Honda changes plan to build production plant for fuel cell module
The original plan was to utilize part of the land and buildings of a former Honda Powertrain Unit Factory in Moka City, and begin operation of a dedicated plant to produce the next-generation fuel cell module developed independently by Honda.
Honda Motor has decided to make changes to the previously announced plan to begin operation of a plant in Moka City, Tochigi, Japan, dedicated to the production of the next-generation fuel cell module.
The original plan was to utilize part of the land and buildings of a former Honda Powertrain Unit Factory in Moka City, and begin operation of a dedicated plant to produce the next-generation fuel cell module developed independently by Honda.
Preparation for this project was already underway, with an aim to begin operation of the plan in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028 (FY2028) with annual production capacity of 30,000 units. However, in light of recent changes in the global hydrogen market environment, Honda reassessed the plan in the direction to reduce initial production capacity and delay the timing to begin full production, the company said in a media release.
The original plan had qualified to receive a government subsidy under a project led by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to support the establishment of supply chains consisting of Japanese manufacturing companies in the GX (green transformation) area. However, Honda decided to opt out of the program as its revised plan will no longer fulfill the requirement of starting operation before the end of the FY2028 with an annual production capacity of more than 20,000 units, the media release said.