Honda

It wasn’t the best of breed, but the "Dog-Friendly Honda Element" concept vehicle might just turn out to be the darling of the 2009 New York International Auto Show.

 

According to Honda, the Element is already popular with dog owners, some of whom have contacted the company’s media-relations department about a previous pet-oriented concept, the WOW (Wonderful Open Wagon). Today, in what would have been an excellent belated April Fools’ stunt, the Japanese automaker presented a 2009 Element packed with, as promised, dog-friendly stuff.

 

There’s the washable rubber cargo mat (with a dog pattern, naturally), the washable back-seat covers, and two padded, removable dog beds. The pet restraint system acts like a seat belt for the enclosed beds, which are more like soft pet carriers, keeping your dog from bouncing around the car, whether because of an accident or run-of-the-mill canine excitement. The concept also comes with a retractable ramp (presumably for pets of a golden age), a leash, dog tags and a tote bag.

 

If you accept that scores, maybe even hundreds, of car buyers will trade in their existing musty, dog-hair-covered, 4-wheeled pet carriers for this Element, then the design seems smart.

 

The larger rear dog bed incorporates a spill-resistant water bowl, and a fan in the back corner of the car helps to counter the sun’s heat and the lack of circulation in what would otherwise be a cargo space. The only feature missing is a tiny, padded window designed for maximum canine neck extension.

 

If the tiny paw-print and "Dog-Friendly" emblems on the exterior seem silly, chances are you aren’t in the market for a dog-friendly vehicle. Honda says it’s done enough market research to confirm that this new Element, which is due out this fall, isn’t really a gamble, particularly when you consider the number of dog groomers and similar professionals around the country.

 

With annual pet-related spending expected to hit $52 billion in the U.S. within two years, Honda wants in on one of the few remaining growth industries. When asked whether this kind of niche-lifestyle customization could lead to other variants, like a kid-friendly model with toy storage and those same washable back-seat covers, Honda representatives said anything was possible. Even, apparently, a car literally built for a dog.