3D printing has proven to be a powerful ally for the automotive industry, constantly bringing innovation in a field where things have been moving in new and interesting directions. Additive manufacturing has been capable of creating whole, carbon fiber cars like the Blade supercar as well as end-product components and full parts like the Volkswagen cylinder block. Its ability to recreate and customize shapes to fulfill different needs for function and aesthetics has been the key factor of the technology’s growth and now it seems the automotive industry is taking yet another jab at what it can really do. Honda has showed off its Variable Design platform for its line of micro EVs. The line of small cars is very light and compact but it’s designed to enable the customer to customize many of the aspects of the vehicle: lower point of entries for the doors to help elderly passengers, large trunks to enhance load capabilities or even just a personalized interior and exterior look.

There is a lot of innovative thinking behind Honda’s petite car. The whole model is designed in panels which cover up a skeleton based on pipes on the inside. The result is a sturdy yet light vehicle which borrowed greatly from the company’s knowledge of motorcycles. To give the EV they had on the showroom an aesthetic soul of its own, Honda partnered with design firm Kabuku, which conceived a bird theme going from the hatchback trunk all the way to the doors and seats.  

A handful of journalists had a go in a test drive of the EV and while it had a certain feel to it that is typical of 3D printed products, the car held its own as a vehicle. The prototype shown at CEATEC 2016 is a promising new step on the road to fully 3D printed cars; couple that to it being an EV and you’ve got a market. Nonetheless it’s still a bit too early to consider the feat as a revolution which will bring AM enabled cars come tomorrow, although prospects are really good: 3D printing can lower the cost of manufacturing and reduce design time, all perks that will make the industry think twice before judging the micro EV by it’s size.