Honda to unveil coupe, people mover concepts at Beijing

The Japan-based manufacturer is looking to emerge from a horror 2011 in which it was hurt by Asia’s natural disasters and an ageing global product range, and these two low-resolution sketches show the brand’s intent to move forward.

The first (above) appears similar to the Honda Accord Coupe concept that debuted at the Detroit motor show earlier this year. The two share the same muscular rear guards and feature lines rising from the front wheel arches.

The Chinese concept could get more dramatic front-end styling than the Detroit concept, potentially with bolder headlights and a larger grille.

The second has people mover proportions and appears to share design cues with both the international and US versions of the Honda Odyssey.

Honda has released no details on either concept, other than that they will specifically “focus on Chinese customers” when they make their world premiere on April 23.

Honda is expanding aggressively into China this year and has an ambition to double its sales beyond 1.2 million vehicles by 2015. Despite massive growth by other manufacturers in the region, Honda’s sales slipped 4.5 per cent last year to 617,764.

New products and high technology will be at the forefront of Honda’s push to achieve its targets. It plans to launch 10 all-new or new-generation models between 2013 and 2015, each one with a fuel-efficient engine that applies the brand’s new Earth Dreams technology. Honda says it is striving towards having the most fuel-efficient vehicle in each segment of the Chinese market.

To that end, Honda will also introduce three hybrid models – CR-Z, Insight and Fit (Jazz) Hybrid – a plug-in hybrid and an electric vehicle, the latter of which will go into production later this year.