The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), in collaboration with Gyeonggi Techno Park and Busan Techno Park, held the '2026 Inside Honda' showcase and consultation event on October 15 at Honda's Research and Development Center in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
As the Japanese automotive industry shows increasing interest in supply chain cooperation with domestic parts manufacturers, this event was organized to support collaboration with Honda following a similar initiative with Aisin last September.
In line with the industry's shift towards electrification and software-defined vehicles (SDVs), Japanese automakers are expanding partnerships with South Korean companies specializing in electrification and automotive electronics, moving away from their traditional reliance on subsidiaries.
Thirty leading domestic technology companies in the fields of SDVs, autonomous driving, automotive electronics, AI, and secondary batteries participated in the event. Representatives from Honda's purchasing and development departments, along with first- and second-tier suppliers, attended to observe the showcase and engage in one-on-one business consultations. Eight domestic companies with unique technologies also held technology presentation sessions.
This year's 'Inside Honda' event, held for the first time in two years, focused on securing specific procurement needs from Honda, including vehicle software, batteries, and thermal management systems, allowing for a selective approach to domestic participants. More than 50 in-depth consultations were conducted to facilitate practical supply and collaboration.
As Honda implements its 'Triple Half' strategy to reduce development costs, timelines, and workloads by half, the opportunity for South Korean companies with technological expertise and production capabilities to enter the market is expected to broaden.
KOTRA plans to continue supporting contract negotiations and new vendor registrations throughout the year, including local consulting and assistance for entering the Global Partnering (GP) Center.
Park Yong-min, head of KOTRA's Japan Regional Headquarters, stated, "Collaboration at Honda's core R&D hub is a significant achievement. We will do our utmost to help domestic future automotive parts companies enter the Japanese supply chain."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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