Acura is revamping its product playbook regarding electrification—now turning its focus to the hybrid market.
The details: After previously showing little interest in the gasoline-electric vehicles, the Honda-owned premium brand has clearly shifted its perspective on hybrids—though the specifics of its product plans in the sector are sketchy at this point.
Some speculate that Acura’s initial hybrid model could be a variant of the MDX crossover—especially given Honda’s plan for a hybrid system for larger vehicles.
For context: Honda’s $1 billion investment in its Ohio, Marysville plant, announced in February, will likely play a key role in Acura’s hybrid strategy, given that it will enable the automaker to build internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid-electric, and battery electric vehicles (EVs) on the same production lines.
What they’re saying: “It has always been an option, but now we are taking this [hybrid] option very seriously,” said Katsushi Inoue, Senior Managing Director/Chief Officer of Automotive Operations at Acura (via Edmunds).
Why it matters: Acura’s hybrid play could help draw more consumers to the premium brand—building on Honda’s sales success in the sector with variants like the hybrid Accord, which accounted for 56% of the model’s sales in the first half of 2025.
Between the lines: Acura’s plans to add hybrids to its lineup come amid growing consumer demand for the gasoline-electric powertrain-based vehicles—amid slowing sales for all-electric vehicles in the U.S. and the elimination of the federal EV tax credit that will end September 31.
In Q1 2025, hybrids made up roughly 14% of all light vehicles sold in the U.S., which was double the market share of fully electric vehicles during the same period.
Brands—spanning Chevrolet to Toyota—are looking to ramp up on hybrid models, with Hyundai reportedly having a 300-horsepower hybrid Tucson in the works.
Bottom line: Acura shifting focus to hybrids in the EV space–supported by Honda’s $1B Ohio plant upgrade for flexible production—is a necessity for the brand, given the growing demand for hybrids. However, quick, competitive execution will be key against rivals.
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