Honda tests electric vehicle for China production
Honda Motor Co. started testing an electric Honda Fit small car in the south China city of Guangzhou this week to prepare for the vehicle's local production late next year.
The road tests will help Honda to identify any technical problems before it goes on sale, the company said in a statement.
The tests also will help Honda to verify the vehicle's range and plan accordingly for a network of recharging stations, Honda said.
The electric Honda Fit is expected to have a daily range of 150 km and a top speed of 144 km per hour.
The Fit will be the first electric vehicle assembled by a global brand in China. Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., the Japanese automaker's joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., will produce it.
Guangqi Honda is based in the southeast China city of Guangzhou.
Honda also says it plans to import the hybrid-powered CR-Z and a hybrid version of the Fit into China in 2012.
