Honda is adding to its massive product line, which comprises motorcycles and cars, by getting into the luxury jet market with the HondaJet.
“Honda Aircraft Company’s most important goals are achieving Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and delivering the first customer aircraft,” Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company president and CEO, said. “Our total effort is focused on reaching these much anticipated milestones in the first quarter of 2015.”
Honda began working on its first jets in the late 90s and started testing prototypes about 10 years ago. This work is now culminating in the first commercial delivery of a HondJet, scheduled for 2015.
The jet will be packing a GE Honda HF 120 jet engine and will feature top-of-the-line performance in nearly every aspect according to Fujino. The fuselage of jets are usually crafted from aluminum. The HondaJet’s fuselage will be crafted from a strong composite material instead.
Honda will begin test flying the HondaJet this summer and plans to begin selling it in 2015. The jet will come in several different colors like green, silver, red, yellow, and blue. The HondaJet will carry a $4.5 million price tag.