Ultimele articole din presa straina referitoare la Honda

[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://business-standard.com/india/n...june/177089/on



Honda Siel Cars sales dip 22.81% in June
Company sold 1,253 units of its flagship sedan City and 609 units of its small car Brio

Car maker Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) today reported 22.81% dip in its sales for June at 2,667 units.

The company, which is a joint venture between Japanese auto major Honda and the Siel Group, had sold 3,455 units in the same month last year, HSCI said in a statement.



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"During June 2012, we deliberately held back whole-sales to avoid stock build-up at the dealerships. The consumer sentiment is quite low, as high petrol prices along with high borrowing costs have impacted the overall demand for cars," HSCI Senior Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) Jnaneswar Sen said.

"We hope that situation improves quickly and there is recovery in the market before the festival season," Sen added.

During the month, the company sold 1,253 units of its flagship sedan City and 609 units of its small car Brio. It also sold 649 units of the premium hatchback Jazz and 58 units of sedan Civic.

Besides, HSCI sold 53 units of the premium sedan Accord and 45 units of sports utility vehicle CR-V in June 2012.

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Scott Robinson Honda Confirms, Honda Engines TACS Training System Offered to Fire and Police Departments

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=158347

Scott Robinson Honda confirms, Honda Engines announced that the company’s award-winning Training and Certification System (TACS) now will be offered to fire and police departments that use equipment powered by small engines.

The TACS system will be provided to all first responders free of charge to assist them with technical, maintenance and repair information about Honda Engines models utilized on many products within the law enforcement and fire and rescue communities.

The Honda Engines TACS system provides Web-based service training and certification to Honda Engines distributors and more than 10,600 Honda Engines dealers nationwide. The easy-to-use system allows dealer and distributor personnel to complete the latest Honda Engines product and technical training at their own pace while at the dealership. In relation to first responders, the TACS system will allow busy police and fire personnel to learn about both common and uncommon repair and maintenance operations quickly, easily and at their convenience.

Fire and police departments wishing to utilize the TACS system may easily enroll by visiting www.engines.honda.com and locating their closest engine distributor. The local Honda Engines distributor will contact the fire or police department to assist with obtaining a unique user identification and password to easily access the program and all relevant engine information.

Honda is the world’s largest engine manufacturer, having produced more than 100 million power products alone with Honda Engines on a cumulative basis. The company’s general-purpose engine products are characterized by the same technology that is behind the Honda reputation for unparalleled durability, quality and reliability.

With its support of local charities and environmental causes, Scott Robinson Honda has established itself as an integral part of the community, and has received industry wide recognition for its commitment to Green practices. For more information, call 866-604-4264 or visit (http://scottrobinsonhonda.com).

Don’t forget to become a fan of Scott Robinson Honda on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/scottrobinsonhonda) and become a follower of Scott Honda Robinson on twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/HondaAltFuel).

Scott Robinson Honda, located at 20340 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance, CA., has served the Long Beach, South Bay and Los Angeles areas since 1961, developing its unique reputation for providing car shoppers with outstanding value, honest service, and diverse inventory.

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http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto...a-odyssey.aspx

High-gas-mileage trucks: Honda Odyssey

Last redesigned for the 2011 model year, the 2012 Honda Odyssey has been named to numerous lists as a top choice for a family car.
The Odyssey gets class-leading fuel economy with its 248-horsepower, 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that gets 19 city and 28 highway mpg when paired with the six-speed automatic transmission and 18 city and 27 highway mpg when mated to the five-speed automatic transmission.
The Odyssey seats eight with second-row captain's chairs and a walk-in feature for easy access to the third row. The third row features a 60-40 split that stows into the floor for additional cargo space. Also available is a center seat in the second row that slides front to back or transforms into a large armrest with cup holders and storage tray.
Standard features include six air bags, dual-zone air conditioning (with tri-zone available); power mirrors, locks and windows (with auto up and down on front); cruise control and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel as well as stability and traction control.
Options include power sliding rear doors, leather seating, several upgraded audio systems, parking guidance sensors, rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a navigation system.

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[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ame...rds-2012-07-03

American Honda Reports June Auto Sales: 48-Percent Surge Nets Best June Sales Since 2008; Honda CR-V and Acura RDX Set Best-Ever June Records
Honda division sales up 45 percent, Acura sales up 76 percent

TORRANCE, Calif., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- American Honda today reported June 2012 U.S. sales of 124,808 units, an increase of 48.8 percent compared with June 2011 (an increase of 43.3 percent based on the daily selling rate*). The Honda Division posted June 2012 sales of 109,438 units, an increase of 45.6 percent compared with June 2011. Acura's U.S. June sales of 15,370 units increased 76.5 percent compared with June 2011.

Honda - CR-V sets sixth-consecutive monthly sales record with a new June record (23,282 units), up more than 50 percent from June 2011

Accord sales top 28,000 units, up more than 80 percent from June 2011

Exceptional month for core Honda products (Accord, Civic, CR-V) with sales up more than 50 percent from last June for each model

"With robust inventories and great customer demand, it feels good to be back in the race," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "The strong performance of our core models, including another record-breaking month for the CR-V, demonstrates the fundamental competitiveness of Honda products."

Acura - Total Acura sales of 15,370 units were up 76.5 percent over June 2011, the best June sales since 2007

The new RDX continued its sales success with another record sales month (3,090 units), up 189.3 percent. In May, the RDX was the best-selling compact luxury SUV and is expected to retain that position for June

Acura light trucks posted a best-ever June result of 8,278 units, up 82.1 percent from last year

Both the TL and TSX enjoyed substantial sales increases over June 2011, up 47.1 percent and 43.9 percent respectively. With national advertising just starting in June, the all-new ILX has begun to build both inventory and awareness, posting June sales of 1,081 units

"The weather may be too hot in many parts of the country, but Acura sales are continuing to heat up," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "With our light trucks setting records and our volume sedans showing major increases, it's going to be a great summer for Acura."

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 27 days for June 2012 and 26 days for June 2011. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 154 days for 2012 and 152 days for 2011. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.automobiles.honda.com . For media inquiries please visit www.hondanews.com . For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com . For media inquiries please visit www.acuranews.com .

=======================

http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/...onda-see-steep

Auto sales surge in June; Toyota, Honda see steep rises

From mini cars to monster pickups, sales of new cars and trucks surged in June and eased concerns that Americans would be turned off by slower hiring and other scary headlines.

Automakers sold nearly 1.3 million cars and trucks in June, up 22 percent from the same month last year. Chrysler posted its best June in five years. Sales soared at Volkswagen, which is on track for its best year in the U.S. since 1973.

The results allayed fears that the car market's momentum had stalled. U.S. sales were on track to reach 14.5 million after the first four months of the year. But the annual pace dropped to 13.8 million in May, as the stock market plunged and hiring slowed. June brought more worrisome news about jobs growth and consumer confidence.

But buyers didn't go away last month. In fact, June's sales pace rose to 14.1 million, according to Autodata Corp. And if sales stay at that level for all of 2012, it will be the industry's best year since 2007.

Falling gas prices, cheaper loans and new models like the Ford Escape and Dodge Dart drew buyers. A revived housing market lifted sales of pickups. And there was still plenty of demand from people who bought cars in the middle of the last decade and needed to replace them. Annual sales hit a high of 17 million in 2005, and those cars and trucks are now seven years old.

"If a family in Iowa's only mode of transportation is on the fritz, they are going to buy a replacement vehicle, even
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if Spain's economy is on the brink of collapse," says Alec Gutierrez, a senior market analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

Automakers also started their Independence Day promotions a little early and that juiced sales at the end of the month.

"In the last two weeks we really went all-out," says Bill Underriner, who sells Volvo, Buick, Honda and Hyundai cars in Billings, Mont.

Colorful ads with holiday deals excited buyers, says Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst with pricing site Edmunds.com. The Buick Verano small car - one of Underriner's big sellers last month - is now $239 per month for a two-year lease. That's $50 less than usual.

Toyota's sales rose 60 percent for the month while Honda's climbed 49 percent, but that wasn't surprising.

"Toyota was the No. 1 retail brand for the fourth consecutive month of the year," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manger for the Toyota Division, in a conference call with media.

Torrance is home to Toyota's U.S. sales and marketing arm and Honda's U.S. headquarters.

Last year, both companies had little inventory at U.S. dealerships because of the earthquake in Japan. Now, they're taking back sales that their rivals gained last year. The Chevrolet Cruze, for example, was the top-selling car in the country June 2011, but its sales dropped 24 percent last month. Sales of its Japanese rivals, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, jumped more than 40 percent each.

===========================

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1076528

American Honda Reports June Auto Sales: 48 Percent Surge Nets Best June Sales Since 2008; Honda CR-V

07/03/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.

American Honda today reported June 2012 U.S. sales of 124,808 units, an increase of 48.8 percent compared with June 2011 (an increase of 43.3 percent based on the daily selling rate*). The Honda Division posted June 2012 sales of 109,438 units, an increase of 45.6 percent compared with June 2011. Acura's U.S. June sales of 15,370 units increased 76.5 percent compared with June 2011.

Honda

- CR-V sets sixth-consecutive monthly sales record with a new June record (23,282 units), up more than 50 percent from June 2011

- Accord sales top 28,000 units, up more than 80 percent from June 2011

- Exceptional month for core Honda products (Accord, Civic, CR-V) with sales up more than 50 percent from last June for each model

"With robust inventories and great customer demand, it feels good to be back in the race," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "The strong performance of our core models, including another record-breaking month for the CR-V, demonstrates the fundamental competitiveness of Honda products."

Acura

- Total Acura sales of 15,370 units were up 76.5 percent over June 2011, the best June sales since 2007

- The new RDX continued its sales success with another record sales month (3,090 units), up 189.3 percent. In May, the RDX was the best-selling compact luxury SUV and is expected to retain that position for June

- Acura light trucks posted a best-ever June result of 8,278 units, up 82.1 percent from last year

- Both the TL and TSX enjoyed substantial sales increases over June 2011, up 47.1 percent and 43.9 percent respectively. With national advertising just starting in June, the all-new ILX has begun to build both inventory and awareness, posting June sales of 1,081 units

"The weather may be too hot in many parts of the country, but Acura sales are continuing to heat up," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "With our light trucks setting records and our volume sedans showing major increases, it's going to be a great summer for Acura."

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 27 days for June 2012 and 26 days for June 2011. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 154 days for 2012 and 152 days for 2011. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.automobiles.honda.com. For media inquiries please visit www.hondanews.com. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com.



=================================

[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/n...n_track_crash/

Honda test driver dies in track crash

A Honda test driver was killed and four colleagues injured when a car they were testing crashed at a leading European centre for trialling new vehicles.

David Allan, an experienced touring car competitor, was testing the vehicle on Tuesday on a track also used by BBC show Top Gear.

The 47-year-old, of Swindon, was pronounced dead at the scene at the Millbrook proving ground, near Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

His colleagues were still in hospital yesterday with injuries not said to be life-threatening.

An employee at Honda’s Swindon plant said: “Everyone is utterly devastated. We found out about the news late on Tuesday afternoon and we are all in a state of shock.

“Testing of new cars is a dream job which takes people all over Europe. Dave was also a highly experienced professional who had raced the Civic for many years.

“You don’t expect anyone to be hurt, let alone die. We are just lost for words.”

The accident happened at around 11.30am during routine vehicle testing at the ground, used by TV shows including Top Gear, Fifth Gear and the James Bond film Casino Royale. Only one car was involved. Collision investigation officers from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit carried out a forensic investigation at the scene, assisted by the Health and Safety Executive.

A spokesman for the car giant said: “Five Honda associates were involved in a serious incident. Tragically one of the associates was fatally injured.

“The remaining associates were taken to the local hospital where they were treated for various injuries, which are not life-threatening.

“The families of the associates have been informed.Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the associates at this time.”
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The company said more details would be released once an inquest had been opened by the coroner.

Mr Allan was part of a Honda team which competed in the British Touring Car Championship in 2002. He drove the Production Class Honda Civic Type R.

The driver also competed in an event at Castle Combe in 2009, where he reported that the road motor in his Civic was better than the racing version.

He was a key member of Synchro motorsport, formed in 1994 for Honda employees to develop their technical skills.

The team consists of members of staff from the plant in South Marston.

Mr Allan also competed in the Dunlop Production GTN Championship at Castle Combe last July, driving the Honda Jazz.

Grant Larking, owner of sponsor Advanced Sign Factory, said: “We have sponsored the team for nearly 10 years.

“We had just finished putting the livery on a new car for this year with Dave’s name on it.

“We just can’t believe what’s happened and our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Honda regularly uses Millbrook, which is one of Europe’s leading locations for the development, test and demonstration of land vehicles ranging from sports cars to armoured personnel carriers. Modelled on the Milford Proving Ground, in Michigan, USA, the 700-acre site was constructed in the 1960s by Vauxhall Motors.

Commercial vehicles are rigorously tested and analysed on a variety of surfaces and in a range of different conditions.

Honda launched its CR-V cross-road model at the site in December 2006, ending the show with Asiino, its humanoid robot. Millbrook also offers advanced driver training.

A spokesman for Bedfordshire police said: “Collision investigation officers from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit have carried out a full forensic examination of the scene and are being assisted by the Health and Safety Executive. Colleagues from the East of England Ambulance Service and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended.”

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http://www.canada.com/sports/autorac...090/story.html

Honda Driver on podium for third time

Michael Valiante drove the Honda of America No. 93 Civic SI to a second checkered flag in the last three races in the Grand American Continental Tire sports car series on Sunday.

Valiante took over the car after a bad pit stop dropped the No. 93 Honda from third to 13th place.

Valiante took the lead from eventual runnerup Pierre Kleinubing in a Mazda Speed 3 on the 33rd lap and led the rest of the way, posting a racehigh 27 lead laps to claim the team's second win in the street tuner class at the Continental Tire 150 at Watkins Glen, New York, the team's third podium finish in less than a month

"It's great to be on a roll. Hopefully we can keep it up," said Valiante on Monday.

"Pierre Kleinubing was really good coming up the esses and into the inner loop. I was able to hold him off two or three times before I realized I had to get a really good run in the last corner through Turn 1 so I could hold off his attack. It was very difficult," said Valiante in a Grand Am press release.

"It was a good day for points, but I was trying to win no matter what," said Kleinubing, the new ST points leader. "Every time I got close to Valiante, he dug deeper and pulled away."

Valiante and co-driver Chad Gilsinger claimed HART's first ST win of the season series at MidOhio in June. The pair then placed second at Road America in Wisconsin last week.

The three consecutive podium finishes moved the HART No. 93 car into the top 10 in the overall series' team standings.

This weekend, Valiante will be racing for JDX Racing in a Porsche with at the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut.

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http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/7226...ice-and-design

New Honda CRV smart on price and design

With the Japanese tsunami and the Thailand floods stopping production during 2011, Honda's plants have been unable for some time to supply not only complete products from those factories but also parts, panels, engines and transmissions for the company's operations in Europe and North America.

Thus supply of some Honda models to many markets has been affected, and having run out of third generation CR-V models late last year, Honda New Zealand will be welcoming the arrival of the all-new fourth generation model, not only because it's able to satisfy some of the pent-up demand for the model, but also because it arrives with a remarkably sharp sticker that starts at under $40,000 for a car that shows absolutely no sign of penny-pinching.

True, the starter car is a 2.0-litre front-wheel-drive CRV S model, but with many customers buying light SUVs for 'room with a view,' often full all-wheel-drive traction is not on the checklist, so Honda has joined many traditional crossover offerings by furnishing a very well placed range-starter priced at $39,900, that from the outside - save for the lack of a sunroof - looks no different to the $48,900 4WD 2.4-litre CRV Sport, right down to the smart 17 inch alloy wheels.

The new CRVs all come with a reversing camera, iMID Bluetooth phone and music streaming, front, side and curtain airbags, iPod integration, magic seats and 17" alloy wheels, while the Sport version replaces the S model's alcantara faux suede trim with leather, adds a power sunroof, automatic wipers, heated front seats, power drivers seat, the shift paddles, fog lamps and an auto dimming rear view mirror.

The CRV Sport has a refettled version of the old model's 2.4 litre engine whch now offers 140kW that is 12 per cent up on the previous car's 124kW while its 222Nm of torque is up by just 4kW. The CR-V Sport gets 8.7 litres per 100km now, quite an improvement on the old model's 10.0L/100km.

The new CRV S model uses the same 2.0 litre engine used in some Civic sedans. It offers 114kw and 190Nm torque, and fuel economy of just 7.7 L/100km, offering medium hatch running costs in a large SUV package.

Drivers of CRVs can be encouraged into economical driving habits by Honda's so-called ECON operating mode, which, softens throttle responses and improves the vehicle’s fuel efficiency when activated. Both CRVs come with a 5-speed automatic transmission, which offers slightly higher overall gearing (1950rpm/100kmh in top gear) to aid fuel economy. The Sport also includes steering wheel mounted shift paddles.

Despite looking bigger than its predecessor, the new CRV is actually shorter by 30mm thanks to less prominent front and rear overhangs and 30mm lower over all, with a much flatter roofline. The passenger floor and seat bases are 40mm lower than before, but still offer that panoramic SUV view that many buyers look for, with the rear passengers mounted just a few millimetres higher than the front pair.

The under tonneau load space has improved from 512 to 589 litres with the seats up, while maximum volume has gone from 1522 to 1669mm.

For all this extra space, Honda has managed to reduce the coefficient of drag by 8 per cent.

From a brief drive in the two new CRVs, this driver can report a dramatically improved vehicle in terms of ride and refinement. The driving position is more car-like than before but still offers that view people are fond of. Honda has reprofiled the front pillars for better driver visibility too, which is a must with our reverse turning rules and the cabin feels more airy than before.

On the road, the two wheel drive does not make its driver feel short-changed for either performance or equipment, though it has to be said that the 2.4-litre CRV Sport does pack noticeably more punch.

However, I preferred the ''lesser'' S model's ride and handling, with its road noise seeming to be better suppressed than the heavier, all-wheel-drive car's.

A clever touch for the new car is the provision of what Honda calls ''magic seats'' in the fourth-generation CR-V. Levers on each side of the load area are all you have to pull to automatically tumble-fold the rear seat squabs and backs, converting its load area into an almost flat expanse of pace. You don't even need to remove the headrests which means this operation, which can normally take several minutes, is a mere two or three second affair. Nice.

It's a compelling car, the new CRV. But there are questions to ask.

The entry point car at $39,900 is brilliant value and Honda is quite open about the fact that it's looking at fleet buyers for the majority of its intended first full year's sales of 700 units. However, the $9000 step up to the Sport model, whose specification might add up to good value, could have punters asking for lower specification but with the larger engine and more complex drive train. For say $45,000, which is what I'd surmise would be the price benefit of cloth instead of leather and deleting the power sunroof, the CRV 2.4 would still be less expensive than many competitors in the segment, and more in reach of buyers than the Sport.

With the new CR-V coming in on the heels of Honda's new Civic five-door hatch, Honda hasn't had two such compellingly priced cars on its manifest at the same time in years.

* Further impressions of driving and experiencing the CRV will be published next week on this website and in other Fairfax Media motoring publications.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Volkswagen car sales decline whereas Honda sales increase by 157 percent in India for June 2012

http://www.rushlane.com/volkswagen-c...28Rush+Lane%29

Volkswagen Group sales for the month of June 2012 declined in the Indian auto industry. Last month, the German car maker sold 5,371 cars in India, compared to the 5,397 units sold in the same month last year. Compared to May 2012, VW India sales have progressed by 18%. Volkswagen Beetle - 0 units, Jetta 281, Passat 90, Polo 2418, and Vento 2581. Honda Siel Cars India, on the other hand reported sales growth of 157% during the period April 2012 to June 2012. The company sold 20,076 units during this period while they sold only 7,801 units in the same period a year prior.
Only taking the month of June 2012 into account this sales picture was rather dismal. HSCI sold 2667 cars in June 2012 as against 3455 cars sold in June 2011. However the company began the financial year on a good note and special demand was seen for models like Brio, Jazz and City. Sales of Brio stood at 609 units while the company sold 1253 units of City and 649 units of Jazz during June 2012.
The company is optimistic of the market situation improving in the coming months and especially during the festive season which will hopefully get their sales back on track.


Auto News Release
Honda Siel Cars India registers growth of 157% in Q1 (Apr. – Jun. 2012)



New Delhi, July 2, 2012: Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India reported a sales growth of 157% during April-June 2012 selling 20,076 units as against 7,801 units sold during the same period last year.
The company sold 2,667 units in the month of June 2012 as against 3,455 units sold in June 2011.
According to Mr. Jnaneswar Sen, Sr. VP - Sales and Marketing, HSCI, "We started this fiscal year on a high note, which was clearly visible from our sales numbers in April - May 2012 backed by strong demand for Brio, Jazz and City. However, the current macroeconomic indicators are not very encouraging. During June 2012, we deliberately held back whole-sales to avoid stock build-up at the dealerships. The consumer sentiment is quite low, as high petrol prices alongwith high borrowing costs has impacted the overall demand for cars. We hope that situation improves quickly and there is recovery in the market before the festival season."


Model wise sales break-up in June 2012:



Brio - 609
City - 1253
Jazz - 649
Civic - 58
Accord - 53
CR-V - 45


About Honda Siel Cars India Ltd



Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., (HSCI) leading manufacturer of passenger cars in India was established in December 1995 as a joint venture between Honda Motor Co. Ltd (Japan) and Siel Limited with a commitment to provide Honda's latest passenger car models and technologies, to the Indian customers.
HSCI's has two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities at Greater Noida, U.P and Tapukara, Rajasthan.
The company's product range includes Honda Brio, Honda Jazz, Honda City, Honda Civic and Honda Accord which are produced at the Greater Noida facility. The Honda CR-V is imported from Japan as Completely Built Units. Honda's models are strongly associated with advanced design and technology, apart from its established qualities of durability, reliability and fuel-efficiency.

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http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-196864.html

A First For CTCC At Circuit Mont-Tremblant

Mont-Tremblant is known as a challenging track for drivers and this weekend, the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) presented by Continental Tire will compete on this historic circuit for the first time.

Rounds 7 & 8 will be conduct over a three-day event. Competitors will be on the track beginning Friday with two practice sessions. Saturday morning, a qualifying session will start the day at 9:00 am to prepare for Round 7 at 12:45 pm the same day. Drivers will be back for a warm-up session on Sunday morning at 9:00 am, getting ready to compete for Round 8 of the Championship again in the early after-noon at 12:45 am. Tickets to attend this event are available at www.lecircuit.com

These two Rounds will mark the halfway point of CTCC’s event calendar for 2012. Racing at Circuit Mont-Tremblant will be new for some of the competitors but will be a very comfortable race track for several Quebec drivers and it should be a clear advantage for them. Amongst the 37 race cars that compose the field this weekend, a few new drivers are expected. Karl Wittmer will be competing against his brother Nick in B-Spec Class, driving the #26 Mazda2. Also in B-Spec Class, Remy Audette will get behind the wheel of the #17 Honda Fit, usually driven by Simon Dion-Viens. Andre Rapone will also be in a different car as he will be racing in the #33 Honda Fit. In Touring Class, we see some changes as Daniel Blanchette gets behind the wheel of the #98 Honda Civic Si for the first time this season. P.J. Groenke has moved back to Touring Class in the #49 MINI Cooper S JCW. Marc-André Bergeron has had a rough start to the season but maybe changing his car number to 47 (same number he wears in the NHL) will help him to turn his luck around. Let’s wish him well!

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[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

On a Hot Streak: Honda Civic Earns Top Spot in June 2012 Compact Sales

http://wot.motortrend.com/on-a-hot-s...es-228071.html

June 2012 compact sales saw the same players on the podium. The Honda Civic again took the gold, with the Toyota Corolla earning the silver, and Ford Focus retaining its bronze medal.

Honda sold 27,500 Civics in June, a 57.3-percent increase versus June of last year. The second-place finisher was again the Toyota Corolla, this time with 26,647 sales, a 41.2-percent increase over June of last year. Honda still leads the yearly sales race, with 162,582 Civics sold so far in 2012, to Toyota’s 151,726 Corollas sold.

Third and fourth place went to two American compact contenders: the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. The Focus came in third with 21,186 vehicles sold, an 0.9 percent drop versus last year. Chevy sold 18,983 Cruzes last month (a 23.8-percent drop), putting it in fourth place. Ford has sold 131,423 Focuses this month, while Chevrolet has sold 113,884 Cruzes.

Rounding out our list for June 2012 compact sales were the Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, Nissan Sentra, and Mazda3. Both the Elantra and Jetta retained their fifth and sixth place positions (with 17,655 and 11,598 sold, respectively), while the Sentra and Mazda3 swapped spots, putting the Mazda3 in eighth place.
June ’12 Sales June ’11 Sales Year-to-Date
Honda Civic 27,500 17,485 162,582
Toyota Corolla 26,647 18,872 151,726
Ford Focus 21,186 21,385 131,423
Chevrolet Cruze 18,983 24,896 113,884
Hyundai Elantra 17,655 19,992 97,769
Volkswagen Jetta sedan 11,598 14,513 72,519
Nissan Sentra 9211 8077 55,984
Mazda3 8835 8612 59,527



Source: Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen

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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...-mini-vehicle/

Honda to begin sales of all-new “N BOX +” mini-vehicle


HONDA announced it will begin sales of the N BOX + (“N BOX plus”), the second model of the new mini-vehicle N Series, at dealerships across Japan on July 6, 2012. Following the introduction of the N BOX, which realized one of the largest*1 interior spaces among all mini-vehicles in the market through adoption of newly-designed platform and powerplant, Honda is now introducing the N BOX + which was developed under the concept of “adding (“plus”) new possibilities.”

Two innovative ideas were added to the large cargo area made possible by the combination of Honda’s innovative packaging technology, the center-tank layout, and the newly-developed powerplant. The “Universal Bridge*2” combines a sloped floor and an attachable aluminum slope*3, which makes the loading and unloading of luggage and other items easier. The “Multi-space System*2” realizes versatile space arrangements with three different sized boards.

The addition of these innovative ideas enables the N BOX + to accommodate diverse customer needs in a wide range of vehicle uses including daily routines, recreational activities and special needs care-giving.

The 2-tone color style , which has different color combinations for the body and roof, was established to enable each owner to more strongly express their personality in a fun way, expanding the potential for the joy of customers.

The N BOX, the first model of the new mini-vehicle N Series, was Honda’s proposal for a “mini mini-van” which leverages its overwhelming spaciousness beyond the concept of mini-vehicle to enhance occupant comfort. The vehicle has been well received by a large number of customers, especially families with children, and cumulative sales since the sales launch in December of last year has already reached approximately 100,000 units.

*1

Honda’s internal research (as of July 2012), comparison based on the interior size (length, width, height)

*2

The Universal Bridge and the Multi-space System are registered trade marks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

*3

Aluminum slope is available as a dealer option

[ Key features of N BOX + ]

The “Multi-space System” realizes versatile space arrangements with three boards:

A wide variety of arrangements including several cargo modes or a bed mode which folds flat can quickly be made using large and small multi-boards and an end board.

The “Universal Bridge” combines a sloped floor and an attachable aluminum slope, to improve the ease of loading and unloading:

• In addition to sloping the low floor which was realized by the center-tank layout, Honda’s innovative packaging technology, an aluminum slope was made available to bridge the vehicle floor and the ground, making it easier to load and unload heavy items on wheels such as a small motorbike.

Visibility and sense of security beyond the mini-vehicle category:

• In addition to realizing an eye point as high as that of a mini-van, installation of mirrors which help eliminate blind spots around the left-front wheel, left-rear wheel, and lower rear make it easier to pull up closer to an object on the side or to park.

A high-performance powertrain realizes both excellent driving performance and fuel economy at a high level:

• Smooth and powerful driving was realized through the combination of a high-output/high-torque DOHC engine which generates output and torque at the top level of the class and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with high power efficiency. Excellent fuel economy of 21.2km/L*4 was realized through adoption of various features including the idle stop system and ECON mode system.

• A DOHC Turbo engine with high-performance turbo charger is available in all grades.

*4

N BOX + and N BOX + Custom FWD vehicles (excluding turbo model) measured in JC08 mode (Testing by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

High safety performance and enhanced safety features:

• Class-leading omni-directional collision safety performance was realized with the newly-designed engine and new load distribution structure.

• VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) system is standard equipment on all types.

• HSA (Hill Start Assist) that temporarily prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an upward incline is installed as standard equipment on all types.

• Driver-side i-SRS airbag system (with continuously staged inflation) and SRS airbag system for front passenger are standard equipment on all types.

0.The impact-mitigating headrests in the front seat which are designed to help mitigate the likelihood of a neck injury in the event of collision, and the interior which protects occupants’ heads from impact are adopted.

Environmental performance:

• All types are certified by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as complying with the 2005 - 75% emissions standard.

• G and G?L Package (FWD/4WD) for both N BOX + and N BOX + Custom comply with the 2015 fuel economy standard.

More than 90 percent of the entire vehicle is recyclable.

=================================

https://rumors.automobilemag.com/com...ne-153635.html

Compact Crossover Sales: Ford Escape Beats Honda CR-V in June

While compact crossover sales in June were hot for all automakers, American-branded crossovers snagged two of the three top spots, with the Ford Escape leading the way. The Honda CR-V placed second while the Chevrolet Equinox earned the third place spot on the podium.

With a combination of 2012 and 2013 models, the Ford Escape earned its first-place slot with 28,500 sales in June 2012, a 28-percent year-over-year increase over June 2011. The Escape may have outsold the all-new Honda CR-V last month, but its year-to-date sales of 127,167 units through June don’t match up to the Japanese heavyweight’s numbers.

Though the revamped Honda CR-V settled for second place in June, it still beats all other competitors in year-to-date sales by a large margin. Honda moved 23,282 CR-Vs last month (up 50.3 percent), bringing its year-to-date total to 146,682 — nearly 20,000 more than the Ford Escape.

The Chevy Equinox, with 20,793 units sold, sits in third place. Sales are still up with a 15.8-percent increase versus last year, and a year-to-date total of 110,890. Although the Toyota RAV4, with 15,129 units sold, earned the fourth spot, it saw the biggest increase (up 66.2 percent) compared to the same period last year. The Nissan Rogue is the last in the top five, with 10,999 sold (up 46.8 percent).

The GMC Terrain slipped ahead of the Subaru Forester for sixth place with 7795 Terrains sold versus 7233 Foresters sold. The all-new Mazda CX-5 rounds out our top eight, with 4551 CUVs sold for the month of June, and 16,031 vehicles sold for the year.
Car June 2012 Sales June 2011 Sales YTD
Ford Escape 28,500 22,274 127,167
Honda CR-V 23,282 15,493 146,682
Chevy Equinox 20,793 17,954 110,890
Toyota RAV4 15,129 9,105 89,438
Nissan Rogue 10,999 7,493 71,838
GMC Terrain 7,795 6,989 46,602
Subaru Forester 7,233 5,466 37,096
Mazda CX-5 4,511 n/a 16,031



Source: GM, Honda, Mazda, Ford, Subaru, Nissan, Toyota

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http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/...of+Columbus%29

Central Ohio-built Hondas lead companywide sales gains

Central Ohio-built vehicles have given a charge to Honda Motor Co. Ltd. sales this year as the company rebounds from a sluggish 2011.
All five vehicles the company assembles in the region notched a sales increase of at least 30 percent in June, and only the Honda Crosstour is pacing behind last year’s sales levels through the first half of the year. The Marysville-built Honda Accord was the company’s best-selling vehicle last month and has posted the second-largest sales total so far in 2012.
Locally built vehicles helped Honda, which bases its Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. subsidiary in Marysville, to a 49 percent sales improvement in June and a 15.4 percent increase in the first half of 2012. That’s a significant turn from this time a year ago, when the company saw sales slide by 21.3 percent in June on its way to a 7 percent decline for the year.
Natural disasters in Japan and Thailand hurt production as the company struggled with parts shortages and a dwindling inventory, slowing the launch of several key redesigns for the company.
Honda sold 124,808 vehicles last month, up from 83,892 in June 2011. Through the first half of the year, Honda has sold 700,982 vehicles compared with 607,442 during that time period a year ago.
Sales of the Accord increased by 84 percent last month to 28,924, up from 15,712 a year ago. The East Liberty-built CR-V crossover sport utility vehicle got a 50.3 percent bump to 23,282 vehicles sold compared with 15,493 in June 2011. The Crosstour, assembled in East Liberty, notched a 31 percent sales improvement to 1,826 from 1,395 a year ago.
The Marysville-built Acura TL saw sales improve by 47.1 percent to 3,377 from 2,296 a year ago, while sales of the East Liberty-built Acura RDX nearly tripled from 1,068 to 3,090 in June.
Those five vehicles have combined for 340,149 sales through the first half of the year, up 25.7 percent from 270,563 a year ago.

======================

http://www.hondainthenews.com/parent...v-and-odyssey/


Parents’ Best Family Cars Include Civic Hybrid, CR-V and Odyssey

When the staff at Parentsmagazine was putting together their list of “Best Family Cars for 2012,” they naturally turned to some experts for help. And those experts—from Edmunds.com—turned to Honda for three standout choices for families of all sizes: The Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey.
The Civic Hybrid was picked as a “Best Family Car” in the High Mileage category, which is appropriate for a vehicle that has posted marks of 44 mpg in all three EPA driving categories. Parentsalso noted that it’s “a pleasure to drive and is sleek inside and out.” In addition, while its MSRP starts at a family-friendly $24,200, “the loaded version, with on-board navigation and leather seats, clocks in at under $27,000, making it among the most affordable full-feature hybrids.”
For bigger families, Honda also offers the CR-V as a “Best Family Car” solution from the Crossover class, featuring a cabin that’s “reminiscent of a minivan, with a slew of cup holders and a gear shifter situated on the dashboard.” The best-selling crossover in America is packed with standard features, too, with Parentscalling out its “backup camera, a rear armrest to keep warring siblings apart, and rear seats that fold flat with a single touch.” Helpful as well: For the first time ever, the CR-V offers an optional rear-seat entertainment system.
Finally, in addition to the CR-V with its minivan-like interior, an actual minivan from Honda made the roster in the Large Vehicle segment. Regarding the Odyssey, Parentspraised its car-like cornering abilities and stable ride, and singled out advantages like its “endless storage compartments and second-row captain’s chairs that slide forward (to get closer to you) and sideways (to put extra real estate between siblings or make room for three car seats in the row)” along with an “optional middle seat in the second row [that] transforms into a cool beverage and snack tray when no one’s using it.”

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http://www.hondainthenews.com/kbb-co...ans-under-25k/

KBB.com: Civic, Accord Among Nation’s Best Sedans under $25K

When it comes to cars, sedans remain the top choice for U.S. buyers, and when it comes to sedans, the top choices include the Honda Civic and Honda Accord. That’s the word from Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com website, which recent added the two Honda vehicles to its roster of the year’s 10 Best Sedans for under $25,000.
The Civic was redesigned for the 2012 model year, and KBB.com noted that: “it continues to offer a level of refinement that plants it squarely on top of the hotly contested compact car segment. Priced from $15,995, the Civic sedan comes in five different flavors to appeal to a wide range of customers. The standard Civic sedan delivers a strong mix of value and fuel economy, the Civic HF ups the EPA ante all the way to 41 mpg highway, the Civic Hybrid can reach 44 mpg combined, and the Civic Natural Gas skips gasoline entirely and runs solely on clean-burning compressed natural gas. And for drivers who prefer a more athletic driving experience, Honda offers the 200-hp Civic Si—still capable of 31 mpg on the highway.
The current Accord is in the last few months of its lifecycle, with the new 2013 model launching later this year, but “its reputation for quality and reliability are legend,” according to KBB.com, and it supplies an “uncanny combination of handling and ride that are uncommonly good for a car in its class.” The 2012 Accord also boasts an MSRP of $21,480, which is lower than the starting price of rivals like the Chevrolet Malibu and Toyota Camry. In fact, all four-cylinder Accord models start under KBB.com’s $25,000 ceiling, even the Accord EX with its 190-hp i-VTEC engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, one-touch power moonroof, halogen reflector-style headlights and rear-seat climate vents.

===========================


Double digit increases for Honda, Acura sales in June

http://www.madhunt.com/honda-june-sales-20120705.html

June was the kind of month Honda Canada Inc. used to experience regularly before the economy tanked starting in 2009, followed by the ravages of natural disasters in Japan and Thailand that crippled supply chains and its worldwide production lines including in Alliston.

The automaker reported combined June sales of 13,557 units by the Honda and Acura divisions of Honda Canada Inc. a 42 per cent increase over last year's sales.

The Honda Automobile Division reported June sales of 12,047 units, up 43 per cent from last year, led by record sales of Honda CR-V (up 228 per cent), Fit (up 141 per cent), Pilot (up 78 per cent), and Ridgeline (up 73 per cent).

The Acura Division reported June sales of 1,510 units, up 33 per cent over last year, with record sales of Acura RDX (up 169 per cent) and TSX (up 102 per cent).

"We are pleased that the all-new Honda CR-V and the Acura RDX continue to hit their monthly sales records and other models such as Honda Fit, Pilot, Ridgeline and Acura TSX are showing strong sales, as a result of our normal supply levels versus last year," said Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice president, Honda Canada Inc in the press release.Honda of Canada Mfg, in Alliston assembles the Civic Sedan, Si and Coupe in Plant 1, and Honda Civic Sedan, CR-V, Acura MDX sport utility and Acura ZDX vehicles in Plant 2.

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[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/07...with-more.html

Honda Launches New N Box + with More Practical Interior in Japan

Honda has presented the second model of its new mini-vehicle N Series named the N BOX + (N BOX plus) in Japan. The new model is essentially a more practical version of the N Box tall city car with added functionality in the cargo area.

In particular, the Plus model introduces the so-called "Universal Bridge" system that includes a retractable aluminum slope to make it easier to load and unload heavy items on wheels such as a small motorbike. When not in use, the aluminum board can be neatly tucked away under the boot.

Another bespoke feature of the N BOX + is the "Multi-space System" that introduces three different sized boards that allow for a wide variety of arrangements including several cargo modes and a bed mode.

Like the regular N Box, the Plus model is offered with a 660cc three-cylinder petrol engine in naturally aspirated and turbocharged flavors linked to a CVT and front- or all-wheel drive versions.

Prices in Japan start at 1,350,000 Yen (US$16,900 / €13,500) with Honda offering the N Box + in three distinct models with visible styling differences including the Base, 2-Tone Color Style and Custom.





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http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-196939.html

Zytek And Honda Announce Partnership

Honda Motor Company has announced the formation of a new technical partnership with British company Zytek Automotive to develop Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) specifically for motor racing. The partnership brings together the vast experience of Honda in the development and manufacture of hybrid road cars with Zytek's innovative electronic solutions for motorsport.

Honda Motor Company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hybrid road cars, with over 800,000 such cars on the road in approximately 50 countries worldwide. Since the inception of Zytek, its mission has been to develop innovative electronics solutions for both race and road cars, from the first digital engine management systems and electronic gearshifts to hybrid and EV systems, including Formula One KERS technology.

The first racecars resulting from the new partnership were rolled out at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit on July 2 nd – 3rd 2012, where Team Mugen’s Honda CR-Z GT car made its track debut.

The car's 50kW hybrid system has been developed by Honda and Zytek to meet the challenges of one of the world’s most competitive sportscar series. Zytek's experience of the performance challenges of KERS in Formula One and endurance challenges of hybrid systems in Le Mans 2-hour racing have been combined to produce a formidable solution. Zytek's engineers have worked closely with their Honda counterparts to develop innovative ways in which the hybrid systems can be used to increase the performance of the car.

Both English and Japanese engineers from Zytek are on site to support their Honda colleagues. Design and development work on the next generation of systems is currently underway at Zytek's engineering facilities at Fradley and Repton, UK, and at Honda’s R&D HQ in Tochigi, Japan.

Following the announcement, Zytek Automotive Managing Director, Neil Heslington said “We are delighted and proud to have been recognised by Honda Motor Company as a world leader in hybrid race technology and the opportunity to work together with them in partnership allows us to continue to develop our innovative solutions, keeping our products ahead of the competition.”

Zytek Automotive has designed and integrated electric drive systems for a wide range of European and US vehicle manufacturers. The company is currently building high performance electric drivetrains from 25kW -120kW and has drives of 150kW and more in development to meet growing demand for zero emissions light commercial vehicles and high-performance passenger cars. Their UK facility can integrate up to 6,000 E drives a year in batches as low as 100, providing vehicle manufacturers with a highly flexible specialist production resource for their low carbon vehicle programmes.

PaddockTalk Perspective

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http://www.wtvm.com/story/18962566/a...ng-in-east-ala

Automotive supplier opening in east Ala


TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) - Officials say another Japanese automotive supplier will be operating in east Alabama by this fall.
M-Tek will make parts for the Honda Odyssey and Pilot and the Acrua MBX at an industrial park near Talladega. Talladega County's economic development director, Calvin Miller, says the plant should be running by October.
Getting an existing building ready for production is expected to cost $6.5 million. The company is expected to have about 200 workers and a payroll of $7 million after three years.
The new factory will have a job fair on July 11 in Talladega. Most positions will pay to $14 to $15 an hour.
M-Tek already has one plant operating in Alabama. It manufactures automotive parts in Prattville.
The company's North American headquarters is in Tennessee.

==============================

2013 Honda Fit EV First Drive

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...v_first_drive/

For tangential reasons, we've had a pristine 1997 Acura NSX (yes, red) in our garage, and it sparked a conversation between big gun Angus McKenzie, photographer Mike Shaffer, and me about Honda's increasingly erratic direction since that car. What modern Honda, we asked ourselves, has the NSX's clarity of vision and sheer technical sparkle? After a moment, I said "the Fit." And after another moment of furrowed brows, we agreed that indeed it is the best example.
So I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that the Fit's EV version, which Honda showed the press at the Rose Bowl's parking lot in Pasadena, provides another flash of that masterful engineering. Frankly, when I walked into the technical presentation, I was expecting to find a Fit disemboweled of its combustion organs and crammed with batteries. And maybe a few excuses.

Well, it's crammed with batteries, alright. But this is Honda in rare form, re-engineering the car so thoroughly it's clear the automaker is thinking -- at least technologically -- beyond the logistical necessities of California's looming zero-emissions mandate. And I say that despite the appearance of Honda's current plan, which is to lease a mere 1100 of EV Fits in select markets (the usual suspects -- L.A., San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and later, a few big cities in the east). But before driving it, let's slowly walk by it from front to back, and consider what Honda's done.

Here we are at the front. Hmmm, does that smile on the nose ring a visual bell? It's a riff on the face of Honda's remarkable hydrogen-fueled electric FCX Clarity. But here the grin's been fastened to a completely revised nose, reshaped to ingest less air and reduce drag. The smile's appropriate though, because behind it is 123 hp and 189 lb-ft of torque sourced from the Clarity's very same electric motor. It's the identical hardware, only "detuned" via rewritten software. And if you recall, it's an unusual piece, architecturally speaking, as one of the two half-shafts sprouting from the single-speed reduction gearset passes right through the motor's centerline on its way to the wheel on the far side. In other words, the motor's rotor shaft is hollow; the half-shaft can, concentrically, pass right through it. Smart packaging in the Fit style.

Just ahead of the driver's door is the flap concealing the blessed sight of the SAE-standard J1772 charging receptacle, which is backed by a 6.6 kW on-board charger. That's twice the charging rate of Nissan's Leaf, and a nose-to-nose match for the recently introduced Ford Focus EV. How long does charging take? That has plenty to do with the smaller, 20 kW-hr size of the Toshiba SCiB lithium-ion battery, which is more resistant to shorts and degradation and inherently quicker to charge. The Leaf's battery is 24 kW-hrs, the Focus', 23, so the Fit EV's 3-hour charging time (from a "low state-of-charge") from a 240-volt source isn't surprising. What is, though, is the car's 82-mile range. Given that the Leaf's is 73 miles, and the Focus' is 76, how could the Fit beat those two with a smaller battery? Remember, Honda has been finessing the super-efficient FCX Clarity for quite awhile, and efficiency is imbedded in Honda's very DNA.

As with Tesla's Model S, the Fit EV's battery resides in a slab beneath the floor. But instead of impinging on interior room, the entire chassis has been elevated above it by 1.6 inches (reminiscent of the 1997 EV Plus, if you recall). That's right: The Fit EV is noticeably taller. To keep its underwear from showing, there are added rocker panels plus plastic eyebrows above the wheel wells. It looks a lot better than it sounds.
Before going any further, let's pause at the driver's seat. On the left edge of the dash are a trio of buttons for selecting performance modes, normal being 75 kW; econ, 47 (providing perfectly acceptable acceleration) i; and sport, 92 kW. But what's more interesting is below the dash: the brake pedal.

What your foot feels when it presses the Fit EV's brake pedal is actually a simulation of stopping feel. Yes, a simulation. During anything short of emergency braking (when valves open for old-fashioned friction stopping via pedal-activated hydraulic lines) the Fit EV attempts to halt itself by pure regenerative resistance from the traction motor. Here and there, it's still supplemented by doses of friction braking (particularly at the end), but even that's derived from a fast-reacting electric motor that locally pressurizes the caliper's hydraulics. The key point is that this really is brake by wire, and it's computer orchestrated. And what it eliminates is the slight bit of friction drag that current EVs (Leaf) suffer during what we think of as pure regen braking. Remember that mysteriously greater driving range? Here's part of the answer. (Another is that the car weighs 130 pounds less than the Leaf.)

The battery pack extends sternward enough that it would have intruded on the twist beam rear suspension had it not been replaced by a more compact multi-link affair. And this is exactly what I mean by Honda being in rare form. Recently, I drove the Ford Focus EV, and, while I'm impressed by it, the battery packaging is a mess -- part of it is in a clumsy box in the cargo area. Moreover, as the Fit EV's battery fills the void normally exploited as the wonderfully reconfigurable "magic seat," Honda has made the best of the situation by completely redesigning and repositioning the second row. It's 3.3-inches more rearward, creating a span between the front and rear seat's H-points comparable to the Accords. Its seatback is also reclined 4 degrees more, and it's way more comfortable. True, there's less cargo space, because when the 60/40 split rear seatback is folded forward it creates a load-floor step. But this isn't much different than many other hatchbacks. The Fit's rear cap and roof extension are as re-imagined as the nose's to accommodate its taller height and create better-controlled air separation lines. Finally, if you get on your hands and knees and peek underneath, you'll see great spans of plastic underbody fairing, also to smooth the airflow.

Now let's climb in. In addition to the now de rigueur phone app that provides real-time battery status, climate control, and charge timing, those interactions are conveniently mirrored on a giant remote-control key fob containing its own little display.

In addition to a brief lap around the Pasadena streets and freeway, where the Fit EV exhibited very reasonable wind and suspension impact and noise levels, we were able to let loose around a couple of cone courses in the Rose Bowl parking. Given the car's taller profile, you'd expect prodigious tipping. But actually, the Honda's center of gravity is lower than the gas cars, so the Fit's handling feel just as flat and nimble. The Fit has always had knife-sharp handling; now, with an electric drivetrain, the car's "throttle" response is just as immediate and precise. In addition to a D slot, the shifter adds a B option for greater lift-throttle regen, and that simulated brake feel felt pretty good without a trace of regen-to-friction fishiness. Within a lap I was giddily drifting it -- electric golf cart, my arse. It's a hoot, and I'd reckon it's even more fun than the gas version.

The three-year lease price of $389 per month (including collision insurance) brings it to an equivalent price of $36,625; the fully loaded Fit EV isn't cheap. (The Leaf can be had for $28,550; the Focus EV, for $32,495 after available federal tax credits for both.) Nevertheless, with only 1100 of them available, you'd better get with it if you're interested.

Lastly, let's step back and put this car into perspective. When the Leaf appeared, it was pretty cutting-edge for an EV: 73 miles of range, a 7-hour 240-volt charge time, and the electrical equivalent of 99 mpg. The Focus EV raised the range to 76, cut its charge time to between 3 and 4 hours, and raised the mpge bar to 105. Now we have the Fit EV, able to travel 82 miles, charge in as little as 3 hours, and deliver 118 mpge, making it the most efficient car available in America. This is rapid progress, and darn fun to watch from the car journalist bleachers. And particularly now that Honda has broadened its EV interest from purely fuel cell vehicles, and finally fully embraced the battery EV. That NSX sparkle just might be returning.

2013 HONDA FIT EV
Base price (monthly lease equivalent)	$36,625
Vehicle layout	Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatch
Engine	123-hp/189-lb-ft permanent magnet electric motor
Transmission	1-speed
Curb weight	3250 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase	98.4 in
Length x width x height	162.0 x 67.7 x 62.2 in
0-60 mph	sub-10 sec (MT est)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ	132/105 mpge
CO2 emissions	NA
Energy Cons., City/Hwy	26/32 kW-hrs/100 miles
For lease in U.S.	Currently

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[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/economy...AJ201207060086

Honda betting big on going smaller with minicars



With car exports becoming less profitable due to the strong yen, Honda Motor Co. has decided to ramp up domestic production of minivehicles in 2012.

Honda has set a goal for half of its domestic sales for fiscal 2012 to be from minivehicles.

The N Box is the star of Honda’s minicar lineup. It is popular among families with young children for its relatively large interior space. The car has sold about 106,000 units in Japan between its release late last year and June.

The N Box has been at the top of domestic minivehicle sales in the monthly rankings since April. It marked the first time in about eight years that Honda has grabbed the No. 1 spot in the minivehicle category.

Honda’s share in the minivehicle market grew from around 8 percent until the end of last year to 16.6 percent in May, rising to third place after the two domestic leaders in minicars, Daihatsu Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp.

The N Box +, which Honda released on July 6, is a second model of the N Box. The new model has extra features and allows easier loading and unloading, Honda said.

Honda plans to sell 356,000 minivehicles in Japan during this fiscal year, more than double the figure for the previous year. If the goal is achieved, minivehicles will account for 49 percent of Honda's total domestic sales.

The company is preparing another new minivehicle model to be released in October.

Honda is also planning to sharply increase the number of dealerships dedicated to mini and compact vehicles.

Honda has significantly renovated its development system as well. The carmaker has transferred about 100 engineers and part-procurement officials from its research institute in Tochigi Prefecture to its plant in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, where minivehicles are produced. The moves will speed up new vehicle development by shortening decision-making periods with the production site and the design and development divisions nearby.

“We will make the Suzuka plant our model to produce high-value small cars, and spread that (to our bases) across the world,” said Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Honda managing officer.

Honda Motor President Takanobu Ito said at the general shareholders’ meeting in June, “We will retain our domestic production at 1 million units, with 500,000 each at the plants in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, and Suzuka.”

Auto industry experts have said that Honda has no choice but to focus on products that sell well in Japan to protect its domestic production and employment base as the strong yen strains export profits.
By KANAME KAKUTA/ Staff Writer


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http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...-open-day.html

Honda (UK) Hosts 'See Inside Manufacturing' Open Day

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – July 6, 2012: Honda (UK) today hosted around one hundred guests from the teaching and careers advisory professions, as well as students of varying ages from across the South of England, at Honda’s award winning apprentice and management training facility - the Honda Institute. This activity was part of Honda (UK)’s commitment to supporting the government’s ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ (SIM) initiative, which debuted just last year.

‘See Inside Manufacturing’ is a joint initiative between the government’s Department for Business, Innovations and Skills (BIS) and Industry (the Automotive Council), designed to challenge and change outdated perceptions about manufacturing in the UK today and encourage more people to consider careers in engineering and manufacturing.

The scheme was first piloted in 2011 by the UK automotive industry when more than 30 companies opened up their doors to young people, teachers and career advisers to give a better insight into what it is like to work at an innovative, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and also learn more about the great range of careers associated with manufacturing. The pilot was so successful that ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ has been expanded for 2012 to now also include the food and drink, aerospace and defence industries, in addition to automotive.

Honda (UK) is delighted to support this great initiative for the second year and today’s open day at the Honda Institute near Heathrow gave educators and career advisers, as well as over fifty young people, a better understanding of the varied career paths available within Honda’s extensive manufacturing, head office, training and dealership facilities within the UK.

The event was supported by Honda’s own apprentices, technicians and manufacturing production line staff, who spoke about their jobs and the reasons they chose their particular career paths, in order to provide guests with a real insight into the different routes into particular roles, the work involved and the enjoyment each of them finds in their working life.

Honda (UK)’s Corporate Communications Manager, Fiona Cole, said, “Today was an excellent chance for Honda (UK) to help demonstrate what a vibrant sector the automotive industry is to work in and the varied career opportunities the industry and Honda have to offer. It was encouraging to see so many guests from students at GCSE, A level and degree levels, right through to those in careers advisory professions, so clearly getting a better insight into both the opportunities within automotive manufacturing but also within Honda, that they themselves say they would never have imagined were available. We’re delighted to have been able to support BIS with their superb See Inside Manufacturing initiative and hopefully inspire more young people to consider automotive manufacturing, with its varied facets, as a real career choice.”

Business Minister, Mark Prisk MP, said, “I’m delighted that various companies within the automotive sector are once again pledging their support to the See Inside Manufacturing programme following the successful trial last year. It’s encouraging to have iconic names signing up to take part. Last year thousands of people got to see just what exciting opportunities lie in the sector and wider supply chain and I urge people to see for themselves what modern manufacturing is all about. It is an important step in giving teachers and careers advisers the opportunity to see, first-hand, the essential role that industry plays across the UK to help us achieve the sort of sustainable and balanced economic growth that the country needs. The Government is investing in more apprenticeships than ever before. Together with industry we must inspire more young people to see manufacturing and engineering as a viable and exciting career choice. We also need to ensure that UK manufacturing can take on its competitors head on and make the next decade one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial periods in our history.”

================================

http://www.thestar.com/wheels/articl...s-a-close-look

Review: Well-balanced 2012 Honda Ridgeline deserves a close look



When Honda’s Ridgeline debuted as a 2006 model, many truck fans didn’t know what to make of it. It wasn’t pretty; the company described it as only having “medium-duty” off-road capability; and then there was its driveline configuration. Unlike other trucks, the Ridgeline runs primarily in front-wheel-drive.

And you know what? Despite all that, it worked, and it still does. It’s not the truck for pulling apartment buildings off their foundations, the way many full-size models are portrayed in ads. But since most consumer trucks spend much of their lives “hauling air” in their empty beds, that’s not really an issue for many buyers.

It used to be more comparable with full-size trucks, but they’ve all bulked up, while the Ridgeline hasn’t changed substantially since its introduction. It’s now pretty much parked between full-size models and the few compact/mid-size trucks still on the market. And with the Ford Explorer Sport Trac gone, and the Chevrolet Avalanche soon to follow, the Honda also remains the last SUV-style pickup on the market. (The company notes that it’s not simply a “Honda Pilot with a bed,” but is instead based on a global light truck platform, with a fully-boxed ladder frame integrated into its unibody construction.)

It comes in four trim lines, including the new-for-2012 Sport, with unique wheels, grille and black-trimmed lights as my tester was outfitted, running from $34,990 for the base DX, to $42,090 for the top-line Touring trim. All models use a 3.5 L V6 with five-speed automatic transmission, and all come with a four-wheel-drive system that runs primarily in front-wheel on dry roads, and can transfer torque to the rear wheels if it detects slippage. It can also be locked into four-wheel at speeds under 30 km/h, meant primarily for traction in deep snow or on mud. Exceed that speed threshold, and the lock disengages.

Towing capacity is 2,268 kg, which is more than some of its V6-powered competitors, such as the Ram 1500 or Chevrolet Silverado. It’s pricier than the base versions of most other trucks, but it contains a number of features that can make it an ideal vehicle for families and everyday commuters.

The interior looks dated, but it’s stuffed with storage. There are huge door pockets, an open bin above the glovebox, and a rubber-matted spot on the floor between the front seats to drop a purse or pack. The massive, multi-level centre console slides forward if you need to put even more stuff inside it. The rear seats are on legs, so you can stash cargo under them, or fold them up for more floor space.

The truck box is made of non-rusting reinforced composite and has a capacity of 500 kg, along with six cargo hooks, and three indentations under the rear window to accommodate motorbike tires. Under the box is a lockable trunk, which Honda says can hold three golf bags, with the spare tire tucked above on a pullout tray. There’s a drain plug in the trunk, too, so you can fill it with ice and turn it into a big cooler for that trip to the cottage. There are also dividers, available as accessories at the dealer, if you prefer smaller-item organization.

The dual-hinged tailgate is similar to those on older station wagons: it drops down conventionally, or opens sideways like a door. Don’t underestimate the convenience of that, until you’re pulling a load out of the box without having to lean across the lowered gate.

Its 250-horsepower V6 is about mid-range with its six-cylinder competitors: less than the 302 horses made by the Ford F-150’s base 3.7 L six, or the Nissan Frontier’s 261-horsepower 4.0 L, but healthier than Ram at 215 hp, or the Chevy Silverado’s 195-hp 4.3 L V6. The Ridgeline’s acceleration isn’t spectacular, but it’s smooth, and the engine is quiet once it gets up to its cruising speed. The ride is also big-car comfy, and the seats are supportive, making it a good choice for longer trips.

Given that the Ridgeline hadn’t been updated even as the competition morphed into newer versions, there were rumours that Honda was planning on retiring it. Not so, the company says, and if it sticks by that, it’ll be keeping a decent machine on the market. Hardcore truck fans may look down their noses at it, but for those who want a medium-duty machine with all the trimmings, it definitely deserves a second look.

2012 Honda Ridgeline

PRICE: $34,990 — $42,090, as-tested $37,790

ENGINE: 3.5 L V6

POWER/TORQUE: 250, 247

FUEL: City 13.6, hwy. 9.6, as-tested 11.6

COMPETITORS: Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, Ford F-150, Nissan Frontier/Titan, Ram 1500, Toyota Tacoma/Tundra

WHAT’S BEST: Tons of storage, intelligently sized, nice ride

WHAT’S WORST: Tepid acceleration, dated dash

WHAT’S INTERESTING: Originally made in Ontario, now in Alabama

==============================

http://www.middletownjournal.com/leb...n-1401315.html

Honda Pilot delivers comfortable, fuel-efficient family vacation

It’s Independence Day weekend. According to AAA, 35.5 million people will drive 50 miles or more away this week. The road trip is a staple of the American lifestyle. Piling the family into a vehicle and heading toward a lake, a mountain or a beach is quite typical. For the parents who have to drive, it can be quite stressful. And for the passengers who will bicker and ask “are we there yet?”, how much space and how many luxuries they have are vital to a stress-free trip.

I was quite fortunate to be granted a test drive of a Honda Pilot for my family’s road trip from Ohio to the New York City area. Honda has done an excellent job of advertising the Pilot as an eight-passenger family hauler. So I loaded up the Pilot with DVDs, luggage, snacks and electronic devices to keep my daughter and her friend completely satisfied, and the wife and I headed out on the 700-mile road trip.

Thankfully, my tester was the touring edition with rear DVD entertainment system, which helped pass the time for two 
10-year-olds. They were able to spread out, sleep and not annoy each other too much thanks to the bench-like second- and third-row seats.

The Pilot comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine which generates 250 horsepower. The engine was more than adequate navigating the varying terrain of mountain inclines and declines, as well as the stop-and-go construction traffic. Even in the crazy (emphasis on crazy) bumper-to-bumper traffic of Manhattan, the Pilot performed like a champ.

Blind-spot indicators would’ve been a nice, and needed, addition. I found myself asking the passengers if things were clear over there.

Inside, the leather front seats were comfortable, cushioning the body for the 11-hour voyage. Second row seats were firmer, and less comfortable, according to my other travelling companions. The third-row seat can fit three people, but it would be best to keep the smallest passengers in that seat, as leg room is tight for the third row.

With the second- and third-row seats, the Pilot can indeed accommodate eight passengers, as Honda advertisers. However, with limited space behind the third-row, and limited cargo space when passengers are included, the Pilot would not accommodate eight passengers plus their luggage. Knowing its limitations, we kept our full-passenger trips to a minimum, but still had few complaints on a two-hour jaunt to the Jersey shoreline with eight passengers (four adults, one teenager, three tweens) in tow.

Knowing that the Pilot is a heavier vehicle (a weight of 
more than 4,400 pounds), I had budgeted to spend more than $250 in gasoline for our 1,400- mile round trip. Considering the Pilot also has a 5-speed transmission, I wasn’t sure if $250 was going to be enough.

But despite all of that, I averaged 25.5 MPG for the entire trip, including more than two hours of Manhattan gridlock (with A/C going) and all that Pennsylvania Turnpike construction. For the entire trip, we spent a little more than $200 in gasoline, finishing under budget.

Other than some of its cargo limitations, the only other knock I would have on the Pilot is the navigation system, which was nicknamed Slow Sally by my travelling companions. It was slow to render, and slow to indicate specific turns, even in downtown Manhattan. It got so bad, we ended up turning the NAV off and using a portable navigation device instead.

The Pilot has four trim lines to choose from, with the base LX starting at $28,000 to the highest trim, the Touring (my tester) with a price of $41,630.

Whether you’re going for a quick one-tank trip or heading out on the great American road trip, the Honda Pilot is a vehicle that lives up to its billing as a family-friendly hauler.

Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels
 editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115. Follow him on 
Twitter @wheelseditor

TEST DRIVE: 2012 HONDA PILOT TOURING

PRICE/AS-TESTED PRICE $41,630/$41,630

MILEAGE 17 MPG (CITY); 24 MPG (HWY)

ENGINE 3.5-liter, V6

HORSEPOWER 250 HP/253 ft.lb.

TRANSMISSION 5-speed automatic

DRIVE WHEELS All-wheel drive

FINAL ASSEMBLY POINT Lincoln, Ala.

================================

http://www.hondainthenews.com/civic-...-teens-by-aaa/

Civic Named Among Best Cars for Teens by AAA

According to John Nielsen, director of Automotive Engineering for AAA: “Teen drivers see their first vehicle as a step toward independence; parents and teens seeing eye-to-eye on the best vehicle can be tough. Safety behind the wheel should be a priority. Finding a reliable vehicle that has top safety features and fits into the budget will make you and your teen’s vehicle ownership more enjoyable.”

And that’s especially the case if said vehicle is a Honda Civic, recently chosen by AAA as one of this year’s best cars for teens. The Civic was called a “perennial and parental favorite” by AAA and also was lauded for its handling, maneuverability, fuel efficiency—the Civic HF can attain 41 mpg on the highway—and a robust body structure developed according to Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) guidelines. As is the case with most Honda models, the Civic relies on an ACE design that leverages a network of interconnected structural components to help distribute crash forces away from the cabin.

The Civic also boasts standard passenger-protection features like Honda’s Advanced Vehicle Stability Assist technology with traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and dual-stage airbags, all of which helped the car achieve Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Teen drivers can choose a Civic in both sedan and coupe body styles, with three different powertrains on tap: A standard 140-hp 1.8-liter I4 engine, a hybrid setup that delivers 44 mpg in all EPA testing procedures, and an I4 that’s been tuned to run on clean-burning compressed natural gas.

Take care with the Civic Si, though, since its high-performance engine “may be too powerful for younger drivers.”

The 2012 Honda Civic family is on sale now starting at $15,755.

============================

http://www.hondainthenews.com/honda-...ms-for-fit-ev/

Honda Reveals Lease Terms for Fit EV

A new era in the U.S. auto industry will kick off on July 20, 2012, when Honda begins leasing the 2013 Fit EV—an all-electric version of the popular Honda Fit subcompact. Honda is taking it slow with the launch, however, and will initially offer the Fit EV only in California and Oregon markets. There, drivers will be able to get a three-year lease on the vehicle for $389 a month, which is equivalent to an MSRP of $36,625 according to Honda.

That price of admission will deliver a car that’s capable of 132 MPGe city/105 MPGe highway/118 MPG combined, representing the highest city and combined ratings ever awarded by the EPA. The Fit EV also provides a driving range of about 82 miles while running on electricity alone, and is quick to recharge, too. Drivers can “refuel” the car in under three hours when using a 240-volt charging unit.

“No other automaker on the planet is more deeply committed to produce and deliver more energy-efficient and sustainable transportation solutions than Honda,” said Steven Center, vice president of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office. “The 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest example of this commitment.”

However, it’s far from the only one. Other high-efficiency choices from Honda include:

Honda FCX Clarity, relying solely on hydrogen fuel cells for motivation
Honda Civic Natural Gas, the only mass-produced passenger car in America to run on compressed natural gas
Honda CR-Z, delivering an athletic driving experience and hybrid-enhanced EPA marks of up to 35 mpg city/39 mpg highway/37 mpg combined
Honda Insight, an affordable hybrid solution that starts at $18,500 while attaining 41 mpg city/44 mpg highway/42 mpg combined
Honda Civic HF, squeezing 29 mpg city/41 mpg highway/33 mpg combined out of its traditional I4 powertrain

And remember, the redesigned 2013 Honda Accord will debut later this year with a plug-in hybrid version projected to offer an all-electric driving range of 10-15 miles on a single charge, as well as typically hybrid-like fuel-economy ratings beyond that point.

===========================

[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/rss/ar...Top+Stories%29

First Coast Gears: Honda, Subaru have their 'Aha' moments

Internet-connected in-dash entertainment systems are quickly multiplying as manufacturers try to keep with the smartphone explosion.

Honda and Subaru, along with aftermarket radio makers such as Kenwood and Pioneer, have decided to give a company called Aha, owned by stereo maker Harmon, a try.

The just-introduced Subaru BRZ sports coupe has Aha, and Honda will be bringing it to the Accord this summer in its revamped HondaLink infotainment system. Honda's Acura division also showed off Aha in its RLX concept.

Unlike Ford's Sync, Cadillac's CUE or Toyota's Entune, Aha isn't a complete operating system but rather a conduit to certain Web-based services.

Like Pandora, Aha serves as an in-dash app that requires driver to have a supported smartphone. Unlike Pandora, Aha brings many Web service providers into the automobile.

I've been using it for about a week on my Android smartphone. Current services include Internet radio stations, podcasts from the likes of NPR, Fox News and others. One of its neatest tricks is reading Facebook and Twitter posts out loud.

For Aha-equipped cars, it's all controlled by the touchscreen of the infotainment system. In my case, I used it the old fashioned way; connecting my smartphone to my car's stereo with an aux-in cable. I had the audio but none of the visuals or touchscreen commands that drivers with Aha Radio-ready receivers would experience.

While Aha is a neat idea, I ran into issues. I was running the Android version of the app on a Motorola Bionic, which has a dual core processor and 4G. The app froze at least four times.

However, there's a lot of potential, depending what deals Aha can strike with content providers. Other partners include Slacker, CBS Radio and MOG. With 4G coverage getting better every day, you have to wonder how much longer it will be until Internet radio starts making a real dent in satellite radio's audience.

Aha also makes a lot of sense for auto manufacturers because new content can be continually added without the user needing to upgrade his head unit, just as users continually add new apps to their smartphones over the course of several years.

While it remains to be seen whether Aha really marks an 'Aha' moment in the auto industry as Netflix was for the streaming video industry, it does offer a glimpse at how the Internet will be changing our in-car experience over the next few years.

First Coast News

==========================

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...v_first_drive/


2013 Honda Fit EV First Drive
Survival of the EV-Fittest
For tangential reasons, we've had a pristine 1997 Acura NSX (yes, red) in our garage, and it sparked a conversation between big gun Angus McKenzie, photographer Mike Shaffer, and me about Honda's increasingly erratic direction since that car. What modern Honda, we asked ourselves, has the NSX's clarity of vision and sheer technical sparkle? After a moment, I said "the Fit." And after another moment of furrowed brows, we agreed that indeed it is the best example.

So I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that the Fit's EV version, which Honda showed the press at the Rose Bowl's parking lot in Pasadena, provides another flash of that masterful engineering. Frankly, when I walked into the technical presentation, I was expecting to find a Fit disemboweled of its combustion organs and crammed with batteries. And maybe a few excuses.

Well, it's crammed with batteries, alright. But this is Honda in rare form, re-engineering the car so thoroughly it's clear the automaker is thinking -- at least technologically -- beyond the logistical necessities of California's looming zero-emissions mandate. And I say that despite the appearance of Honda's current plan, which is to lease a mere 1100 of EV Fits in select markets (the usual suspects -- L.A., San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and later, a few big cities in the east). But before driving it, let's slowly walk by it from front to back, and consider what Honda's done.

2013 Honda Fit EV
Click to view Gallery
Here we are at the front. Hmmm, does that smile on the nose ring a visual bell? It's a riff on the face of Honda's remarkable hydrogen-fueled electric FCX Clarity. But here the grin's been fastened to a completely revised nose, reshaped to ingest less air and reduce drag. The smile's appropriate though, because behind it is 123 hp and 189 lb-ft of torque sourced from the Clarity's very same electric motor. It's the identical hardware, only "detuned" via rewritten software. And if you recall, it's an unusual piece, architecturally speaking, as one of the two half-shafts sprouting from the single-speed reduction gearset passes right through the motor's centerline on its way to the wheel on the far side. In other words, the motor's rotor shaft is hollow; the half-shaft can, concentrically, pass right through it. Smart packaging in the Fit style.

2013 Honda Fit EV Cockpit
2013 Honda Fit EV Interior
2013 Honda Fit EV Steering Wheel
2013 Honda Fit EV Decal
2013 Honda Fit EV Rear Wing
2013 Honda Fit EV Side Mirror

Just ahead of the driver's door is the flap concealing the blessed sight of the SAE-standard J1772 charging receptacle, which is backed by a 6.6 kW on-board charger. That's twice the charging rate of Nissan's Leaf, and a nose-to-nose match for the recently introduced Ford Focus EV. How long does charging take? That has plenty to do with the smaller, 20 kW-hr size of the Toshiba SCiB lithium-ion battery, which is more resistant to shorts and degradation and inherently quicker to charge. The Leaf's battery is 24 kW-hrs, the Focus', 23, so the Fit EV's 3-hour charging time (from a "low state-of-charge") from a 240-volt source isn't surprising. What is, though, is the car's 82-mile range. Given that the Leaf's is 73 miles, and the Focus' is 76, how could the Fit beat those two with a smaller battery? Remember, Honda has been finessing the super-efficient FCX Clarity for quite awhile, and efficiency is imbedded in Honda's very DNA.

2013 Honda Fit EV Rear Three Quarter
Click to view Gallery
As with Tesla's Model S, the Fit EV's battery resides in a slab beneath the floor. But instead of impinging on interior room, the entire chassis has been elevated above it by 1.6 inches (reminiscent of the 1997 EV Plus, if you recall). That's right: The Fit EV is noticeably taller. To keep its underwear from showing, there are added rocker panels plus plastic eyebrows above the wheel wells. It looks a lot better than it sounds.

Before going any further, let's pause at the driver's seat. On the left edge of the dash are a trio of buttons for selecting performance modes, normal being 75 kW; econ, 47 (providing perfectly acceptable acceleration) i; and sport, 92 kW. But what's more interesting is below the dash: the brake pedal.

2013 Honda Fit EV
Click to view Gallery
What your foot feels when it presses the Fit EV's brake pedal is actually a simulation of stopping feel. Yes, a simulation. During anything short of emergency braking (when valves open for old-fashioned friction stopping via pedal-activated hydraulic lines) the Fit EV attempts to halt itself by pure regenerative resistance from the traction motor. Here and there, it's still supplemented by doses of friction braking (particularly at the end), but even that's derived from a fast-reacting electric motor that locally pressurizes the caliper's hydraulics. The key point is that this really is brake by wire, and it's computer orchestrated. And what it eliminates is the slight bit of friction drag that current EVs (Leaf) suffer during what we think of as pure regen braking. Remember that mysteriously greater driving range? Here's part of the answer. (Another is that the car weighs 130 pounds less than the Leaf.)

2013 Honda Fit EV Rear Cabin Space
2013 Honda Fit EV Rear Seats Down
2013 Honda Fit EV Rear Seating
2013 Honda Fit EV Navigation
2013 Honda Fit EV Sport Mode
2013 Honda Fit EV Storage Space
2013 Honda Fit EV Engine
2013 Honda Fit EV Fuel Pump
2013 Honda Fit EV Front Three Quarters In Motion 2

The battery pack extends sternward enough that it would have intruded on the twist beam rear suspension had it not been replaced by a more compact multi-link affair. And this is exactly what I mean by Honda being in rare form. Recently, I drove the Ford Focus EV, and, while I'm impressed by it, the battery packaging is a mess -- part of it is in a clumsy box in the cargo area. Moreover, as the Fit EV's battery fills the void normally exploited as the wonderfully reconfigurable "magic seat," Honda has made the best of the situation by completely redesigning and repositioning the second row. It's 3.3-inches more rearward, creating a span between the front and rear seat's H-points comparable to the Accords. Its seatback is also reclined 4 degrees more, and it's way more comfortable. True, there's less cargo space, because when the 60/40 split rear seatback is folded forward it creates a load-floor step. But this isn't much different than many other hatchbacks. The Fit's rear cap and roof extension are as re-imagined as the nose's to accommodate its taller height and create better-controlled air separation lines. Finally, if you get on your hands and knees and peek underneath, you'll see great spans of plastic underbody fairing, also to smooth the airflow.

Now let's climb in. In addition to the now de rigueur phone app that provides real-time battery status, climate control, and charge timing, those interactions are conveniently mirrored on a giant remote-control key fob containing its own little display.
2013 Honda Fit EV Front End
2013 Honda Fit EV Rear End
2013 Honda Fit EV Side
2012 Honda Fit Front End 2
2012 Honda Fit Rear End
2012 Honda Fit Side 4

In addition to a brief lap around the Pasadena streets and freeway, where the Fit EV exhibited very reasonable wind and suspension impact and noise levels, we were able to let loose around a couple of cone courses in the Rose Bowl parking. Given the car's taller profile, you'd expect prodigious tipping. But actually, the Honda's center of gravity is lower than the gas cars, so the Fit's handling feel just as flat and nimble. The Fit has always had knife-sharp handling; now, with an electric drivetrain, the car's "throttle" response is just as immediate and precise. In addition to a D slot, the shifter adds a B option for greater lift-throttle regen, and that simulated brake feel felt pretty good without a trace of regen-to-friction fishiness. Within a lap I was giddily drifting it -- electric golf cart, my arse. It's a hoot, and I'd reckon it's even more fun than the gas version.

The three-year lease price of $389 per month (including collision insurance) brings it to an equivalent price of $36,625; the fully loaded Fit EV isn't cheap. (The Leaf can be had for $28,550; the Focus EV, for $32,495 after available federal tax credits for both.) Nevertheless, with only 1100 of them available, you'd better get with it if you're interested.

Lastly, let's step back and put this car into perspective. When the Leaf appeared, it was pretty cutting-edge for an EV: 73 miles of range, a 7-hour 240-volt charge time, and the electrical equivalent of 99 mpg. The Focus EV raised the range to 76, cut its charge time to between 3 and 4 hours, and raised the mpge bar to 105. Now we have the Fit EV, able to travel 82 miles, charge in as little as 3 hours, and deliver 118 mpge, making it the most efficient car available in America. This is rapid progress, and darn fun to watch from the car journalist bleachers. And particularly now that Honda has broadened its EV interest from purely fuel cell vehicles, and finally fully embraced the battery EV. That NSX sparkle just might be returning.

2013 HONDA FIT EV
Base price (monthly lease equivalent) $36,625
Vehicle layout Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatch
Engine 123-hp/189-lb-ft permanent magnet electric motor
Transmission 1-speed
Curb weight 3250 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase 98.4 in
Length x width x height 162.0 x 67.7 x 62.2 in
0-60 mph sub-10 sec (MT est)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 132/105 mpge
CO2 emissions NA
Energy Cons., City/Hwy 26/32 kW-hrs/100 miles
For lease in U.S. Currently

==============================

[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://news.taume.com/World-Business...petitive-23661

BRITISH-BUILT HONDA JUST GOT MORE COMPETITIVE

Honda is celebrating 20 years of UK manufacturing by introducing a range of competitive offers on its popular British-Built models to make getting in a new Honda more affordable. Available on new cars ordered between now and the end of September, the assortment of offers include competitive finance options, trim level upgrades, deposit contributions and servicing packages.

CR-V

Honda customers purchasing the CR-V can enjoy an extension of the popular Spring offer of a complimentary trim level upgrade. The SE+ will be upgraded to the ES-T variant with the addition of £2,490 worth of extra equipment, including an integrated navi system, dual zone climate control, heated front seats and front and rear parking sensors.

Those customers that want an added touch of luxury will receive an upgrade from the ES-T variant to the top spec EX trim. Additional features include full leather upholstery, panoramic roof, auto lights and wipers and a premium audio system, worth £2,520.

Honda is offering a £1,500 deposit contribution towards the car which can be used in conjunction with our finance packages of 3 years 0 per cent PCP with nil deposit or 3 years 0 per cent HP.

As well as a complimentary upgrade and deposit contribution, Honda is offering a 3 year servicing plan for only £299 and a 5 year servicing plan for £498.

Civic

The new Civic, recently named best value car on the road by Parker’s, has had the cost of ownership made even more competitive with the availability of a £1500 deposit contribution. Buyers looking to purchase a new Civic now have the added option of financing the model with 3 years 6.9 per cent PCP with nil deposit or 3 years 0 per cent HP.

In addition to this, Honda is making the Civic available with a three year complimentary service plan, or for a payment of only £199 the plan can be extended to cover all servicing needs for 5 years.

Jazz

The JD Power Survey’s supermini of the year and Which?’s best used supermini, the Honda Jazz, has received high praise for affordability and low running costs, but Honda wants to take that even further.

The Jazz is available with a £500 deposit contribution and 3 years complimentary servicing at your local Honda dealer. Customers can upgrade to a 5 years servicing plan for just £199. There are also flexible finance packages of 6.9 per cent PCP with nil deposit or 3 years 0 per cent HP.

The Jazz Si, launched this week, has highly competitive finance offers such as 3 years 0 per cent PCP with payments of £149 per month with a 27 per cent deposit. The Jazz range has class leading space and reliability and with high resale values, is an attractive choice for buyers looking for a real investment.

Looking further afield - Insight and CR-Z

Customers looking to purchase a hybrid model can also benefit from Honda’s competitive finance deals. The congestion exempt Insight and world’s first sporty hybrid, the CR-Z, are available with 3 years 6.9 per cent PCP with nil deposit or 3 years 0 per cent HP.

The 3 years complimentary servicing plans is also available, along with the upgrade to 5 years servicing for £199.

======================================

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs...1-d9e27a6c5ef8

Honda Offers Free Insurance
In an attempt to lure buyers to its first electric vehicle, the automaker throws in free, no-deductible collision insurance.

If the thought of free car insurance gets you excited, Honda has a deal for you: free collision insurance. Notice we said "free" and not "stipulation-free" -- the deal is applicable only under certain conditions. That is, if you're in the market for an electric vehicle; you live in California or Oregon; you want to lease instead of buy; you can afford payments of $389 per month; and you don't care to purchase the car at the end of the three-year lease. Still interested?

Yes, the free insurance deal is available only for Honda's Fit EV, which also comes with all of the above caveats. Honda is hoping the allure of free insurance for the duration of its three-year leases will draw buyers in.

It's a marketing tactic to get drivers into the car, of course, but Honda says it's also a practical move. According to reporting by The Detroit News, the fact that only 1,100 vehicles are poised to hit the streets this year could have given pause to insurers attempting to rate the financial risk of such a low-volume vehicle. The insurance freebie gets around that possible snafu.

==========================

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.T_e97JEmCSo

Asian makers: Toyota, Honda soar; Hyundai, Nissan rise

Toyota reported June sales up a whopping 60.3% to 177,795 vehicles for the month.

Even better, things are looking rosy through the rest of the year.

"June and first-half year sales were driven by consumer interest in our new models including the Prius c, the newest member of the Prius family, and the Camry, the best-selling car in America," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president. "We expect to see continued stability in the automotive market during the second half of 2012 thanks to pent-up demand, low interest rates and a continued influx of new products."

The Scion unit saw a 134% increase and Lexus sales doubled. Scion was helped by its new halo car: the FR-S sports car, which saw sales of 2,684 for the month.


Nissan:

Nissan reported June U.S. sales up 28.2% to 92,237, a June record. The Nissan brand was up 24.6% to 81,801, while Infiniti was up 66.1% to 10,436.

The quirky Juke rose 52.7% to 3,101, the Rogue small crossover was yo 46.8% to 10,999 (the dealer's couldn't sell just one more?) and the Altima, with the redesigned 2013 just arriving at dealers, was up 11.7% to 21,812.

"Nissan's sales increase of almost 25 percent in June was driven by double-digit gains for the majority of models," said Al Castignetti, Nissan general manager, in a statement. "We expect our momentum to continue into July, the first full month of sales for our all-new 2013 Nissan Altima."

At Infiniti, the G small sedan was up 48.5% to 3,923 and the new JX big crossover, rolled out in March, kept rolling with sales of 2,428 in June.

Honda:

Honda's sales soared 48.8% last month, making it the best June since 2008.

The Honda division was up 45.6% and Acura rose a whopping 76.5%. Besides strong demand for fuel-efficient cars, Honda was helped by a comparison from last year when its inventories were still depleted from Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

Among the biggest performers:

The was the CR-V crossover, which set a sixth-consecutive monthly sales record and a new June record. It's sales were up 50%.

Even though the Accord sedan is about to be replaced by newer version, sales were up more than 80%.

"With robust inventories and great customer demand, it feels good to be back in the race," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "The strong performance of our core models, including another record-breaking month for the CR-V, demonstrates the fundamental competitiveness of Honda products."

Subaru:

Subie reported June sales of 27,702, up 40% vs. last June and a seventh consecutive month of gains. Year-to-date sales were up 24% to 164,304.

The redesigned Impreza compact continued its strong launch, now that dealers have inventory, with sales up 146% from a year ago. The Outback crossover was up 17%, the Forester crossover up 32.3% and Legacy sedans up 12%.

Subie sold 818 of the hot new BRZ rear-drive sports coupe in its first full month amid reports some dealers were asking more than the sticker price.

Hyundai:

CEO John Krafcik in his monthly tweet before full sales details said the company's June U.S. sales were up 8% year-over-year to 63,813. The company later said it finished first half up 10% to a record 356,669 vehicles sold.

Top sellers were the Sonata mid-size sedan at 20,931, up 12.3%, and the Elantra compact at 17,655, down 11.7%. Also notable, the redesigned Accent subcompact's sales were 5,660, up 56.7% over the old model last June and the recently launched Veloster sporty 3-door coupe sold a strong 3,232 in June.

Kia:

The Hyundai corporate sibling reported U.S. sales up 13.9% vs. last June and said that first-half sales of 288,707, 17.8%, marked its best first half ever. Kia also said its second quarter, with sales of 150,647, was its first quarter of more than 150,000. Kia's volume leaders were the Optima midsize sedan, with sales up 88.7% vs. last June to 13,393 and the Sorento midsize crossover, up 8% to 10,826.

==========================

http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/07/...sedan-in-pink/

Spotted in China: Honda Civic sedan in Pink

Beautiful Pink is not ugly. Here we have a very pinky Honda Civic sedan, seen parked on da street here in Beijing. It is actually quite rare to see normal cars in pink, the color usually goes to sportsmachines and super cars. But no matter, this little Honda loox great and even comes with pink-painted alloys. Good car.

The Honda Civic is made in China by the Dongfeng-Honda joint venture. Price starts at 131.800 yuan and ends at 178.700 yuan. Engines: 1.8 and 2.0 patrol. The average Honda buyers likes his Civic normally in all shades of brown, or maybe silver when he is in a crazy mood. This pinky therefore, is refreshing.



==============================

http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/07/...onda-in-china/

Spy Shots: new sedan for Guangzhou-Honda in China

The very first spy shots from a yet mysterious new sedan from the Guangzhou-Honda joint venture. Chinese media say it is based on the Honda Fit but slightly bigger. Could this be the production version of the Honda Concept C that debuted at the Beijing Auto Show in April?

Possibly, but that car is expected to hit the Chinese car market in 2014 and the car on spy shots seems almost ready for production. Chinese media somehow got their hands on the size of this new mystery sedan: 4653/1738/1441, wheelbase is 2650. Power: 1.5 and 1.8. More as we get it…

[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/08/h...kes-the-scene/

Honda's versatile little N Box+ hits the scene



Last November, Honda introduced the N Box, an all-new kei car, and it has been a great success to date. Less than a year on and with nearly 100,000 sold, the automaker has introduced the N Box+, an evolution showcasing the additional possibilities of the microvan.

Putting the "plus" in the N Box+ are the Universal Bridge and the Multi-space System. The former is an integrated aluminum loading ramp in the cargo floor that can be extended, U-Haul style, to ease loading. The latter is a set of panels that can break the cargo bay into different configurations, from shifting the height of the floor to creating a full-length bed once the two rows of seats are lowered.

The N Box+ comes in all kinds of configurations and paint schemes, from ¥1,350,000 ($16,948 U.S.) for the front-wheel, naturally aspirated drive G trim, to ¥1,870,000 for the four-wheel-drive, two-tone G Package Turbo with with paddle shifters. All N Box+ models have 660cc engines (per kei car regulations) and a CVT. Scroll down for the press release and get a load of the funkiness in the attached photo gallery.

Honda to Begin Sales of All-new "N BOX +" Mini-vehicle

TOKYO, Japan, July 5, 2012 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced it will begin sales of the N BOX + ("N BOX plus"), the second model of the new mini-vehicle N Series, at dealerships across Japan on July 6, 2012. Following the introduction of the N BOX, which realized one of the largest*1 interior spaces among all mini-vehicles in the market through adoption of newly-designed platform and powerplant, Honda is now introducing the N BOX + which was developed under the concept of "adding ("plus") new possibilities."

Two innovative ideas were added to the large cargo area made possible by the combination of Honda's innovative packaging technology, the center-tank layout, and the newly-developed powerplant. The "Universal Bridge*2" combines a sloped floor and an attachable aluminum slope*3, which makes the loading and unloading of luggage and other items easier. The "Multi-space System*2" realizes versatile space arrangements with three different sized boards.

The addition of these innovative ideas enables the N BOX + to accommodate diverse customer needs in a wide range of vehicle uses including daily routines, recreational activities and special needs care-giving.

The 2-tone color style, which has different color combinations for the body and roof, was established to enable each owner to more strongly express their personality in a fun way, expanding the potential for the joy of customers.

The N BOX, the first model of the new mini-vehicle N Series, was Honda's proposal for a "mini mini-van" which leverages its overwhelming spaciousness beyond the concept of mini-vehicle to enhance occupant comfort. The vehicle has been well received by a large number of customers, especially families with children, and cumulative sales since the sales launch in December of last year has already reached approximately 100,000 units.

*1 Honda's internal research (as of July 2012), comparison based on the interior size (length, width, height)
*2 The Universal Bridge and the Multi-space System are registered trade marks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
*3 Aluminum slope is available as a dealer option

Sales plan (Japan, monthly): 3,000units

Body colors (Total 13 colors)
N BOX + (7 colors)
Premium White Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Premium Dynamic Blue Pearl,
Cool Mist Metallic, Premium Bronze Pearl, Cherry Shell Pink Metallic

N BOX + 2-tone color style (3 colors)
Premium Dynamic Blue Pearl X Taffeta White, Premium Bronze Pearl X Taffeta White,
Cherry Shell Pink Metallic X Crystal Black Pearl

N BOX + Custom (7 colors)
Premium White Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Premium Deep Rosso Pearl,
Polished Metal Metallic, Premium Dynamic Blue Pearl, Premium Gold Purple Pearl

Interior colors (Total 3 colors)
N BOX +: Beige
N BOX + 2-tone color style: Brown, Black
N BOX + Custom: Black

[Key features of N BOX +]
The "Multi-space System" realizes versatile space arrangements with three boards:
- A wide variety of arrangements including several cargo modes or a bed mode which folds flat can quickly be made using large and small multi-boards and an end board.

The "Universal Bridge" combines a sloped floor and an attachable aluminum slope, to improve the ease of loading and unloading:
- In addition to sloping the low floor which was realized by the center-tank layout, Honda's innovative packaging technology, an aluminum slope was made available to bridge the vehicle floor and the ground, making it easier to load and unload heavy items on wheels such as a small motorbike.

Visibility and sense of security beyond the mini-vehicle category:
- In addition to realizing an eye point as high as that of a mini-van, installation of mirrors which help eliminate blind spots around the left-front wheel, left-rear wheel, and lower rear make it easier to pull up closer to an object on the side or to park.

A high-performance powertrain realizes both excellent driving performance and fuel economy at a high level:
- Smooth and powerful driving was realized through the combination of a high-output/high-torque DOHC engine which generates output and torque at the top level of the class and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with high power efficiency. Excellent fuel economy of 21.2km/L*4 was realized through adoption of various features including the idle stop system and ECON mode system.
- A DOHC Turbo engine with high-performance turbo charger is available in all grades.

*4 N BOX + and N BOX + Custom FWD vehicles (excluding turbo model) measured in JC08 mode (Testing by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

High safety performance and enhanced safety features:
- Class-leading omni-directional collision safety performance was realized with the newly-designed engine and new load distribution structure.
- VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) system is standard equipment on all types.
- HSA (Hill Start Assist) that temporarily prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an upward incline is installed as standard equipment on all types.
- Driver-side i-SRS airbag system (with continuously staged inflation) and SRS airbag system for front passenger are standard equipment on all types.
- The impact-mitigating headrests in the front seat which are designed to help mitigate the likelihood of a neck injury in the event of collision, and the interior which protects occupants' heads from impact are adopted.

Environmental performance:
- All types are certified by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as complying with the 2005 - 75% emissions standard.
- G and G・L Package (FWD/4WD) for both N BOX + and N BOX + Custom comply with the 2015 fuel economy standard.
- More than 90 percent of the entire vehicle is recyclable*5.

*5 Calculated based on the "Definition of and Guideline for Calculating the Percentage of Recyclable Materials in New Automobiles" (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc., 1998)

=====================================

http://www.autospies.com/news/VIDEO-...Problem-71513/

VIDEO: Honda FINALLY Builds A CR-Z That Is Completely AWESOME, But There's A Problem

This was the vehicle that didn't get the hybrid-like mileage one would expect and it, frankly, was tiny. I will admit though, I am a sucker for small cars.

But it drove pretty damn well and it was fun. AND, it had a manual gearbox!

At the end of the day though it's just not fast enough, it doesn't have much utility and it's not getting good enough mpg to do anything well. So it falls squarely in the middle of being an also ran. That means Honda has to do something to remedy this situation if it wants an amazing product.

Rumors have circulated about a forced induction CR-Z but nothing's come to fruition.

So when I ran across this video clip of a racing version with a six-cylinder powerplant, I was intrigued. Then I heard it and I was blown away.

The problem: It's a racecar and I'd wager that Honda will not be bold enough to put a six-cylinder into a production variant.


Honda's press release follows:

Honda Announces Support to the Racing Activities of Team Mugen in the GT300 Class of SUPER GT Series Start of test runs for the MUGEN CR-Z GT equipped with Honda racing hybrid system

TOKYO, Japan - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced its intent to provide technical support to Team Mugen, operated by M-TEC Co., Ltd., for its competition with the MUGEN CR-Z GT in the GT300 class of SUPER GT Series. Honda will supply a 2.8-liter V6 twin-turbo engine and the racing hybrid system developed exclusively for this Team Mugen racing machine and will start actual test runs.

Team Mugen's first race with the MUGEN CR-Z GT featuring the Honda racing hybrid system will be the 2012 SUPER GT Series Round 4 SUGO GT 300km Race held on July 28-29, 2012.

VIDEO => http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw21r...layer_embedded


=======================

http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/07/...et-on-july-13/

Honda CR-Z will hit the Chinese car market on July 13

The Honda CR-Z sporty hybrid will be launched on the Chinese car market on July 13, it is slightly delayed, earlier on we heard it would arrive on June 28. The CR-Z wil be imported and sold through the Guangzhou-Honda dealer network. Price will start around 300.000 yuan.Big gamble for Honda in a country where hybrids ain’t popular, to put it mildly. But the young ‘n cool slowly start to like high-end high-tech hybrids like the Lexus CT200h and, so Honda hopes, the CR-Z. Via Autohome.

=========================

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http://www.autosphere.ca/blog/2012/0...ion-advantage/

The Honda/Acura Collision Advantage

Online System Offers OE Parts at Aftermarket Prices



Here’s your dilemma. You have a Honda or Acura vehicle in your shop, and it needs parts. The OE variety will reduce your cycle time and increase your customer’s satisfaction, but the insurance company prefers the price of aftermarket or salvage parts.

Now you have options. Honda Canada has introduced its Honda/Acura Collision Advan*tage, a computerized program – pro*vided at no cost to collision facilities – that transmits your estimate to a par*ticipating Honda or Acura dealer, giv*ing him the opportunity to meet or beat those prices with OE parts.

Competing with aftermarket pricing

“Insurance companies would prefer to use OE parts, but of course they’re try*ing to control their costs,” says Doug Staddon, Manager of Business Plan*ning for Honda Canada. “They have to find the best cost-value equation, and we understand that, so we’re trying to do our best to be competitive. The Honda/Acura Collision Advantage is a program where we’re supporting our dealers to compete more directly with aftermarket pricing.”



Honda certainly understands the Can*adian market. The Civic was the top-selling passenger car in this country in 2011, marking its 14th consecutive year at the top. The company first ar*rived in Canada in 1969, when it sold motorcycles and power equipment. Honda began selling cars in Canada in 1973. Its relationship with the “Great White North” was cemented in 1986, when it built a manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario. Product demand was such that a second plant was built on the site in 1998, and ten years later, a $154 million engine plant was added.

Dedicated to Canada

In May of 2010, Honda Canada moved into a new head office in Markham, Ontario, where it employs some 600 people and incorporates its automotive, motorcycle, power equipment div*isions, and Honda Financial Services, along with a parts warehouse. Honda in Canada employs more than 19,000 people and buys some $1.1 billion in goods from Canadian-based suppliers.

Honda Canada’s parts division has been around as long as the company has been, and if a part is made in Canada for the assembly line, it’s also made in Canada for the company’s after-sales division. The parts are sup*plied to dealers through the company’s three warehouses in Markham, Mont*real and Calgary.

Technology leads the way

The company may have initially start*ed with relatively simple cars, but it is now extremely technologically-ad*vanced. Even its entry-level Civic of*fers such features as navigation with bilingual voice recognition, adaptive electric power steering, and a hybrid version, while Acura owners can or*der a blind spot information system, rearview camera with three views, adaptive cruise control, and the com*pany’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). And at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, journalists cheered – unheard-of during the press conferen*ces – when Acura presented the NSX Concept, which points the way to the reintroduction of the company’s top performance model.

Some of the company’s vehicle tech*nologies may be very complicated, but the Collision Advantage system defin*itely is not. The system’s simplicity is the heart of its usefulness.

Pricing out the parts

Here’s how it works. The collision fa*cility uses software that links it to a lo*cal Honda/Acura dealer that is also in the program and which will be supply*ing the parts. When a vehicle needs re*pair, the collision facility’s estimating system prices out the job, including the less-expensive aftermarket or sal*vage prices on parts where applicable.

With a single click, the shop sends the estimate to the dealer. The parts de*partment determines which parts are included in Honda Canada’s program. These can then be discounted to meet the aftermarket or salvage prices. Once the estimate is approved, another click automatically orders the OE parts for delivery to the collision repair facility.

The program underwent a pilot pro*ject in October 2011, and was formal*ly launched in February 2012. “It’s a progressive roll-out,” Staddon says. “As dealers are expressing an inter*est, we’re helping them with collision shop enrollment and how to utilize the program.” Currently there are 96 Honda and Acura dealers enrolled in the program across Canada.

No charge to your shop

There’s a small monthly charge for the dealership, but the collision fa*cility does not pay for the program, which includes the software, its in*stallation, on-site training, and a toll-free help line. As an additional benefit, this software will also provide access to Honda’s electronic parts catalogue to enhance the collision facility’s abil*ity to look up and order the correct parts. “Someone from the dealership will come to help,” Staddon says. “It takes about twenty minutes to set it up, and we can send some test esti*mates through within an hour. With explaining the program and some trial estimates, it’s between two and three hours to get it running.”

“It’s very simple,” says Brett Byrne, parts manager for Parkway Honda in Toronto. “If the (facility) is used to using a computer, then with just one more click, they can forward it to the dealership. We match or beat the price, they authorize it and then send it back to us with the purchase order, and it’s done. On most parts, it’s less than 24 hours from the time we get the confirmation back.”

=================================

http://thechronicleherald.ca/wheelsn...s-ready-to-fly

Honda Pilot is ready to fly

Take me to your pilot — or better yet, a Honda Pilot and I'll hit the road for a memorable vacation.

With Honda's full-sized Pilot, a buyer has one of the most well-rounded and capable sport utility vehicles on the road.

This is a unit with three rows of seats, a spacious and accommodating interior and a wonderful 3.5-litre engine that sounds delicious and performs impeccably.

The tester, a fully loaded mid-level Pilot EX-L, is the kind of SUV I could have easily taken on holiday this week — a Honda big enough for my fishing gear and a few fishing buddies. With towing capacity of 4,500 pounds, the Pilot also is capable of hauling a nice fishing rig.

The Pilot comes prewired for a trailer and has an integrated hitch. Five models of the Pilot are available from the base LX 2WD with a starting MSRP of $34,920 to the top of the line Touring with a base MSRP of $48,520. In between are the EX ($40,820), EX-L ($43,120) and EX-L RES ($44,720).

All Pilots are powered by a 3.5-litre, 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC V6 engine cranking out 250 horsepower at 5,700 rpm Transmission is a five-speed automatic.

While some other SUVs may have more power, none that I've tested have an engine that matches the Pilot's for pure pleasure. Responsive and fuel efficient with ratings of 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, the VTEC motor is a true highway star — someone please cue up the Deep Purple! That engine has variable cylinder management which deactivates cylinders when full power isn't needed, cutting down on fuel consumption.

==============================

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/14789923.cms

Struggling Honda Motors won't launch new 'Civic' to India

NEW DELHI: Once the country's largest-selling premium sedan, the Civic is the latest victim of Honda's troubled car operations in India, with the Japanese carmaker putting off the launch of its latest model in the country.

The ninth generation avatar of Civic-which has made successful debut in the US, Australia, Thailand and other international markets this year-will not be launched in India because it's too expensive and does not have diesel version, a component supplier said.

"It's not coming to India, we have been told," the person said. He said Honda Siel has reimbursed his firm the cost incurred for developing and supplying certain designated parts for the new car after the project got scrapped.

In an email reply to ET queries, Honda Siel did not comment on if it has any plans to launch the Civic in India. "Thanks for your email. However we do not comment on media speculations," the company wrote, not responding to specific questions.

Launched in the country in 2006, Civic instantly became the segment leader. But with constant petrol price increases, and new models entering the field, Civic started to run out of gas.

Last financial year, its sales more than halved to 2,296 cars, much lower than 8,904 Toyota Corolla Altis and 8,002 GM Chevrolet Cruze sold in the country. Almost all competing brands such as Corolla, Cruze, Skoda Laura and Renault's Fluence are available in diesel version.

A second component maker, who was also working on the Civic project, said the price of the new car made it unviable for the company to launch it in India as competitive products bear much lower price tags. The new Civic would have been pricier than the current models costing Rs 13-16 lakh, the person said.

Honda, which was India's number one premium car brand for more than a decade since it entered the country in 1995, is now having a tough time. Industry insiders blame it on the carmaker's inability to gauge the dynamic market shift to diesel models as well as delay in launching small compact cars.

Honda Siel sales dipped 23% to 2,667 units in June. In the quarter ended June, sales improved 157% to 20,076 units, mainly because its supplies had halted in the first quarter of last year due to earthquake and tsunami in Japan last March.

Automotive analysts say Honda is under margin pressures after cutting prices drastically in the last couple of years. "The City and Jazz saw massive price cuts last years, and still sales have not been enthusiastic for Honda," a Delhi-based analyst said, seeking anonymity because of strategic interest in the company.

=============================

http://www.rushlane.com/new-honda-ci...28Rush+Lane%29

New Honda Civic not to be launched in India because it is too expensive and has no diesel variant

The new Honda Civic arrived in various countries around the world earlier this year, and was supposed enter the Indian car market this year. But, it has now emerged that Honda Motors will not be launching the new Civic sedan in India because the price of the new Civic is higher than the current variant and it does not offer a diesel variant. Honda Motors which was the leading premium mid-sized sedan manufacturer in India once upon a time has suffered the most due to the recent hike in fuel prices. Their condition has worsened even more as they do not offer a single model with diesel engine. Sales of diesel powered cars in India have continued to rise despite the hike in fuel prices because compared to petrol, diesel is not only cheaper but also offers more value for money. The biggest disadvantage of a diesel powered car is that their fumes are the cause of cancer according to WHO.
Honda car sales in India are declining and in the month of June 2012, they sold just 2,667 cars, compared to 10,334 cars sold in the month of May 2012. Of the 2,667 cars sold, 52 units were Accord, 609 Brio, 1,254 City, 58 Civic, 45 CRV, and 649 Jazz.
The need of the hour for Honda India is to introduce a small car or a diesel powered variant for their existing models. Earlier yesterday, it was reported that Honda is working on a small petrol car which will be powered by a 66 cc petrol engine, images of the same were also revealed. Click here to read more.
Price of the new Civic in Australia - AUS $20,940 (Rs 11.87 lacs, excluding import and duty charges).

=============================

[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

Dongfeng Honda Begins Production at New Automobile Plant

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/don...ant-2012-07-10

Wuhan, China, Jul 10, 2012 (JCN Newswire via COMTEX) -- Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., a Honda automobile production and sales joint venture in China, today held a ceremony to commemorate the start of production at its new second automobile plant (in Wuhan, Hubei Province). Attending the ceremony were dignitaries, guests and representatives from the local governments of Wuhan, Hubei Province as well as Xu Ping, CEO of Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Takanobu Ito, President & CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

The second plant is located approximately 4km northeast of the first plant and employs advanced production and environmental technologies based on Honda's belief that "environmentally-responsible products should be built in environmentally-responsible plants." The new plant will achieve China's top-level reduction in both CO2 and VOC emissions, in CO2 emissions by shortening the painting process and utilizing waste heat at its painting facility, and in VOC emissions by and adopting water based primer in the processing of plastic resin components. Moreover, the new plant will be a "highly efficient and people-friendly plant" with introduction of the world's first* full-pallet conveyor assembly line, where the ground height of the conveyer can be changed flexibly and the doors of the vehicle are carried under the pallet, as well as the adoption of a barrier-free process that minimizes the number of steps required for associates. The initial annual production capacity of the second plant is 100,000 units; however, plans already exist to expand capacity to 120,000 units next year and to 240,000 units in the future.

Since the establishment of the company in 2003, Dongfeng Honda has been taking on continuous challenges driven by its dreams to provide customers with automobiles that offer unprecedented new values in China and share their joy with our customers and with society. As a result of such challenges, Dongfeng Honda's cumulative sales exceeded 1.25 million units in June 2012.

Honda is continuing the challenge to attain its goal "to provide good products with speed, affordability and low CO2 emissions." In China, one of the largest automobile markets in the world, Honda continues to expand production capacity and further accelerate the localization of production, sales and development for the introduction of products that focus on Chinese customers. Through these efforts, Honda is striving to achieve a 20% year-on-year increase in sales units this year and to double 2011 sales units by 2015 and continues to provide new value beyond the expectations of customers.




About Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd.

Established: July 2003
Capital investment: US$350 million
Capitalization ratio: 40% Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
10% Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
50% Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd.
Location: Wuhan, Hubei Province
Representative: Yasuhide Mizuno, President
Employment: Approximately 6,900 associates
Products: CR-V, Civic, Spirior, CIIMO, ELYSION
Sales network: 332 dealer locations (as of June 2012)




About Honda

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please visit http://world.honda.com .

Contact:


Honda
Media Inquiries
corporate_pr@hm.honda.co.jp
+81-3-5412-1512

======================================

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/b...w/14804161.cms

Honda confident of maintaining growth

COIMBATORE: Despite the adverse market conditions Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is confident of maintaining its sales growth in the current financial year. HMSI, which sold 21 lakh vehicles recording a 30% increase in the last financial year (2011-12), is aiming to grow at a similar pace in the current financial year, a senior company official said. The two-wheeler segment recorded a 12-13% growth in sales during the last financial year.

"There has been a general slowdown (in sales) but we are growing at a rapid pace," said Ashish Choudhary, division head, south, HMSI. The company clocked a 60% growth in April-June, he said. HMSI's new plant in Karnataka, which would have the capacity to produce 12 lakh units a year, would become operational by next spring, he stated. The new plant would take the company's total capacity beyond the 40 lakh units mark.

HMSI, which launched its 110-cc bike 'Dream Yuga' in the city on Tuesday, aims to sell 6000 units of the bike in the south per month, Choudhary said. It would ramp up sales in the segment that accounts for nearly 60% of bikes sold in the country. "This is an unexplored segment (for HMSI). It (Dream Yuga) is our first mass model (in bikes) and we are confident of doing well," he said.

The company, which had its presence mostly in the urban areas, is expanding its footprint in the semi-urban areas in a big way, Choudhary said. HMSI, which has 121 dealers and over 160 secondary service centres in the south, is planning to aggressively expand its dealer network, he said.

============================

http://www.theprovince.com/cars/Hond...971/story.html

Honda thinking outside the box with 2012 CRV

Complete redesign puts an already capable crossover in a league of its own

The all-new 2012 Honda CRV is all about the fun, and as such is a comfortable runabout vehicle.

Looks

This is a completely redesigned CRV. Very clean body lines, swept-back rear windows with tail lights that contour the body. The new shape gives the appearance of a tall stance but the ground clearance remains the same. The three bar grille looks very good and I like how it cuts into the headlights. The engineers at Honda defiantly thought outside the box on this one. Well done.

In The Cab

The cabin is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. All the gauges are well defined and easy to reach. The EX-L and Touring edition come with a 360-watt premium audio system with seven speakers and MP3/ Windows media playback compatibility with a subwoofer. The SiriusXM satellite radio is available with a subscription. The intelligent multi-information display features a SMS text messaging function for compatible cellphones. This feature can read incoming texts aloud over the audio system. The driver’s seat is a 10-way power adjustable with power lumbar support and the rear seats are 60/40 split that can easily be folded down independently to provide more cargo space.

Safety First

A full gamut of safety enhancements are featured on the CRV including; front side airbags with passenger side occupant position detection system, dual stage, dual threshold front airbags. Child proof rear doors, active front seat head restraints, three point rear seat belts, 3 point height adjustable front seat belts, security alarm, side curtain airbags, and immobilizer theft deterrent system. All models receive a multi-angle rear-view camera with a 5-inch multi-information display. The camera can show a top view, 130-degree view or 180-degree rear view when in reverse.

Power

The engine is a 2.4-litre, 16 valves, DOHC, I-VTEC 4 cylinder that produces 185 hp and 163 lbs.-ft of torque with a 5-speed automatic transmission, a very reliable combination for this size of vehicle. Front-wheel drive is standard on the LX and EX models with the option to upgrade to Real-time four-wheel drive. My tester, the Touring edition, comes standard with Real-time four-wheel drive. New for 2012, Hill start assist helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when it is stopped on a hill.

Pump Frequency

Front wheel drive 9.0/6.4 L/100 km

Real-time 4 wheel drive 9.2/6.6 L/100 km

Warranty Support

5 years / 100,000 km Powertrain

3 years / 60,000 km Emission System

3 years / No limit Roadside Assistance

3 years / No limit Battery

Roadworthy

Some dramatic changes from what was an already decent vehicle. The driving characteristics are very similar with the exception of the motor. Although the horsepower difference is only slight I found it to be much more responsive and the acceleration was quicker.

Verdict

The CRV is a very stylish and aerodynamic crossover vehicle, versatile enough to provide fun for the whole family. Form and function should play a big role in the design of a vehicle and with this vehicle they definitely did that.

Sticker price

LX 2WD: $25,990

LX: $28,090

EX 2WD: $28,890

EX: $30,890

EX-L: $33,190

TOURING (as tested): $35,090

==================================

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/n...ectid=10818444

Honda gets back in the SUV game

As Honda New Zealand launches its latest version of the CRV, it may be singing Simple Minds' Don't You Forget About Me.

When the company first launched the light SUV here in the mid-90s, its only competitors were Toyota's RAV4, the Daihatsu Feroza and Suzuki's Vitara.

Now there are nearly 40 similar vehicles in an ever-increasing segment.

Honda HQ also faced production nightmares in the past year - Japan's tsunami halted output and then its Thai factory was flooded, sitting under 2m of water, and had to be rebuilt.

For nearly 12 months the company hasn't had any stock to sell here but, according to Honda NZ's head of marketing, Graeme Meyer, CRV owners are a patient bunch and instead of heading to the opposition, have waited for the fourth generation of the SUV. There are two models currently available - the 2-litre, 2WD CRV S (priced at $39,900) and the luxury 2.4-litre, 4WD CRV Sport ($48,900), both with five-speed auto transmission.

The company is aiming for 700 sales in the next 12 months (with equal parts 2WD and 4WD sales), and 60 per cent of CRVs are purchased for fleet use, so expect to see them being driven by tourists as rental companies nab them.

The new version remains faithful to its DNA - with the main noticeable exterior change being the pointed, aggressive rear with the brake lights started at the rear spoiler and following the bodyline at a strong angle.

Inside, the vehicle gains a muted, more sophisticated feel plus increased technology in the form of its iMiD system that controls the audio display and your phone with integrated steering wheel commands.

Under the bonnet, the CRV Sport's 2.4-litre engine has been redeveloped and, according to Honda, delivers a 12 per cent improvement in power - a total of 140kW and 222Nm torque. The engine gives you 13 per cent improvement in fuel economy, achieving 8.7 litres per 100km.

The new 2-litre engine delivers power of 11kW and 190Nm of toque with fuel economy of 7.3l/100km - around the same as a mid-size hatchback.

The fuel economy across the two models is due in part to Honda's ECON mode - as the letters suggest, an economy drive switch.

This new CRV sits lower to the ground than previous models, giving a more car-like drive, which was noticeable at the New Zealand launch last week. It handles corners at speed with ease and stability while, thanks to the slimmer A-pillar, driver vision is clearer.

Honda has added fancy fold-away seats for both models. With one touch, via either a button in the boot or a tab by the side of the squabs, the seats fold down and back to give a huge, flat space. It provides 1669 litres of cargo space - enough room for two mountain bikes to stand upright.

The Sport version has a sunroof, leather seats and gear paddles on the steering wheel, while both CRVs have reversing cameras.

As a former CRV owner I have to admit that although this latest model has a more sophisticated feel, I do miss dinky features of previous models: the boot base that turned into a table, and the fold-down table between the front seats.
By Liz Dobson

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http://socialstrand.com/2012/07/10/h...ndMediaBlog%29

How Honda Is Marketing On Pinterest

Social media is currently one of the most effective and popular ways for companies to interact with prospective customers and establish their brand. Auto maker Honda is doing just that with a new campaign on the popular social media site Pinterest; a popular site which encourages visitors to pin compelling and unique images. Time For A Pintermission
Honda’s campaign is dubbed “Pintermission” and offers selected popular pinners $500 if they are willing to take a break from the computer and actually explore some of the things they have been pinning about such as travelling to a particular destination or buying something they’ve always dreamed of. Honda sent the selected individual personalized suggestions on what to do during this hiatus based on the items they have pinned. One person is planning to use the money to go Hawaii while another is considering a visit to London. Individuals who were chosen to participate have generally been influential with a large following. For example, selected Pinterest user Jonathan Lo, has well over 700,000 followers.
Rewards On Both Sides
The lucky winners are also provided a complimentary Honda CR-V during their time off from Pinterest. The CR-V is a popular compact and affordable SUV that is especially popular with women. Pinterest’s audience also happens to be primarily women, which makes it the perfect site to advertise this particular vehicle. In return, Honda received tons of press and user generated media buzz from the top pinners since many pinned about their experience or blogged and tweeted about it. As a result, Honda’s campaign succeeds in getting users to create buzz for them.
A New Visual Medium With Pinterest
In addition, the auto company is also actively pinning photos of its many popular cars and linking the images back to their homepage. Many companies are driving traffic to their homepage using this method. Some are even finding that the amount of visitors from the popular social media is exceeding that of other referrers including search engine traffic.
Large companies such as Enterprise Car Sales as well as smaller local auto dealers are both able to take advantage of this medium for marketing purposes. Honda’s campaign proves that even products with a traditional male consumer base, such as automobiles, can be marketed successfully on a site with a dominant female user base such as Pinterest. Since Pinterest is a visual medium, companies need to be extra creative when devising a marketing plan.

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http://paultan.org/2012/07/10/2012-h...g-in-malaysia/


2012 Honda Civic Hybrid launching in Malaysia?

It would appear that Honda will not only be launching the Honda Civic 1.8 and 2.0 this week, but we’ll probably also see the reintroduction of the Honda Civic Hybrid in Malaysia.
Plenty of indications that the new Civic Hybrid will be launched has started appearing online in the social media space. The brochure scan you see above from a Honda dealer first appeared on Facebook late last month.
The Civic Hybrid was a nice offering as it offered Malaysians the unique opportunity to purchase at an affordable price a Honda that is not only fully imported from Japan, but with an advanced propulsion system that combined a small internal combustion engine with an electric motor.
The best part is it was contained in a family-friendly sedan body, with one of the largest interior spaces in its class, so it was easy to accept as it had the regular Civic’s body thus it was a familiar car. Before the last generation Civic Hybrid was discontinued, it went for only RM108,980, which was tremendous value for money and the cheapest Civic variant in its generation.

Next, an auto accessories shop posted up a gallery of various pre-delivery units of the 9th generation Honda Civic, which included a rear shot of the Civic Hybrid.

The Civic Hybrid differentiates itself from its regular siblings with a different tail lamp design that has some blue tinting in it, and this blue tint theme carries on at the front of the car with the headlamps and one of the bars on the front grille.


Another interesting bit we spotted in the gallery – it looks like the top of the line model could have a navigation system built in! We recognise the Garmin-based user interface, which is good news since Garmin maps are pretty mature.
Check out the full gallery on Facebook by clicking here.




==================================

http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/07/...ts-production/


Honda’s second car factory in China starts production



Honda Motor has begun production at its second assembly plant in China’s Hubei province where it built the facility in a joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor targeting to produce 120,000 vehicles a year.
At an opening ceremony in Wuhan city on Tuesday, Honda President Takanobu Ito said the company aimed to sell 1.2 million vehicles in China in 2015, which is double the maker’s target for 2011.
He said the joint venture would develop model cars for the crucial Chinese market and speed up on-site production, procurement and sales. Honda also plans to build a third plant in the southern province of Guangdong.
Some 18.5 million new vehicles were sold in China last year, making it the world’s biggest auto market for the third straight year. Foreign automakers have been aiming to expand production in the Communist country.
According to China’s Xinhua news agency, total production of 30 major automakers in the country could reach 40 million units in 2015. But sales growth has been slowing with a just 2.5 percent growth in 2011 from that of the previous year, marking the lowest increase in 13 years. The figure for this year through May was 1.7 percent.
The downturn is a result of Europe’s credit crisis and huge cuts last year in government subsidies for auto purchases. With trade and domestic demand also slowing, some analysts say aggressive auto sales targets could lead to overproduction, media reports said.
Via: RTTnews.

[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=158609

Scott Robinson Honda Confirms, All-Electric Honda Fit EV Begins Leasing July 20th in California and Oregon

Scott Robinson Honda confirms, Honda has announced the all-new 2013 Honda Fit EV will be available for lease beginning July 20, 2012, with a three-year lease price of $389 per month. The 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest in Honda’s diverse and growing range of alternative-fuel vehicles, and received the highest fuel-efficiency rating ever given by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with an adjusted combined mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe.

The Fit EV will be available for lease-only in key markets in Oregon and California, after which availability will expand to six East Coast markets in early 2013. The Fit EV’s three-year lease price of $389 per month computes to a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,625.

Honda is the only automaker to offer such a diverse range of alternative fuel vehicles, which includes the Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell electric vehicle, multiple gas-electric hybrid models and America’s only mass-produced natural gas vehicle, the Honda Civic Natural Gas.

Based on the popular five-door, five-passenger Fit and Fit Sport, the 100-percent electric Fit EV features a 20-kilowatt-hour (kWh) Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery and a compact 92-kilowatt (123 horsepower) AC synchronous electric motor that generates 189 ft-lb of torque. This efficient powertrain is teamed to a chassis with a fully independent suspension and a driver-selectable 3-mode drive system adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid. The result is a fun-to-drive EV with a class-leading EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82-miles.

An onboard charger allows the vehicle to be plugged into any household-type 120-volt or available 240-volt AC power supply. When connected to a 240-volt circuit, the Fit EV battery can be recharged in less than three hours from a low charge indicator illumination point. When connected to an outlet, charging can be started or stopped with an included Fit EV interactive remote control, through an available Smartphone application, or through the Internet on a personal computer.

Customers interested in leasing or learning more about the Fit EV are encouraged to sign up at www.FitEV.Honda.com.

With its support of local charities and environmental causes, Scott Robinson Honda has established itself as an integral part of the community, and has received industry wide recognition for its commitment to Green practices. For more information, call 866-604-4264 or visit (http://scottrobinsonhonda.com).

Don’t forget to become a fan of Scott Robinson Honda on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/scottrobinsonhonda) and become a follower of Scott Honda Robinson on twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/HondaAltFuel).

Scott Robinson Honda, located at 20340 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance, CA., has served the Long Beach, South Bay and Los Angeles areas since 1961, developing its unique reputation for providing car shoppers with outstanding value, honest service, and diverse inventory.

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http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-197660.html

A Perfect Weekend At Circuit Mont-Tremblant

The Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) presented by Continental Tire had what was a close to a perfect weekend at Circuit Mont-Tremblant. The great weather and enthusiasm of the competitors complimented the incredible scenery of the surrounding mountains.

Practice
Drivers took to the track on two occasions Friday. This was a great way for several drivers to get acquainted with the circuit since this was their first visit to Tremblant. During the first session, Normand Boyer in his # 7 Mazda3 had mechanical problems and left for home to repair the car but returned on Saturday morning. Unfortunate for Eric Hochgeschurz, his weekend was over before practice started as he had broken the differential in open testing on Thursday. Remy Audette and Karl Wittmer were trying their hand in B-Spec Class driving a Honda Fit and Mazda2 respectively. Both drivers finished the day within two hundredths of a second of each other and were looking forward to the races to follow. Damon Sharpe and Dean Fantin were two drivers experiencing Le Circuit for the first time and were very impressed and amazed at how the track challenged them.

Qualifying
Qualifying was run on Saturday morning under clear skies. An overnight rainfall had left the track a little green. Marc-Antoine Camirand showed the way in Super Class in his BMW followed by Mathieu Audette in his Acura and Dave Ciekiewicz in his BMW. Jocelyn Hebert in his Honda was almost one second faster than his closest rivals in Touring Class. He was followed by Jacques Belanger in his Honda and PJ Groenke in his Mini. Nick Wittmer led B-Spec Class in his Honda Fit followed by Remy Audette and Jean-Francois Dumoulin, both in Honda Fits also. This was Dumoulin`s first drive in the B-Spec Class Honda Fit. Bad luck for Karl Wittmer who blew a clutch in his B-Spec Class Mazda2 and Alex Healy in his Acura RSX who blew an engine, both were done for the weekend.

Round 7
Saturday afternoon continued to be clear and sunny as the drivers took the start and dived into corner one. It was obvious that a few were more anxious than the others as two cars touched sending everyone who was mid-pack scrambling for room in near zero visibility. Marc-Antoine Camirand led the Super Class pack followed by Mathieu Audette and Dave Ciekiewicz for most of the race. Sasha Anis got by Dave Ciekiewicz for third place. The Touring Class field got mixed up by the first corner drama. Jocelyn Hebert got the worst of it and ended up in sixth place. Damon Sharpe was running a great race and challenging for the second place when he spun at the top of corner two. Fortunately, there was no damage to his car but he dropped down to fifth. Jacques Belanger drove a strong race finishing in first followed by Daniel Blanchette and PJ Groenke. Nick Wittmer jumped ahead of the other B-Spec Class competitors during the corner one confusion and never looked back leading Remy Audette and Jean-Francois Dumoulin at the checkered.

Round 8
The start on Sunday afternoon was much cleaner than the one of Saturday. Marc-Antoine Camirand and Mathieu Audette pulled away from the field and ran bumper-to-bumper the whole race. Audette had a few runs on Camirand but was not able to get by. Roger Ledoux moved up from 23rd overall to finish eleventh. At the checkered in Super Class it was Camirand followed by Audette and Sasha Anis. Jacques Belanger in his Honda led the Touring Class competitors from the beginning but was challenged by PJ Groenke and Michel Sallenbach in their Minis, and Damon Sharpe in his Honda. PJ spun going into corner three which pushed him back to finish fifth and shuffled the field once again. Jocelyn Hebert capitalized on the spin and moved into third. Damon had a battery cable come loose and he finished in ninth. In Touring Class, Belanger won the race with Sallenbach and Hebert behind him. Nick Wittmer was concerned that he had not made the correct tire choice but managed to maintain a lead and won in B-Spec Class. Jean-Francois Dumoulin finished in second and in front of teammate Remy Audette. Audette crossed the finish line with his front bumper dragging under the car.

CTCC’s 9th and 10th Rounds will take place July 20, 21 and 22, 2012 at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

PaddockTalk Perspective


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http://www.insideline.com/honda/cr-v...term-test.html

2012 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L Nav Long-Term Test

In June of this year, the 2012 Honda CR-V set its sixth consecutive monthly sales record. 23,282 examples of Honda's all-new, but very similar small crossover flew off dealer lots and into the waiting driveways of small families and active seniors across the country. Add up the entire year and Honda's moved 146,682 of the things.
The redesign may be minimal, but in a highly competitive segment where Honda is a dominating force, playing it anything but safe would've been a fool's gambit. So the new CR-V uses basically the same powertrain and looks more like an evolution than a whole new generation of crossover.
It's a recipe Porsche has used for decades with its 911 sports car, but can evolution work in a mass-market segment where passion rarely comes into question? We've got a year to find out if Honda made the right choice now that the latest CR-V has joined our long-term test fleet.
What We Got
As is usual for Honda, our 2012 CR-V was picked from a prix fixe menu that allows no substitutions, no alterations and only minimal choice. All 2012 Honda CR-Vs come with a 2.4-liter inline-4. Honda tweaked this familiar motor with a few new mechanical parts that boost its rating to 185 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 163 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Along with the power upgrade, the CR-V now boasts EPA mileage numbers of 23 city/31 highway for front-wheel-drive CR-Vs and 22 city/30 highway for the AWD version that we have.
The engine is essentially the same as the one found in the last-gen CR-V and the five-speed automatic (the only transmission offering) was introduced last year, but the all-wheel-drive system is all new. The old system required rotational differences between front and rear before power got sent out back. Now we've got a hydraulic pump activated by — gasp — a computer that can hook up the rears with some power before the front tires even move. Bottom line: It's more responsive to slipping tires.
Once you've decided which drivetrain you want — FWD or AWD — you only really have one decision left: Do you want the LX, EX or EX-L. The LX is the cheapest CR-V available with a starting price of $23,325. It comes well equipped, but the EX model makes everything a little better by adding 17-inch alloy wheels, a security system and a power moonroof for only $26,675 (AWD). And if we're already at nearly $27K, why not just make the jump to the $29,325 EX-L that adds easy-to-clean leather seats (heated up front), halogen headlights, dual-zone climate control and heated power side mirrors. You can get the EX-L with Nav for a mere $1,500 more. That's the one we got.
Our 2012 stickers for $30,825, so it represents the most loaded CR-V possible. Since Honda provided the vehicle for this test it wanted to put its best foot forward.
Why We Got It
The Honda CR-V has long been considered the default choice for anyone looking into purchasing a new small utility vehicle. It's so ingrained into the landscape, we're surprised CR-V hasn't attained Kleenex or Q-Tip status.
But does it deserve this reputation? Especially when you consider the much-improved competitors like the latest Ford Escape, the sharp-handling Mazda CX-5 and the upcoming Hyundai Santa Fe and redesigned Toyota RAV4. When the playing field is as crowded as this, can the 2012 Honda CR-V maintain a lead on more than just perception?
We'll tell you what we think as we pile on the miles over the next 12 months. If the CR-V deserves its reputation, we'll find out for sure.
Current Odometer: 2,127
Best Fuel Economy: 31.1
Worst Fuel Economy: 25.9
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 27.7

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http://blogs.motorcyclistonline.com/...ogp-19893.html


Honda embrace solar technology in MotoGP

From the Grand Prix of Italy onwards, Honda Racing Corporation in conjunction with Honda SOLTEC will introduce

solar panels to the Repsol Honda Team pit wall chrono-box roof, providing sufficient power to run the eight monitors for up to eight hours.


Voltage supplied from the battery is very stable even during cloudy conditions so power supply is also very constant. High voltage modules are incorporated to the system in parallel so the number of panels required can be increased or decreased to optimise the required power.

This system is designed specifically for the Repsol Honda Team pit wall chrono-box use and is not currently for resale.

Introduction of the solar power system will be limited to European rounds only, on an trial basis. However, the solar panels used for the system are available for sale in Japan.


Honda Soltec Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets CIGS thin film solar cells. The company was founded in 2006 and is based in Kikuchi-gun, Japan. Honda Soltec Co., Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

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[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/2...ar-award-long/

2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Award long list announced

The 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year award "long list" is out, and 45 vehicles of all descriptions are set to scrap for the hardware. In 2012, the Hyundai Elantra and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque took home the coveted crystal.

This year's crop of 2013 model-year entries is a diverse bunch in every sense of the word, from styling to powertrain to price point and intended audience size. Car offerings range from mainstreamers like the Dodge Dart, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima to small-volume players including alt-fuel darlings like the Fit EV and Tesla Model S and high-performance supercars like the SRT Viper. In the Truck/Utility category, mainstream offerings include the Escape, Ram 1500 and Mazda CX-5 along with niche models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota RAV4 EV.

The long list is so named because it functions as an all-encompassing roundup of new or substantially changed vehicles that will debut in time to be considered for the annual awards. Some of the vehicles may not have even been driven by the 50-member jury yet – it is in essence an eligibility list. Later this autumn, when jurors have driven the vehicles and have a clearer picture of which models deserve further consideration, an initial round of voting will be held. The resulting "short list" of around a dozen vehicles will then be culled further into a list of three finalists in each category after further testing and a subsequent second vote. Voting on the finalists will ensue and the winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

As further evidence that the long list is merely a fluid roster of eligible vehicles, the Lexus LS has been added and the Mazda6 and Kia Cadenza have been removed from consideration (the latter vehicles appeared on earlier published lists but won't be available in time for judging).

Quick studies will notice that there's been a slight but important change to one of the award's names. Reflecting the market's shift away from body-on-frame trucks to more amorphous sport and crossover utility vehicles, the award formerly known as Truck of the Year will be henceforth known as North American Truck/Utility of the Year. Both traditional body-on-frame vehicles and more car-like crossovers will be considered for this diverse category.

See the complete 2013 long list for both categories by scrolling below, then hop into Comments to talk about who you think will win this year's awards.

*Full Disclosure: Author is a NACTOY jury member.

2013 North American Car of the Year Long List

Acura ILX
BMW 3 Series
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
Cadillac ATS
Cadillac XTS
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Spark
Dodge Dart
Ford Fusion
Ford Focus Electric
Honda Accord
Honda Fit EV
Hyundai Azera
Hyundai Elantra GT
Lexus ES
Lexus GS
Lexus LS
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes SL-Class
Nissan Altima
Nissan Sentra
Porsche 911
Porsche Boxster
Scion FR-S
SRT Viper
Subaru BRZ
Tesla Model S
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Prius C
Toyota Yaris


2013 North American Truck/Utility Long List

Acura RDX
Audi Allroad
BMW X1
Ford Escape
Ford C-Max
Hyundai Santa Fe
Infiniti JX 35
Mazda CX-5
Mercedes GL-Class
Mercedes GLK-Class
Mercedes G-Class
Nissan Pathfinder
Ram 1500
Subaru SV Crosstrek
Toyota RAV4 EV

News Source: NACTOY

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http://jalopnik.com/5925179/robb-hol...rs-in-37-years

Robb Holland Will Be First American To Race In British Touring Cars In 37 Years

Not since Bill Gubelmann raced a Ford Capri in 1975 has there been an American in the British Touring Car Championship. Colorado-born Robb Holland will be racing a Honda Civic S2000, taking the fight to the Brits.

Holland, 44, recently raced in the SCCA Pirelli World Challenge in the very familiar Project Grocery Getter K-PAX Volvo C30 in 2011 and started driving a Honda Civic this year. He's also a contributor to Jalopnik and one of our favorite racers on the planet (and not just because he has a lifetime of free Ben & Jerry's coming to him).

He's moving to Team HARD, who are currently ninth in the standings out of fourteen. Holland admits clawing up points will be a challenge, but not the greatest he will face.

But I think the biggest challenge for me will be racing a right hand drive car for the first time…I'm sure after a few sessions though I'll have it sorted out on track but I think the team is already placing bets on how many times I try to get in the car from the wrong side.

We're rooting for him now and we'll wish him a speedy recovery if he does put that Honda in the wrong place. AMERICA!

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[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/Ho...ail/story.html

Honda models offered at an affordable price



Honda is celebrating 20 years of UK manufacturing by introducing a range of competitive offers on its popular British-built models to make getting in a new Honda more affordable.

Available on new cars ordered between now and the end of September, the assortment of offers include competitive finance options, trim level upgrades, deposit contributions and servicing packages. For example, Honda customers purchasing the CR-V can enjoy an extension of the popular Spring offer of a complimentary trim level upgrade.

The SE+ will be upgraded to the ES-T variant with the addition of £2,490 worth of extra equipment, including an integrated navi system, dual zone climate control, heated front seats and front and rear parking sensors.

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http://www.northjersey.com/news/tran..._showroom.html

Mahwah Honda opens new showroom



In his 30-year association with Mahwah Honda, Alan Anderson has never left any doubt about the value he places on customer service, routinely declaring “our commitment is second to none.”
Dealership owner Alan Anderson knows a good car when he sees one, and for 30 years he's been selling Hondas, one of the most reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles on the road. And where better to display the carmaker's complete lineup of cars than at Mahwah Hondaís new showroom on Route 17 North in Mahwah.
PHOTOS BY EUGENE PARCIASEPE JR.
Buy this photo
Dealership owner Alan Anderson knows a good car when he sees one, and for 30 years he's been selling Hondas, one of the most reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles on the road. And where better to display the carmaker's complete lineup of cars than at Mahwah Hondaís new showroom on Route 17 North in Mahwah.
Formerly the site of Prestige Mini BMW, Mahwah Honda has moved its new car sales operation into a state-of-the-art facility at 345 Route 17 North in Mahwah. Its parts and service departments remain at its original location, 99 Franklin Turnpike.
Buy this photo
Formerly the site of Prestige Mini BMW, Mahwah Honda has moved its new car sales operation into a state-of-the-art facility at 345 Route 17 North in Mahwah. Its parts and service departments remain at its original location, 99 Franklin Turnpike.

Anderson joined the dealership in 1982 as a sales representative and steadily worked his way up the dealership ladder, becoming an owner in 1996.

Through it all, he and members of the Mahwah team have kept their sights focused on the importance of satisfying the customer while remaining steadfast in living by the business principles that have made the dealership a success — integrity and teamwork.

But it wasn’t until this past March that Anderson fully realized the return on that investment. That’s when a long-time customer dropped into the dealership “to simply say hello.”

That may not sound significant, but Mahwah Honda had just relocated its entire new car sales operation to a new, state-of-the-art facility (345 Route 17 North) and customers stopping by just the say “hello” meant a lot to Anderson.

“Over the last few months, we have had several customers drop in to the new facility just to say hello,” he said. “Usually, they had just been at the Franklin Turnpike facility for parts or service. Then, they drove over here to visit. That’s very gratifying. They weren’t here to conduct business. They just wanted to say hello. It shows me that we’ve made a connection with most of our customers. It validates what we do here.”

For three decades, the entire Mahwah Honda operation was housed at 99 Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah, a mile away from its new location — the former site of Prestige Mini BMW — where the new car sales operation is located. The parts and service departments remain on Franklin Turnpike.

Anderson credits what he calls “a veteran team” of employees with creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.

“We have quite a few long-term employees here,” he said. “Customers come in, see a familiar face, and know they are going to be treated with courtesy and respect. Everyone one who works here is committed to a personalized, friendly, no-pressure approach. They are striving to create an environment of trust. That’s why people come back. It’s why we have an extremely high referral and repeat business rate.”

And at Mahwah Honda (201-529-5700), success breeds success.

“We have seen young adults come in to buy their first, entry-level car,” he said. “Then they trade up and get a sports car. Then they start their families and they get an SUV. Many end up getting an Odyssey. Now, some are buying their kid’s entry-level cars. You see that time and time again. We have created a lot of loyalty here. It’s why we have had so many people come in to simply say ‘hello’ since the move.”

But as significant as customer service is to the dealership’s success, the Honda products it sells has sustained Mahwah Honda in good economic times and bad.

“In my opinion, Honda vehicles are recession proof,” said Anderson. “In good times, Honda will lose a few customers to the luxury automobile makers. But when the tough times hit, many of those people come back to Honda. When I joined the dealership in the 1980s, things were red hot. It cooled down a bit in the early 1990’s and again in 2008. But we’ve done well through all the ups and downs, and that is primarily because of Honda.”

He added, “We’re not known as a luxury brand, but Honda vehicles have a lot of those luxury features. They are known for having an outstanding selection of high-quality automobiles. They are reliable and fuel-efficient quality cars.”

The dealership, with its two locations, offers an extensive selection of new and pre-owned Honda automobiles. Sales are complemented by state-of-the-art service bays, an extensive parts inventory and a luxurious customer waiting room.

The Mahwah Honda website features vehicle pricing, parts special, and auto repair service deals. Each vehicle listed on the site includes detailed specifications, prices, mileage and photos.

"Having been in business for so long, it’s obvious that we’re doing something right," said Anderson. "Our location has had a lot to do with our success and now we have two facilities, a mile apart. It’s really a dream location. We were always just off Route 17, in the heart of Bergen County, not far from Route 287."

Anderson continued, "Moving our news car sales to the new location made a lot of business sense. We were always looking for another location nearby. When a suitable piece of property opened up, we jumped at it. I knew we would replicate our strong commitment to customer service at the new place and that would keep customers coming back."

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http://www.northjersey.com/news/tran..._to_drive.html

Honda: The Fit is a hit -- easy on the eyes, roomy and fun to drive



Long ago, Honda grabbed the heart of the small car market, and it is not letting go now.
The Honda Fit, a worthy heir to the original Civic and arguably the finest example of the small, tall, entry-level car.


Witness the second-generation Fit, a worthy heir to the original Civic and arguably the finest example of the small, tall, entry-level car.

Fit is not just affordable but easy on the eyes, roomy and fun to drive.

It’s remarkably versatile, with four seating configurations to accommodate various types of cargo or passengers.

Introduced in Japan in 2001, Fit became an instant hit, prompting an array of competition such as the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. Today’s Kia Rio, Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta are also serious challengers.

The bulbous hatchback was introduced in Canada and the U.S. in 2006 as a 2007 model but was updated only two years later.

With the fuel tank positioned below the front seat, the rear seats of the Fit have room to fold very low, creating an unusually large cargo space in such a small car.

In fact, the Fit does not feel so small, even for drivers measuring 6 feet or more in height. The roofline arcs nicely over the heads of passengers, and the back seats are roomy enough for three adults.

With an overall length of just 13.5 feet, the interior provides a capacious 90.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. Even hauling five passengers, the Fit provides 20.6 cubic feet of storage space, which is comparable to a mid-size wagon.

Fit’s secret weapon is its 60/40 split rear “Magic Seat,” which offers multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations. With its one-motion operation, it can fold flat into the floor to expand rear cargo volume almost instantly. The Fit’s interior can also be converted to tall-object mode or long-object mode based on the shape of the cargo.

You might expect wimpy performance for a car in this class, but Fit can sprint when you want it to, especially under the direction of a five-speed stick.

The 1.5-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine is rated at 117 horsepower, which sounds pretty meager. But you have to factor in the Fit’s light weight to understand the tolerable power-to-weight ratio.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a five-speed automatic transmission is available. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on Fit Sport models equipped with the available automatic transmission allow for manual gear selection.

When equipped with the automatic transmission, Fit has an Environmental Protection Agency city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 28 city, 35 highway and 31 combined miles per gallon. The better equipped Fit Sport rates 30 combined miles per gallon with automatic transmission. All manual transmission-equipped models are rated at 29 combined mpg.

With the stick, the Fit Sport zips through traffic to the accompaniment of enthusiastic sounds from the high-revving engine. The blend of maneuverability, tight control of the torque and excellent sight lines gives the driver a terrific sense of confidence.

The Fit Sport interior is quite sophisticated, with dark metallic dashboard components for a unified color theme. Fit Sport gains chrome accents around instrument displays for the 2012 model year. All models receive newly designed console-mounted center beverage holders along with console ambient lighting. All models also receive added sound insulation measures in the floor, front fenders and A-pillars, plus thicker front corner-window glass, to help create a quieter cabin.

Two new colors are available: Blue Raspberry Metallic and Orangeburst Metallic, which replace similar colors from the earlier model year.

With prices beginning at $15,325 for the base trim level, the Fit tops out near $20,000 with the Sport trim and navigation system. The review car, a Fit Sport with five-speed manual transmission, carried a base sticker of $16,910.

While the review car was built in Japan, Honda will begin producing North American models at a new $800 million plant in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.

"Last year, more than 85 percent of the Honda and Acura models sold in America were built in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, using domestic and globally sourced parts, and this will reach more than 90 percent in the coming years," said Rick Schostek, senior vice president of Honda of America Manufacturing. (SHNS)

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http://www.valpolife.com/index.php/b...eels-unlimited

Special Edition 2011 Honda CR-V on the Lot at Wheels Unlimited

Wheels Unlimited, Porter County’s oldest independent car dealer, currently has a great deal on a 2011 Honda CR-V Special Edition still under factory warranty! The lightly-used CR-V has low miles with one previous owner who kept the car in perfect condition.

The 2011 Honda CR-V Special Edition is great on gas and with 4x4 drive, it's a steal at $21,995 and listed at Wheels Unlimited !

Click here for the full listing!

It is a priority at Wheels Unlimited to provide customers with a detailed, uncomplicated process and a trust that you’ll be given the best possible deal on a quality car. With every car on the lot, you’re given a transparent look into every detail, with the dealership giving a free CarFax report with every automobile sold.

If you have any questions or would like to test drive this 2011 Honda CR-V or any other of their quality vehicles, stop by the Wheels Unlimited dealership on US-30 by Harley-Davidson and the rest of the SouthPoint shopping area including Napa Auto Parts, Rainbow Play Systems and see the always changing variety of mostly late model, low mileage cars that you see when you drive by on 30.

You can contact John Steffen at Wheels Unlimited at 219-464-3736, via email at wheels3736@yahoo.com, or on the website at www.wheelsunltd.com. "Like" Wheels Unlimited on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest information, specials, and vehicles!

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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/n...ectid=10818186

Honda Civic: Hatch best-dressed in town

Honda has suffered the sharp end of recession and natural disaster and is now pinning its hopes on new arrivals.

It opened the year with the CRZ, now the stylish Civic to fill a hatch slot vacated five years ago, with CRV just landing.

What's new
Unfavourable exchange rates prevented the Civic hatch's earlier entry to New Zealand, so this body is new to Kiwis and it's a sharp-looker.

The design quirks are as functional as they are eyecatching: assertive tail lights that bridge the rear window double as a spoiler to improve air flow, further smoothed by a flat underbody that prevents underside plumbing from creating drag.

The car's 104kW/14Nm 1.8-lire petrol engine is similar to that in the Civic sedan, but with alterations to reduce friction within the engine and improve fuel economy to 6.1l/100km for the manual and 6.5 for the auto.

The company line
Honda imports two variants: the L, with 16-inch wheels, and the S, with larger alloys and a premium sound system, a reverse camera and heated leather seats.

Honda aims to pitch Civic hatch as the driver's choice when it goes on sale on July 27 from $32,900, with the Insight hybrid electric for those more eco-minded.

What we say
Honda research and development chief Katsushi Watanabe may employ dynamic and energetic watchwords, but our launch drive suggested Civic is anything but. However, it is very well designed for everydayliving, my favourite feature being the clever back seats. You can fold up the bases to liberate space for low-loading heavy items or to accommodate your big dog. Or fold the seatbacks in one easy movement, the bases sinking to deliver a flat load floor and expanding the boot's standard 400 litres to a capacious 1210.

Fuel-frugal is a favoured Honda catchcry. This car even trains you to drive more economically, with an eco button altering engine and cruise control response, plus climate control. It also changes the instrument lights to signal green or blue, according to your throttle action.

On the road
Performance didn't quite match the sharp looks, The engine is competent rather than lively, and sometimes feels it needs another open-road cruising gear, while the steering felt as light and lifeless as a cheap arcade game. That will bother a keen driver, but not the everyday punter seeking a sensible runabout in a sharp suit.

However, the suspension seemed efficient enough, as a result of tweaks to improve the sport-comfort ride compromise and cornering stability.

Why you'll buy one
Sharp looks inside and out that reference attack planes; super-flexible rear seats/boot; and it's quiet.

Why you won't?
It doesn't drive as energetically as it looks.

================================

Honda unveils new Civic

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...9&sec=business

KUALA LUMPUR: The ninth-generation Honda Civic has been launched with four model variants to reach out to a wider market. The other factor that is expected to maintain the Civic as the market segment leader is the new five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, which also applies to the IMA battery for the new Civic Hybrid.

Another new feature of the vehicle maintenance programme is the extension of the service interval from 5,000km to 10,000km, as well as free labour service up to six visits for every alternate paid service until 100,000km.

Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Yoichiro Ueno said based on the trend of car use and mileage in Malaysia, along with the improved engines for all the Civic models made available, the new warranty programme and extended service interval were seen as feasible incentives to lower the cost of car ownership.

The four Civic models launched are the Civic 1.8S, Civic 2.0S, Civic 2.0 Navi and Civic Hybrid. Apart from the Civic Hybrid, which is imported from Japan, the other three models are locally assembled at the Pegoh, Malacca facility and each has 60% local content.

Their respective prices, on the road without insurance, are RM112,790.80; RM128,374.80, RM133,244.80, and RM116,715.

Ueno said that Honda expected to sell more than 6,000 units of the new Civic this year, with the non-hybrid models accounting for about 5,000 cars. He is also confident that the total number of Honda hybrid models, with the new Civic version being added to the range, would top 10,000 units this year.

He added that the buyers were likely to comprise 60% of repeat Civic owners while one-third of them were those upgrading from the City range. The remainder are expected to be drawn from other vehicle brands.

Highlights of the new Civic range include eco assist functions to help the driver improve fuel efficiency, and vehicle stability assist that is integrated with the motion adaptive EPS (electric power steering) to help the driver control the car during moments of oversteer and understeer when taking corners.

The new Civic Hybrid now comes with a bigger displacement engine in the 1.5-litre i-VTEC unit as well as being the first Honda car to use the lighter but more powerful lithium-ion battery (previously nickel hydride, which is still being used in the other Honda hybrid models).

It delivers a combined and higher output of 110PS and 172Nm of torque; while the non-hybrid engines in the 1.8-litre produces 141PS and 174Nm; and the 2-litre pumps out 155PS and 190Nm. The Civic Hybrid comes with a continuously variable transmission and the non-hybrid models have five-speed automatic transmissions with paddle shift controls.

===========================

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index...els&Itemid=605

Honda renews commitment with new CR-V

HONDA family has unveiled a new CR-V as part of strategies to consolidate its performance in the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment.

Redesigned for 2012, the new Honda CR-V maintains its previous size, with minimal changes, feature and modifications.

According to the auto firm, the CR-V, which was first introduced 16 years ago, has continued to enjoy customer loyalty and increasing sales year-on-year “due to its uniqueness, ample passenger room, cargo capacity and competitive pricing”.

Sales and Marketing Director, The Honda Place, Mr. Deepak Daryanani, explained recently that the launch of the new CR-V could not have come at a better time

Daryanani said: “While some models offer V6 engines, Honda CR-V has remained focused on its practical aspirations and true-to-form design, becoming the best choice available in the all-important compact”.

Speaking further, he said like its predecessor, the remodeled CR-V is offered in familiar LX and EX-L trim levels, adding that “the LX comes pretty well equipped, while the EX-L has additional convenience and luxury features, but without navigation systems for the local market”.

The new product, according to the company, is fortified with standard 2.4-litre inline four cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque’ mated to Honda’s five-speed transmission coupled with improved fuel consumption

Other technical features include mini-utilities, which come as standard, such as two information screens, a rear view camera, Bluetooth, and a function that reads incoming text messages from paired phones (for BlackBerry).

Daryanani explained that the main goal of the 2012 Honda CR-V is to be an excellent family vehicle, pointing out that safety remains a strong selling point for the CR-V.

Other standard safety features include stability control, braking assist, and front-side and head protecting side curtain air bags.

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http://www.dnaindia.com/money/commen...lderly_1714312

Honda Dio is comfortable for the elderly

I’m looking for a sporty bike with good mileage, I’m 5’6 ft tall. The price range should be around Rs1 lakh —Mohammed Samran
The Bajaj Pulsar is a good fit for you. Take a look at that, it falls in your range, too.

Can you throw some light on Honda Brio? At Es6 lakh plus, is it the right choice for me?—Kavita Sitlani
The car is great, but you need to tell us a little more about what your requirements are to help you better.

I currently own a Wagon R. Now, I intend to buy a new car with seating capacity of 7 members. My budget is around Rs6-7 lakh. Xylo and Ertiga come to my mind. Have you got better options? Please advise.— C J Antony
If you plan to carry 7 people all the time, then the Xylo is the one for you. If it’s an occasional thing, then go for the Ertiga.

I want to buy a new scooty with good mileage, pick-up and handling. My budget is around Rs55,000. Do advise— Joel Koshy
The Aviator is our pick, but the Swish from Suzuki would do just as well.

I appreciate your guidance. I wish to buy a scooter for my wife, who is 35 and weighs 60 kg. I am confused between the Activa, Access and Duro DZ. We are looking for economical pricing, great mileage and other good features. Usage would be 20-30 km per day. I can wait up to September. Kindly advise.— Surendra Kumar Gorantla
Buy the Suzuki Swish. It’s lighter than the Access so won’t be troublesome in traffic.

I want to buy a car with a budget of Rs5-7 lakh and have shortlisted the Premier Rio. I travel around 650 km monthly. Kindly advise. — Ali Asgar Bharma
If you like the Rio, wait a while as a multi-jet engine will make its way under the hood. That is worth a buy.

I read your car queries column regularly. Are you anti-Tata? I have never read you suggesting a Tata car to anyone. Why is it so? Your decision should be impartial.— Seema Pawar
You clearly missed many answers and also our reviews of Tata vehicles including how good a deal the Nano is compared with an entry level diesel hatch which was carried last month. As we see it, Tata’s forte is value for money and spaciousness. Different automakers have different USPs.

I am 25 years and want to buy a bike with a budget of Rs50,000. I stay in Mumbai and require good mileage. Kindly advise.— Samit Jain
Go for the Dream Yuga.

I own an Aveo LT (petrol) 2006. It’s in mint condition and has clocked 27,000 km. Considering that GM is phasing out Aveo, is it beneficial for me to dispose it of? What re-sale value can I expect?— Rizwy
As long as it works well, what’s the point in spending more? There won’t be a problem of spares and parts, so you need not worry about that.

I’m 18 and want to buy a bike. I’m confused between two – the Pulsar 220, which I love the most, and the Yamaha Fazer, which my dad feels is good. Daily usage will be 15-20 km. Please suggest. — Ketan Pai
Go for the Fazer. It’s stylish and will serve you well. Please wear a helmet always, and never drive rashly.

We are planning to buy a new car with a budget of Rs5-6 lakh and have shortlisted the Maruti Dzire, Hyundai i20 and Nissan Sunny. Which should I prefer in terms of good mileage, comfort and low maintenance?— Jay Khandekar
If it falls in your budget, go for the Sunny; it’s a great, spacious cart to have.

I want to buy a car with a budget of Rs3 lakh. Monthly usage will be 150-200 km. I want the petrol version, but am confused about CNG. Please advise.— Manoj Jagtap
Check out the Alto and the Eon. First ride it for a while and then see if you want to convert.

I wish to purchase a scooter for my parents. My father will be riding it most of the times. I have shortlisted the Honda Activa, Suzuki Swish and Hero Maestro.My requirements are good mileage and suspension. Please guide.—Perce P Nakra
Go for the Activa. The second choice would be Swish.

I am contemplating buying a new bike. Currently, I use a Splendor that’s more than 12 years old. Daily usage will be 20-30 kms. Also, I have a back-pain problem. Please suggest accordingly, including about Bajaj Avenger.—Hareesh M
The Avenger would be perfect for your situation. Else, go for the Yamaha Fazer.

You guys are doing a great job. I just want to ask you what is your view about the new Apache RTR series? — Muthu Konar
If you looked the old RTR, you’ll like this one too. They are pretty similar, save for the looks. It’s a fun little bike to ride.

I have a two-year-old Honda Shine, but it delivers very low mileage about 25-30 kmpl in city. What should I do to get better mileage? —Mehul Dodia
Check your carburettor tuning to see if the fuel mixture is proper, other than that, try changing your riding style, and the pump from where you fill petrol to see if there are any gains.

I wish to buy a scooter with good mileage and comfort. I am 5.7. Please suggest. — Priya Joshi
Go for the Honda Dio -- it has a low seat height so is easier to ride.

Upon your advice, I bought an Eon Magna+ and a Vespa scooter. Thank you. I now need advice on a motorcycle for my son. Looking for good ride comfort and best quality. — Dayananda Babu Kora
We’re glad you’re happy. As for the bike, take a look at the Honda Stunner. It’s a nice, stylish, reliable bike for your son.

I want to buy a new sportish bike between Rs50,000-75,000. My girlfriend prefers the Honda Stunner. Is it worth the price?—Akhil Selva
The Stunner is a great bike, but it is a 125cc bike. In your range. you can get 150cc bikes as well. Take a look at the Suzuki GA150.

Which one’s better between the Karizma ZMR, Pulsar NS200, Honda CBR150R?—Prashant Panchal
We recommend the Karizma for reliability and true performance. If you want something newer, then take a look at the Honda CBR 150 and 250AD.

I have almost decided to buy the Honda Jazz when I heard from friends that Honda is about to stop the production of Jazz. Is this true? If true, will I have issues later? — Ankit Jain
There are no reports about Honda stopping the production of Jazz. In the slim chance they do, spares won’t be an issue at all. It remains a great car to own.

I have a November 2009 Fiat Linea Emotion Pack 1.4 petrol. My daily commute is around 40 km plus weekend trips from Mumbai to Pune and back. Could you please advise if it will be feasible to go for a sequential CNG kit for the Linea? — Samir H, Mumbai
There will be no problem running your Linea on CNG, but only get it converted if you intend to keep the car for a while.

First, thanks a tonne for the quick response from you. Now, I would like clarity on power and torque.Which one means good pickup and which one means good overtaking? 85 PS @3750 and 102@5850. Torque (Nm@rpm) 200@1900 145@3750.I have second home in hilly area with bad terrain & rough roads. My budget is below Rs8 lakh. Which car/SUV will you suggest? — Suresh Karnik
Those specs are like the Renault Duster’s. It’ll be perfect for you. Check out the review alongside.

I have been riding Bajaj CT100 for 7 years. The bike is good in the city, but unfortunately it’s not a tourer and it is apparent whenyou hit the highways. I want a bike to give me the thrill and go non-stop at 80 kmh for long stretches and have decent pickup to overtake. My budget is Rs1.5 lakh. Kindly advise.—Aditya Hatkar
The Bullet is the ultimate touring bike for our roads, so that is our choice here. The Duke is a quick accelerator, but doesn’t like holding high speeds for long. As an alternative, take a look at the Honda CBR 250 which is also a great tourer.

First of all, thanks for making our Friday mornings peppier with your advice! Do we have any automatic SUV within the Rs13 lakh range? You mentioned the Scorpio makeover. By when will it be done? — Sanjay Ishwarlal Upadhyay
The Scorpio is the nearest one with an automatic. The new one is perhaps a year away, so you can book the current one.

You guys are doing great and thanks for it. I am confused between the Chevy Beat Diesel, Honda Brio and Swift LXi petrol. I want good mileage since usage is 20-40 km daily and 1,000 km monthly. — Devashish Tamrakar
The Beat diesel makes a lot of sense for you. Enjoy the drive.

I own a petrol Swift and am planning to buy a used car as second vehicle for the family. It will be used less than 400 km s month and will run in Noida. Budget is Rs1.5-2 lakh. Planning to use for 3 years.Please advise.— Vishnu
If space is not a huge concern, the Alto is the best option. Cheap, reliable and easy to use as well.

I have been referring your columns every Friday without fail. Good job guys. I own a used 2006 Swift LXi that has clocked 62,300 kms. I have owned it for the last 2 years. I don’t use it daily but usually go for long drives & have driven over 24,000 kms in last years. Should I keep it for a while or look for change? — Anand Kulkarni
Keep it for another year or so, if it’s bit giving you any problems. Then you can look for a change.

Your straightforward replies to our mails are excellent! I am using a Maruti 800, 1997 petrol. It is in good condition. I have paid green tax and renewed registration for the next 5 years till February 2017. I use it on weekends (50 km a week). My question is whether I should install a CNG kit or change my car before registration expires? Please guide. —Anil Parmar
If you plan on keeping the car till the registration expires and don’t foresee any mechanical or body problems cropping up, go for the kit as it will serve you well. Otherwise, if you have the budget, buy the Alto.

I want buy a bike for my college. My budget is Rs60,000 and daily ride around 40 km. I like the new Discover ST. Please advise.— Mitesh Makwana
The new Discover ST is perfect for you, with its stylish looks and great engine

I am 20 and am planning to buy a bike for going to college. Please suggest one with good mileage and looks. Daily use is nearly 40 km. What are your views about the Stunner? Also I read on the internet that Hero and Royal Enfield are coming up with diesel bikes. Is it true? Should I wait for them?— Jaskeerat Singh
Diesel bikes will take a few years to come to the market, so be point waiting for them. The stunner is a great option as is the Bajaj Discover.

Need your advice on buying our first car. I am a layman with no knowledge about this except driving. We are family of 3. My travel would be 65 kms daily. Highway driving to office and weekend approximately 50 kms. Our main criteria are mileage and low maintenance. Budget below Rs4 lakh. Please suggest—Poopathi Mudaliyar
Buy the Chevrolet Beat diesel. It will serve you well.

I want to buy a car that’s comfortable, gives good mileage and is easy on maintenance. It will be used for around 300 km a month. My budget is Rs6-6.5 lakh. Please suggest. —Anand Shankar
We think the DZire will be a good fit for you. Because it offers good space and interiors.

I like Honda Brio but am concerned about bootspace, maintenamce, fuel economy & resale value. Please advice. I don’t like the Tatas, Maruti Swift and Ritz. I will keep the car for at least 7 years. -- Jal Tahilramani
The Brio is a good car, but, we think you’ll be better served by the Hyundai i10. Boot space and general longevity are better.

I want to buy an old model of Java/Yezdi bike. Some of my friends suggested I buy it from Pune. How much will it cost? — Bhushan More
Depending on the condition, they go for anywhere between Rs5000 to Rs15000. Spares are available, so you can go for one.

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[tokyodream Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokyodream]

http://www.inautonews.com/new-honda-...ed-in-malaysia

New Honda Civic was launched in Malaysia

The ninth generation of the Honda Civic has been recently launched in Malaysia, where the model has a starting price of RM115,980.

According to the Japanese based automaker, the 9th generation of the Honda Civic is available in four versions in Malaysia: the 1.8S Civic, the 2.0S, the 2.0 Navi and the Hybrid, with the entry-level going on sale from RM115,980 while the most expensive costing RM133,245. All prices are on the road and the three versions of the new Honda Civic can already be booked in the Asian country.

Standard interior features shared by all variants include the 5-inch intelligent Multi Information Display (i-MID), the ECON mode button, the six-speaker stereo, the single CD audio compatible with WMA / MP3 / iPod / USB and the automatic climate control. The 2.0S version is adding an eight-way driver’s seat, push-start button, cruise control, paddle shifters while the 2.0 Navi is getting a 6.1 inch navigation touch screen for the DVD, VCD, DivX and reverse camera, along with Bluetooth audio to link your phone. All Civic models get the Motion Adaptive EPS, ABS and two front airbags, while the 2.0S, the 2.0 Navi and the Hybrid get extra side airbags with occupant position detection system. The new Honda Civic is 4,525 mm long, 1,755 mm wide and 1,430 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,670 mm and a total weight of 1,225 kg for the 1.8S.



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http://www.sys-con.com/node/2312178

Strong First Half of the Year for Honda Corporate Sales

LONDON, ENGLAND -- (Marketwire) -- 07/12/12 -- Honda has strengthened its position in the corporate market by posting a sales increase of 11 per cent year on year between January and June 2012. This positive result has been boosted with a 26 per cent year-to-date increase in true fleet performance.

Honda's true fleet performance excludes rental and Motability sales and the increase has been driven by particularly strong results in March (up 15 per cent on last year), April (up 55 per cent), May (up 94 per cent) and June (up 97 per cent).

Honda's British-built cars are the key models driving this growth, with the new Civic proving popular with corporate customers. The ninth generation version has accounted for more than 4,000 sales so far this year - three times as many as the same time in 2011.

Ed Hummel, Manager - Corporate Operations at Honda (UK), commented; "Our customer base in the corporate sector has grown significantly this year, and the new Civic is proving to be a popular choice for company car drivers looking for a high power, low tax alternative to the more mainstream rivals."

New CR-V

The new CR-V is due to be launched in the Autumn and with an expected reduction in CO2 emissions combined with its outstanding reliability record, Ed and his team are confident that the new model will have the highest residual values and lowest SMR budgets in its class.

The CR-V is a well proven, popular product with over 5 million CR-Vs sold globally since it was first launched in 1995. The current, third generation model has been recognised as one of the most comfortable cars on the market1 and the new CR-V is set to enhance these exceptional comfort levels making it ideal for long business journeys.

This year, Honda is expected to sell approximately 6,000 CR-Vs to corporate customers, with the new model accounting for 1,500 sales. Customers can expect to see leasing companies quoting from mid-September onwards.

New 1.6 i-DTEC engine

The introduction of the new 1.6 i-DTEC in the Civic early next year is one of the most important new engine launches for Honda's fleet sales in recent history. Boasting a best in class power and CO2 combination of 120 PS and 95g/km2, Honda is anticipating sales of 7,000 units to corporate customers alone in a full year.

The new 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine is the first drive train from Honda's new Earth Dreams Technology engine series to be introduced into Europe and it will be produced at Honda's UK manufacturing facility in Swindon.

The application of new high-strength material in the cylinder head has enabled Honda to deliver the world's lightest aluminum open deck 1.6 litre diesel engine. These lightweight characteristics, along with the compact high-efficiency turbocharger enhance responsiveness and ensure the car will offer a class-leading balance of fuel economy and performance.

Contacts:
Honda UK
Ellie Wright
(+44) 01753 590193
ellie.wright@honda-eu.com


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http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/07...s-upgrade.html

Honda's Ridgeline gets upgrade for 2012

Honda's versatile Ridgeline half-ton pickup received some upgrades for 2012, along with a new Sport model that offers such exclusive exterior touches as a black honeycomb grille and 18-inch black alloy wheels.

Prices begin at $29,350 (plus $830 freight) for the base RT model. The new Sport version is next, at $30,095, followed by the RTS ($32,055), RTL with leather ($34,930), and RTL with leather and navigation ($37,280).

Honda says the Sport model is aimed at the entry four-wheel-drive truck segment, which includes such rivals as the San Antonio-built Toyota Tacoma and Tundra.

Under the hood is the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine found in the Honda Pilot family-size crossover, with 250 horsepower and 247 foot-pounds of torque. It's connected to a five-speed automatic transmission, and Honda's fulltime four-wheel drive is standard.

The system normally operates in front-wheel drive, but delivers power to all four wheels as needed, automatically. A button on the dash will lock the two rear wheels into drive mode at speeds up to 18 mph for serious off-road conditions.

The new EPA fuel-economy ratings are 15 mpg city/21 highway - up from 15/20 for 2011. Some aerodynamic changes on the exterior, as well as friction-reduction measures inside the engine, are credited with the slight mileage increase.

As for the Sport model, it builds on the RT version by adding the special grille and wheels (they're 17 inches on the RT), along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, an auxiliary input jack for the audio system, fog lights, rear privacy glass, all-weather floor mats, and black housings for the headlights and taillights.

The Ridgeline essentially is a Pilot cut down at the rear to create a pickup. It seats five and has the same cabin as the Pilot, but without the third row of seating or the enclosed cargo area behind the rear seat.

It does come with a lockable 8.5-cubic-foot trunk, at the rear of the five-foot cargo bed, and a unique tailgate that will swing down like that of a conventional pickup, or open to the side to get it completely out of the way when loading or unloading the trunk.

One of the most-stylish and carlike pickups on the market, the Ridgeline can accommodate the family quite comfortably, while also bringing along luggage secured in the trunk, and cool stuff riding in the bed - such as ATVs, kayaks, motorcycles and other sports or camping equipment.

The cargo area is 49.5 inches wide between the rear wheel wells, and 20.7 inches deep. It can hold cargo up to 6 feet, 9 inches long when the tailgate is down.

Honda says the tailgate is designed to handle the weight of loads such as those ATVs or motorcycles. Maximum cargo weight is 1,100 pounds, and eight tie-down points are provided. Trailers weighing up to 5,000 pounds can be accommodatedThere is no separation between the cab and the cargo bed, as there is on conventional body-on-frame pickups, because the Ridgeline has unibody construction with no separate frame. That helps give it the smooth ride and nimble handling of a passenger car. The Ridgeline has the shorter length so it will fit easily in most residential garages.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1994. Contact him at 817-471-2871; chambers@star-telegram.com.

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http://autos.fortwayne.com/12023-19X...gOverview.aspx

2012 Honda Civic $21,445

Vehicle: 2012 Honda Civic Sedan
Condition: New
Price: $21,445
Color: Taffeta White
Mileage: 10
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Engine: 4 cylinder
Stock Number: H121284
Vin: 19XFB2F87CE075514
Notes:
This 2012 Honda Civic Sdn 4dr Sedan features a 1.8L L4 MPI SOHC 16V 4cyl Gasoline engine. It is equipped with a 5 Speed Automatic transmission. The vehicle is Taffeta White with a Stone interior. It is offered with a full factory warranty. - Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Windows, Power Mirrors, Tachometer, Tilt Steering Wheel, Steering Wheel Radio Controls, Moonroof, Side Airbags, Security System, ABS Brakes, Traction Control, Dynamic Stability, Rear Defogger, Intermittent Wipers,, Daytime Running Lights -
Features:

Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Windows, Power Mirrors, Tachometer, Tilt Steering Wheel, Steering Wheel Radio Controls, Moonroof, Side Airbags, Security System, ABS Brakes, Traction Control, Dynamic Stability, Rear Defogger, Intermittent Wipers,, Daytime Running Lights


To best avoid scams and fraud, deal locally. Deals that involve wire transfers or cashier's checks can be fraudulent, as can sellers who refuse to meet in person. Do a thorough inspection of any item before purchase.

The price shown does not include sales tax, any vehicle registration fees, finance charges, dealer preparation charges or any fees charged by the state of issuance in compliance or noncompliance pursuant to any statute. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. We reserve the right to make changes without notice, and are not responsible for errors.

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http://paultan.org/2012/07/12/honda-...vice-interval/

Honda Civic 9th Gen launched: from RM115k, 5yrs warranty unlimited mileage and 10k service interval


UPDATE: Gallery now has pictures of the 2.0S, Hybrid and Modulo.
Say hello to the 9^th Generation Honda Civic. Just launched, there are four variants with three engine permutations to choose from – a 1.8S, 2.0S, 2.0 Navi and the Civic Hybrid. It is good to note that the petrol engine variants are CKD models while the Civic Hybrid is CBU.
The 1.8 litre SOHC i-VTEC generates 141 PS at 6,500 rpm with a torque of 174 at 4,300 rpm. The 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC produces 155 PS at 6,500 rpm and has a torque of 190 Nm at 4,300 rpm. Both engines transmit power to the front wheels via five-speed automatic transmission.


As for the Hybrid, the combined power of the 1.5 litre engine and electric motor decks out 110 PS at 5,500 rpm and has a healthy torque of 172 Nm between 1,000 and 3,500 rpm. The Hybrid draws its power from the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, which is said to have an increased output of 33% and weighs 9 kg lighter than the NiMH battery. A CVT gearbox is chosen to partner the hybrid engine.
Unlike the petrol engines, which uses ventilated front and solid rear discs, the hybrid has ventilated front disc and drums for the rear. Suspension, however, is same for all – front MacPherson struts and rear multi links. Rubber-wise, the 1.8S wears the 205/55 R16, the 2.0 slips on the 215/45 R17 and the Hybrid moves around on 195/65 R15.


The Civic is 4,525 mm long, 1,755 mm wide, 1,430 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,670 mm. The 1.8S is weighs the least of the lot at 1,225 kg while the 2.0S has a kerb weight of 1,270 kg. The Hybrid tips the scales at 1,280 kg.
On the outside, the 1.8S Civic is fitted with front fog lights, halogen headlights and glass printed antenna. The 2.0S comes with HID headlights instead of halogen and gets the extra auto levelling headlights and side mirrors with indicators.


The Hybrid’s equipment list is, well, a hybrid of the two and then some. It has front fog lights, halogen headlights, auto lights, side mirrors with indicators, LED taillights, heat absorbing glass all-round and a roof-mounted antenna.
The sedan gets a lot of kit too. Standard interior equipment list shared by all variants include the 5 inch intelligent Multi Information Display (i-MID), single CD audio compatible with WMA+MP3/IPOD/USB, six speakers, ECON mode button and auto climate control.


The 2.0S variants are further kitted with eight-way driver power seat, smart entry with push start button, paddle shifters and cruise control. The Hybrid plays with the same, only without the power seats and paddle shifters.
The 2.0 Navi gets the additional 6.1 inch navigation touch screen that displays video from DVD, VCD, DivX and the reverse camera. This variant also comes with Bluetooth audio and can be linked to your phone.
All Civics now comes with the Vehicle Stability Assist with Motion Adaptive EPS, ABS and two front air bags. The 2.0S, 2.0 Navi and Hybrid gets extra side airbags with occupant position detection system.


What is grabbing the headlines is not the engine or the tech that comes with the car. It is the service interval and warranty.
Service interval have been extended to 10,000 km. Honda says that the car and engine is durable enough to have a longer service interval. The labour service is also free up to six times, but it is only applicable for every alternate paid service until 100,000 km.



Just as the City, the Civic has a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage. The Hybrid also gets a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the IMA battery.
The 1.8S Civic is going for RM115,980, the 2.0S for RM131,980, the 2.0 Navi for RM136,980 and the Hybrid for RM119,980. All prices are on-the-road and the cars are now open for booking.



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http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/07/...e-auto-market/

Honda CR-Z hits the Chinese auto market

The Honda CR-Z hybrid has been launched on the China auto market. There is only one and it costs 288.000 yuan. The CR-Z is imported and will be sold through the Guangzhou-Honda dealer network. It is the first Honda-hybrid on sale in China and aimed at the young, rich and cool who like to be different and dig the hybrid high-tech. Not a big market indeed and Honda isn’t alone, Lexus launched the CT200h in China in October last year, priced from 279.000 to 445.000 yuan. Via: Autohome.



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