Honda S660 To Enter Production In 2015 At Former Beat Factory
Over two decades ago during the early years of Japan’s Lost Decade (or Lost 20 Years for those who believe the nation’s economy has yet to improve since the boom of the 1980s), Soichiro Honda’s final car before his passing — the Honda Beat kei roadster — left the Yachiyo Industry Company-owned factory at Yokkaichi to take on the likes of the Suzuki Cappuccino and Autozam AZ-1.
History could come back around, however, when the factory gears up to build the production-version of the Honda S660 in 2015.
Autoblog reports the Yokkaichi factory — which currently builds the N, Life and Vamos for Honda under-contract — had been slated for expansion a few years ago before the automaker moved the majority of its kei-car production to its own factory in Suzuka.
No word on how many of the new roadsters will be built, nor how much they will be priced; it also remains to be seen if American Honda CEO Tetsuo Iwamura can bring the S660 — or S1000, should more power be needed than the 660cc turbocharged engine mounted mid-ship can provide — to the United States sometime after Japan gets theirs.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
More by Cameron Aubernon
Comments
Join the conversation
If this was on sale in Canada, at Miata price levels, I would move heaven and earth to buy one. Wait, let me amend that. So long as it didn't have a CVT. I want the stick for a fun car.
What is the over / under on this making it to the USA? Whatever it is I'll take the under. No way this reaches US shores.
Fine looking car. Of course to my Brazilian eyes it looks tremendously like recent Peugeots. Together with the One kei car, it seems Honda is getting their mojo back in terms of design. At least for small cars.
about time Honda, about time. Hopefully if/when this comes to the states I will be in the market for a new car.