Honda to remain independent 
http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-remain-independent-93136.htmlHonda has reaffirmed that, unlike its main rivals, it's not interested in creating an alliance with another automaker.
RThe brand sells about five million cars annually, and executives have no plans to drastically increase that figure in the near future.
"We don't have any aspirations to make it 10 million. We want to draw a line between those who want to do that and ourselves. We want to stay within the five million range," explained company boss Takahiro Hachigo in a recent interview with trade journal Automotive News.
Automakers looking to buy into Honda shouldn't hold their breath, but Hachigo's comments don't mean the company will remain completely isolated. Honda is open to working with other automakers when it makes sense; notably, it's currently developing hydrogen drivetrains with General Motors.
Honda will follow the rest of the auto industry's expensive shift towards electrification. Hachigo expects that two thirds of the cars Honda sells in the United States in 2030 will be electrified, so either hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric. Getting to that point will require substantial investments, but Honda is ready for the challenge.
"I'm not jumping at the news of other partnerships," added Hachigo. He's referring to Nissan's recent purchase of a controlling stake in Mitsubishi, and Toyota's collaboration talks with Suzuki. "We just want to be able to do what we want to do."
