Honda cancels Next Generation NSX

In his 2008 year-end speech, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui has announced the cancellation of a new NSX supercar.The company has also withdrawn its plan to introduce the Acura brand to Japan in 2010.

Painting a gloomy picture of the year ahead, the speech reiterated Honda’s goal of refocusing on core, profitable business.

Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced the move in his end of year speech, saying that all development of the car would be cancelled.

Badged as an Acura – Honda’s premium marque in the U.S. – the ‘Advanced Sports Car Concept’ first rolled out at Detroit in 2007.

Since then, it has been hit by a series of delays, in particular due to the design that had left bosses unhappy.

The original Honda NSX is held in high regard by many enthusiasts. Designed in part by Ayrton Senna, it was produced between 1990 and 2005.

Just over a week ago Honda announced it was pulling out of Formula One, in order to concentrate on essential business activities.

The Honda boss had previously emphasised the importance of the NSX to Honda’s brand, unequivocally telling Autocar at the end of last year: “The new supercar is necessary for Honda.”

Fukui had decided to concentrate on Honda’s environmental credentials. He believes that hybrid drivetrains offer “the most realistic path for CO2 reduction at this moment”. This means that Honda will focus its energy on developing hybrid technologies and “achieving mass market penetration as soon as possible”.

The cancellation of the Honda NSX will come as a bitter disappointment to fans of the old model, which finally went off sale in 2005, after 15 years in production.

“The situation is worsening day by day and is showing no sign of recovery,” said Mr Fukui.

The company expects flat sales throughout 2009, except in North America, where large falls are anticipated.