The challenge of introducing an all-electric model into an increasingly difficult market has forced Honda to delay the rollout of the essential software solutions to support online sales.

Last autumn, Honda introduced a component of direct e-commerce sales in what it termed the "lightest touch" agency approach and planned for the recently launched electric SUV, the e:Ny1, to be the first candidate model when order books opened at year-end.

Honda explained at the time that this non-genuine agency approach was established as a basic legal requirement which permitted direct sales but insisted that its intention was to maintain a seamless experience for customers who may still prefer the traditional dealership route to purchasing a new car.

The new approach lies essentially in offering the option to order online, complete portions of the purchase digitally, or opt for that tried and tested in-dealership route in an effort to provide consumers with more choice.

To support this transition, Honda planned to update its back-end systems with a software-as-a-service solution that its dealer partners would use to guarantee that seamless service.