Last year, Honda announced that it would be quitting Formula One to focus on electric cars as part of its goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. The Japanese automaker has shown that it can make the electric car exciting with its first electric drag racer while its electric SUV that GM will build is quite a looker too. Those aren't the only vehicles we can look forward to seeing in action with electric power either. Honda has announced that it will be attending the 2021 Auto Shanghai Show later this month where it will reveal two new models: a prototype of the first Honda EV and a new plug-in hybrid.

Honda's exhibit will showcase the brand's new electrified offerings as well as its new CONNECT driver assistance system. But what could that new plug-in hybrid be? Speculation has pointed to a refreshed Honda CR-V Hybrid, and with Volkswagen in the race to outgun the SUV with its all-electric ID.4, now may be the perfect time to show the world that Honda still produces some of the best commuter cars in the world.

Honda's focus on electrification will be mirrored by Subaru's, as that brand also plans to present a new, as-yet-unnamed electric SUV at the show. Other automakers will also be presenting new innovations at the Chinese exhibit.

It will be exciting seeing what is unveiled at the show, one of the first major shows since the global pandemic last year threw everything into a state of uncertainty, and we're just happy that auto shows are taking place again. This one will be the 19th instalment of the Auto Shanghai Show that first took place in 1985, known officially as the International Automobile Industry Exhibition and will take place from April 21-28. It's a massive event and should put Honda's recent developments at the forefront of news next month, but plenty of rivals from within Japan and outside it will be looking to outshine the company. We'll report on all developments as they emerge.