Honda posts first-ever loss, plans big hybrid pivot and scraps all-EV 2040 goal

Japan’s Honda (HMC) posted its first-ever loss in its nearly 80-year history, following a strategy shift from EVs, which cost it dearly. But a refocused plan to lean into hybrids and upbeat guidance for the year ahead have investors bullish. Honda said total EV-related losses for the fiscal year ended March 2026 came in 1.579 trillion yen ($10 billion), leading to an operating profit loss of 414.3 billion yen ($2.625 billion). “Although the automobile business faced a harsh business environment - including higher tariff burdens and lower unit sales due to factors such as semiconductor supply shortages — we implemented...