July 21, 2026 (MLN): In a major commitment to the world's largest automobile market, Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (HMCI), a wholly-owned Honda subsidiary in China, announced on July 20, 2026, that Honda and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC Group) have officially signed an agreement to extend the term of their joint venture, GAC Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. (GAC Honda), through 2038.

Decades of Innovation and Growth

Originally established in July 1998 under the name Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., GAC Honda stands as Honda's first automobile production and sales joint venture in China.

The joint venture officially kicked off automobile production in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in March 1999.

GAC Honda revolutionized the local automotive landscape by introducing a first-of-its-kind "four-in-one" automobile sales and service network. This innovative approach seamlessly integrates:

• Sales

• Service

• Parts supply

• Customer feedback and information management

This customer-focused strategy has fueled massive success, driving GAC Honda to a total cumulative sales volume of more than 11 million units.

Navigating China’s EV Era

With China maintaining its position as the world's largest automotive market by volume, market competition is rapidly accelerating around electrification and intelligent vehicle technologies.

By extending the joint venture through 2038, Honda aims to fully leverage the combined technologies and resources of both Honda and GAC Group. The partnership plans to deliver diverse, high-tech products tailored to evolving market demands and further reinforce Honda’s footprint in China.

GAC Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. Overview

Timeline: Honda’s Automotive Journey in Guangzhou

The extension through 2038 marks the latest milestone in nearly three decades of growth for Honda in Guangdong Province:

• 1997: Signed a basic agreement on a passenger vehicle project in China.

• 1998: Signed joint venture agreements establishing Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Dongfeng Honda Engine Co., Ltd.

• 1999: Began Accord production at the Guangzhou Honda plant in Huang Pu District, Guangzhou.

• 2003: Established Honda Automobile (China) Co., Ltd., Honda's first Chinese plant dedicated exclusively to exports.

• 2006: Started automobile production at the Guangzhou Honda plant in ZengCheng, Guangzhou.

• 2007: Established Guangzhou Honda Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd. as an R&D subsidiary.

• 2009: Rebranded Guangzhou Honda to GAC Honda Automobile Co., Ltd.

• 2015: Formed GAC Honda Automobile Sales Co., Ltd. as a dedicated sales subsidiary.

• 2016: Surpassed the 5 million-unit milestone in cumulative sales.

• 2020: Absorbed export-focused subsidiary Honda Automobile (China) Co., Ltd. into GAC Honda.

• 2023: Surpassed the 10 million-unit milestone in cumulative sales.

• 2024: Began operations at the Development District NEV Factory, a dedicated New Energy Vehicle production plant.

• 2025: Made Dongfeng Honda Engine Co., Ltd. a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAC Honda, renaming it GAC Honda Engine Co., Ltd.

• 2026: Extended the joint venture term with GAC Group through 2038.