The hybrid-electric Honda Prelude Concept made its first North American appearance at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show following its global debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, 45 years after the first-generation Prelude entered production in November 1978. A favorite of automotive enthusiasts, the sports coupe consistently introduced innovative new technologies to the Honda lineup and industry across its five generations, including four-wheel steering (4WS) and torque vectoring Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS).
Honda Prelude Concept.
Honda established a global goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its products and corporate activities by 2050. Toward that goal, the company’s vision is to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its vehicle sales by 2040.
Hybrid-electric vehicles are a key step in this Honda electrification strategy, which includes equipping its core models with hybrid-electric powertrains—with the company celebrating 25 years of hybrid sales in America. Honda has achieved record electrified vehicle sales in 2024, which now represent more than a quarter of the brand’s total sales. Hybrid-electric trims currently make up more than 50% of Accord and CR-V sales, and the newly introduced Civic hybrid is expected to ultimately represent about 40% of Civic sales. Cumulative sales of Honda electrified vehicles top one million.
This month, Honda celebrates 25 years of hybrid sales in America. Honda began sales of the first-generation Honda Insight, America’s first hybrid-electric model in December of 1999.
Honda began sales this year of the Honda Prologue, the brand’s first all-electric SUV. Late next year, Honda will begin production of the first EVs based on the new Honda-developed EV platform at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.
