Honda has made a significant announcement in the electric vehicle (EV) market, revealing the Acura RSX as its first original EV built on its own platform. The RSX, set to debut in 2026, will not only mark a milestone for Honda but also introduce the company's proprietary Asimo operating system.

The Acura RSX is based on the Performance concept introduced last year and will be the first EV to utilize Honda's new vehicle platform. This move signals Honda's shift towards developing its own technology, moving away from partnerships with other automakers. Currently, Honda's two battery-electric vehicles in the US, the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX, are built on General Motors' Ultium vehicle platform.

The RSX will also be the first EV to be built at Honda's new factory in Ohio, a $4.4 billion joint venture with LG Chem, the Korean battery company. Production is expected to begin in late 2025. This new factory is a significant investment for Honda, demonstrating its commitment to electric vehicle production.

The resurrection of the RSX badge, first used in the early 2000s as Acura's performance brand, is a strategic move by Honda. The company is also bringing back the Prelude as a sporty, two-door hybrid. According to Lance Woelfer, VP of automobile sales at American Honda Motor Co., "In RSX, we turn to an Acura nameplate that communicates fun to drive performance, a great name for a sporty SUV with a coupe silhouette for our first original Acura EV."

The Asimo operating system, named after Honda's retired Asimo humanoid robot, is a significant development for the company. At CES, Honda announced that Asimo would be its first effort at designing a software-defined vehicle, where updatable software controls the vehicle's core functions. The OS will also underpin Honda's new Honda Zero vehicles, with the first being the Honda 0 SUV.

Jessica Fini, Honda's assistant VP for communications, emphasized the significance of Acura in Honda's electrification and digital future, stating, "So it works out that Acura is once again, sort of the tip of the spear for electrification and our digital future."

The Acura RSX's debut in 2026 will be a crucial moment for Honda, marking its transition towards original electric vehicle production. As the company continues to invest in its own technology, it will be interesting to see how the RSX performs in the market and what implications this has for the broader electric vehicle industry.

With the RSX, Honda is not only expanding its electric vehicle offerings but also demonstrating its commitment to innovation and technological advancement. As the company continues to push the boundaries of electric vehicle production, it will be essential to monitor its progress and the impact it has on the industry as a whole.