Honda Rules Out Manual Transmissions For Its Electric Vehicles

Honda is outlining its strategies for the switch to EVs. Sports cars and possibly even an NSX are part of that shift, but manual transmissions are probably not. According to Car and Driver, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe and Head of Electrification Shinji Aoyama indicated the carmaker was unlikely to build shift-yourself EVs.

This contrasts with Dodge and Toyota, who have experimented with simulated manual transmissions or driver involvement in an electric vehicle (EV) transmission. Although they acknowledge the possibility, the Honda executives don't seem particularly interested.

"Artificially, we can do it. Mechanically, it is not easy," Aoyama said in a roundtable interview with Car and Driver.

He compared the idea behind fake shifting to that of mimicked EV sounds, such as the one Dodge is advertising for the EV Charger. Although both concepts have supporters, Aoyama claims he is not a supporter of either. Honda will look for further ways to make its cars enjoyable to drive, Aoyoma told the portal.

The CEO, Mibe, added that while Honda's sports cars will be distinct from the competition, things are going to change. "I'm not sure if we can replace the manual transmission," he told Car and Driver.

Photo credit: CAR AND DRIVER

In a separate roundtable interview with Road & Track, Mibe stated that Honda will need to develop fresh strategies to make its sports cars compelling.

“So far, Honda’s selling points [for sports cars] have been Honda’s engines and the manual transmission," Mibe told R&T through an interpreter. "But from now on, we would like to be able to come up with cars that are loaded with technology that gives it the fun to drive features and are fun to drive in the age of electrification”

It is unclear exactly how Honda will distinguish its vehicles from those of its rivals. However, the company already has EV sports car prototypes, and according to Mibe, "that vehicle is undoubtedly more fun to drive than the six-speed manual transmission vehicle."