The brand's future electrified sedan is revealed at a business presentation, amid the unpleasantness of the brand's first loss in seven decades
After recording a historic loss after 70 years of profit, Honda wants to turn things around. And to do so, it presented, during a business event in Torrance (California), two concepts that will serve as the basis for a future sedan and an SUV. The brand does not define which model it would be, but makes it clear that it will be the future hybrid generation of a sedan, which could be the Civic, as well as the Accord.
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The concept anticipates one of the 15 new electrified models that will be launched globally by 2030, with a main focus on the North American market, which reinforces the international press’s bet on stating that the model will shape the new Accord. That’s because the large sedan has great appeal there, but has seen its sales shrink.
Last year, 150 thousand units were sold in the United States. It may sound like a lot, but it’s the Accord’s worst performance since 1978. In 2023, when the current generation debuted, there were almost 200 thousand licenses there, which is also little for a model that, between the mid-1980s and 2010s, had an average of more than 300 thousand units.
Inevitably, the styling of the new Accord will also impact the next generation of Civic. The current model had its lines inspired by the previous generation of the bigger brother. And, in the same way, its sales cannot keep up with the pace of the past generation there.
The sedan’s styling follows the evolution of the current Accord and Civic language, with styling more focused on the fastback than on a three-hatchback with defined shapes. However, the study reveals more angular shapes.
The concept has a large glazed area, with a straight waistline and a front section with an optical set on two levels, with emphasis on the very tapered LED signature.
The concept is very close to what is expected from a finished car, with the use of conventional wheels, mirrors and door handles. Generally, concepts abuse exotic elements to attract the public’s attention.
According to the company’s global CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, the automaker will increase investments in the development and production of hybrid vehicles to accelerate the arrival of new products to the market. The strategy reinforces the company’s commitment to this technology as an alternative to meet environmental goals while the total transition to electric vehicles advances gradually.
Honda will reallocate more development and production resources to hybrid models in order to accelerate market launch ahead of schedule and increase the number of attractive products. We have made steady progress in developing technologies for hybrid vehicles, an area in which Honda has strengths, based on our conviction that hybrid models will continue to be the key to addressing environmental challenges.”
At the same meeting, Honda unveiled the concept of a future Acura-branded SUV. The Japanese luxury division for the North American market will gain a new electrified SUV.
The concept has a style closer to the brand’s visual language. However, it repeats the same recipe as the sedan, with a slender LED signature, but which maintains the style of the headlights of the other models of the brand, and the main reflectors below, next to the side niches.
It is also a car very close to the production model, as it has definitive parts and mandatory signal lights, which are usually omitted from the first style studies.
From 2027, Honda will begin the application of a new generation of its two-motor hybrid system, combined with an unprecedented platform. The manufacturer promises to increase the energy efficiency of future hybrid models by more than 10%, in addition to reducing the cost of the mechanical assembly by 30%. The new system will also feature more precisely controlled electric all-wheel drive.
Another highlight presented was the evolution of the next-generation ADAS system, scheduled to debut in 2028. The technology will allow integrated assistance in acceleration, braking and steering throughout the journey, both on highways and in urban areas, using data from the vehicle’s navigation system.
Honda also confirmed the expansion of hybrid production at the Marysville and East Liberty plants in the United States, in addition to the adaptation of all North American units to produce electrified vehicles. The company also announced plans to launch large-scale hybrid models starting in 2029.
