Honda Handing Bigger Design Responsibility to North America

It appears that the decision to develop the new NSXAcura NSX ConceptJapan, 2012 > present19 photos
in the US might have just been the beginning for future in North America. Honda is handing control of several future products over to its North American division.

This decision comes from two factors. First and most importantly, the Japanese yen is currently very strong against the American dollar and Canadian dollar, and there are no signs that will change any time soon. That makes building cars in Japan and exporting them to North America very expensive. It also makes developing cars in Japan for North America more expensive.

Second, in the last year Honda has faced heavy criticism from automotive journalists and the highly respected US magazine Consumer Reports for the new CivicHonda Civic Gen.9Japan, 2011 > present85 versions
193 photos
. It is hoping that North American designers will do a better job appealing to consumers in the region. 

The first two cars to be designed by Honda R&D Americas will be the aforementioned NSX and the next Civic. The next Pilot SUVHonda Pilot Gen.2United States of America, 2009 > present18 versions
43 photos
is also getting North American development. 

"I'm not saying the scope of our activities is on a par with R&D operations in Japan that were established more than 50 years ago. But as an organization, our U.S. facilities and the skill level of our engineers have achieved full citizenship in r&d. We're now a big company. The question is do you play it safe, or do you swing for the fences. I like to swing," said Erik Berkman, President of Honda R&D Americas.

Honda R&D Americas was founded in 1985. Its test center is located in Raymond, Ohio, near Honda's Marysville, Ohio, factory. 

Source: Automotive News