Honda Prelude Concept Makes Surprise North American Debut

Prelude to the Future

The hybrid-electric Honda Prelude Concept made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, demonstrating Honda’s commitment to offering exhilarating products moving into the electrified future. With an iconic nameplate that symbolizes the importance of its role in the Honda electrification strategy, the star of the recent Japan Mobility Show represents a prelude to future electrified Honda models created to advance the joy of driving.

“Honda hybrid-electric models have been doing a great job of furthering our electrification strategy and now represent one-quarter of Honda sales in 2023,” said Gary Robinson, vice president Auto Planning and Strategy, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Displaying the hybrid Prelude Concept demonstrates our electrification strategy in a sporty and dynamic package.”

The sleek two-door coupe makes its North American debut 45 years after the first-generation Prelude entered production in November 1978. A favorite of automotive enthusiasts, the sports coupe remained in the Honda lineup for five-generations through the 2001 model year.

The Prelude Concept is displayed at the LA Auto Show through Nov. 26, alongside the 2024 Honda Prologue, the first all-electric Honda SUV, and the new Honda Motocompacto e-scooter, which went on sale earlier this month. The Prologue will begin arriving at Honda dealers early next year.

Honda Electrification Strategy

Toward its global goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050, Honda has a vision to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its new 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. Honda has already achieved record electrified vehicle sales in 2023, which now represent more than a quarter of the brand’s total sales. Additionally, hybrid-electric trims now make up more than half of all CR-V and Accord sales, and Honda will introduce a new Civic hybrid next year. Honda’s cumulative sales of electrified vehicles now tops the one million mark.

In early 2024, Honda will begin sales of the Honda Prologue, Honda’s first all-electric SUV. Following the Prologue, in 2025, a mid- to large-size EV model based on Honda’s own EV architecture will go on sale.