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Ihi, exact la el ma gandeam in plus ar da lovitura si prin facilitatile care se acorda in unele state pentru hybrid, consum injumatatit probabil ))) taxe mai mici, etc ,etc.
If you're a new parent, you'll want a safe vehicle for your baby and family. There are a number of cars and SUVs you can choose from that will provide safe transportation for your family.
Here is a list of the top five vehicles for new parents.
Honda Civic. One thing new parents will like about the Honda Civic sedan is the roomy backseat and trunk space to store the baby's stroller and other things. The Honda Civic is a reliable vehicle for moms and able to stand up to larger vehicles you'll encounter on the road. The automatic version of the Honda Civic gets 25 miles per gallon on city streets and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Pricing starts at $19,000.
Ford Fusion. This sedan is a good option for families looking for a vehicle that's large enough to store all their things, but compact enough to feel closeness with young passengers. The Ford Fusion gets 17 miles per gallon on city streets and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. It ranges in price from $18,000 to $25,000.Acura MDX. Another option for new parents is the
Acura MDX. This SUV has seven-passenger capacity so there's plenty of room for baby, the baby's gear and the rest of the family. This vehicle handles well and has a lot of bells and whistle features you'll enjoy including steering wheel buttons and voice commands. This vehicle gets 17 city miles per gallon and 22 miles per gallon on the highway. The starting price is $42,000.
Dodge Grand Caravan. Another American family vehicle on the list is the Dodge Grand Caravan. This minivan has a lot of standard safety features including side curtain airbags and stability control. You'll enjoy the adjustable steering wheel and pedals so you can customize them to your liking. The Dodge Grand Caravan gets 16 miles per gallon on city roads and 23 miles per gallon on the highway. The price is also thousands less than some of its counterparts starting at around $18,000.
Toyota Prius. If you're willing to work around recent recalls regarding this vehicle the Toyota Prius is a great choice because it fits within tight family budgets. You get a lot of fuel for your money with 45 miles per gallon. The hatchback gives you room to store things that will be easy to retrieve. The Toyota Prius gets 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 miles per gallon on the highway. You'll pay between $22,000 and $28,000 for the Toyota Prius.
When it comes to buying new cars in this country there is a notion that has misled many a misguided individual and that is the concept of "Buying American." To think in this intertwined world economy that buying a Chrysler (which is owned by Italy's Fiat), Ford or GM product is being patriotic is to not understand that many of these "domestic" automakers sell cars here that are designed and built in other countries.
Little do these same individuals know that cars from "import" manufacturers like Honda, Toyota and Hyundai are more likely than not built here in the United States. Some companies like Honda have been investing in North American factories so long that they even export thousands of cars each year to other countries. Maintaining this manufacturing base in the United States is truly vital from an economics perspective as it helps balance out the fact that we are pretty much becoming a nation of consumers, not producers.
Recently Honda Motor Company announced some startling statistics that should help put in perspective what it really means to "Buy American." According to Honda's estimates 83.8% of their vehicles sold in the United States were built in North America with an incredibly high locally manufactured parts content. Among the models built in North America are the Civic coupe, sedan, Accord, Accord Coupe, Accord Crosstour, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline and Element as well as the Acura TL, MDX, RDX and ZDX.
Honda/Acura has four vehicle manufacturing plants in the continental United States, two in Canada and one in Mexico. But Honda/Acura doesn't just put their cars together in the United States as they also manufacture their parts here as well. Honda/Acura has two engine plants and two automatic transmission manufacturing plants in the United States that produce so much that they managed to export 300,000 component parts to other nations in 2009 alone.
In addition, Honda owns a small engine and power equipment plant in North Carolina along with another facility that produces all-terrain vehicles in South Carolina. Two more Honda plants are currently under construction in the Southern United States. To put all of this manufacturing power in context consider this figure—since 1987 Honda has exported 960,000 automobiles to over 100 countries from their plants in North America.
Honda Motor Company sold 1.15 million cars, trucks and SUVs in the United States last year and plans in the years ahead to keep their local manufacturing percentage at about 80%. What does that mean for the economy of the United States? Well, it means jobs and money poured into local economies that might be plunged into poverty without the presence of one of Honda's facilities.
But this only paints part of the economic picture as Honda employs thousands of people also in its North American Corporate sites, national dealerships and local design studios as well. Honda realized a long time ago that it in order to understand American automotive tastes they had to do more than just conduct a few consumer surveys. They had to have an actual physical presence here.
Granted, there are some serious benefits for Honda when it comes to manufacturing in the United States. By building its cars here Honda/Acura can avoid the sometimes tricky yen/dollar exchange rate. Also, when you build your cars on the continent where you sell them you also save a lot on shipping costs. That last one is kind of a no-brainer.
So when you are out shopping for your next car instead of being so concerned with "Buying American" why don't you go ahead and buy the very best car, truck or SUV for your needs. And you know who makes some of the best vehicles built in North America? Honda and Acura of course. Sorry, that last one was kind of a no-brainer too.
With commuters spending 41 minutes a day driving to/from work, having the right vehicle is key to saving money and providing comfort and safety on the road
AAA released its top vehicle picks for commuters today. Long commutes have become an increasingly common daily activity for many Americans, and having the right vehicle for those long drives is key not only to saving money and being environmentally-friendly, but also staying safe and comfortable during many hours on the road.
The average motorist spends about 41 minutes a day traveling about 22.5 miles roundtrip to/from work in personal vehicles, according to the National Household Travel Survey. AAA Auto Buying’s team of experts, who test drove and reviewed hundreds of vehicles for the AAA AutoMaker vehicle research web site (AAA.com/AutoMaker), have compiled a list of their top vehicles picks for commuters based upon practicality, safety, comfort, fuel efficiency and affordability.
AAA’s Top Picks for Commuter Vehicles :
Honda Insight: This car is among the ultimate in gasoline fuel economy while being reasonably comfortable for the driver and front-seat passenger. It’s also less costly and more fun to drive than some of its hybrid competitors.
Ford Fusion: Four-cylinder versions offer an appealing combination of power, riding comfort and handling competence. The Hybrid offers even more economy, but the fuel savings come with a major bump in the purchase price. Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Everything that you ever hated about diesels has been exorcised in this latest version of the Volkswagen diesel engine. It is quiet, with just a trace of diesel clatter at idle; peppy, especially when underway; and every bit as economical as the most miserly hybrids. It also is great fun to drive. Comfortable front seats are a plus. Hyundai Elantra: The new Blue edition is good for 35 miles per gallon. This fourth generation Elantra also is reasonably accommodating for a driver and three passengers with the interior nicely done. The 10-year/100,000-mile warranty suggests that you could keep this car in the daily commuting grind for years. Subaru Legacy/Outback: These new models with their horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engines perform very well, and with their redesign for 2010, they now offer much better fuel economy and enhanced rear seat leg room. And for commuters facing snowy rides to work, the all-wheel drive helps ensure they will make it to work every time.
Honda Civic: Affordable, dependable, economical and comfortable, the Civic is one of the better performing compacts for a wide range of uses, including commuting. For drivers who want to enjoy the trip even more, the 197 horsepower Si sedan deserves a careful look.
Chevrolet Malibu: Stylish inside and out, the Malibu also is a competent performer on the road. Four-cylinder models offer more than enough power for the daily commute and promise decent fuel economy. The passenger cabin is nicely finished and roomy, both in the front and rear, making it a good choice for carpooling.
Honda Accord: Good for the commute and good for family transportation, the Accord is roomy, solid and economical when equipped with the four-cylinder engine. It also offers road manners that are beyond reproach.
Mazda3: The body for 2010 may not be to everyone’s taste, but there is no arguing with its crisp handling and above average power for the compact field. Fuel economy also is good. The ride can be a little flinty, so commuters facing long stretches of neglected urban highways may want to look elsewhere. However, for people who enjoy driving, the handling will more than make up for a few abrupt ride motions.
Commuters Vehicles Offering Efficiency and More :
Practicality is an important factor that many commuters look for when seeking the ideal vehicle for long commutes. However, AAA Auto Buying experts understand that some want a vehicle that can serve dual purposes such as an efficient commuter vehicle that addresses needs for family or recreation or desires for luxury or fun. Because of this, AAA offers their picks for vehicles that can help address consumers’ secondary needs while still providing a smart choice for long commutes. Mini Cooper: A premium subcompact, the Mini is both sporty and economical with fuel. Few cars are as much fun to drive. Commuters will be able to take one passenger only and the purchase price is higher than you might expect, based on size alone. However, few cars are as enjoyable on the road or offer as many safety features. Commuters might even choose to take the long way home. Chevrolet Corvette: Who says the drive to work has to be boring? The Corvette is anything but, and when driven appropriately, it can even return near-compact car fuel economy of around 26 mpg on the highway. Buick Enclave: Handling the commute for up to eight people, the Enclave combines an exceptionally quiet ride with competent handling and surprising room in all three rows. It makes for a smart choice for those seeking a large family vehicle on the weekends. Mercedes-Benz GL: Roomy seating for seven, unexcelled refinement, all-wheel drive and the option of a surprisingly economical (for the vehicle size) diesel engine make this a highly desirable commuter for multi-adult carpools. Volkswagen GTI: Sporty, fun to drive and able to return mid- to upper-20 mile per gallon fuel economy results with the 200-hp turbocharged engine, the GTI is full of surprises. Even the rear seat is good for two adults and the cargo area is surprisingly roomy. Four workers can easily store large laptop carrying briefcases in the rear and then be quite comfortable for the ride to and from work. BMW 3-Series: The first sports sedan remains the best by many measures. What more enjoyable way to get to work and then return home? The engines are impressive for their power and refinement, the handling is top notch and the build quality is excellent, as would be expected for the price.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...303239957/1131
[...]Ike said Honda was holding Hyundai up as a benchmark as it develops its new small car using more local parts, adding that the South Korean automaker was a formidable player in the industry.
"Hyundai's vehicle line-up is exceptionally broad, they're competitive on price and quality is solid. Their cars are everywhere in the world," he said. "There's no question we're benchmarking them for this new car."
The Honda Grand Prix will be Shea Holbrook's first professional race.
The Honda Grand Prix will be Shea Holbrook's first professional race.
ST. PETERSBURG - The Honda Grand Prix is roaring into St. Petersburg for three days of racing on the city's waterfront.
While most drivers participating in the event have years behind the wheel, for one young driver, this is her first professional race.
Shea Holbrook, 19, of Groveland, near Orlando, has no sponsors for her Acura TSX race car. In fact, she's hoping to raise money for her favorite charity, "Parent Project, Muscular Dystrophy," by driving at the Grand Prix.
She has four years of driving experience, but admits she's a little nervous.
"I think once I grip the wheel hard and I'm on the grid, some nerves might be going," she said. "But once I put the pedal down, they just to start fade away and all I'm thinking about is just executing what I need to do."
She said she got the bug for racing from father, Jeff, who also drives. He took her to the Richard Petty Driving Experience and gave instructors the "thumbs-up" for more speed.
"As soon as I buckled my belt, I was like, 'Let's go' because I've always had a need for speed. And really, since then, the rest is history," said Holbrook.
She will race Saturday and Sunday in the touring-class race. Much faster cars will be on the track at the same time, which means she will have to keep her eyes on her rear-view mirror as well as the windshield.
She admitted the sport has its perils, but insists gears installed in her Acrua increase the safety margin.
"To be completely honest with you, it is a risky sport," Holbrook said. "But if you think about it, you can just look into the car. You have so much more safety equipment than what you do in your everyday street car."
Her mother said she is also a little nervous, knowing her daughter is traveling at 140 mph. But she said she couldn't possibly stop her.
"I have confidence that she has some talent and made sure that she had training," Erin Holbrook said. "…She absolutely loves it."
Besides, her mother added, driving around Orlando is sometimes much more scary.
Date: March 24, 2010 14:09 Submitted by: Jeff Source: RealTime Racing PR Credibility Rating: Not Specified
Saukville WI — March 24, 2010
World Challenge stalwart RealTime Racing will return to the series with a pair of new-generation Acura TSXs; not to defend its 2009 Touring Car Championship, but to move up to the new GTS class.
Eight-time SCCA Pro Racing champion Peter Cunningham will lead the Acura Motorsports charge as the Wisconsin-based squad welcomes back former RTR pilot, Nick Esayian. The reunited band mates look forward to the competition in the first-year category.
“Coming into the new year we had a decision to make: Remove a number of go-fast bits and run in Touring Car, or tune up our TSXs to try and be competitive in GTS,” explained ’08 Touring Car champion Cunningham. “It’s a faster group of cars—anything from other Acuras and Lotus, all the way to big iron like Corvette and Viper.
“I can guarantee you we’re not going to outrun anyone down the straightaway, but we should have their number in the turns,” Esayian added. “We had the opportunity to test a couple of weeks ago in Texas and I can tell you it was a ball to drive one of these unleashed front-drive rockets!”
Nick spent the first four years of his World Challenge career driving for RealTime, before joining the Bimmerworld BMW effort in 2007. Now, after two years in a rear-wheel-drive Touring Car, Nick returns as a faster and more experienced driver ready to take on his teammate and all the rest.
Notably missing from the 2010 lineup is defending and five-time Touring Car Champion, Pierre Kleinubing. The challenging economy forced the team to cut back on the number of entries it will run this season—hopefully a temporary situation for the 13-year RealTime Acura veteran. The good news is he landed on his feet with a leading role on Glenn Bocchino’s i-Moto Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge effort.
The 21st season of the SCCA World Challenge Series commences this weekend, March 26-28, for a doubleheader at the Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg. The production-based WC sports cars will share the Florida streets (but not at the same time) with the IZOD IndyCar Series.
Beyond the addition of the new category, there is other exciting news to report: Fans of the series that can’t make it to the races in person will enjoy expanded television coverage—on the Versus network.
After 11 years of great coverage on the SPEED Channel, the series now makes the move to Versus*. Fans will be able to tune in to WC coverage on weekend afternoons—often times before or after LIVE Emmy Award-winning IndyCar programming.
Versus is making quite a name for itself as an action sports leader, as the television home of the Dakar endurance rally, Tour de France bicycle classic and NHL Hockey, and is now the home of World Challenge competition. The WC races will be produced in 2010 by IMS Productions, the same people who provide the lauded coverage of the Indy racers.
Another development new this year is the increase in the number of races and the decrease in the teams’ travel schedule. How is this possible? Now, half of the eight World Challenge weekends will have one race on Saturday and a second on Sunday. Points will accumulate in each of the 12 races to determine the champions in GT, the new GTS class (GO ACURA!) and Touring Car.
The RealTime Acura team is sponsored by Acura Motorsports, Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Red Line Oil, Eibach Springs, Sparco, Hawk Performance, Brembo, A-SPEC, BOSCH, Total Auto Body, and PACT.
*Editors note: For DirecTV customers, you may be aware that Versus suddenly disappeared from the lineup back in August of 2009, but it has recently returned and can again be found on channel 603.
Date: March 25, 2010 11:53 Submitted by: Jeff Source: Nick Longo Credibility Rating: Not Specified
These are likely the first spy shots of a near-production 2011 Odyssey to hit the web, courtesy of TOV reader Nick Longo.
Here's what Nick had to say: Hey Jeff, Thought you’d like to post these images of a new Honda Odyssey I took yesterday. There were two camouflaged minivans heading west on the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills, CA. I was able to get these shots of one of them.
Honda has announced its biggest set of lease deals ever, which market experts are identifying as an effort to stoke sales and save its market share against the aggressive incentives now being offered by archrival Toyota.
The so-called Feature Special Lease program that runs through May 3 allows a low monthly lease payment on nearly every model—ranging from $159 on a 2010 Honda Civic Sedan VP to $390 on a 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour—along with no money down, no security deposit, and no first-month payment, with $0 due at signing. The deals aren't limited to slow-selling or lower-demand models, and they're even offered on the popular (and recommended) 2010 Honda Fit.
Honda additionally has several other lease options as well as low 0.9-, 1.9-, or 2.9-percent APR financing, for up to 60 months. Visit this page for details on each individual offer, along with special regional offers, and keep in mind that these are typically only offered to those with very good credit.
Earlier this month we cited TrueCar sales forecasts for March, predicting that Toyota's incentives have actually put a significant dent in Honda's market share this month. Over the entire month, Honda's market share dropped by nearly one percent, to 9.4 percent, again according to TrueCar.
The Toyota March Sales Program began in early March and runs through April 5, offering zero-percent or special lease rates on a wide range of models, including the 2010 Toyota Corolla, Camry, Venza, Avalon, Matrix, Tundra, and Prius. The Toyota deal also includes two years of free maintenance to those who are current owners of a Lexus, Scion, or Toyota model.
What's particularly odd about this incentive-war situation, the L.A. Times points out, also citing a Kelley Blue Book expert, is that these two Japanese automakers have historically resisted these types of large incentives. And Toyota has never started a price war before. But here they seem to be developing a dependency on incentives, offering more than many other automakers, to maintain market share.
KBB estimated that this week 45 percent of new-car shoppers are considering a Toyota model, up from 32 percent last week. Meanwhile seven percent of those who had said they weren't considering a Toyota before the incentives began now do have one of the automaker's models on their shopping list.
Sales this month are expected to rise for both Honda and Toyota, with Toyota's sales seeing a slightly more significant bump. We'll update you when March sales figures roll in next week—and we'll see next month if Honda manages to fight back.
Pobst, Cunningham and Hein Lead Opening World Challenge Practice at St. Pete
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Randy Pobst, of Gainesville, Ga., led the opening World Challenge Championship practice session of the season at the Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg weekend. Pobst topped the GT and overall time sheet, with Peter Cunningham, of Milwaukee, Wis., leading the GTS class and Mark Hein, of nearby Clearwater, Fla., topping Touring Car.
Peter Cunningham led the opening GTS class session at St. Pete. Mark Weber Image.
Driving the No. 6 K-Pax Racing Volvo S60, Pobst turned a fastest time of 1:20.780 (80.217 mph) around the 1.8-mile temporary circuit. The 40-minute combined session for GT, GTS and Touring Car classes started at 8 a.m.—the first session of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend. After overnight rain, the track was both slightly damp and “green” due to the lack of rubber. As such, times fell throughout the session, and Pobst’s fastest lap came on his final tour around the circuit.
“This was a great start to the weekend for myself and the K-Pax Racing Volvo,” two-time St. Petersburg World Challenge winner Pobst said. “We’re really excited to get in and mix it up in these Sports Car Wars. We’re miles ahead of where we were a year ago, but we still have done a lot of testing on this car. This morning, we were looking for reliability. I followed the Vipers and the Porsches for a while, and they’re really fast. But it was slippery on both ends of the runway and with the all wheel drive Volvos I was able to motor away from them. I hope it rains this weekend because the Volvo is so great.
“The traffic was really tough because the GT class is so much faster here than some of the others, but I’ve dealt with it before and I think it’s going to make things very interesting this weekend.”
Montreal’s Kuno Wittmer was second fastest with a time of 1:21.465 (79.543 mph) in the No. 13 Dodge Motorsports Dodge Viper. Pobst’s teammate, Andy Pilgrim, of Boca Raton, Fla., was third in the No. 8 K-Pax Racing Volvo.
Rookie Steve Ott was fourth, in the No. 96 Nissan/Brass Monkey Racing Nissan GT-R, followed by Jason Daskalos, in the No. 5 Daskalos Roberts Racing Dodge Viper.
Five-time series Champion Cunningham was quickest in the new GTS class driving his No. 43 Acura/RealTime Racing Acura TSX with a fastest lap time of 1:26.986 (74.494 mph).
“Our car was working well. It was nice to get into a rhythm on a track I’m very familiar with. I wanted to push it a little bit to see what our Acura TSX had,” Cunningham said. “Traffic wasn’t bad at all, everyone was giving and taking. I’m proud of all of these drivers for not having any yellows and shortening our session. We’ll see if some of these other series can do that.
“The conditions were ever-changing. Some sections got really good, really quick, but other sections were junk. The times will drop really quickly when it’s dry this afternoon.”
Nick Esayian (No. 34 Acura/RealTime Racing Acura TSX) and Michael Pettiford (No. 41 Go 4 It Racing Schools/Hawk Pontiac Solstice completed the top three.
Hein utilized his previous track experience to lead Touring Car in the No. 38 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Honda Civic Si with a fastest lap of 1:30.766 (71.392 mph).
“The track wasn’t as slick as I expected it to be,” Hein said. “Our car is very good, from a handling perspective. I like being here, and racing the car and it’s great to be back in World Challenge and with SCCA.
“Honestly, I came here looking at the grid and wasn’t surprised to be quickest in the first session. In Touring Car, there are a lot of rookies, so we’ll see how it plays out later in the day. This is the perfect event for me, being close to home. I’ve got 26 different clients coming this weekend, so it’s a big thing for me.”
Kevin Helms, of Charlotte, N.C., was second fastest in Touring Car, with a lap of 1:31.679 (70.681 mph) in his No. 04 DBA/Carbotech/AST/Exedy Honda Civic Si. Eric Meyer, of Indianapolis, Ind., was third in his No. 32 XOWii/Samaritan’s Feet/Delvira Mazda RX-8 with a lap of 1:32.756 (69.860 mph).
The series next takes to the track at 1:15 p.m. (EDT) for another practice session. Qualifying for both of this weekend’s races will be held at the end of the day. To follow each session’s notes and timing, please visit www.world-challenge.com.
Both races will be broadcast in Versus HD on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. (EDT).
Date: March 29, 2010 17:39 Submitted by: Jeff Source: RealTime Racing Press Release Credibility Rating: Not Specified
RealTime Acuras Sweep St. Pete (x2)
Cunningham, Davis, Esayian Double Up
29 March 2010—St. Petersburg, Florida
The RealTime Racing Acura TSXs claimed the top three spots in their GTS category debut in the SCCA World Challenge season opener at the Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg on Saturday afternoon. Then on Sunday morning, they delivered the exact same result in Round 2 of the 12-event 2010 season.
Coming into the weekend, each of the World Challenge teams faced a difficult mission. Two practice sessions and qualifying all on Friday preceding the two races over the course of the next two days—all within the confines of the concrete-lined streets of St. Petersburg, and with two other classes of production-based sports cars at the same time! With few exceptions, everyone made it through in one piece.
Qualifying couldn’t have gone any better for the two-car Acura Motorsports team. Peter Cunningham, in the No. 43 TSX scored his 33rd World Challenge career pole position, with Nick Esayian, in the matching No. 34, close behind in second.
Saturday
How does a two-car team take all three podium positions, you may ask? Here’s the story: Hours before the first race was ready to start, Esayian was having lunch with friend and former teammate Brandon Davis in downtown St. Pete, minutes away from the temporary race circuit. Brandon was lamenting that he was here in Florida and had nothing to drive. Then Nick opens his mouth and says, “Why don’t you drive our spare TSX? It’s just sitting there in the paddock ready to go…”
The next thing you know, the expert RealTime crew was commissioned to the task of prepping the third TSX for actual competition. After the annual tech inspection and a few new decals, the team lined the No. 1 plated (as defending World Challenge GT champion, Brandon earned that honor) Acura to the tail end of the 31-car field. The band was getting back together.
As the start lights were extinguished to begin Round 1, the three classes of cars drag raced down the temporarily inactive airport runway to the tight Turn 1. Miraculously, only two (GT) cars took themselves out in the melee that followed, as the race unfolded almost without further incident.
Cunningham led from the start and took the win without drama, but in his rearview mirror, a battle for second was brewing. Esayian fell to third in the race to the first turn, but pushed the third quickest qualifying Honda lap after lap before sneaking by on Lap 6. Meanwhile, Davis was relearning the tricky 14-turn 1.8-mile labyrinth, cleanly picking his way through the field. As the checkers flew after 32 laps, the GTS running order was Cunningham, Davis and Esayian; RealTime Acura’s sixth-ever podium sweep!
Sunday
The RTR boys were feeling pretty good about the first race’s results, but they knew they had only a precious 16 hours before it would be time to do it all over again. And the threat of thunderstorms was ramping up, which wasn’t the kind of thing anyone would look forward to in the confines of a street circuit.
“The team was feeling hopeful about our chances for a similar result on Sunday morning, but we knew that anything could happen,” observed Cunningham. “I’m happy that the rains didn’t come until an hour after the race. Other than that, the two races couldn’t have been any more different from one another.”
If Saturday’s victory was never in doubt for Cunningham, Davis sure was determined to make a point on Sunday. From the same dead last starting spot, the former Rookie of the Year for RTR came rocketing through the field, setting the race’s fastest lap in the process. After getting by then second place Esayian on the restart on Lap 11, Davis set his sights on his former boss.
As the laps wound down toward the finish of what turned out to be a timed 50-minute race, Davis had the heat set on high. Fortunately for Cunningham, the fast GT traffic continually muted the attack. Which is not to say that Cunningham got all the breaks, but the ebb and flow of traffic allowed Cunningham a scant 0.544-second gap to secure his 34th World Challenge race win.
Once Esayian was bumped to third, he wisely bided his time in case of an additional full course caution and crossed the stripe in third for the second consecutive day. So for day two, different race—same result, and RealTime’s record seventh sweep of a World Challenge rostrum!
On the strength of their duplicate finishes, Cunningham and Esayian sit first and second in the GTS Drivers’ points. It’s still early days for the 2010 title, but the two Acura drivers have to be pleased with their strong start to the year. And nary a scratch on either car!
With this tough weekend in the books, the World Challenge circus will reconvene in SoCal’s Long Beach, North America’s oldest and most renowned street circuit, on April 17-18. With a Tri-Point Mazdaspeed3, a Porsche 996, a new Corvette and three supercharged Lotus Exiges added to the GTS-class entry list, the Acuras will surely be put to the test.
This weekend’s Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg World Challenge doubleheader will air on Versus HD on Sunday, April 18 at 2 p.m. EDT.
RealTime Racing is sponsored by Acura Motorsports, Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Red Line Oil, Eibach Springs, Sparco, Hawk Performance, Brembo, A-SPEC, BOSCH, Total Auto Body, and PACT.
TORONTO - Honda Canada says it will start up a second shift and add 400 jobs at its No. 2 assembly plant in central Ontario early next year, the second major automaker in less than a week to announce plans for revving up production.
The No. 2 Honda Canada plant in Alliston, Ont., produces the Honda Civic sedan, Acura MDX sport utility vehicle and Acura ZDX crossover. The company also makes the Honda Civic coupe and sedan, as well as the Canadian-exclusive Acura CSX luxury compact sedan, at its No. 1 assembly plant and produces engines at a parts plant in Alliston.
"We are pleased to be making this announcement as the Canadian economy continues to show signs of recovery," said Manabu Nishimae, president and CEO of Honda Canada Inc.
There are several signs that Ontario’s battered auto sector is coming back to life following a disastrous year.
General Motors of Canada announced last week that it will recall more than 700 laid-off employees at two of its Ontario plants, most of them in Oshawa. GM Canada is adding a third shift to one of its plants in Oshawa and adding jobs at a CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont.
Although Honda and the other Japanese automakers weren’t as badly hurt by the recession as GM and Chrysler, which had to be bailed out by governments in the United States and Canada, the entire industry suffered from the downturn.
Scotiabank economist Carlos Gomes, who tracks the auto sector, said Tuesday that Honda’s announcement is consistent with what he’s been seeing in the industry.
"I think it reflects the fact that demand is picking up. It’s picking up globally, it’s picking up here in North America as well," Gomes said in an interview after Scotia Economics released a report on global auto sales.
Most of the vehicles made by various manufacturers in Ontario, which is the heart of Canada’s auto sector, have been historically produced for export to the U.S. market.
But Gomes said the high Canadian dollar and strong domestic market are having an impact.
"And as a result of that, we’re seeing the supply base focus more on the domestic market," Gomes said.
More than 45 per cent of Canadian production stayed in Canada last month. Historically it’s been more like one-third of the total, he said.
Honda noted on Tuesday that half of the vehicles it sold in Canada last year were made in Alliston.
The loonie - boosted by rising prices for commodities such as oil and metals as well as anticipation that interest rates will rise here - has been trading above 97 cents US through March, nearly 20 cents above where it was a year earlier.
With a weaker U.S. dollar, American businesses and consumers have to pay more for imported goods - putting additional pressure on exporters in Canada and other trading partners.
New Honda Civics are lined up at a Honda assembly plant. Honda Canada says a second shift will be added to its No. 2 assembly plant in Alliston, Ont., early next year. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Tom Strattman)
According to the news-makers at Japanese auto magazine Best Car, Honda is working on returning the Beat name to the streets of Tokyo after a 13 year absence.
The original Beat ran on a rear-wheel-drive platform and was powered by a 47kW 660cc engine, putting it in the ‘kei’ category – a class of car so small and with such a low environmental impact, that tax breaks and parking discounts are part of the benefits of owning one.
it was recently announced by Best Car Japan that a new Honda Beat is on its way although it will be mechanically distinct from the original model. It will still utilize the same 660cc powerplant and driveline from other lightweight models from Honda’s present lineup such as the Life, Zest and Zest Spark. The new version will have its engine in the front driving the front wheels. Since it is based on the Life/Zest platform there is likelihood that the new model could have 4WD.
Honda is still studying the market situation, Best Car said, because it wants to release the new model at just the right time. The only rival in the Beat’s market segment is the Daihatsu Copen, making it easy for the Beat, with competitive pricing and attractive design, to top the market.
All new Honda Beat will appear on the Japan market in July 2011.
2011 Honda NEW SMALL CAR (NSC or codename 2cv) rendering
the 2011 Honda NEW SMALL CAR (NSC or codename 2cv) is develope to sit below Honda Fit /Jazz. the car aim to market globally
main production hub will be India and Thailand. India will responsible to eexport it to Europe and Thailand will export to other market
the Honda NEW SMALL CAR (NSC or codename 2cv) will be in hatchback aproximate 3700*1680*1550 (L*W*H) in dimention base engine will be 3 cylinder 1 liter engine which will target for Europe but engine for Thailand will be 1.2 liter engine
the car will hit market first in India in Q1 of 2011.
2011 New Honda CR-V (codename 2ws) rendering and specification
The Japanese magazine which carried this rendering says the 2012 Honda CR-V will utilize the existing model’s platform. This is a clear indication of how the bad economic conditions have affected Honda’s future car development, who otherwise tend to scrap cars at the end of their tenure. expect to increases in length, width and height tp 4,535mm x 1,820mm x 1,685mm L*W*H respectively
While here in the States we’re still trying to find out whether or not Honda will reveal a mildly refreshed CR-V in 2010, in Japan Mag-X has already started speculating on the next-generation model. In the July issue of the magazine, there’s a detailed report accompanied by an artist’s impression of the 2012 Honda CR-V that is said to be introduced for the first time in October 2011 at the Tokyo Motor Show, with worldwide sales expected to begin shortly after
As for the powertrain options, the Japanese magazine states that the initial engine range will be carried over from today’s model and include, depending on the market, 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline units as well as a 2.2-liter turbo diesel that is already on offer in Europe.
Mag-X also mentions that while Honda does not plan to introduce a V6 option to the range, the Japanese automaker will present an ‘advanced engine’ at a later stage but the report does not provide any further details on the matter.
A-segment
1. Renault Twingo 10.244
2. Citro?n C1 2.800
3. Peugeot 107 2.178
4. Fiat 500 1.751
5. Fiat Panda 1.750
6. Ford Ka 1.047
7. Toyota Aygo 587
8. Nissan Pixo 482
9. Smart ForTwo 450
10. Kia Picanto 431
11. Opel Agila 389
12. Suzuki Alto 306
13. Chevrolet Spark 228
14. Suzuki Splash 177
15. Hyundai i10 175
B-segment
1. Peugeot 207 12.473
2. Renault Clio III 9.561
3. Citro?n C3 II 6.056
4. Peugeot 206+ 5.951
5. Dacia Sandero 5.211
6. Ford Fiesta 4.613
7. VW Polo 3.909 VW
8. Renault Clio Campus 3.157
9. Citro?n C3 Generation 2.668
10. Opel Corsa 2.331
11. Dacia Logan 1.980
12. Fiat Punto 1.803
13. Toyota Yaris 1.771
14. SEAT Ibiza 1.558
15. BMW Mini 1.183
16. Suzuki Swift 693
17. Nissan Micra 657
18. Citro?n DS3 653
19. Alfa Romeo MiTo 600
20. Skoda Fabia 599
C-Segment
1. Renault M?gane III 6.112
2. Peugeot 308 5.468
3. VW Golf 2.885
4. Citro?n C4 2.530
5. Nissan Qashqai 1.643
6. Ford Focus 1.619
7. Audi A3 1.249 1249
8. Opel Astra 1.230
9. Mercedes Clase A 1.132
10. BMW Serie1 936
11. Hyundai i30 697
12. Toyota Auris 519
13. SEAT Le?n 445
14. VW Scirocco 442 15. Honda Civic 417
16. Kia Cee’d 413
17. Volvo C30 262
18. Mazda3 254 M
19. Fiat Bravo 138
20. VW Eos 74 V
C-Segment Sedan
1. Skoda Octavia 426
2. Toyota Prius 357
3. Volvo V50 216
4. Chevrolet Cruze 177
5. Renault Fluence 138
6. Lancia Delta 93
7. Volvo S40 93 8. Honda Insight 65
9. Mitsubishi Lancer 63
10. Subaru Impreza 30
D-Segment
1. Citro?n C5 2.414
2. Renault Laguna 2.101
3. BMW Serie3 1.310 3
4. Audi A4 961
5. VW Passat 920
6. Mercedes Clase C 841
7. Peugeot 407 717
8. Audi A5 651
9. Opel Insignia 626
10. Ford Mondeo 338
11. Toyota Avensis 304
12. SEAT Exeo 232
13. Alfa Romeo 159 146
14. Skoda Superb 144
15. Mazda6 95
Small Mpv
1. Citro?n C3 Picasso 3.342
2. Renault Modus 1.731
3. Opel Meriva 1.165
4. Ford Fusion 796
5. Nissan Note 482
6. Kia Soul 262 7. Honda Jazz 243
8. Kia Venga 235
9. Nissan Cube 172
10. Toyota Urban Cruiser 92
COMPACT MPV
1. Renault Sc?nic 5.645
2. Citro?n C4 Picasso 4.042
3. Peugeot 3008 3.438
4. Peugeot 5008 1.967
5. Ford C-Max 1.294
6. VW Touran 1.005
7. Opel Zafira 840
8. Mercedes Clase B 742
9. Citro?n Xsara Picasso 725
10. Toyota Verso 611
11. SEAT Altea 223
12. Mazda6 155
13. Kia Carens 73 14. Honda FR-V 19
15. Fiat Multipla 14
LARGE MPV
1. Renault Espace 759
2. Ford S-Max 182
3. Peugeot 807 110
4. Citro?n C8 88
5. Mercedes Viano 53
6. Kia Carnival 47
7. VW Sharan 23
8. SEAT Alhambra 22
9. Dodge Journey 20
10. Chrysler Voyager 17
SUV and 4X4
1. VW Tiguan 903
2. Toyota RAV4 591
3. Ford Kuga 549
4. BMW X1 41
6. Volvo XC60 243
7. Skoda Yeti 189 9
8. BMW X5 176
9. Citro?n C-Crosser 172
10. Toyota Land Cruiser 167
11. Chevrolet Captiva 143
12. BMW X3 142
13. Suzuki Jimny 132
14. Lexus RX 129 L
15. Renault Koleos 127 R
16. Nissan X-Trail 122
17. BMW X6 122
18. Hyundai Tucson 119
19. Suzuki SX4 118
20. Mercedes GLK 104
Japan Car Sales in February 2010
1. Toyota 136.682
2. Nissan 55.822 3. Honda 49.818
4. Daihatsu 48.555
5. Suzuki 45.941
6. Mazda 18.677 1
7. Mitsubishi 12.250
8. Subaru 11.062
9. Volkswagen 3.882
10. Lexus 3.373
11. Mercedes 2.198
12. BMW 1.910
13. Audi 1.147
14. MINI 757
15. Chevrolet 554
16. Volvo 485
17. Peugeot 386
18. Fiat 357
19. Porsche 307
20. Ford 252
21. Renault 245
22. Alfa Romeo 146
23. Jeep 133
24. Citro?n 107
25. Cadillac 92
26. Chrysler 82
27. Jaguar 78
28. Dodge 64
29. Land Rover 56
30. Smart 46
31. Hummer 32
32. Maserati 26
33. Ferrari 24
34. Lotus 20
35. Alpina 19
36. Bentley 13
37. Aston Martin 12 A
38. Hyundai 9
39. Saab 8
40. Lancia 7
41. GMC 6
42. Lamborghini 5
43. Roewe 4
44. Morgan 2
45. Daewoo GM 1
46. Isuzu 1
47. Saturn 1 1
48. Pontiac 1
49. Maybach 0 0
50. Otros 7 Other 7
American Honda Reports March Sales Increase of 17.8 percent
Date: April 01, 2010 13:54 Submitted by: Jeff Source: Honda Press Release Credibility Rating: Not Specified
Honda Division up 16.9 percent; Acura Division up 25.2 percent
TORRANCE, Calif., Apr. 1, 2010 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted March sales of 108,262 vehicles, an increase of 17.8 percent based on the daily selling rate*, the company announced today. American Honda year-to-date sales of 256,412 represent an increase of 12.5 percent based on the daily selling rate.
Honda Division posted March sales of 96,540, an increase of 16.9 percent versus March 2009, and was led by total car sales of 55,341, up 7.8 percent. Accord sales increased 23.2 percent to 29,120, and Civic sales increased 4.6 percent to 22,463.
Every Honda light-truck model posted a sales increase for the month, up 31.9 percent overall, with total sales of 41,199. CR-V sales of 14,848 increased 10.2 percent, Odyssey sales of 10,670 increased 25.8 percent and Pilot sales of 10,432 increased 47.8 percent.
"Our truck models are seeing the biggest gains compared to last year," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "Across the lineup, people are seeking long-term value and are placing a high priority on making smart purchase decisions."
Acura Division sales increased 25.2 percent to 11,722. Acura car sales posted an increase of 15.6 percent for a total of 7,152, led by TL sales of 3,917, an increase of 16.6 percent. TSX sales of 3,072, increased 15.6 percent. Acura MDX sales of 3,281, up 42.0 percent, led Acura total truck sales of 4,570, up 43.7 percent.
*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 26 days for March 2010 and 25 days for March 2009. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 74 days for 2010, versus 75 days for 2009. All percentages reflect DSR.
The U.S. selling arm of Honda Motor Company Ltd. reported its March sales spiked more than 20 percent, driven by demand for the company’s light trucks. American Honda Motor Co. reported Thursday that the automaker sold 108,262 vehicles in the U.S. last month, up 22 percent from 88,379 a year earlier. Every Honda light truck model saw sales rise in the month, the company said. Columbus Business First reports Honda sales unadjusted for differences in the number of selling days in the reporting periods. The company calculated its March sales, taking into account an extra selling day this year, were up 18 percent from a year earlier.
Honda’s namesake division posted a 22 percent gain in sales, to 96,540 vehicles from 79,374 in March 2009. That included a 28 percent jump in sales of the popular Accord sedan and coupe, which are assembled at the company’s Marysville plant. Sales of the Element light utility vehicle, which are produced in East Liberty, soared 37 percent to 1,246, while sales of the CR-V sport utility vehicle, also made in East Liberty, rose 15 percent to 14,848 vehicles.
Meanwhile, sales at Honda’s Acura luxury division jumped 30 percent to 11,722 vehicles, fueled in part by big increases in sales of its SUV models. The Marysville-made RDX saw sales rise 20 percent, while sales of Acura’s MDX jumped nearly 50 percent for the month.
Sales across the U.S. in the first quarter rose 11 percent to 256,412 vehicles, from 230,985 in the first three months of 2009.
Honda bases its North American production headquarters in Marysville. The company ranks among Central Ohio’s biggest private employers with about 7,400 workers, according to Business First research.
TOV Video: Acura press conference presentation at the 2010 NYIAS
Date: April 02, 2010 14:44 Submitted by: Jeff Source: TOV News Credibility Rating: Not Specified
It never fails, there is always some sort of a glitch that delays the release of these. You'll notice in the first clip, the audio synch suddenly slips at the very end of the clip. It takes forever to render these 1080p clips, so I only re-rendered part 2.
By JERRY HIRSCH Los Angeles Times
Publication: The Day
Published 04/03/2010 12:00 AM
Updated 04/02/2010 11:47 PM
Honda Insight hybrid sedans sit at a Honda dealership in Littleton, Colo. The American Automobile Association rated the vehicle among the best in fuel economy, and comfortable for drivers and passengers.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Honda Insight hybrid sedans sit at a Honda dealership in Littleton, Colo. The American Automobile Association rated the vehicle among the best in fuel economy, and comfortable for drivers and passengers.
The type of vehicle you drive can ease both the expense and pain of a long commute, according to the American Automobile Association.
Mindful of how wearing commuting can be on drivers, the auto club evaluated hundreds of vehicle models and compiled a list of autos that make good cars for commuters. It evaluated vehicles on practicality, safety, comfort, fuel efficiency and affordability.
Nationally, the average motorist spends about 41 minutes a day traveling about 22.5 miles round trip to and from work.
Here are the auto club's picks for vehicles that work well on long commutes.
• Honda Insight: Among the best in fuel economy while being reasonably comfortable for the driver and front-seat passenger. AAA says it's also less costly and more fun to drive than some of its hybrid competitors.
• Ford Fusion: Four-cylinder versions have a good combination of power, comfort and handling competence, the AAA says. The hybrid offers great fuel economy but comes with a higher purchase price.
• Volkswagen Jetta TDI: A fine-running modern diesel that "is every bit as economical as the most miserly hybrids" and "fun to drive," the AAA says.
• Hyundai Elantra: Good fuel efficiency combined with an interior that accommodates a driver and three passengers. AAA notes that the 10-year/100,000-mile warranty is a plus for high-mile commuting.
• Subaru Legacy/Outback: These new models with four-cylinder engines perform well and offer enhanced rear seat legroom.
• Honda Civic: Affordable, dependable, economical and comfortable, the Civic is one of the better performing compacts for a wide range of uses, including commuting, AAA says. The sporty 197 horsepower Si sedan also deserves consideration.
• Chevrolet Malibu: Nicely styled competent performer. The four-cylinder models offers enough power for the daily commute and promise decent fuel economy. The passenger cabin is nicely finished and roomy, both in the front and rear, making it a good choice for carpooling.
• Honda Accord: Good for the commute and good for family transportation, the Accord is roomy, solid and economical when equipped with the four-cylinder engine.
• Mazda3: Crisp handling and above average power for the compact field. Fuel economy also is good. The ride can be a little flinty, so commuters facing long stretches of neglected urban highways may want to look elsewhere.
If you want a bit more in luxury and styling, the auto club suggested:
• BMW 3-Series: The first sports sedan remains the best by many measures. AAA said its engine choices "are impressive for their power and refinement, the handling is top notch and the build quality is excellent."
• Mini Cooper: A premium subcompact, the Mini is both sporty and economical with fuel. Few cars are as much fun to drive and few small cars offer as many safety features.
• Chevrolet Corvette: Here's one way to spice up the commute. The surprise is when Corvette is "driven appropriately, it can even return near-compact car fuel economy of around 26 mpg on the highway," AAA said.
• Buick Enclave: Handling the commute for as many as eight people, the Enclave combines what the auto club called an exceptionally quiet ride with competent handling and surprising room in all three rows. .
• Mercedes-Benz GL: Roomy seating for seven, unexcelled refinement, all-wheel drive and the option of a surprisingly economical (for the vehicle size) diesel engine make this a highly desirable commuter for multi-adult carpools.
• Volkswagen GTI: Sporty, fun to drive and able to return mid- to upper-20 mpg fuel economy results with the 200-horsepower turbocharged engine. Two adults can fit in the rear seat.
1. BMW 7-Series - 2,940
2. Lexus LS - 2,785
3. Mercedes S-Class - 2,769
4. Porsche Panamera - 1,485
5. Audi A8 - 149
Quick Analysis:
The BMW 3-Series continues to dominate, plain and simple. It is still the status-quo in this segment with great lease deals and plenty of model variation. It still has class-leading impeccable driving manners. The C-Class continues to be very popular as well. With great exterior styling, this is an exemplary car for people who want to enter the Benz family. Rounding out the top 3, in its fourth year on the market, Infiniti's G line holds a strong third position. This car is once again clearly the best buy in the segment. Refreshed styling, sublime handling, strong performance and cleanly styled interior round out the package.
Mercedes E-Class leads mid-luxury segment. The 9th generation E-Class goes back to the roots of Mercedes-Benz. Built like a bank vault, both the E-Class coupe, sedan, and wagon aim to keep Mercedes on top. BMW's next generation F10 5-Series is posed to shake things up in the top 2 positions. The current E60 is still selling quite well despite its imminent replacement. The next generation 5-Series is sure to be improved in almost every single measure. Surprisingly, Lincoln's MKS is quite popular and in a solid third place. Maybe people should take more notice of this nicely styled vehicle. Ford's remarkable new Ecoboost power-plant is certainly welcome. With only 14 selling days under its belt, Infiniti's brand new M is in striking distance to take the number 3 spot in sales this year. Just like wonderful G line, Infiniti's new M looks to be honing in on the bronze position, right behind Mercedes and BMW.
The S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and Lexus LS keep swapping positions, but it is clear these three are the leaders of the flagship class. BMW's new 7-Series currently holds the top position for the first quarter of this year. Each of these podium finishers have their own unique strengths that standout from the competition. Porsche's Panamera is doing surprisingly well. Stalwart Porsche fanatics might not embrace it, but the new Panamera is making up large portion of Porsche sales. The new Jaguar XJ and Audi A8 will soon be on their way. It is too early to predict their success, but I don't see anything changing in the top 3 positions any time soon. We'll see if Audi and Jaguar can shake things up in the flagship-luxury class.
Indonesia is definitely the land flowing with milk and honey for when it comes to car companies selling MPVs there, but of course being a developed country just like ours, the market is actually pretty sensitive to pricing. The Avanza and its larger sibling the Kijang is king in Indonesia. Nissan has challenged it with the Grand Livina but Indonesian roads remain filled with primarily Avanzas – the sheer amount of the Toyota Avanza and its Daihatsu-badged cousin Xenia is mind-boggling.
The latest compact MPV to hit the Indonesian market is the Freed. It will be built there and exported to the region. As a part of a preview prior to the Freed’s launch in Malaysia later this month, Honda Malaysia decided to take a small group of media to Indonesia to visit the PT Honda Prospect Motor plant where the Freed is built.
The Freed is currently the only MPV being built at PT Honda Prospect Motor as the company has stopped making the Stream there. As a result, even our Stream in Malaysia has switched from a CBU Indonesia that it was previously to a CBU Japan. The plant is located in Karawang, which is just outside Jakarta. Honda owns 51% of the company while PT Prospect Motor owns the other 49%. The 7 year old plant can produce 40,000 units of body a year on 2 shifts and 160,000 engines a year on 3 shifts. The plant exports cylinder heads and engine blocks as well as certain body parts like the engine hood, roof, floor, and etc.
The Honda Freed which comes out of the PT Honda Prospect Motor plant contains at least 40% ASEAN content including body panels and a lot of the engine, although a lot of the parts also still come from Japan. Thus in the context of the Freed the plant can still probably be considered mostly an assembly plant although it does manufacturer certain parts. But in today’s world with parts coming from all around the world especially from within economic regions, it’s hard to find a plant that builds everything within the country.
The Freed is built with a combination of robots and manual labor. Robots take care of the work that requires precision and consistency such as welding the body together and even things like applying sealant around certain parts of the car like the windscreen.
Human workers are used for assembly work that aren’t as repetitious as welding a body and other assembly work such as fitting the radio into the dashboard. Different specs of the Freed for different countries may use different radios (this is just an example) so these work are done by humans.
The workers also perform final QC work such as running their hands over the body surface to find inconsistencies in metal and other fittings. A Freed that has been completely assembled will go through a series of final QC checks including a water test which ensures all the seals work properly and there will not be any leakages into the car. Trust me, with cars being so full of electronics these days, water getting into places where it’s not supposed to go can be a real wallet-breaking affair. It happened to my E39!
Interestingly the plant also has ‘green’ activities, in line with Honda’s global eco stance. Among the programs ongoing at the Karawang plant is the implementation of ISO 14001, CO2 control, air emissions monitoring, and a hazardous waste management program. The rejected water from the plant’s RO water process is used to water the garden. The many water conservation activities in the plant have resulted in a water savings of 77% before the various water saving measures were implemented.
Look after the jump for more photos from the plant and stay tuned for a brief impression short test drive report of the Freed coming up next.
TOV Video: Interview with John Mendel at the 2010 New York International Auto Show
Date: April 04, 2010 23:23 Submitted by: Jeff Source: TOV News Credibility Rating: Not Specified
We had the opportunity to chat briefly with John Mendel at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. See what he has to say about the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon and Acura's "Smart Luxury" initiative.
Is Honda working on a higher performing hybrid sports coupe?
Date: April 06, 2010 11:25 Submitted by: Jeff Source: Motor Trend Credibility Rating: Not Specified
The CR-Z has only been on the road a little over a month and already there's talk of a larger, more powerful hybrid sports coupe possibly coming to the lineup. The photo is from an unidentified Japanese car mag, but Motor Trend says they have word coming from the inside that Honda is hard at work on a sporty hybrid coupe that is much larger than the CR-Z (they say it's about the size of an Accord Coupe). They also say that the vehicle was initially slated for a hybrid V6 powertrain, but now a 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid IMA powertrain is more likely.
When the next Honda Accord hits the streets, it just might come with a plug-in option according to some Honda insiders. It seems Honda has been quietly developing a Chevy Volt-like plug-in hybrid drive that also utilizes capacitors to increase EV range.
In addition to the next Accord, Honda's new plug-in drive could also be fitted to larger vehicles, including SUVs.
If rumors prove to a true, a more powerful Honda CR-Z sport hybrid may already be in development. Although it hasn’t even reached U.S. showrooms yet, the CR-Z has received mixed reactions – even from Honda execs – due to the car’s lackluster powertrain.
While the Honda CR-Z has seen tremendous success so far in Japan, where it has been on sale for about a month, some may argue that the Honda CR-Z is lacking the performance of a real sports car and also falls short in terms of miles per gallon for hybrid. Combined, these deficiencies have left plenty to be desired for this two-seater.
The rumors surrounding this all-new CR-Z center around a more powerful engine, possibly even a V6. Naturally, this new engine will still be mated to a fuel-efficient hybrid system.
Already, Honda is working on introducing all-new hybrid technology that would be suitable for vehicles with larger engines, such as the Odyssey minivan or Pilot crossover. This new system could therefore be a catalyst for a more powerful (and possibly larger) hybrid sports coupe.
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