The Li Nian brand, the product of a joint venture between Honda and local manufacturer Guangzhou Auto, showed this Roadster concept at the Shanghai auto show. Succeeding a five-door SUV/CUV concept based on the Jazz/Fit, the roadster was first seen at the Guangzhou Auto Show late last year.
Purely a design study to show the direction of the Li Nian brand - whose aim is to appeal to younger buyers - there are shades of S2000 and the Honda OSM concept in this long-nosed roadster's design aesthetic. But, as is the case with many Chinese market vehicles, the car's surfacing and detailing lack refinement.
The Li Nian brand will be trialed in China and India, with the hatchback the first model on sale next year. According to a spokeperson at Honda, the company has no intention of bringing the Roadster concept to production. Read our opinions of the concept in our