Honda Verifies Three-Year Product Plans for China

Honda Motor Co. says it will introduce at least 10 new or redesigned models in China between 2013 and 2015, including three hybrids: the CR-Z sport coupe, Insight sedan and Fit Hybrid.

Honda also plans to introduce an unspecified new hybrid system for medium and large vehicles, plus a plug-in hybrid system. In addition, the company says its Guangqi Honda venture with Guangzhou Automotive Group will begin making electric vehicles by year-end.

Honda says it will shift all vehicles it sells in China to the company's new line of Earth Dreams engines by 2015. Those powerplants are lighter and at least 10% more fuel efficient than the units they replace.

Honda aims to expand its Acura luxury car lineup in China by adding the ILX small sedan and RDX small crossover this year. Those models will be joined in 2013 by the flagship RLX large sedan unveiled last week in concept form at the New York auto show. Honda says it also will offer the American-made Acura NSX hybrid supercar in China when that all-wheel-drive model debuts about three years from now.

The company says it is mulling a plan to open a design studio somewhere in China. It also plans to begin promoting auto racing, a relatively new concept in China, by participating in this year's FIA World Touring Car Championship and China Touring Car Championship series.