Honda SUT Concept
Trucks are very big business in the US, bigger than even passenger cars and the American automakers have been relying on them to bring in money for years. They are fairly cheap to make and so provide fat margins and they have been protected with some small tariffs too. So for decades, while the imports nibbled away at their dominance, the American automakers felt they still had one sector they could stay dominant.
The situation may change soon as the Japanese automakers have now started to give attention to this lucrative segment and they are getting around the tariff issue by building their trucks there. They didn’t quite got their products right initially – Toyota’s first efforts with a T100 and then the Tacoma were considered inadequate because they were not big enough – but from what they are showing at the North American Autoshow in Detroit, the American automakers had better watch out.
We have already shown you Toyota’s FTX which is a giant truck and certainly comparable in size to the Fords and Dodges. Honda, which has never had a proper truck in the US, is going a slightly different route with a more recreational concept for their truck. It’s a brave move but perhaps they know they lack the experience in making such vehicles so rather than come out with something that is not up to mark, they will try a slightly different corner of the truck market. They need a truck because, without such a vehicle, it is hard for them to challenge Nissan and Toyota which offer such products.
A drawing of the Honda concept truck known as the SUT was shown earlier and now the real thing has been unveiled. Honda says it will be based on the company’s Global Light Truck Platform and will be produced by Honda Canada Manufacturing for sale in 2005.
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The Honda SUT Concept is said to be ‘a next-generation truck concept’ that takes a clean slate approach to the light-duty truck segment by combining a roomy and practical SUV-style interior and a pickup-style cargo bed with traditional Honda strengths including refined styling, superior ergonomics, innovative design and world-class build quality. Taking advantage of its unibody (monocoque, like a CR-V’s) structure, the SUT Concept is claimed to offer superior packaging efficiency, ride comfort and handling dynamics versus traditional truck-based vehicles in the class.
“The pickup market is evolving to meet the changing tastes of a new generation of truck buyers,” said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor. “The Honda SUT Concept takes this evolution to the next level with higher levels of refinement and sophistication in a sporty and socially responsible package with Honda durability, quality and reliability.”
Envisioned as a next generation truck, the SUT Concept’s reinforced monocoque chassis design allows for new inroads into the light truck market where truck utility is combined with innovative packaging, sporty handling and advanced safety technology. It features a refined and spacious cabin with seating for five adults and a 1524 mm long cargo bed with reduced intrusion of the rear wheel arches for maximized cargo hauling capabilities.
Built around the image of an ‘active young father’, the SUT Concept represents a fusion of this “cool dad’s” family lifestage and active life style – where everyday work life and family responsibilities are combined with weekend sports, hobbies and family activity in one highly practical, rugged and functional vehicle.
The SUT is also designed as the ultimate vehicle for bringing together Honda’s diverse line of products, including motorcycles, ATV, personal watercraft, marine engines and power equipment. “This vehicle serves as the hub of Honda activity,” said Dave Marek, chief designer of the Honda SUT Concept.
The styling theme for the SUT Concept was “billet-machined aluminum” capturing the idea of a vehicle that has been machined from a single block of metal. From its wide stance and bold face, down to the smallest interior and exterior details, the next-generation styling conveys a look of strength and agility with a modern, technical appearance. The design also takes advantage of its monocoque frame to deliver the first fully integrated cab and bed, lending the SUT Concept a 21st century truck appearance.
“People will recognize this as a new kind of truck,” said Marek. “We wanted to express the unique character of Honda in a vehicle that we think will take all trucks into the next generation, stylistically.”
Design details include a roof with a 4-paneled skylight; a cargo bed with integrated lights and speakers; seats featuring a roll bar appearance; storage bins made with climbing rope; and front door liners with integrated MagLite flashlights.
The SUT concept vehicle has an all-aluminum VTEC V6 engine coupled with an advanced electronically controlled 4WD system. With its wide track and 4-wheel fully independent suspension, the SUT Concept is claimed to also deliver ‘a new level of ride comfort and handling prowess to the light truck segment’.
In addition to offering a high level of handling stability, the SUT Concept also offers a full array of advanced safety technology. In keeping with Honda’s “Safety for Everyone” concept, the SUT Concept integrates safety features such as side curtain airbags with roll-over sensors, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), front-side airbags with the Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), ABS, and pedestrian safety features.
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The new SUT production model, when launched in late 2004, will become the sixth light truck model for Honda and Acura – joining the Honda Odyssey, CR-V, Pilot, Element and Acura MDX. Honda currently has an annual North American production capacity of 1.25 million vehicles at its five plants on the continent. The plants supply more than 75% of the Honda and Acura vehicles sold annually in North America. The production capacity will grow to 1.4 million units with the second line in Alabama.
