Asia Tech Wire (July 26) -- Honda Motor's two joint-venture electric vehicle plants in China will go into production in the second half of this year, as part of an effort to accelerate its electrification transition.

A new electric-only plant under construction in Wuhan with Dongfeng Motor will go into production in September 2024, while a brand-new new-energy vehicle plant in a joint venture with GAC Group will go into production in November 2024, Honda China said on Friday.

According to Honda, it currently has seven vehicle production lines in China, with a combined annual capacity of 1.49 million units.

Honda's joint venture with GAC Group, GAC Honda, plans to close its fourth production line, which has an annual capacity of 50,000 units, in October.

And Dongfeng Honda, Honda's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, plans to shut down its second production line, which has an annual capacity of 240,000 units, in November.

The Japanese automaker said the adjustments would bring its total vehicle production capacity in China to 1.2 million units from 1.49 million units.