“The return of the Honda Prelude as a hybrid-electric sports model demonstrates our continued commitment to offer a variety of exhilarating products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales. “The first three products in the Honda lineup in the 1970s were Civic, Accord, and Prelude, and soon all three will be back together again in our passenger car lineup as hybrids.”
The hybrid-electric Prelude Concept first turned heads at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, following its global debut earlier in the year at the Japan Mobility Show. This announcement comes 45 years after the first-generation Prelude entered production in November 1978. Over its five generations, the Prelude earned a devoted following, debuting pioneering technologies like four-wheel steering (4WS) and the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS), which elevated both Honda’s engineering credentials and driving performance.
A Broader Vision for Electrification
The Prelude’s return underscores Honda’s ambitious push toward electrification. By 2050, the company aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all products and corporate activities, with a vision to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles account for 100% of its global sales by 2040.
Hybrid-electric vehicles are playing a pivotal role in Honda’s transition. The company is equipping its core models with hybrid powertrains, celebrating 25 years of hybrid sales in the U.S. This year, Honda achieved record sales of electrified vehicles, which now constitute more than 25% of its total sales. Models like the Accord and CR-V have seen hybrid trims comprise over half of their sales, while the newly introduced Civic hybrid is expected to reach 40% of Civic sales.
To date, Honda has sold over one million electrified vehicles in the U.S., beginning with the first-generation Honda Insight, America’s inaugural hybrid-electric car, which launched in December 1999.
Next-Generation Electrification Efforts
Honda’s foray into fully electric vehicles is well underway. The brand’s first all-electric SUV, the Honda Prologue, hit the market this year, while production of EVs built on Honda’s new dedicated platform is set to begin at its EV Hub in Ohio in late 2025.
At CES 2024, Honda unveiled two concept models in its groundbreaking Honda 0 Series: the Saloon and the Space-Hub. Positioned as a flagship, the production model of the Saloon is scheduled for release in 2026, with manufacturing also planned for the Ohio EV Hub. By 2030, Honda aims to introduce seven Honda 0 Series models worldwide, ranging from small to large formats.
These developments follow Honda’s 0 Tech Meeting in Tokyo earlier this year, where the automaker showcased next-generation technologies to be integrated into the 0 Series. Another milestone is anticipated at CES 2025, where Honda plans to unveil a new model embodying the cutting-edge advancements outlined at the tech summit.
With the Prelude’s return and a slate of innovative electrification initiatives, Honda is poised to balance its storied past with a forward-thinking future, ensuring its place in the evolving automotive landscape.