Honda discontinues hydrogen-fuelled Clarity FCV due to slow sales

Long-standing Legend and Odyssey models will also be discontinued as firm focuses on EV roll-out

Honda will cease production of the Clarity, its hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) car, because of low sales, according to Japanese publication Nikkei. It will also end production of the Legend and Odyssey MPV.

The Clarity was the Japanese firm’s first FCEV model when it launched six years ago, and the car’s plug-in hybrid variant will also be discontinued as the full EV version was in 2020. It is believed Honda will now focus on its electric future, but has not ruled out hydrogen technology in the future. 

It was a lease-only vehicle in countries where it was sold, and it is believed a poor hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and a high asking price of around £50,500 contributed to slow demand for the model. 

The car was never officially on sale in the UK, although six initial vehicles were sent to Europe to increase awareness and show the capabilities of fuel cell vehicles. Only two FCEV cars are on sale in the UK: the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo. 

The Japanese manufacturer has also discontinued two other models following slow sales. The high-end Legend saloon, which featured self-driving technology and dates back to 1985, and the Odyssey, which first hit the tarmac in 1994, will both cease production despite recent product refreshes. 

The Clarity, Legend and Odyssey were all constructed at Honda’s Sayama plant, which is set to close at the end of March 2022. 

Honda formed a partnership with General Motors in 2013 to develop fuel cell vehicles. This partnership will continue, and the Japanese firm will consider future hydrogen models, Nikkei Asia reports.

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