Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Japan dedicated to producing its next-generation fuel cell system, which is being independently developed by the company. The plant is set to begin operations during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028 (FY2028).
The facility will be located on part of the land and buildings of Honda’s Powertrain Unit Factory in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture. This site ceased production of automobile powertrain components in October 2024. Marking a significant milestone, this will be Honda’s first plant exclusively designed for the production of fuel cell systems. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the plant aims to achieve high-efficiency and high-quality production with an annual capacity of 30,000 units.
To support the establishment of this new facility, Honda anticipates receiving a government subsidy under a project led by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This initiative is part of the country’s broader GX (green transformation) strategy, which seeks to establish sustainable supply chains and advance carbon neutrality goals by 2050.
Honda’s hydrogen business forms a key pillar of its growth strategy, and the company is focusing on four primary domains for deploying its fuel cell technology: fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), commercial vehicles, stationary power stations, and construction machinery. By leveraging its innovative fuel cell system, Honda aims to secure a 5% share of the fuel cell-powered truck market by 2030 and ambitiously targets a 30% market share by around 2040.
*Note: GX (green transformation) refers to the process of transitioning from a fossil fuel-dependent society to one powered by clean energy, aligning with global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.
