Acura showcases concept SUV electric vehicle to be made at Marysville Auto Plant

Honda is showing off the first concept electric vehicle it plans to make at its Marysville Auto Plant .

The Acura Performance EV Concept made its debut Friday as part of Monterey Car Week in California.

The SUV will be the first model engineered on the new Honda-developed EV platform and the first EV produced at Honda's EV hub in Ohio . Acura is Honda's performance and luxury brand.

Acura expects to start making the new vehicle by the end of 2025.

Honda announced nearly two years that it was building a $3.5 billion plant with LG Energy Solution to make batteries for Honda and Acura vehicles. The automaker also said it is spending $700 million to retool three of its Ohio plants to make electric vehicles and provide components for them −the Marysville Auto Plant, the East Liberty Auto Plant and the Anna Engine Plant.

The retooled plant will be able to produce both electric vehicles and vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, giving the automaker flexibility depending on demand.

"The Acura Performance EV Concept kicks off the exciting next step in our electrification strategy, showcasing the styling direction of our next all-new, all-electric Acura model that will debut next year," Mike Langel, assistant vice president of Acura National Sales, said in a statement. "Building on the just-launched all-electric 2024 Acura ZDX, our next all-electric Acura SUV will continue our focus on delivering Acura clients an exhilarating driving experience in the electrified future."

The concept vehicle showcases what Acura envisions what its first all-electric vehicle will look like with its vented hood and prominent side vents. The front fascia draws inspiration from hydrofoil superyachts.

The vehicle comes in Moonlit White Pearl with a semi-matte finish.

Acura has not set a price for the vehicle.

The vehicle is the fifth Acura concept vehicle displayed at Monterey Car Week during the last 11 years.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Acura showcases concept SUV electric vehicle to be made at Marysville Auto Plant