Honda slashes the Accord’s price by up to $14,000 (42%) in China, the deepest discount for a joint‑venture sedan. Discover the reasons and benefits for buyers.
In a bold move to revive interest in its mid‑size sedan lineup, GAC Honda announced a limited‑time promotion that knocks more than 100,000 CNY (about $14,600) off the list price of the Accord e:PHEV plug‑in hybrid. The discounted price of 138,800 CNY (≈ $20,280) is a 42 % reduction from the original 238,800 CNY (≈ $34,890) and applies to only 1,000 units.
Why the steep discount?
The price cut comes amid a sharp slump in China’s automotive market, especially in the highly competitive 100,000‑150,000 CNY ($14,600‑$21,900) segment. GAC Honda’s own sales data show a 69.86 % year‑over‑year drop in January 2026, with just 4,558 units sold, and a 25.22 % decline in total 2025 deliveries, falling to 351,900 cars.
By contrast, GAC’s electric‑vehicle subsidiary Aion reported a 171.63 % surge, delivering 21,600 units in the same month, underscoring the rapid shift toward electrified models.
Price wars among joint‑venture brands
Honda isn’t the only Japanese‑owned JV feeling the pressure. GAC Toyota is offering subsidies of up to 22,000 CNY (≈ $3,210) for its Wildlander SUV, while Dongfeng Nissan has cut up to 21,000 CNY (≈ $3,070) from upgraded Teana sedans and 10,000 CNY (≈ $1,460) from the compact Sylphy.
China’s broader auto slowdown
The China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) recorded an all‑time low sales index of 31.1 in January, reflecting weak consumer demand. To stimulate purchases, many manufacturers are extending low‑interest financing and other financial incentives.
Accord’s positioning and the anniversary tie‑in
The Accord e:PHEV sits in the mid‑size sedan class, competing with both traditional internal‑combustion models and newer electric offerings. GAC Honda says the discounted units are part of a special promotion celebrating the Accord’s 50‑year global legacy that began in 1976. Details on production and sales plans after the promotion ends remain undisclosed.
What’s happening elsewhere?
In Vietnam, Honda halted Accord sales in January and has no immediate plans to re‑introduce the model. The car struggled throughout 2025, selling only 42 units all year, with several months recording single‑digit or zero sales—far behind rivals such as the Toyota Camry (2,489 units) and Kia K5 (267 units).
Despite the Vietnamese setback, the Accord continues to be offered in other Southeast Asian markets, notably Thailand.
Accord performance in the United States
In the U.S., Honda delivered about 150,196 Accords in 2025, a modest 1.5 % increase over 2024 but still well below the peak of more than 322,000 units sold in 2017.
Global shift toward electrified models
Globally, the Accord is undergoing a major transformation. While traditional sedan sales are declining, electrified versions are booming. Honda reports that in 2025, over half of all Accord sales came from hybrid or plug‑in electric variants, highlighting the brand’s pivot toward greener mobility.
These developments illustrate the intense price competition and rapid electrification sweeping the automotive industry—trends that are reshaping how iconic models like the Honda Accord stay relevant in a changing market.