Honda's 'space' Odyssey

Unique to the North American market, Honda's upsized Odyssey minivan can hold its own in the 'space race' with its U.S. competition.

Space, the final frontier. Ironically, it's just as true for today's truck and van market as it is for Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew. But whereas Kirk has to deal with everything from Tribbles to Klingons, minivan owners have to negotiate mountain bikes, groceries and an expanding family. To do it, American buyers respond to a very elementary design formula Make them bigger, make them heavier - and make a lot of them.

Honda clearly sees the handwriting on the wall. To sell trucks or vans in America, it must build what the consumer …