Honda has reaffirmed its intention to remain active in the Australian market, outlining a product rollout strategy aimed at improving its current ranking - 19th on the national sales chart.

The announcement was made during a media briefing last week. Honda Australia President and CEO Jay Joseph, who assumed the role in April 2025, declined to specify a sales target or ideal market ranking, but acknowledged that the brand is not meeting expectations.

"There is potential to increase the number of customers served annually compared to the current figures," Joseph stated.

While not providing projections for market share or sales volume, he noted that expanding the product range may support efforts to improve performance.

In the short term, Honda Australia will reopen order books for the Civic Type R, with a launch scheduled for August. Unlike in Europe, where the model was withdrawn due to emissions regulations, Honda Australia plans to continue offering the Civic Type R, subject to global production capacity and market prioritisation.

Availability will remain limited, with Australian allocations determined by international supply constraints.

Toward the end of the first quarter of 2026 (January-March), updated versions of the CR-V and ZR-V SUVs will be released in Australian showrooms. These models will offer hybrid powertrains beyond the current top-tier variants.

This expansion of hybrid offerings is projected to increase hybrid penetration from approximately 50% in 2025 to up to 95% by 2026.

At present, the most affordable ZR-V and CR-V hybrids are priced at AUD 54,900 and AUD 59,900 (US$ 35,600-38,800) drive-away, respectively, and are currently offered only in front-wheel-drive flagship configurations.

Honda Australia has confirmed that the updated ZR-V and CR-V will include all-wheel-drive hybrid variants, although it has not been confirmed whether both models will receive this option.

The facelifted models are also expected to address the four-star ANCAP safety ratings previously received. Both missed a five-star rating by two percentage points in the safety assist category.

By mid-2026, the Prelude will return to Australian showrooms and will be positioned alongside the Civic Type R. While not projected to significantly affect sales volume, the Prelude will be offered as an automatic, front-wheel-drive hybrid coupé.

Later in 2026, Honda Australia is scheduled to introduce its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), though further specifications have not yet been confirmed.

The most probable model is the e:N1, already available in New Zealand. If introduced, it would enter the Australian market as a small, zero-emissions SUV positioned against the Kia EV3, BYD Atto 3, and the next-generation Nissan Leaf.

The e:N1 is produced in Thailand for New Zealand, while the European version - marketed as the e:Ny1 - is manufactured in China through Honda's joint ventures with Dongfeng and Guangqi.

Another possibility is the production version of the unnamed electric hatchback shown at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Beyond 2026, Honda has indicated interest in introducing new nameplates across additional market segments, although no further details have been provided.

Currently, Honda Australia's line-up consists of the Civic and Accord in the small and large passenger car categories, and the HR-V, ZR-V, and CR-V in the light, small, and medium SUV segments.

The reintroduction of previously discontinued nameplates such as the Jazz, City, and Odyssey is not planned.

Honda Australia has reported a decline in sales performance in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The company previously recorded higher volumes prior to transitioning to a fixed-price agency model in 2021, and it has since operated under a revised annual sales target.