On the Dash:
- Honda dealers should expect hybrids, not EVs, to drive showroom traffic and sales growth in the near term.
- The Prologue’s retirement reflects continued softness in U.S. EV demand despite broader electrification efforts.
- Dealers may see increased emphasis on hybrid inventory as Honda expands its next-generation lineup.
Honda has informed its U.S. dealers that it will ax production of its Prologue later this year and stop sales after the 2026 model year, marking the automaker’s ongoing shift away from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in response to declining consumer demand.
The Prologue, Honda’s first mass-market EV in the U.S., was launched in 2024 and is produced in Mexico through a partnership with General Motors. However, with a 40% drop in Prologue deliveries, the company is redirecting its efforts toward expanding its hybrid lineup, which has experienced stronger consumer demand.
In June, hybrid models accounted for approximately one-third of Honda’s U.S. sales, bolstered by strong interest in the CR-V, Accord, and Civic. Previously, Honda had also canceled plans to introduce three new battery-electric vehicles from its manufacturing plant in Ohio, part of a larger strategic realignment.
The automaker now aims to launch 15 new hybrid models globally by March 2030, with North America designated as a key market. Despite this shift, Honda remains committed to EVs worldwide and may consider re-entering the U.S. market when demand for electric vehicles improves.
Nevertheless, Honda plans to continue selling used Prologue models through its certified pre-owned vehicle program. Company executives emphasize that maintaining a balanced portfolio of internal combustion, hybrid, and future electric vehicles is part of their long-term strategy.
