According to the author of The Car Design Yearbook, the Ridgeline was "Honda's first foray into the true heartland of the American automotive way of life—the pickup truck."The Car Design Yearbook, Issue 4, Merrell Publishers, by Stephen Newbury, dated 2005, , last accessed August 18, 2018 It was designed and engineered by a 37-member engineering team from Honda Research and Development (R&D) Americas, led by Gary Flint.Crafting a pickup: Ex-GM engineer designed Ridgeline the Honda way, Autoweek, by Richard Truett, dated June 13, 2005, last accessed November 12, 2016 According to the author of Driving Honda, the automaker wanted to target buyers who were looking to transition out of sedans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles (SUV) into pickups. In 2001, the engineering team began experimenting with their first development mule, an extended version of a first generation Acura MDX with a competitor's pickup bed integrated into the rear structure, which they called "the Hondarado."50 Years of American Dreams, The Challenging Spirit (page 151), American Honda Motor Company, dated June 2009, last accessed October 20, 2019 After four years of development, the final design was revealed to the public as Honda's Sport Utility Truck Concept at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Later that same year, Honda unveiled a revised version of their pickup concept at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and announced the official name of the vehicle, the Ridgeline.Honda Names All-New 4-Door 4WD Truck 'Ridgeline', Honda Media Newsroom, dated November 2, 2004, last accessed February 19, 2018 The production version of the Ridgeline was unveiled the following year at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.
