It appears Honda is seeking to play catch-up with electric vehicles by announcing big operational changes, including the formation of a new Electrification Business Development Operations department. Amongst the torrent of corporate buzzwords, Honda also announced it's reorganizing Regional Operations and Corporate Functions.

Until recently, it has looked like Honda isn't as sold on an all-electric future, but recently, the Japanese automaker announced a partnership with General Motors to produce a line of affordable electric vehicles. Honda also showed the fruits of its labor with Sony in the form of the Afeela brand's prototype.

Currently, Honda has six Regional Operations departments covering its global markets. They will be condensed into three departments: North America, China, and Associated Regions. Associated Regions will draw together Japan, Asia & Oceania, South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East Region into one. In theory, this should make Honda more nimble as it strives "to further accelerate its electrification business and create new value by leveraging its broad and expanding range of mobility products and services."

"Mobility products" also include its power products and motorcycles. Presumably, not yet its aircraft, though.

Honda is also creating new departments consisting of Corporate Strategy Operations and Corporate Administration Operations. The why of these departments is hidden in a long stream of corporate buzzwords, but it's clear that Honda is no longer hedging its bets over battery electrification being the industry's long-term solution to clean energy passenger cars. While it's still pushing its hydrogen development along, Honda's goal is for it to have 30 electric models available by 2030, and battery-powered cars are the most commercially viable solution.

Honda isn't the only Japanese automaker that has been either lagging or hedging its bets on electric vehicles. Toyota has seemed more interested in hybrid and hydrogen solutions, while Nissan has been busy digging itself out of a hole and only just got its second electric vehicle, the Ariya, into pre-order status. Subaru has to work with Toyota to get something rolling as well.