Honda R&D Americas, Inc., today opened an Advanced Design Studio in downtown Los Angeles for the creation of future Honda and Acura automobile and mobility design concepts. The studio, one of three Honda maintains in the Los Angeles area, was previously located in Pasadena, Calif., and is expanding the scope of its responsibilities, taking on a lead role within Honda R&D's global advanced automobile design activity.
"This new facility in the heart of Los Angeles' very progressive and high-energy fashion, arts and cultural scene is a great place for designers to be able to think about the challenge of future design," said David Marek, division director of auto design for Honda R&D Americas. "In addition to styling, we'll be looking at changing consumer lifestyles and attitudes, and the multitude of other factors that will impact our designs of the future."
Honda R&D Americas operates three distinct design studios as part of its Los Angeles Center – the new Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles, and two Torrance-based studios, the Honda Design Studio and Acura Design Studio, which are responsible for the styling design of new Honda and Acura vehicles.
The new Advanced Design Studio is a 6,500-square-foot, futuristic and creative workspace focused on the theme of mobility. It includes a conference room fashioned from a shipping container, and a louvered projection wall showcasing both new and classic Honda product designs and technology. The studio is equipped with the latest computer-aided design tools allowing designers to realize their ideas rapidly in virtual and physical space. Full-size models and prototypes are created through collaboration with the company's Torrance-based operations.
Honda R&D established Advanced Design Studio in 2006, in Pasadena, Calif. The studio developed numerous concept vehicles that were showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show, including the REMIX small sport concept (2006), the three-seat FC Sport hydrogen sports car (2008), and the Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) city coupe concept (2009).
About Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. (HRA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., the research and development arm of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. HRA began its operations in California in 1976, as Honda Research California, with a focus on local market research activities. The company has steadily grown its local footprint and capabilities over the past 36 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development. Today, HRA operates 14 major R&D facilities in North America with more than 1,800 designers, engineers and support personnel engaged in the development of new Honda and Acura automobiles, as well as Honda powersports and power equipment products, for North America and global markets. Recent new-product developments include the current Honda Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV, and the Acura TL sedan and MDX luxury SUV.
Honda media contacts:
Jeffrey Smith (American Honda Motor Co., Inc): (310) 781-5062, jeffrey_smith@ahm.honda.com
Jennifer Cody (American Honda Motor Co., Inc.) (310) 781-4399, jennifer_cody@ahm.honda.com
Edward Miller (Honda North America, Inc., Detroit): (937) 537-1087, ed_miller@hna.honda.com
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