Exclusive Pictures: Honda Launches (Well ...) Plus-Sized NBOX+ Into Burgeoning Kei Car Market
Honda lifted the embargo on its updated NBOX+, a sister-model of its bestselling NBOX minivehicle that passed our feared “from the backseat” test drive with flying colors.
While the regulation NBOX supplies space for my knees and excited moonlighting driver Martin, the new NBOX+ delivers amazing versatility. It can double as a cargo hauler, a recreational vehicle, even as a double bed.
Limited by Japanese law to its small size of 11.2 by 4.9 ft, Honda rearranged the inside of its most successful kei. The tank was moved to the center, making space for a sloped floor and an attachable aluminum ramp.
Three different sized boards can convert the inside to fit a multitude of uses.
Fold the rear hatch up, drape a few yards of cloth over it, and voila, a tent.
Add a thin futon, and the NBOX+ becomes a double bed on wheels.
Members of the Japanese media immediately put this feature to the test. It put them to sleep.
The dean of the foreign automotive media in Japan, Hans Greimel of Automotive News, also tested the double bed. Despite his American-sized frame, Hans approved.
If you want even more exciting rides: Put a cross bike in the back and head for the hills.
Prices for the NBOX+ start at 1,350,000 yen ($17,000).
Sales of minivehicles had been in a downtrend after a peak in 2006. This year, kei cars turned the corner sharply in Japan. Nearly 1.2 million keis were sold in Japan in the first half of 2012, for a market share of 37 percent. Carmakers project sales of 2 million for the whole year, The Nikkei [sub] says.
Stay tuned for a “from the back bed” test drive when I am back in Japan. Driver Martin can watch.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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If they designed the next Fit this way, and gave it those looks, but kept the fun handling, it would be the perfect car for me. As it stands, I will just have to lust from afar and hope that foreign posting competition delivers the goods.
This would make a great second car, especially for urban drivers. Great for hauling kids, groceries, and stuff. Mail, parcel, and courier services could use them too. I wonder what the incremental cost to Honda would be for designing left-hand steering and meeting USDOT regulations would be? We keep reading that younger Americans are not that interested in cars; would adding vehicles like this to the product mix boost sales? Seems like a lot of vehicle for $17k.