Honda CEO Admits Chinese EV Makers Are Far Ahead

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe has admitted the Japanese automaker is struggling to keep up with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers after visiting a highly automated EV plant in China earlier this year.

According to a report, Mibe came away deeply concerned by the speed and efficiency of Chinese production lines, saying Honda had little chance of matching that level of execution.

“We have no chance against this,” he was quoted as saying after the visit.

Mibe was particularly struck by the plant’s automation, from parts sourcing to logistics, with almost no visible human involvement on the production floor.

His remarks come at a difficult time for Honda and other global carmakers facing pressure in the EV race. The company was forced to adjust its strategy in mid-2025 after a sudden policy shift in the United States removed a longstanding tax credit for electric vehicles.

That change hit automakers hard. Ford and General Motors reportedly suffered multi-billion-dollar losses, while Honda’s losses were said to have crossed $15 billion.

Despite the setback, Mibe had previously said Honda still had a responsibility to move away from fossil fuels and help address rising global temperatures.

Honda disclosed its first annual loss in early March, adding to concerns about its position in an increasingly competitive EV market.