Honda has revealed that it initially intended to introduce its all-electric e subcompact hatch available to the United States market.

While speaking with Jalopnik at the Tokyo Motor Show, the small EV’s project leader, Kohei Hitomi, expressed his disappointment that customers in the U.S. won’t be offered the e.

“I really wanted to have that one as well in the U.S…I personally wanted to see it. This car in size… for [an] EV, will be a perfect fit.”

Kohei added that, when Honda was initially formulating the small electric hatchback, it intended on selling it Stateside., but a decision was made roughly three years ago to cut-out the U.S. market. According to Kohei, that was due to concerns that it might not have sold particularly well: “The biggest worry is maybe there would be no demand,” he said.

Also Read: Honda Wants To Sell At Least 10,000 e EVs Annually In Europe

Honda was probably right to decide against selling the e in the United States. After all, consumers in the U.S. aren’t overly fond of small hatchbacks and much prefer crossovers and SUVs, while EVs haven’t taken off either – at least not yet.

Sales of the e will initially be exclusive to Europe, where it believes it will be able to deliver around 10,000 units annually. That is double the amount it forecast two years ago, when the e was previewed in concept form as the eye-catching Urban EV. While this might sound like an ambitious target Honda says it has already received more than 40,000 expressions of interest.

Prices for the Honda e start in Germany at €33,850 ($37,680) before incentives.

Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well
Honda’s E Electric Hatch Was Originally Going To Be Sold In The U.S. As Well