JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2025

Japan remains focused on the future of mobility

- SANEET DSILVA

I attended the Japan Mobility Show 2025 with a simple expectation.

Japan has always shaped mobility with a quiet and steady sense of purpose. There is no loud evangelism here. No flashy claims about disruption. Instead, there is a method. The show used to be the Tokyo Motor Show. The new name suggests a wider approach to transportation. In truth, the halls have always hosted future-leaning ideas. Personal pods. Compact mobility devices. Unusual concepts. That spirit continues. What has changed is the nature of the exhibits. There were fewer full production global debuts and more concepts showing intent. Most manufacturers chose to talk about roadmaps and readiness rather than final sheet metal launches. The real takeaway is that Japan is not rushing. It is planned. That becomes clear when you look closely at the stands of Honda, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Lexus.

HONDA

Clear signals and a reset of intent

Honda arrived at the show with clarity. For some time, the company appeared unsure about its next moves in the EV era. Honda has always had engineering capability. It has delivered iconic engines and dynamic cars in the past. Recently, it has felt quieter. In Tokyo, the brand showed a shift. There was no nostalgia. The focus was on its next decade and India featured in that plan. The message was simple. Honda will build EVs for India and it will scale its SUV portfolio.

Honda Q & EV

The Honda 0 α SUV concept forms the entry point to Honda's new 0 Series EV family. This is a global model with India positioned as a core market. Honda confirmed production for India and Japan beginning in 2027. Unlike the larger 0 SUV that will come through the CBU route to India next year, the 0 α will be produced locally. This is a strategic decision and marks an important shift in Honda's India EV approach.