Acura Affirms Hybrid Vehicles in Development, Shift towards Electric Vehicles Accelerates
Acura, the luxury division of Honda, has announced a significant shift in its vehicle production strategy, with the unveiling of the RSX EV prototype and plans to introduce hybrid vehicles into its lineup.
The RSX EV prototype, a high-performance electric SUV, marks the first model to be built on Acura's new in-house EV platform. Katsushi Inoue, senior managing director and chief officer of automotive operations at Honda Motor Co., made the announcement, stating that the RSX EV prototype will showcase the future of Acura design and technology.
In a departure from its previous plan to focus exclusively on fully electric vehicles, Acura's decision to introduce hybrids was made in response to changing market conditions and consumer demand. The first new Acura hybrid model expected to be introduced in September is the Acura RSX Prototype.
Acura's Ohio-based flexible manufacturing facility will produce electric vehicles, in addition to internal combustion and hybrid vehicles, allowing for quick adaptation of output based on evolving customer preferences. This facility will be the production site for the RSX EV prototype, being the first vehicle produced at the Ohio facility using its flexible manufacturing lines.
The RDX and MDX crossovers are considered likely candidates for hybrid retrofitting, as Honda has not disclosed which models will receive hybrid powertrains. Both all-new hybrid models and hybrid variants of existing vehicles are being explored.
Acura's continued investment in EV development ensures that the company remains committed to the electric vehicle market, despite the increased emphasis on hybrids. The process of retrofitting hybrid systems into current platforms is complex and could take several years, but Acura is dedicated to delivering a diverse range of eco-friendly vehicles to meet the needs of its customers.
In addition to these developments, Honda is also expected to unveil a new hybrid Prelude in September. The Ohio facility will also continue to build ICE, hybrid, and electric models on shared production lines for flexibility, further demonstrating Acura's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
The RSX EV prototype, as a high-performance electric SUV, further diversifies Acura's vehicle lineup and underscores the company's dedication to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology. With the introduction of both hybrid and electric vehicles, Acura is poised to continue its leadership in the luxury automotive sector.
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