SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Honda Pushes Forward With NEW Design Language And An All-New MPV Concept

At the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, it appears Honda decided to step up its game and bring something interesting to the plate. While the brand's cars are some of the most popular consumer products globally, we reckon that its market share has been getting eroded — specifically from the Korean automakers, like Hyundai and Kia.

That's because their vehicles are more upmarket in feeling and are interesting.

It appears that message has finally hit home as Honda has decided to show off a product with a bit more POP than its typical, cookie-cutter designs. Its MPV concept, dubbed the "Concept M" is a pretty upmarket looking vehicle that is said to be a production version for the Chinese market.

If you were to ask me, I'd say that the Concept M looks like a second-generation Odyssey minivan that mated with a current gen Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid. It has that large mouthed facade that's flanked by LEDs and although its brash it does command a presence.

That said, is the boat finally headed in the right direction?


Honda's press release follows:

Introducing the "Concept M" new-value MPV concept model

The Concept M is a concept vehicle for the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) segment developed mainly for Chinese market. Currently, commercial vehicles account for the majority of the MPV market in China. To such an MPV market, Honda will introduce a new-value vehicle that offers the attributes of a passenger car while adding new value through the realization of a comfortable and spacious cabin space made possible by Honda's packaging technologies, and the fun of driving. The Concept M was designed by the design studio at the Automobile R&D Center of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. in Japan. Honda is making progress in the development of a mass-production vehicle based on this concept model aiming for market introduction next year.


Shanghai Motor Show Photo Gallery

qitcryn - 4/22/2013 10:23:17 AM

0 Boost

The only presence this demands is a trash can. And start over.
Designers are missing the mark with these high belt lines over the wheel wells. And the hood is TOO high.. it loses it's agressive front stance when your hood line is too high. The wheel fender flares are too thick for front and rear. And the rear flares start too soon. Makes the rear wheels look small. NOw i like the rear hazard lights and tail lights.. looks real sleek and modern. I don't like the drop trim under the rear license plates display. makes the rear deck lid to busy and takes away from the hazrd lights design. They need to drop the belt line 6-8 inches.
I wish i could post my rendering of my changes..

t_bone - 4/22/2013 3:41:14 PM

-1 Boost

Amen. But, at least the lightning bolt is gone from the sides. I was worried that one might start moving into all their products like the Acura beak.