For the first time in Acura's 27-year long history, Honda's premium brand has introduced the world premiere of a concept car outside of North America with the new SUV-X at the Auto China 2013 in Shanghai, as further proof that the automaker wants to expand its global reach.
Acura describes the SUV-X as a "global concept vehicle for a small SUV developing primarily for the Chinese market" adding that it combines "sharp styling and driving performance" with "the environmental performance of a small vehicle and excellent utility of an SUV".
The Japanese carmaker revealed a production version of the SUV-X that will be built in China will follow in about three years from now, but did not share any technical details on the concept.
"We are planning to produce the mass-production model of the Acura Concept SUV-X locally in China," said Honda president Takanobu Ito during the presentation of the car in Shanghai.
He continued: "With the hope that our Chinese customers will more closely feel the values offered from Acura, we will begin preparing for the start of the local production. In China, where dynamic growth continues, both Acura and Honda will keep up our efforts to enhance products and technologies that will offer new joys of mobility to our customers."
Together with the SUV-X, Acura also exhibited the NSX Concept and the Chinese version of its RLX flagship saloon that goes on sale in China this June with a 3.5-liter V6.
