Honda to outsource new platform's development to Tata – report

Indian automaker Tata will reportedly develop a new platform for Honda, although it's not clear which models would ride on the new architecture.

According to Bloomberg, the new platform will be used for a family of vehicles, and will support non-electrified internal combustion engines, as well as hybrid and pure-electric drivetrains.

Development work for the new platform will be done by Tata Technologies, the automotive, heavy machinery and aerospace engineering division that was originally established to design cars for Tata Motors.

Although it still does work for Tata Motors, it also has external clients, including BMW. Tata Technologies was partially listed on Indian stock exchanges in 2023, although Tata Motors retains a 53 per cent stake in the firm. Tata sells vehicles under its own brand, and also owns Jaguar Land Rover.

The business website's sources didn't disclose where vehicles based on the new Tata-developed platform will be sold.

We know Honda is developing a new "mid-size" platform internally. This architecture is set to debut in 2027, and will form the basis for the next-generation Civic and Acura RDX.

The Japanese automaker is also working on a new V6 hybrid drivetrain that will power many of its larger vehicles, such as the Pilot SUV, Ridgeline ute, and the North American Odyssey people mover.

This likely means the architecture being farmed out to Tata is for smaller vehicles.

Honda currently has a number of models primarily aimed at developing markets, including the Brio, City, Amaze, BR-V, WR-V and Elevate. All of these models need to be replaced by the end of the decade, with the oldest being the Brio (2018) and City (2019).

Historically, Honda has taken great pride in its engineering ability, and in earlier eras sought to differentiate itself through features like VTEC engines and double-wishbone suspension.

Aside from a few stop-gap models, Honda has largely shied away from rebadging vehicles from other companies. Some notable exceptions include the original Honda Passport (Isuzu Rodeo), Acura SLX (Isuzu Trooper), and Honda Crossroad (Land Rover Discovery).

In recent times there was also the Prologue, an electric SUV with a body and interior designed by Honda, but which rode on a GM architecture, used the General's Ultium battery system, and was built by the American automaker.

If Bloomberg's report is on the money, the Tata deal would be the first time Honda has outsourced so much development for a line of vehicles it will build.

This drastic move is likely a result of the company's first-ever annual loss, which the company announced earlier this year. Not long afterwards, Honda cancelled its controversially-styled 0 Series sedan and SUV, as well as the Acura RSX, months before they were due to go into production. It also canned the Afeela EV program developed by its joint venture with Sony.

A report in July indicated Honda and Nissan are close to signing a cooperation deal, which will see the two firms jointly develop electronic control units (ECUs) and in-car operating systems. The two could also jointly develop models for the US market.

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