Honda closes European design studio
#1
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Honda closes European design studio
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/report-...ice-in-germany/
If this means more American designs in future product, it could be trouble...
The car design community has been sent reeling by word that Honda plans to close down its European design studio. The office forms part of Honda R&D Europe in Offenbach on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, and while the rest of the research and development facility will continue operating in other capacities, the design studio is reportedly being axed.
The two-floor, 3000-square-meter design studio at Offenbach opened its doors in 1992, and has since handled a variety of automotive and motorcycle design duties for the Japanese automaker – including the Open Study Model pictured above. The reported announcement of its closure arrives against the backdrop of cutbacks across the board for Honda, including its withdrawal from major auto shows, the sale of its (now championship-leading) Formula One team, and temporary closures at assembly plants.
While some of Offenbach's motorcycle design responsibilities are expected to transfer to Honda's comparatively tiny 200-square-meter studio in Milan, there's no telling what will happen to the company's automotive design unit. But if we were living and working in Frankfurt, we'd be pushing for a transfer to Italy like there was no tomorrow – because with the rate at which Honda has been cutting back overhead, we'd bet that's where the future is.
The two-floor, 3000-square-meter design studio at Offenbach opened its doors in 1992, and has since handled a variety of automotive and motorcycle design duties for the Japanese automaker – including the Open Study Model pictured above. The reported announcement of its closure arrives against the backdrop of cutbacks across the board for Honda, including its withdrawal from major auto shows, the sale of its (now championship-leading) Formula One team, and temporary closures at assembly plants.
While some of Offenbach's motorcycle design responsibilities are expected to transfer to Honda's comparatively tiny 200-square-meter studio in Milan, there's no telling what will happen to the company's automotive design unit. But if we were living and working in Frankfurt, we'd be pushing for a transfer to Italy like there was no tomorrow – because with the rate at which Honda has been cutting back overhead, we'd bet that's where the future is.
#3
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I guess I just caught it "hot off the press". Anyway, I loved the Euro-designed cars like the Civic, and the NA designed Acuras are wretched imo. I really hope NA design doesn't get more work because of this.
This give further credence to Honda going to one "world platform" Accord next generation. I bet it will consolidate its lineup into one subcompact, compact, and midsize car platform for all product worldwide, and a couple for unibody utes.
This give further credence to Honda going to one "world platform" Accord next generation. I bet it will consolidate its lineup into one subcompact, compact, and midsize car platform for all product worldwide, and a couple for unibody utes.
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Originally Posted by s2000raj,Oct 5 2009, 03:26 PM
Where were the current cars designed? Most current honda's and acuras are buttugly
Perhaps the designs are coming out of Europe and Honda's doing exactly what we wish them to do...
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#10
My first thought was this might slow the process of uglification... but then I don't know what they designed. Have they done anything production, or just far-fetched concepts everyone knew would never get built?
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