Honda closes European Design Studios

Honda has announced the closure of its automotive and motorcycle design departments at the European Research & Development Center based in Offenbach, Germany. The activities will end on 30 November 2009 after 17 years since opening.

Honda has announced that it wil close the Design Department of its European Research & Development Center based in Offenbach, Germany, as part of the company's measures aimed at limiting the losses of the economic crisis.

The current facility is a two-floors building with a 3,000 square meters area, which was inaugurated in 1992.

The design center created several concept cars, including the Neukom presented at the 1999 Tokyo Auto Show, the Small Hybrid Sports Concept (2007) and the OSM (Open Model) Concept (2008).

The Design Studio in Offenbach (Left map source: Bing)

The design department will cease its functions on 30 November 2009, while all the other research and development activities will remain.

The decision, made in September, follows Honda's absence from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the sale of the Formula One team and the temporary closure of the UK-based production plants.

The design activities for the motorcycles sector could be absorbed by the Honda studio in Rome, Italy, while a new role could be played by the small 200 square meters Advanced Design center "Segno Milano Srl" opened in 2001 and located in Milan.

(Source: Car Design News via Virtual Car)