It’s car show season, and there are some interesting vehicles coming out of Japan. Whether these concept cars ever make it to production is still a question. But for now, Honda is giving a glimpse of its future designs.
The Honda ‘0’ Saloon was just displayed at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, and Honda claims that the vehicle will go on sale in 2026, and will be built at its Marysville, Ohio plant.
It has a sleek silhouette, reminiscent of the wedge shaped cars of the 1970s like the Lotus Esprit and Lamborghini Countach. It’s pleasing to see that Honda’s vision of future cars is something other than oversized SUVs that have dominated the market for years. The company claims the electric vehicle will have a 300 mile (483 km) range, and can quick-charge from 15% to 80% in 15 minutes.
This polarizing design is not what the production car will look like. Part of what makes it look so sharp is the lack of door handles, turn signal lights, and side-view mirrors. And that nose, with the pointed curb-cruncher under the bumper, just isn’t realistic in anything other than a sports car.
Honda showed a nearly identical concept car called the Kiwami more than two decades ago, at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show.
It turned out to be nothing more than a styling exercise. Just look at those gull wing doors; imagine opening those in the rain or snow! Hopefully Honda can bring the ‘0’ to production without losing all of its style and character.
Marysville, Ohio! In my state! I don’t know if Honda does factory tours like Toyota does in Georgetown, KY, but that tour was one of the most Interesting places I have observed. Greg was a Toyota employee at the time so he was proud to show off his progressive company. The Honda concept car is as you mentioned most impractical, but has cool lines.
That’s so pleasing to hear, that the American auto worker has pride in their factory. The media has always taught me that disgruntled auto workers put empty beer cans inside car doors to rattle and drive owners crazy (and cost the company money trying to find/fix).
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I’m certain Greg is 100 times more than an auto worker… but you know what I mean. I’m glad to hear he was proud of the place.
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And for the record the Honda Heritage Center is in Marysville and gives tours of the plant, and has many many vintage race cars on display.
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In my article, I intentionally omitted that there was a Honda ‘0’ SUV and Honda ‘0’ Saloon car. The SUV looks totally conventional, and despite the massive blind spot in the back corners, will probably sell well. The Saloon (or what we North Americans call a sedan) is outrageous, ridiculous, impractical and I love it.
Greg’s role at Toyota focused on supporting suppliers throughout North America and working on takt time, kanbans, and the many features that make the Toyota production system what it is. It was an incredible gift for him to work there.
Whoever the media was talking about, it sure wasn’t Toyota!
Good to know about the Marysville plant. We might look at a tour/visit this summer.