Honda targets Acura output in China by 2016

Deal with Guangzhou likely to build compact SUV

(Reuters) -- Japan's Honda Motor Co. is planning to produce Acura cars in China with a local partner starting in 2016 to tap growing demand for luxury vehicles in the world's biggest auto market.

Honda said Thursday it has agreed with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. to jointly produce Acura cars in China. It did not provide other details including the anticipated size of production capacity or which models it plans to manufacture where.

A Beijing-based Honda spokeswoman said one Acura model that is likely to be produced in China is a new compact SUV that is not offered in the brand's product lineup today. The new model is likely to be based on a "concept" model -- the Acura SUV-X -- that it showed off at the Shanghai auto show in April, she said.
Honda's chief executive, Takanobu Ito, said at the Shanghai auto show that the Tokyo-based automaker planned to produce Acura cars in China within the next three years.

Guangzhou, China's sixth-largest carmaker ranked by sales, assembles Honda vehicles in China through a joint venture with the Japanese automaker.

Honda's move comes as a slew of global premium auto brands pile into China. One key factor for global automakers to ensure that an upscale brand succeeds in China is local production. Because of high tariffs charged on cars brought into China from overseas, it is difficult to generate volume unless a carmaker produces upscale cars locally in the country.

Audi AG, Mercedes-Benz and BMW all produce models in China with local partners.

General Motors has recently begun producing Cadillac cars in China. Among Japanese automakers, Nissan Motor Co. is building a factory in the eastern city of Dalian to produce some models for its upscale Infiniti brand.

Luxury vehicle demand in China is likely to reach 2.7 million cars a year by 2020, a level that would allow China to displace the United States as the world's biggest premium car market.


Source;
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130718/GLOBAL03/130719863/honda-targets-acura-output-in-china-by-2016#axzz2ZOkvVecg

Acura Concept SUV-X arrives in Shanghai

Production model due in three years 

Acura is previewing a new crossover with the Concept SUV-X exhibited at 2013 Auto Shanghai starting today.

The Japanese marque announced at the beginning of the month a new concept for the Chinese auto show and we assumed it was a crossover.

We were right as the Concept SUV-X is a small SUV which was designed specifically for the local market. It represents Acura's first ever concept to be unveiled outside of North America.

It has been confirmed a production version will go on sale in China in approximately three years from now.

The concept is being characterized as offering "emotional and sharp styling and driving performance" along with "environmental performance" and the utility you normally get in an SUV.

Unfortunately, Acura did not release any details about what powers the Concept SUV-X but most likely some form of hybrid tech is included.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113042056790/acura-concept-suv-x-arrives-in-shanghai-video