Honda is to shut its European design facility in Offenbach, near Frankfurt, according to media reports.
The decision to close Honda’s car and motorcycle design studios at its European R&D headquarters was taken at the end of September in a bid to cut its costs.
“This is a regrettable structure change due to the current economic picture,” said a Honda source. “The German design activities will be discontinued with effect from the end of November.”
Motorcycle design is likely to be transferred to the company's Italian design studio in Rome, but car design is likely to be full transferred to Japan.
Notable cars designed at the studio include last year’s OSM concept and the Neukom concept unveiled at the 1999 Tokyo motor show.
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