Hoping it has found the answer to declining domestic sales, Honda Motor Co. on Thursday unveiled its new Crossroad sport utility vehicle.

"Amid declining auto sales at home, we have developed the Crossroad to address the diversifying tastes of consumers," Honda President Takeo Fukui said at a news conference in Tokyo.

Honda, the maker of the popular Accord and Civic models, trumpets the Crossroad as combining the look of a sport utility vehicle with the seven-seat capacity of a minivan, yet in compact size.

The Crossroad is designed to appeal to young couples in their 20s and 30s with small children, a company official said.

Japan's second-biggest carmaker hopes to sell 3,000 units a month, the company said. The Crossroad, which goes on sale Friday, is available with a 1.8- or 2-liter engine, and will retail for between 1.93 million yen and 2.92 million yen.

The carmaker said it has no plans at the moment to market the car overseas.

The Tokyo-based automaker last year surpassed rival Nissan Motor Co. to regain the No. 2 spot in global vehicle production.

However, Fukui said auto sales still remain sluggish.

"As for sales, the harsh environment will probably continue," he said.

Overall domestic auto sales have fallen for 19 straight months.