s most recent local hybrid was the Honda Legend, a large executive sedan that combined a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with front and rear electric motors.

But demand could increase with the passage of Republic Act 11697 or the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act,” which includes non-fiscal incentives for hybrid owners like lower vehicle-registration fees and exemptions from number-coding schemes.

What hybrid Hondas would you like to see in our showrooms?

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