Debuting as a concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the ”Compact Renaissance Zero”, or CR-Z was intended to represent ”a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals.” The concept car was designed to be ”sporty, incredibly efficient, and inexpensive.” Replacing the outdated Honda CR-X, the CR-Z was introduced to the Japanese market in early 2010, with sales following in most other markets by December of the same year.