Autor Subiect: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA  (Citit de 126607 ori)

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Offline tokyodream

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #15 : Martie 23, 2014, 09:09:34 a.m. »
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/honda-to-increase-car-prices-of-its-entire-range-from-april-1/1234952

Honda to increase car prices of its entire range from April 1

Price hike includes new Honda City sedan model, which commands waiting period of over half a year.

In a surprise decision, Honda Cars has decided to increase prices by a “few thousand rupees” across its entire range starting April 1 to offset higher input costs.

The move comes shortly after Honda and most other carmakers like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai reduced prices after the excise duty cut by the government in the budget announcement last month in a bid to push sales.

Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president for marketing and sales at Honda Cars India told FE, “We are deciding the quantum of price increase and are working with our finance and accounts team. It will be effective from April 1”.

The price hike includes the new City sedan model, which commands a waiting period of over half a year, besides others like the Amaze, Brio and CR-V.

Honda, which currently operates a 1.2 lakh unit per annum plant in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, recently started operations at a second plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan with a similar initial capacity.

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http://www.gurufocus.com/news/252051/think-of-including-honda-motors-in-your-portfolio

Think Of Including Honda Motors in Your Portfolio

Honda Motor (HMC) recently released its Q3, 2014 results which were firing all guns. The company was helped by a weak yen to some extent and underperformance in some markets, although revenue increased. Let's see how the results were and what can be expected of Honda in the future.

Performance boost

Owing to favorable foreign currency transformation Honda witnessed a revenue boost and even a rise in unit sales both in automobiles and motor cycle segment. Consolidated net sales increased 16.3% year over year to $22.7 billion, increase by 24% Year over year, but not beat the consensus estimate of 28.95 billion.

Honda witnessed an increase in unit sales in the automobile segment that recorded 900,000 units. Total revenue $22.5 billion fetched from the automobile segments. The company has been unable to benefit from the construction boom in the U.S. as sales of Honda pickups fell were not alarming.

Revenues for the motorcycle segment grew by 30%, recording $3.8 billion. Consolidated unit sales also increased by 13.1% to 2.7 million motorcycles.

Cash flow from the operation also improved in the first 9 months of fisal 2014 recording ¥870.4 billion as against ¥532.6 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2013. This was mainly due to better sales.

Journey Ahead

The company is optimistic about its performance in the refiscamainder of 2014. Honda projects estimated revenue to increase by 22.5%. It also anticipates an increase in operating income to by 43.2% and net income to step up by 58%. The anticipated growth is based on the fact of Honda’s perception of favorable modal index and favorable raw material cost which can influence the bottom line.

Consumers in the U.S. are choosing pickups and SUVs manufactured by the Detroit carmakers such as Ford and General Motors, according to Honda management. The company has been unable to cash in on the trend of growing auto sales in the U.S. The sales drop in Japan is also a matter of concern. But the company expects to benefit from the positive trends in the U.S. by updating its MDX model.

The company is making an effort to cater to the needs of customers and the prevailing market conditions by updating its models and ramping up supply. Revamping the production system, building new plants for increasing production and adopting innovative techniques for upgrading might help Honda to improve capacity and sales during fiscal 2014.

The company is also looking to rescue its sales in Japan and expects better sales in the second half of the year when it releases the Fit compact. Despite the decline in this key market, the company has kept its outlook for the fiscal year intact. Also, the company is looking to increase its deliveries to 6 million units by 2017 has been incurring costs on building the required infrastructure. These efforts should reap benefits in the future but the company will need to offer better models in the lucrative market for pickups in the U.S.

Competitor

Nissan is a Japanese auto manufacturer and another rival of Honda. It is also benefiting from Yen's devaluation. Its sales are gaining strength in the US and its Nissan Leaf is the leading electric vehicle in the nation. Nissan's is also reviving an old brand -- Datsun -- for launch in emerging economies such as India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa etc. This move should have a positive impact on its sales in the future as the emerging middle class in these markets purchases cars. The first time car buyers in these countries will have an eye on Datsun, since it would ideally suit their budget.

Conclusion

Honda is not among the best automakers but an investor can always consider investing in the company. Considering the fact, that the Board of Honda announced quarterly dividend keeps the interest of the investor covered. The company also expects to make annual dividend of ¥80 per share in fiscal 2014.

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Offline tokyodream

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #16 : Martie 25, 2014, 12:23:03 p.m. »
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/marysville/news/2014/03/21/honda-building-fuel-station-at-local-plant.html

Honda building fuel station at local plant



Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. will build a compressed natural gas filling station that will be open to the public, the company announced March 11.

The facility, which will be located at Honda's Marysville-area plant, will be the first public CNG station on company property in North America.

The automaker said the project is part of an effort to reduce its global carbon dioxide emissions and minimize the environmental impact of its operations.

The fully automated fueling station will be designed, constructed and operated by Trillium CNG. It will feature three dispensers for over-the-road carriers and a separate dispenser for passenger and light-duty vehicles.

In the announcement, a Trillium executive said Ohio is a key state in the company's development plans. Trillium expects to operate 52 public-access CNG stations throughout the country by mid-summer.

Honda's station, at the interchange of U.S. Route 33 and state Route 739, is intended to serve current CNG users as well as to encourage others to expand the fuel's use.

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http://www.rockfm.co.uk/news/business/20140325-honda-finds-reverse-gear-at-swindon-plant/

Honda Finds Reverse Gear At Swindon Plant

More than 300 jobs are under threat at Honda's plant in Swindon as the car manufacturer cuts production.

The Japanese firm wants to reduce workflow from three daily shifts to two - blaming poor sales growth outside the UK.

Its review would also result in a single production line being created to improve efficiency and flexibility.

The plans, Honda said, would leave 340 production staff at risk of redundancy and the Unite union pledged to fight any job losses.

Ian Howells, senior vice president of Honda Motor Europe, said: "Over the last 12 months, we haven't seen the growth we'd anticipated.

"With no increase forecast for the next couple of years, we must scale our manufacturing activity accordingly.

"However, with the restructuring we're taking today, and our new model plans, we remain confident in the long-term future of our Swindon plant.

"Our Swindon operation continues to be the hub for our European car manufacturing activity," he added.

Honda has been manufacturing cars at Swindon since 1992 and currently builds the Civic, Civic Tourer, CR-V and Jazz models for the UK and European markets.

Tony Murphy, national officer of the Unite union, said: "These job losses are a devastating blow, not just for these workers but for the thousands more across the industry whose work is dependent on the Honda plant.

"Today's losses are also a wake-up call to the UK Government. The economy is far too fragile to proclaim a recovery - those workers losing their jobs today will find claims that the country is turning a corner an insult.

"The truth is that there is simply no pick up in the incomes of Honda's customers, either here or in the eurozone. People are not confident and do not have the cash to spend. That is something which must give the Government serious cause for concern.

"Decent, skilled jobs are being lost today and investment is being withdrawn, which is ringing alarm bells and putting the remaining workforce in fear for their future.

"We cannot allow workers of this expertise to be dispatched to the dole queue - the country needs their skills if we are to power our country back to economic health.

"Unite is determined to do all we can to save these jobs and skills. It is vital that the Government joins us in the fight for manufacturing."

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http://www.decentlyexposed.com.au/2014/03/autoskin-precinct-honda-windscreen/

AutoSkin | Precinct : Honda Windscreen

We were out at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show applying a front window decal to a promotional Honda CRV ahead of the opening of the show tomorrow for Precinct.  Obviously it is illegal to cover a windscreen whilst driving however for event advertising where the car is the feature product, it is a clever way of containing an advertisement in a prominent space, keeping the body clean and directing the eye to one space.

Brand Hierarchy

    Giveaway Advertising
    Leaf Background illustration
    Subtle Honda branding in white space at base of ad

So if you are out at the show, look out for this Honda giveaway.

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http://paultan.org/2014/03/24/2014-honda-civic-facelift-unveiled-thai-market/

2014 Honda Civic facelift unveiled for the Thai market


Amidst the 2014 City month in Malaysia where we’ve brought you a comprehensive launch report, spec-by-spec comparison gallery and a thorough drive preview of the Toyota Vios-beater, the 2014 Honda Civic facelift has been unveiled in Thailand. Called a minor model change (MMC) in Honda-speak, this previews the updated Civic that we will get here soon.

Look at the pictures, and you’ll soon notice that ‘minor’ is the operative word here. It just looks so similar to the current model. Unless you’re an existing owner of the ninth-generation Civic, you’d be hard pressed to notice the differences. Go ahead, compare it to the Malaysian-spec 2.0S and Hybrid models pictured below.

The most noticeable change is the new honeycomb front grille; now with the chrome element going under, instead of over the Honda logo. Other than that, the central air intake vent gains chrome highlights, and the alloy wheels have a new design. The sporty set of bodykit is new too, though it’s unclear if Malaysian models will offer it.

Inside, there’s a new seven-inch touchscreen head unit, which should replace the fast-ageing system in the current 2.0 Navi model. As in the new City, there’s a HDMI port to pair your iPhone (5 and newer) to the dash-mounted colour display. The screen also also includes a multi-angle rear view camera like that found on the latest Accord.

Much like the outside, the rest of the cabin stays eerily similar to the one before. A notable upgrade is the availability of curtain airbags on the top 2.0 litre model, which brings the total up to six to match the new City, Ford Focus and Kia Cerato, but one less than the top-spec Toyota Corolla Altis (fitted with the optional Additional Safety Package).

There are no changes to the mechanical package, so the 141 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre and 155 PS/190 Nm 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC engines soldier on, together with the same old trusty five-speed automatic transmissions. No CVT in the Civic yet, then. Now is that a blessing, or otherwise?

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http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-civic-type-r-seeks-nurburgring-front-drive-record.html

Honda Civic Type R seeks Nurburgring front-drive record

Honda is on a mission to break the Nurburgring's front-wheel-drive record with the upcoming European-spec Civic Type R.

Set to be released in 2015, the performance Civic hatchback unveiled in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four generating 280 hp and a rumored 295 lb-ft of torque. These are unofficial figures to be sure, with compliance against the strict Euro6 emissions standards to determine the final numbers.

According to Motoring.com.au, the Type R will feature a new suspension set up with front MacPherson struts and an "interchangeable" rear configuration that can just as easily house a hybrid-electric drivetrain. The same report says that an all-wheel steering system like the one found on the Acura RLX will also make its way into the Type R.

The front-wheel-drive record around the Green Hell has already been broken once this year. Earlier this month the 280hp Seat Leon Cupra clocked a 7:58.44, unseating the 265hp Renault Megane Trophy that had held the front-drive record since 2011.

A highly modified version of the Civic Type R motor will also power the Civic Tourer as Honda seeks to defend its British Touring Car Championship title this year. The Civic is also the title-holder in mainland Europe's World Touring Car Championships, proving that Honda is making quite the push to sear its performance credentials into the minds of enthusiasts on the old continent. Sadly, petitioners from the US will likely never see this version stateside.

Read more: http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-civic-type-r-seeks-nurburgring-front-drive-record.html#ixzz2wyAiXjtk

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #17 : Martie 27, 2014, 09:58:25 a.m. »
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1091090_cas-favorite-cars-honda-civic-for-retail-buyers-prius-hybrid-overall

CA's Favorite Cars: Honda Civic For Retail Buyers, Prius Hybrid Overall

California is different from the rest of the United States.

And its vehicle mix turns out to be very different too.

A simple glance at the state's rainbow of cultures and languages, its record of social and technological innovation, and its varied climates--a five-hour drive takes you from ocean beach to 11,000-foot-high ski slope--demonstrates its remarkable diversity.

While the Toyota Prius is the single most popular car line sold in California, there's a variation on that title: most popular car line sold to retail buyers.

That turns out to be the Honda Civic compact sedan and coupe lineup--not the Prius hybrid.

Based on registration data from Polk, issued yesterday by Honda itself, Californians purchased 65,910 Civics for their personal use.

The Prius wins--at 69,728--when you roll in fleet sales, which are the bulk purchases by companies, governments, and other entities that maintain large motor pools.

Not surprisingly, the Prius lineup--rated at 50 mpg for three of its four models--is inexpensive to operate, especially for vehicles that cover more miles than average.

Unlike most other car companies, Honda does not make a particular effort to sell its vehicles to fleets, often to the dismay of its sales managers--who might like their total sales to be higher.

But retail sales are generally more profitable than bulk sales to fleets, which often order base models and bargain hard for them.

California is the largest of the 50 state vehicle markets, with 32.9 million registered vehicles on its roads, according to the state DMV.

Honda sold 336,000 Civic models nationally last year, including its high-efficiency Civic HF model, the Civic Hybrid sedan, and its Civic Natural Gas model as well.

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http://indianautosblog.com/2014/03/2014-honda-city-125599

Bangkok Live – 2014 Honda City (featuring 6 airbags, touch-screen, VSA)

The 2014 Honda City was shown today at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Just like the City in India, the Thai City measures an identical 4.4 meters in length, which is the same as its predecessor.

Power for the new City in Thailand comes from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine producing 117 PS at 6,000 rpm and 146 Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a CVT automatic gearbox. The engine in the Thai City is capable of running on E85 Ethanol.

In terms of features, the Thai City gets a few added goodies compared to the Indian model. While the Indian City gets dual front airbags, Thailand gets 6 airbags (side and curtain airbags are also included apart from the front driver and passenger side bags). Other features include VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistant), hill start assist, a 7-inch touchscreen system and voice activated controls.

The City in Thailand is priced from 550,000 THB (INR 10.24 lakhs) to 749,000 THB (INR 13.95 lakhs).

Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/03/2014-honda-city-125599#ixzz2x9FopDM3
Follow us: @indianautos on Twitter | IndianAutosBlog on Facebook

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Pop Quiz: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid vs 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/pop-quiz-2014-volkswagen-jetta-hybrid-vs-2014-honda-accord-hybrid/?all=1

What if you want a fuel-efficient, eco-cred–heavy hybrid but can’t get excited about a Prius? What if you enjoy driving a conventional-looking sedan as well as the loving embrace of Mother Gaia? Thankfully, Honda and Volkswagen have been keeping your desires sated with their own twists on the hybrid.

In the Volkswagen corner, Jetta comes in with a turbocharged 1.4L Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and an electric motor with a combined output of 170 hp at 5,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque, all of which is available from 1,000 rpm.

Honda’s contender is a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle petrol engine mated to two electric motors for a combined output of 195 hp. There is 122 lb-ft of torque available at 4,500 rpm from the petrol engine, and Honda claims a whopping 226 lb-ft of torque is available from its electric drive motor at 0 rpm. Yes, zero, zilch, nada. Then again, the Accord Hybrid is heavier, weighing in at 1,636 kg compared to the Jetta Hybrid at 1,505.

Now, we realize they don’t technically fall in the same segment, but the Jetta is a honking big compact, each is the company’s sole hybrid sedan and when these two landed in our garage simultaneously, we couldn’t resist pitting them against one another.

Both go about their mission in slightly different ways, yet both are two of the best “conventional” hybrid cars available. So which one is the right one for you?

Question 1: Do you like to play games?
A: Yes, give me a target and I’ll smash your high score!
B: Yes, but I don’t get too competitive; just tell me how I went at the end.

If you answered A: “Gamification” is not just a corporate buzzword, it is something many of us do to make our lives (and our drives) more interesting.  The handy blue line of the Volkswagen Jetta’s “E-Max” meter nestled into the TFT screen in the dashboard tells you when you are using electric energy, and also shows you the threshold when the petrol engine has to kick in. The secret to this game? Keep the little blue line as close to “max” as you can without crossing it and see how long you can stay in e-drive.


If you answered B: In fairness, the Honda Accord does have some neat tricks to let you know how you’re doing on the fuel-economy front, such as the glowing ring around the speedo that tells you how you’re going with graded colours – but it doesn’t have anything as direct and usable as the Jetta’s system. The result is a much more vague sense of how efficiently you’re driving (aside from the column of frustrated drivers behind you as you ‘race’ a Prius to see who can accelerate more slowly).  Honda’s neat trick is the leaf display at the end of your drive that gives you a graphic report card on how you went. (I went badly).


Question 2: I like to carry…
A: Lots of stuff
B: Lots of people

If you answered A: With 348 L of cargo space compared to the Jetta’s 310 L you might think the Honda Accord is the best bet for you; but wait. What’s this? Jetta has a split-folding rear seat that collapses to increase boot size, the Honda Accord has… a solid wall. Sure, the opening is only about 20 cm high, but if you want to carry anything with a bit of length to it – like skis – you’ll appreciate the additional versatility of the Jetta.

If you answered B: Nothing can replace pure interior volume when it comes to passenger comfort, and the larger mid-size Honda Accord has that in its favour. At 71 mm wider, (1,849 vs 1,778) the Accord has interior volume of 2,854 L, easily eclipsing the 2,665 L of the Jetta.

Question 3: What really grinds your gears?
A: Nothing, mine are well managed, tight and under total control.
B: Nothing, I don’t have any bro.

If you answered A: You’re a pretty cool cucumber hey? Well so is the Jetta’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. What’s the next best thing to a manual?  A manual with two clutches bolted to it alongside an automatic shifter, that’s what. The Jetta’s DSG box is crisp, responsive and feels like something out of a sports car.

If you answered B: Like a song by Sade, you’re a smooth operator – and so is the Honda Accord with its unique “no transmission” transmission. It’s called a CVT in the sale brochures, but really it isn’t. Not in the belt-and-pulley sense at least. Instead the electric motor is connected to the wheels via a set of fixed gears, and the engine is allowed to join in when needed via a wet clutch – at other times the engine is either off, or is powering the generator which powers the propulsion motor. The result is a smooth-feeling transmission, albeit with some odd noises as the petrol engine revs and wheel speed rarely correlate to each other. Simple, right?

Pop Quiz: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid vs 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid volkswagen hybrids honda highlighted feature greenreviews car comparisons
Pop Quiz: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid vs 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid volkswagen hybrids honda highlighted feature greenreviews car comparisons
2014 Volkwagen Jetta Hybrid Highline & 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. Click image to enlarge

Question 4: Where do you live?
A: In the inner city, yo.
B: Outside the city y’all.

If you answered A: Highway fuel economy figures from the EPA are almost always lower than the city figures. Almost. Let me introduce you to an exception to the rule, the Honda Accord. Rated at 4.7/5.2/5.0 L/100 km city/highway/combined, the Honda Accord Hybrid is built to keep your fuel use down in the city.

If you answered B: Chances are you spend a fair amount of time touring highways. The Jetta Hybrid returns 5.2 L/100 km in combined duties according to the EPA, and 5.6 L/100 km in the city. Out on the highway though is where the Jetta really shines, scoring 4.9 L/100 km. A real-life run along the highways didn’t put a dent in our weekly average of 8.2 L/100 km in the Accord, but dropped the Jetta from the same number (8.2) down to 7.3.

Question 5: My favourite Hollywood couple is:
A: Zack Galifianakis and Quinn Lundberg
B: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

If you answered A: You probably love it when a plucky upstart bursts out of the barriers society formed for them and achieves a higher level than they ought. You love it when people punch above their weight, and so you’ll love the Jetta. At $22,105 more than its cheapest trim level (the $14,990 Trendline) the Jetta has leapt from economy car to premium hybrid quicker than you can say, “how’d he get her?” It is also a little smaller, a little more crashy over bumps and just generally a little less refined than the Accord. Yet, here it is, staking its claim in the same price bracket and going after the same buyers – bravo Jetta!


Manufacturer’s Website:
Honda Canada
Volkswagen Canada


If you answered B: You seem to prefer it when things are well matched. Like Brad and Angelina, it makes sense that they’d be together – just look at them. The Accord starts as a $25,864 mid-size family sedan, and steps confidently into more premium shoes before landing at the $37,485 Hybrid Touring level. With more size, a better balanced ride and a more premium-feeling interior, the Hybrid Touring fits snugly into its price bracket like it was always born to be there.

Pricing: 2014 Jetta Hybrid Highline
Base Price (Jetta Trendline):  $14,990
Base Price (Jetta Hybrid Highline): $35,300
Options: Oryx White Pearl Paint – $300
A/C Tax: $100
Freight and PDI: $1,395
Price as Tested: $37,095

Pricing: 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring
Base Price (Honda Accord LX): $25,864
Base Price (Honda Accord Hybrid Touring): $35,690
Options: Nil
A/C Tax: $100
Freight and PDI: $1,695
Price as Tested: $37,485

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http://paultan.org/2014/03/26/honda-civic-facelift-thai-spec/

Bangkok 2014: Honda Civic MMC facelift, Thai-spec

We showed you the facelifted ninth-generation Honda Civic earlier this week, now here’s a live gallery of the Thai-spec 2014 Honda Civic from the ongoing Bangkok Motor Show.

The minor model change (MMC) Civic isn’t a big facelift, so you’ll have to squint to notice the differences. The most obvious change is the new honeycomb front grille; now with the chrome element going under, instead of over the Honda logo. Also, the central air intake vent gains chrome highlights, and the alloys have a new design. There’s also a new bodykit.

Inside, there’s a new seven-inch “Advanced Touch Display” head unit with bulit-in navigation and smartphone connectivity via a HDMI port, just like in the new City Grade V. The screen also also includes a multi-angle rear view camera as per the latest Accord, an upgrade from the system in the current 2.0 Navi.

A notable upgrade is the availability of curtain airbags on the top 2.0L model, which brings the total up to six. The range topper also gets an eight-way powered driver’s seat and a four-way powered front passenger seat.

No changes to the mechanical package, so the 141 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre and 155 PS/190 Nm 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC engines soldier on, together with the familiar five-speed automatic transmission, one of the more clever auto ‘boxes out there. No CVT for the Civic, yet.

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http://www.carscoops.com/2014/03/honda-goes-from-three-to-two-shifts-at.html

Honda Goes from Three to Two Shifts at its Swindon Plant in the UK, Announces 340 Layoffs

Honda has announced cuts to its manufacturing operations in the UK, as the automaker expects European markets to stagnate for the next two years. The Japanese firm will move from three to two shifts at its manufacturing plant in Swindon in southwest England, with the decision resulting in approximately 340 job losses, slightly more than 10 percent of the plant’s employees.

As a result, Honda now expects to produce about 120,000 vehicles in 2014 at Swindon, down from 140,094 vehicles in 2013, which also represented a decrease of about 15 percent from the previous year.

“With no increase forecasted for the next couple of years, we must scale our manufacturing activity accordingly,” Honda Motor Europe senior vice president Ian Howells was quoted as saying by Reuters.

However, Howells said Honda was confident in the long-term future of the Swindon plant after the restructuring that followed job cuts of 800 last year. The automaker has been making cars at Swindon since 1992, building the Civic, Civic Tourer, CR-V and Jazz for the British and European markets. The facility has the capacity to build 250,000 cars a year.

European car sales rose 5.2 percent in January, thanks to demand from countries which were previously most affected by the eurozone crisis, such as Italy, Portugal and Greece. Industry experts hope the slump in car sales will bottom out in 2014 as the sovereign debt crisis decreases.

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www.leftlanenews.com/honda-toyota-to-ship-fuel-cell-vehicles-in-consumer-market-by-2015.html

Honda, Toyota on track to bring fuel cells to consumer market in 2015

Honda's five-passenger sedan may arrive late in 2015, possibly in November, with a range of approximately 310 miles on a full tank of hydrogen. The company already produced a limited number of its FCX Clarity cars in 2008, however it has remained a research platform due to the high costs of fuel-cell technology.

Despite spending approximately $1 million for each fuel-cell drivetrain built in 2007, Toyota has remained publicly optimistic about the technology. The drivetrain alone in the production vehicle may account for $50,000 or more of the total vehicle cost, however one executive has forecasted that by 2020 the technology will be equivalent to plug-in hybrids and cheaper than all-electric offerings.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk is among the most vocal critics of fuel-cell technology, which he argues is simply a marketing gimmick. The electric-car maker suggests that hydrogen-based systems will never approach the affordability of today's lithium-ion batteries even in a best-case scenario.

Toyota is said to be targeting a price drop into the 3-5 million yen (~$29,000 to $49,000 USD) range by 2020.

Read more: http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-toyota-to-ship-fuel-cell-vehicles-in-consumer-market-by-2015.html#ixzz2xAePaeOK

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #18 : Martie 29, 2014, 09:18:51 a.m. »
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/11108912.Task_Force_returns_for_Honda_workers/

Task Force returns for Honda workers

Stuart Catterall and Lisa Wood at the last job fair organised by the Honda Task Force at Stanton House to help Honda workers who have been made redundant find work .

 WORKERS facing redundancy at the Honda plant in South Marston will not be abandoned in their quest for an answer on where their futures lie.

Twelve months ago, when the car giant announced a larger round of redundancies amounting to 800 roles, a self-proclaimed Honda Task Force united to minimise the impact to Swindon people.

The Task Force has now reformed in light of Honda’s announcement on Tuesday to cut back 340 permanent and 160 temporary roles amongst the Swindon plant’s production associates.

 North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “The key for that is making sure government agencies, such as the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and Jobcentre Plus are prepared to repeat the efforts they put in to last year’s Task Force,” he said.

“Last year, of the 800 redundancies announced, only 34 were forced to leave on compulsory terms, which shows the Task Force’s effectiveness. We will press ahead with that this week.”

The coalition will consist of both Swindon MPs, Forward Swindon, DWP, Swindon College, Swindon Council, Skills Funding Agency, Business West, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Honda.

In April last year, a jobs fair was held at Stanton House in Stanton Fitzwarren, where 750 people were invited to meet a variety of employers offering some 2,000 vacancies, including manufacturing positions at Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Network Rail.

“I have heard interviews with people who used the Task Force last year and people have said how good the jobs fair was,” said Mr Tomlinson.

“The Task Force organises the jobs fair, where a huge choice of people go along with a whole range of jobs available for Honda workers to start now.

“The message wasn’t ‘there might be a job available at some point’ it was ‘we need you and we need you now.’ “Honda staff are highly skilled, highly trained, and well-suited to a range of other positions, but their skills don’t necessarily stand out on their CVs.

“The Task Force will be working with Swindon College, who can help to formalise their skills.

“Many of the workers have worked on the production lines but never had a formal qualification for it.”

A spokeswoman for Forward Swindon said: “The Swindon Task Force has been convened by Forward Swindon this week to co-ordinate the design and delivery of actions to mitigate the personal and economic impacts of the recently announced job losses in Swindon, namely from Honda and Alcatel Lucent.

“The Swindon Task Force will set up a call to action shortly where businesses with vacancies can contact us directly, using a bespoke telephone number and an online contact form.”

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

http://www.carscoops.com/2014/03/why-i-think-you-should-buy-honda-civic.html

Why I Think You Should Buy a Honda Civic Type R EP3

The choice of modern hot hatches we currently have in 2014 puts us in an unprecedented place in history, when you can now buy a car within the constraints of the class and have it be very different from its direct competitor. You can even go completely bananas and buy either a Mercedes A45 AMG or an Audi RS3, then go out and discover you can stick to the back of some supercars and wonder why you are able to do that…

But that’s overkill and missing the point of the hot hatch, a class of vehicles that peaked in principle and philosophy right at the turning point of analog into digital, somewhere around the year 2000.

An important part of that analog, mechanical feel was what made the hot hatches of the 80s and 90s appealing is nowadays all but lost under a mountain of electronics, safety tech and soundproofing to hide the diesel-like idle clatter of direct-injected petrol engines.

That’s why it’s really a waste of your time and money to look at any modern hot hatch and hope that it’s better than the Honda Civic Type R EP3, the model manufactured between 2001 – 2005; it’s not, it can’t be. Its main quality is probably the way it comes alive in your hands, as you drive it, with brilliant steering, pedal placement and a short, stubby dash-mounted gear lever that is as ridiculously van-like as it is practical and fun to use.

Then there’s the 197 hp 2.0-liter screamer too that revs to over 8,000 rpm, the snappy six-speed gearbox and the noise all of this produces that should seal the deal. It’s the kind of car whose exhaust you want to leave stock and silent, since it’s the (unsynthesized) engine note you want to hear and not the fartcan at the back...

Practical and sensible issues are addressed by the (now) humble EP3 too. It’s not offensive to look at, although it’s not necessarily a looker, it’s fairly reliable for a performance car (if you maintain and care for it) and it has a hard wearing and simple interior that is there to hide the firewall and nothing more. You can, if you must, also carry more than two people inside, though not cross-country.

Other reasons to think about buying an old EP3 is being green by recycling something that’s getting old and the low prices you can now pick these up for. Obviously, those that seem too cheap should obviously be checked thoroughly before purchase, because you don’t need us to tell you how tricky it is to buy a second hand performance car; it can be done, but it needs patience, knowledge and (possibly) good bartering skills when you find the one you want and the owner knows it.

The EP3 is already a part of Honda history, but it’s just a bit too new for it to be thought of in that way. This piece isn’t a buying guide, and it doesn’t provide detailed buying advice, being meant as a reminder that you don’t have to wait for Honda to release the new Type R to be happy, so as to fueling the massive hype snowball that has been created around it.

It seems very unlikely like any modern car will ever be able to match the EP3 for front-wheel drive thrills, and you don’t need a turbocharger or rear lights and spoiler that you can’t tell apart. The Renault Clio 197 does come close, but its obvious drawbacks still make the Honda the more desirable vehicle of the two.

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

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #19 : Aprilie 01, 2014, 09:17:52 a.m. »
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/31/2014-honda-civic-recall-tire-pinch/

Honda recalls nearly 10,000 new Civic models over pinched tires

Honda is recalling some 9,816 Civic LX coupes and sedans from the 2014 model year due to a potential tire problem.

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice, the safety problem stems from an installation problem at a supplier, which may have caused the tire bead to become pinched between the steel wheel and the mounting equipment. As a result, tire beads may have been damaged, which could result in a loss of pressure, a condition that could lead to an increased accident risk, or at least an increased risk of being stranded and late for work.

Honda spokesperson Chris Martin tells Autoblog, "Only about 1,800 of that 9,800 have been sold because we caught it so quickly. The majority of them were in transit or unsold at dealers."

The recall only affects LX models built between November 26, 2013 and January 21 2014. LX is the Civic's entry-level trim now that the DX model has been discontinued, and as such, it typically makes up around 30 percent of the model's sales, notes Martin. Higher trim levels are fitted with alloy wheels and are not affected by this safety campaign.

While experts don't recommend replacing individual tires due to different wear patterns having adverse affects on a vehicle's performance, Martin says that these vehicles are so new that Honda doesn't anticipate any problems with individual tire substitution. "This is such a recent thing that I doubt there is a significant amount of tire wear," he says. The automaker is also endeavoring to replace the tires in question with exactly the same OEM tire fitment, so Honda says no issues will be created by different tread patterns or performance characteristics.

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

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/31/2015-fit-kit-perfect-diy-car-from-honda-video/

2015 Fit Kit is the perfect DIY car from Honda   limba'

Ah... let the April Fools' Day automotive jokes begin. Honda is kicking things off, following up on last year's Honda Hair joke with a prank video featuring the 2015 Honda Fit.

It's called the Fit Kit, and as you might guess, it's a way to build your own version of the redesigned hatchback. There are 180,000 mechanical parts in the kit - some delivered by drone - but that doesn't seem at all daunting to the pair of obnoxious, self-described tinkerers that star in the Fit Kit ad.

Honestly, the video is pretty entertaining, with some biting satire of the DIY movement and its attendant cadre of mustachioed hipsters. Scroll down and have a look at both the video and the Fit Kit press release from Honda.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8GLIJ_HQJ8

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

http://jalopnik.com/the-honda-odyssey-is-what-happens-when-you-have-unprote-1555217879

The Honda Odyssey Is What Happens When You Have Unprotected Sex

 Suburban boredom! Taking the kids to do Easter portraits at Sears! Shockingly un-Honda-like quality issues! Welcome to the joys of owning a second-generation Honda Odyssey.

Unless they're in a band and have one to haul their gear, nothing quite makes a swingin' young guy (or gal) shudder in fear like a minivan.

As our fearless friend at Regular Car Reviews notes, it's what you get when you sigh and resign yourself to life's cruel realities. He says it makes a strong case for not hooking up with "okay-looking barflies" without taking the necessary precautions, if you catch my drift.1

I, for one, think minivans get a bad rap. While I'm definitely in that class of people who has nightmares at the thought of owning one, even I'll concede that when you need to move lots of people, kids and stuff, few vehicles can do it better. The Odyssey may be boring, but damn if it doesn't get the job done.

Practice safe sex, kids.

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

http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1184956

Latest Best Car suggests up to 360hp for new Civic Type R, more info

We heard that the latest issue of Best Car magazine had some interesting info about the upcoming CTR super-hatch. DanielGR was kind enough to grab a copy and scan the relevant pages for us. Below is his translation of the key points. Huge thanks to Daniel for his contribution!

And here the "could-be-interesting" bits I found when reading.

• Previous mules already faster than current (until Leon goes on sale) fastest FF car on the Nurburgring, that is the Megane RS at 8:07.
• Ultimate performance goal set at beating the NSX time (7:56) when it's introduced to the market.
• Engine has enough power to spin the front tires up to 4th gear (myself wonder how can that be a good thing.... But for sure some folks will like it)
• Current stated specs are more than 280PS and 40.8 mkg, but wouldn't be surprised if by the time of production it had got very close to the current world's highest specific output (Mercedes A45 AMG, 180ps/l), which means 360ps for the DOCH VTEC DI TURBO Honda engine.
• When compared with Honda's current V6, the overall aim is 10% more performance with 10% better FE.
• The mule they tested past year had an "R" button, akin to modern F1 "overtaking" button, which increased turbo pressure unleashing the full power available in the car.
• Expected realistic wheel size when it reaches the market is 19".
• Despite its high performance credentials, FE remained important, and for that reason it'll be fitted with auto-idle stop tech, and deliver above 15km/L in the JP08 cycle (for reference, previous Gen EuroCTR was rated at 10.8km/l, so they are talking about 50% improvement).
• Expected to be built in the UK, and imported to Japan starting summer 2015, with a price between 3.8M and 4.2M JPY (for ref. past EuroCTR was priced at 3M JPY.

Other than that they make a brief mention to the rest of the turbo lineup, stating that:

• 1.0L should exceed current 1.8L torque while delivering over 20% improvements in FE. Likely to be used in the Japanese Fit.
• 1.5L is mainly focused in America, not likely to be sold in JP.

And that's about it, for whatever is worth .

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

http://www.rushlane.com/new-honda-city-cr-z-spada-odyssey-and-more-at-bangkok-motor-show-2014-12113852.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rushlane%2FAmZY+%28Rush+Lane%29

New Honda City, CR-Z, Spada, Odyssey and more at Bangkok Motor Show 2014

Developed under Advanced Cool Stunner concept is the new Honda City which has been officially launched by Honda Automobiles (Thailand) back in January. Striking in design and highly powerful in performance, the new City comes in with six variants and seven color options while starting price stands at 550,000 Baht.

Honda Thailand targets sales of 60,000 units per annum where the new Honda City is concerned. This is the fourth generation City which comes in with added features as compared to its three earlier counterparts. Interior space is at a premium while it is powered by a 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine compatible with E85 fuel. This engine produces 117 hp at 6000 rpm and 146 Nm torque at 4700 rpm.

Honda City is developed with continuous variable transmission under the Honda Earth Dreams Technology. Enhanced safety features, outstanding technology and highly fuel efficient are the highlights of the new Honda City. Safety features include ABS, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist and emergency stop signal. The new Honda City is equipped with a host of airbags in six varied locations besides i-side airbags, side curtain airbags and rear view camera which can be adjusted at three levels.

Honda City is being offered in S MT variant priced at 550,000 Baht, an S AT variant priced at 589,000 Baht, V variant priced at 649,000 Baht, the V+ variant priced at 689,000 Baht besides the SV and SV+ variant priced at 734,000 Baht and 749,000 Baht respectively. Exterior color options come in the form of Modern Steel Grey (Metallic), Carnelian Red (Pearl), Crystal Black (Pearl), Alabaster Silver (Metallic) and Taffeta White. There are also two new colors being offered on the new Honda City which include Brilliant Sporty Blue (Metallic) and Golden Brown (Metallic).

Apart from Honda City sedan, Accord, Accord, Brio, Modulo, Jazz, Civic, CR-Z, CR-V, Civic hybrid, Jazz hybrid, Modulo, Odessey and Spada are showcased at the 2014 Bangkok International Motor Show.

=========

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #20 : Aprilie 02, 2014, 09:12:52 p.m. »
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/546265/20140402/honda-car-sales-march-mobilio-jazz-launch.htm

Honda Cars Posts Highest Ever Monthly Sales; Registers 83 Percent Increase in March


Honda Cars India registered the company's highest ever monthly sales in March, 2014, recording 83.4 per cent increase in its domestic sales at 18,426 units.

Honda, the country's fourth largest company has been riding high in the domestic market for the past few months .The Company sold 18426 units in March, as against the 10,044 units in the corresponding month last year. In March, Honda sold 1,456 units of its small car Brio, while its Amaze and City offerings stood at 7374 and 9518 respectively. Beside this, Honda sold 78 units of its sports utility vehicle (SUV) CRV.

 "We are thankful to our customers for the great response we have achieved from them for our two big launches of Amaze and All New City during the past financial year. The year also witnessed our entry into the diesel segment with i-DTEC diesel engine technology which has received an overwhelming response from the market," said Jnaneswar Sen, Sr. Vice President, Marketing and Sales, sharing the joy of clocking the highest sales figure.

During the fiscal 2013-14, the company reported 83 per cent increase in sales at 1,34,339 units as against 73,483 units during the previous year. Honda which currently has 170 dealerships in 107 cities is planning to expand its dealer network in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in coming months.

"We will increase our dealer network by 35 per cent this year by reaching out to more tier 2 & tier 3 markets which will be instrumental for our growth," Sen added.

Honda is also speculated to launch it's much anticipated Mobilio and Jazz in the sub-continent market in near future.The Company is also planning to increase the prices of its vehicles in India from April. However, the quantum of the hike is yet to be announced.

Model wise sales break-up
   

March 2014

Brio - 1456

Amaze - 7374

City - 9518

CRV - 78

Domestic Total - 18426

Exports - 587

Grand Total - 19013

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

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2014/04/01/107772-honda-announces-sales-results-for-march-2014.html

Honda Announces Sales Results for March 2014

TORRANCE, CA--April 1, 2014: Acura division sales up 10.5 percent with MDX and RDX setting monthly records. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported March 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 133,318 units. Acura division gained 10.5 percent (14.7 percent based on the Daily Selling Rate, or DSR*)on sales of 15,580, with light trucks increasing 45.8 percent for the month on sales of 10,387 units. The Honda Division recorded sales of 117,738 vehicles in March.

Honda Despite heavy incentives from several major automakers, Honda market share remained strong in March with a nearly 30 percent month-over-month increase as the U.S. auto market clawed back from one of the worst winters in memory.

Accord posted March sales of 33,962 and was the best-selling Honda model for the month Civic found 27,967 new buyers, up 0.1% versus last March CR-V recorded sales of 28,657, up 6.5 percent for the month Odyssey sales also rose slightly to 11,008

"With all of the independent data showing the competition getting back on the juice of heavy incentives and fleet sales, we couldn't be more pleased to see our core models—Accord, Civic and CR-V—attract such significant interest from retail buyers," said Jeff Conrad, Honda division senior vice president and general manager. "And with the all-new 2015 Fit going on sale this month, our model lineup is only going to get stronger."

Acura Acura's flagship SUV, the MDX, drove a 10.5 percent division increase as Acura light truck sales climbed nearly 46 percent from a year earlier. RDX also contributed to its remarkable string of monthly increases, with sales rising for the 23rd straight month.

Acura division sales increase 10.5 percent with 15,580 units sold in March Acura trucks rise 45.8 percent on sales of 10,387, a new March record MDX sales set a new monthly record with total sales up 80.6 percent, totaling 5,793 in March RDX recorded an increase of 18.2 percent on sales of 4,580 units, another March record

"It's unusual to have such strength and consistency in the hyper-competitive luxury SUV segment," said Mike Accavitti, Acura division senior vice president and general manager. "It's clear that MDX and RDX possess the key qualities that give lasting appeal."

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 26 days for March 2014 and 27 days for March 2013. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 75 days for 2014 and 76 days for 2013. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.


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

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/02/2015-honda-fit-pricing-leaked/

2015 Honda Fit pricing leak shows slight increases across the board

Pricing for the next-generation 2015 Honda Fit has has been circulating online after a poster going by the username ChrisAP1 on tlxforums.com released the figures. None of these prices include the destination charge, which was not specified (the outgoing model's charge was $790).

According to the leak, the new Fit is being offered in three trim levels – LX, EX and EX-L. A base LX model with a six-speed manual starts at $15,525, with the new CVT running $800 more at $16,325. All cars come standard with air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, Bluetooth and LED taillights.

A six-speed EX will run buyers $17,435 or $18,235 for the automatic. Upgrading to this trim nets buyers a power moonroof, a proximity key, paddle shifters on CVT models, Honda's LaneWatch system, fog lights and a 7-inch touchscreen radio. Finally, the EX-L trim is only available with the CVT for $19,800 or with added navigation for $20,800. It adds heated leather seats, a leather shift knob and steering wheel, plus turn signals in the sideview mirrors.

Compared to the current Fit (without destination), the new model starts at $100 more for the manual and $110 for the CVT. The EX model is $275 more for the manual and $225 more for the automatic. The EX-L is somewhat harder to compare. A base EX-L is $10 more than a current Fit Sport with Navigation, but the new EX-L with navigation comes in at $1,010 more than the old model with nav.

Until we get the official numbers from Honda, we're taking these numbers with a grain of salt, but they appear in line with what we expected. Keep an eye out for official word from Honda.

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


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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #21 : Aprilie 07, 2014, 01:47:06 p.m. »
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/hondas-new-asimo-robot-coming-to-new-york-auto-show-79612.html

Honda’s New Asimo Robot Coming to New York Auto Show

Honda isn’t just bringing cars to this year’s New York, as the Japanese automaker announced an updated version of the Asimo robot will be on show during this month’s biggest auto event.

Short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, Asimo now has new tricks, including the ability to sign in both Japanese and American sign language, to run faster than previously, climb stairs more smoothly, hop, jump, balance on one foot, and transition seamlessly between walking and running.

"ASIMO was designed to help those in society who need assistance, and Honda believes that these improvements in ASIMO bring us another step closer to our ultimate goal of being able to help all kinds of people in need," said Satoshi Shigemi, Senior Chief Engineer with Honda R&D Co., Ltd. in Japan, responsible for humanoid robotics.

This is the more compact version of the robot we’re talking about. It’s much smaller than a human at 4'3" tall (130 cm), weighs 110 lbs (50 kg), and is made of magnesium alloy, plastic resin and other materials. It can make simple judgements about objects, remember them and has advanced motor skills. It’s a marvel of robotics, this thing!

The days when the Sony Walkman was king and Sega made all the good games are gone, but Japan is still a world leader in robotics. To explain why Honda is dumping millions into this project, it would be easy to point at their aging demographic. But the Japanese don’t make robots to take care of the elderly, they do it because they like to. A recent study on robot anime conducted by the government found that roots of this form of geeky art date back to the 1960s. There’s even a company that makes grave tombstones in the shape of robots in Japan.

Asimo is a very clever robot. Just how clever you can find out from the next video, which is a 2013 demonstration from an American TV show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYbYP72dwYA

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

http://business.inquirer.net/167742/new-models-may-spur-honda-sales

New models may spur Honda sales



Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) expects vehicle sales to grow by at least 10 percent this year to reach at least roughly 15,000 units, to be driven largely by the launching of new models in the local market and the establishment of new dealerships before yearend.

In a briefing yesterday, newly appointed president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara expressed bullishness on the Philippines, where they expect to post one of the biggest sales growths in the region.

“There will be a revitalization of the Honda brand as we will be growing the market and our volumes by bringing in more products that will be a hit [among Filipinos]. We plan to have new model launches this year, one of which will be for the all new Honda City, which we will launch after the Holy Week,” Kuwahara explained. “The new Honda City is expected to play a big role in our company sales.”

“We will keep you very busy this year. Expect new Honda models to be available in the market soon,” he added.

Apart from the Honda City, three model launches are expected, but it was not made clear whether these will be new models or upgrades of existing models. At present, HCPI offers eight models in its lineup, of which the City accounted for about 60 percent of the sales.

According to Kuwahara, there are no immediate plans yet to further ramp up the capacity of its facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where it manufactures the Honda City. Capacity utilization remains at the manufacturing plant remained at about half as it produced only 7,615 units last year, while maximum output was pegged at about 15,000 Honda City units.

“[Additional] investments will depend on the Philippine economy and the automotive industry,” he said.

Plans to add a new model at the company’s manufacturing lineup will also depend on government support and incentives. Amy R. Remo

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/167742/new-models-may-spur-honda-sales#ixzz2yCFSa4ZA
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

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

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-honda-logs-its-best-year-as-amaze-vrooms-1975830

Honda logs its best year as Amaze vrooms

Honda Cars has finally got it right in India.

The Japanese automaker saw its best year ever in 2013-14 since it began its operations in the country in 1995.

With sales driven by sedans, the company posted its highest ever annual sales of 134,339 units during fiscal 2014 recording 83% growth over the previous fiscal.

Fortunes changed post the launch of Amaze, which not only marked company's foray into the entry-level, sub-4-metre sedan category but also in the diesel segment.

At a time when entire industry was cashing in on the market for diesel cars, Honda's absence in the segment had led to several challenges for the company.

Also, sales of small car Brio did not pick up, while Honda City lost the tag of the best selling sedan in its category.

After having worked on the new diesel engine for three years, Honda introduced its Amaze in April 2013.

And as forecast, customers waiting for a diesel model from the Japanese giant flocked the showrooms, giving tough fight to Maruti Suzuki's one of the best sellers -- Dzire.

"We have seen encouraging results for Honda, despite tough market conditions. Introduction of Amaze gave us an opportunity to enter the segment, while our diesel engine created several new benchmarks in terms of fuel efficiency," said Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president, marketing and sales, Honda Cars India.

The momentum continued as Honda launched its much-awaited new City along with a diesel variant in January this year. "City had a very good legacy and we had to exceed ourselves," said Sen.

The company last month dispatched 9,518 units of City.

Sen said, "We witnessed some interesting trends with the launch of City. 50% of the customers who booked City, did not consider any other vehicle and 25% of the total bookings came from customers below 30 years of age group."

According to experts, the Indian subsidiary along with the parent company has been working on various aspects to tap the potential of the Indian market.

"The company has deployed its full resources in the past two years in order to capture the potential of the market, which includes manpower, setting up new plant, launching new and strategic products," said Puneet Gupta, associate director, IHS Automotive Sales Forecasting.

The way ahead
After a strong growth in fiscal 2014, experts said the real test would be this fiscal, when the competition would rise in segments like sub-4-metre sedan. Hyundai Motors India has already launched its Xcent in this segment and Tata Motors will launch Zest this year.

This fiscal will also see Honda entering the multi-purpose vehicle with the launch of Mobilio, while it will bring back its premium hatchback – Jazz.

Even though there are no confirmations from the company on the upcoming products, according to sources, Honda is working to get into segments like small car and compact sports utility vehicle (SUV).

"The company now wants to be a mass volume player, after having focused on the premiumness of the brand in order to maintain margins," said Gupta.

The company estimates to sell 5 lakh units by 2025, which will be largely driven by the locally built entry-level cars.

"However, the company will have to boost its dealer network in order to compete strongly with the likes of Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai," said Gupta. The company is planning to increase its dealer network by 35% this year by reaching out to more Tier 2 & 3 markets. The company currently has 170 facilities in 107 cities in its network.

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

Review: Second-hand King Accord

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140405/AUTO03/304050024/1148/rss25

Last decade I bought a used Dodge Neon that spent as much time in the shop as in my garage. “Big Three sedans keep me in business,” said my repair shop guru, John, who I got to know on a first-name basis. “I never see a Honda or Toyota.”

Ouch.

No wonder the Asian makers have dominated used car sales just as Detroit makers rule used truck sales. No wonder the Honda Accord was the best-selling used car (again) in America in 2013 just as the Ford F150 was the best-selling used truck (again).

We used car shoppers are proud, practical, and penny-wise. We demand reliable, utilitarian, good-handling transport. The Accord, a perennial Consumer Reports pick (the bible of used car buyers), delivers in all three areas. The average buyer prefers Honda. The average used car sells for $15,000. The average 2011 Accord sells for $15,017.

So I moseyed on down to my local used car – er, pre-owned vehicle – dealer and asked for average, please.

At $14,900 with 67,000 miles on the odometer, my 2011 Honda Accord test mule was average only in price. Indeed, the used Accord one-ups its newer sibling. Where the new Accord trails the best-selling Camry by 40,000 in new cars sales, the used Accord leap frogs its Asian competitor. One reason is surely the Accord’s lead in new retail sales — the Camry relies more on fleet sales, notes HIS Automotive analyst Tom Libby — and the used car market is (mostly) retail.

But there’s also the brand factor.

Auto salesmen tell me that Honda’s racing history matters. That when it’s time to buy a used car, buyers want a sense of thrill even as they are buying practical. Kinda like putting fudge swirl in your vanilla shake. So when you’re sitting in your Honda Accord, you feel a connection to those screaming motorbikes. Or Honda engines winning Indy nine of the last 10 years. Ya gotta dream.

The Camry? It’s just vanilla.

I like the theory. It matters to someone — especially young someones — buying their first car. Could it be that mom and dad buy new Camry? But then budget-conscious junior buys used Accord?

Whatever it is, the Accord doesn’t disappoint even with 67k miles on its legs.

The used 2.4 liter engine purred like a kitten on Detroit’s roads. In performance brand tradition, the car doesn’t sacrifice performance for efficiency. The 4-banger pulls the car’s lightweight chassis with purpose, even as the Honda returns impressive 27 mpg. Handling is sure, never numb.

The Accord’s pleasant lines won’t turn any heads, but the lack of coupe-like roof line pays dividends inside where your long-legged author can easily fold into the backseat with knee-room to spare. In the captain’s chair, the Accord is ergonomically friendly as the EX (thankfully) only has one console screen. Add nav and Accords become a riot of two screens and confusing controls. The EX package is an example of addition by subtraction.

Buying second-hand doesn’t mean second-class service.

Certified pre-owned cars come with a dealer premium, but the piece of mind that they have been reviewed stem to stern. Many dealers have upgraded the experience by building additional showrooms just for used cars.

But that’s not the best part of buying used.

As a certified motor head, I feel comfortable buying used cars from individual owners of sport models (BMW M3s, Ford STs, Honda SIs, and so on) treat their cars like their first-born child. Are you less confident about the owners of popular cars (who treat them like a common frig) but dread a visit to a dealer like you want another root canal? You can buy from individuals with the help of CARFAX records and a list of online price sites like Cars.com as long as your arm.

But that’s still not the best part. Pre-owned ponies like the Accord also come with Honda’s extended powertrain warranty of 7 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first) on top of the 5-year.60,000 when new. Sure Hondas are bullet proof. Sure 200,000 miles is the new 100,000. But that warranty does wonders for a hand-me-down.

But here’s the best part – the used Accord costs $9,000 less than a new Accord. A 2014 EX goes for $23,700 and for what? Reliability, resale value, and a warranty already built into your not-so-old filly. Three years on a car? Heck, Kentucky Derby thoroughbreds are in their prime at the age of three.

So go forth my fellow second-hand shoppers. The Accord will make you proud, practical, and penny-wise.
2011 Honda Accord

Vehicle type: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger sedan
Price: $14,900 used
Power plant: 2.4-liter, 16-valve, in-line four-cylinder engine
Power: 177 horsepower, 161 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Performance: 0-60 mph: 9.1 (Car & Driver); Top speed: 127 mph
Weight: 3,350 pounds
Fuel economy: EPA 23 mpg city/34 mpg highway/27 mpg combined
Highs: Ol’ reliable; nimble handling
Lows: Stale styling could learn lessons from sleeker Civic; More USBs, please
Overall:★★★
Grading scale
Excellent ★★★
Good ★★★
Fair ★★
Poor ★


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

http://www.rushlane.com/honda-brio-facelift-rendered-new-plant-for-gujarat-12114499.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rushlane%2FAmZY+%28Rush+Lane%29

Honda Brio facelift rendered: New Gujarat plant?

The smallest car on offer from Honda Cars India Limited Brio is now seen in a new render with Honda’s trademark front grille. Expected to be seen in the Brio facelift, the render shows that the front receives a solid wing face as is seen on the new City and Jazz.

First launched over two years ago, Brio is scheduled to receive a facelift, but when will this facelift version come, is yet not certain. The upcoming Honda Brio facelift will receive a new bumper and grille but mechanically no changes are slated to come into effect.

The Brio will hence continue with its 1.2 liter four cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine offering 88 ps peak power and 109 Nm peak torque with the company having no intentions of launching a diesel powered variant. This will help them effectively compete with competition. For the period of January to March 2014 Honda India sold about 4.5k units of Brio.

With the new City already launched, Honda India now looks towards launching the new Mobilio MPV and Jazz hatchback. Mobilio launch will take place this quarter, whereas that of Brio will happen in early 2014. Honda currently produces its cars from two plants in Rajasthan and Greater Noida with an annual capacity of 240,000 cars. But with the launch of new cars, they will need to increase their capacity even further.

Business Standard reveals that they are planning to setup a new car factory in Gujarat on around 250 acres of land in Vithalpur. This place is close to the Maruti Suzuki plant slated to come up in at Hansalpur and the Honda Motorcycle and Scooter plant near Ahmedabad.

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


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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #22 : Aprilie 09, 2014, 09:30:55 a.m. »
http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-debut-two-new-concepts-in-beijing.html

Honda to debut two new concepts in Beijing

Honda has announced plans to showcase two all-new concept cars at the upcoming Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The show cars will be joined on the Honda stage by a new middle-class SUV and the third-generation Fit hatchback.

Honda will wait until the start of the Beijing show on April 20th to release full details, but one of the automaker's concepts will preview an all-new sedan model that will be exclusive to the Chinese market.

The other concept vehicle will preview the next-generation Honda Spirior, which is essentially a Chinese version of the Acura TSX sold here. Given that Honda's Acura division has already announced plans to replace the current TSX with the TLX, it stands to reason that the Spirior concept will be a slightly modified version of Acura's newest sedan.

The Beijing show will also host the Chinese premier of the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid.

Be sure to check back for more details later this month.

Read more: http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-to-debut-two-new-concepts-in-beijing.html#ixzz2yMuutvLj


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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #23 : Aprilie 10, 2014, 09:48:06 a.m. »
Honda, Mercedes top KBB brand image awards [w/video]

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/09/honda-mercedes-top-kbb-brand-image-awards-video/

Kelley Blue Book has announced the winners of its 2014 Brand Image Awards, which look at brands with "attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm" of customers in the market for a new car.

The award is divided up into luxury brands and everyone else non-luxury brands, with a number of sub-awards in each group. There's also a single award for truck brands. Taking the crown for the best everyman brand (for the second year in a row) is Honda, while Mercedes-Benz was the king of the luxury brackets. Ford, meanwhile, had the best image among pickup buyers.

Honda was also named the most trusted brand among shoppers, while Kia, GMC, Mini and Chevrolet also snagged awards for value, refinement, performance and styling, respectively. Secondary winners in the luxury ranks include Lexus, Buick, Porsche and Jaguar. Mercedes was also named the most refined luxury brand.

"The classic saying 'perception is reality' falls true with the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards, as more than 12,000 in-market new-car shoppers have voiced their opinions about today's automakers," said Hwei-Lin Oetken, vice president of market intelligence for KBB. "With strong marketing communications coming from auto manufacturers and dealers, and the increased importance of peer reviews and ratings, consumers today are more influenced than ever to take interest in a brand, ultimately affecting their vehicle purchase decisions."

Take a look below for KBB's video recap of this year's awards, as well as a press release detailing the winning attributes of each brand.

---

Kelley Blue Book Announces 2014 Brand Image Award Winners
Honda Holds Reign for Best Overall Brand, Most Trusted Brand; Kia, GMC, Jaguar Win First Brand Image Awards

IRVINE, Calif., April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2014 Brand Image Award winners, based on annual new-car buyer perception data, are announced today by Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information. The Kelley Blue Book® Brand Image Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-vehicle buying public. Award categories are calculated among luxury, non-luxury and truck shoppers.

"The classic saying 'perception is reality' falls true with the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards, as more than 12,000 in-market new-car shoppers have voiced their opinions about today's automakers," said Hwei-Lin Oetken, vice president of market intelligence for Kelley Blue Book. "With strong marketing communications coming from auto manufacturers and dealers, and the increased importance of peer reviews and ratings, consumers today are more influenced than ever to take interest in a brand, ultimately affecting their vehicle purchase decisions."

2014 Brand Image Award Winners: Non-Luxury Brands

Honda
Best Overall Brand
Honda
Most Trusted Brand
Kia
Best Value Brand
GMC
Most Refined Brand
MINI
Best Performance Brand
Chevrolet
Best Car Styling Brand
2014 Brand Image Award Winner: Truck Brand

Ford
Best Overall Truck Brand
2014 Brand Image Award Winners: Luxury Brands

Mercedes-Benz
Best Overall Luxury Brand
Lexus
Most Trusted Luxury Brand
Buick
Best Value Luxury Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Most Refined Luxury Brand
Porsche
Best Performance Luxury Brand
Jaguar
Best Car Styling Luxury Brand
For two years running, Honda has been named the Best Overall Brand, securing the highest average scores among all 12 Brand Watch factors, including affordability, "cool" factor, driving comfort, driving performance, durability/reliability, exterior styling, fuel efficiency, interior layout, prestige/sophistication, reputation, ruggedness and safety (listed in alphabetical order). Strong consumer perception of the Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey helped drive Honda's success in earning the top honor among all automakers.

This year, Mercedes-Benz captured the Best Overall Luxury Brand title from 2013 winner BMW by obtaining the top average Brand Watch factor scores among all luxury makes and being highly regarded with its strong lineup and performance AMG variants.

Reclaiming the top spot among truck shoppers, Ford ousts last year's winner, Toyota, from the Best Overall Truck Brand category. Ford has won five out of six times Kelley Blue Book has announced this award. The F-150 and Super Duty F-250 and F-350 helped the manufacturer earn back the award for 2014, as truck shoppers ranked the brand highest among all other truck brands.

For three years in a row, Honda has earned the award for Most Trusted Brand, and for 2014, the Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey supported the boost in Honda's scores. Meanwhile, Lexus holds its ground as the Most Trusted Luxury Brand for the second consecutive year with help from the ES, IS, LX and RX models.

Kia earns its first-ever Brand Image Award in 2014 for Best Value Brand, taking the crown from last year's winner Honda. Kia received high marks on affordability and fuel efficiency, primarily driven by the Optima, Rio, Soul and Forte models. Buick is a repeat winner for the Best Value Luxury Brand, and the manufacturer's entire lineup, including the LaCrosse, Regal, Verano, Enclave and Encore, has positively influenced car shoppers' perceptions.

"Kia has come a long way in the eyes of the consumer," said Arthur Henry, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Once known only as an economy car with good gas mileage, the brand has evolved through product growth and maturity into a high-value brand. This is a similar path fellow import brands Honda and Toyota took in the 1970s. In fact, Kia edges out Honda this year for the Best Value Brand title."

Benefitting from its upscale Denali trim models, GMC also wins its first Brand Image Award as 2014's Most Refined Brand, with high ratings for comfort, interior layout and prestige/sophistication. Mercedes-Benz has a second consecutive win for this category among luxury brands, and historically has scored very high in prestige/sophistication since the inception of the Brand Image Awards in 2008.

MINI wins Best Performance Brand for the second year in a row, with help from the MINI Cooper for its high ratings for "cool" factor and driving performance. Like MINI, Porsche holds steady as a repeat winner as Best Performance Luxury Brand since 2010, due to strong ratings for a number of models in its lineup, including the 911, Cayman, Panamera and Cayenne.

Jaguar earned its first Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Award as 2014 Best Car Styling Luxury Brand for its attractive F-TYPE, XK, XF and XJ series, while Chevrolet reclaimed the Best Car Styling Brand title from last year's winner Ford.

"Chevrolet had a slew of redesigns during the past year, which have captured the consideration of car shoppers," said Henry. "Chevrolet decided to take a daring approach with its styling and it paid off. The models primarily driving the success of Chevrolet's expressive design efforts are the Corvette Stingray and Camaro."

The 2014 Brand Image Awards are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence's Brand Watch study. Brand Watch is an online brand and model perception tracking study tapping into 12,000+ in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. The highly comprehensive study offers insight into how shoppers perceive important factors driving their purchase decisions, and captures brand/model familiarity and loyalty among new-car shoppers.

For more information about the 2014 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards, please visit http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/brand-image-awards/.

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb, and get updates on Google+ at https://plus.google.com/+kbb/.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested Retail Values, and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a subsidiary of AutoTrader Group, which includes AutoTrader.com, vAuto, VinSolutions and HomeNet Automotive. AutoTrader Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

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

http://auto.ndtv.com/news/honda-mobilio-to-be-the-most-fuel-efficient-mpv-in-india-384911

Honda Mobilio to be the most fuel efficient MPV in India

 I firmly believe that one good product can bring a carmaker back into the game. We have seen how things changed for Honda Cars India post the launch of Amaze - the company's first diesel car. Then came the new generation Honda City, which in a short span of time became the segment leader. Honda now has two more game-changing products, which are expected to take the Japanese automajor's sales to newer heights.

Of the two products that the company is planning to launch, Honda Mobilio will be the first to enter the market. Speaking to NDTV Auto, Hironori Kanayama, CEO & President, Honda Cars India said that the Mobilio MPV will be aunched during third quarter, this year, which means any time between July and October. The new-generation Jazz is expected to be launched by end of this year or early 2015.

The Mobilio is a 7-seater MPV, which will be pitted against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and Nissan Evalia. The more-feature rich variant of the vehicle will take on Toyota Innova.

The reason I called it a 'game-changer' is the frugal 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine it will come up with, which is claimed to return the best-in-class fuel efficiency of 25.8kmpl. The similar engine also powers the Amaze and City, and both the cars are most fuel efficient products of their respective segments.

Developed on the Brio hatchback platform, the Mobilio will measure over 4.4 metres in length, which will make it more spacious than the Ertiga. What is also impressive is its 185mm ground clearance, which is better than many MPVs that are on sale in India.

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

http://legalnewsline.com/issues/class-action/248459-honda-agrees-to-settle-class-action-denies-engine-misfiring-allegations

Honda agrees to settle class action, denies engine misfiring allegations

SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Honda has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by consumers who claimed some of its vehicles excessively burned oil.

The excessive oil burning caused engine misfiring and premature spark plug degradation, the consumers claimed in their 2012 class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.


Consumers who purchased 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2008-2013 Honda Odyssey, 2009-2013 Honda Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Accord Crosstour or 2012 Honda Crosstour equipped with a 6-cylinder engine with Variable Cylinder Management are eligible to receive compensation for repairs or a warranty extension.

The parties agree there are no safety concerns with the vehicles named in the litigation, according to court documents.

Honda has denied the allegations in the class action lawsuit.

Honda says it agreed to the class action settlement in order to avoid the costs of a trial.

On Oct. 9, District Judge Susan Illston approved the proposed class action settlement.

A final order of judgment was filed on March 27.

The court awarded a named plaintiff’s incentive award of $1,000 to Vince Eagen.

Attorneys received counsel fees and expenses in the amount of $800,000, according to the final order of judgment.

The total amount of the settlement has been sealed, according to a sealing order filed March 19.

Those who are eligible will receive full reimbursement of out-of-pocket repair expenses, plus a warranty extension.

To receive full compensation for vehicle repairs, class members must submit a valid claim form with a copy of an original repair invoice or receipt plus proof of payments for repairs or replacement of parts on a settlement class vehicle by Thursday.

Class members do not need to take any action to obtain the warranty extension, which will cover repairs for the affected vehicles within eight years of the original purchase or lease date of the vehicle, with no mileage limitation.

Eagen was represented by Beth E. Terrell and Kimberlee Gunning of Terrell Marshall Daudt & Willie PLLC; Steven N. Berk and Matthew J. Bonness of Berk Law PLLC; Shanon Jude Carson, Lawrence Deutsch and Eugene Tompkins of Berger & Montague PC; and Karl Olson and Michael Francis Ram of Ram, Olson, Cereghino & Kopczynski LLP.

Honda was represented by Darlene Mi-Hyung Cho, Michael Lawrence Mallow, Michael Brian Shortnacy and Denise A. Smith-Mars of Loeb & Loeb LLP.

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


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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #24 : Aprilie 10, 2014, 10:38:53 a.m. »


Mexico overtakes Japan as No. 2 car exporter to US

http://news.xin.msn.com/en/regional/mexico-overtakes-japan-as-no-2-car-exporter-to-us

Mexico's booming auto industry has reached a major milestone, claiming to have overtaken Japan as the second biggest car exporter to the United States in the past three months.

Workers at the assembly line of the recently opened Honda Motors factory in Celaya, Guanajuato state, Mexico, on February 21, 2014 - by Omar Torres

The Latin American nation now only trails Canada, but experts say Mexico could become the top exporter to its northern neighbor as soon as 2015, a potent symbol of its growing global clout in the sector.

Industry analysts had expected Mexico to surpass Japan by the end of the year, but the Mexican Automobile Industry Association (AMIA) says it has happened faster than expected.

"It does not surprise me that they did (overtake Japan), and that number will even get bigger," Haig Stoddard, industry analyst at Michigan-based WardsAuto Group, told AFP.

The figure came in an AMIA report this week showing record production in the first quarter, with 774,731 units rolling out of plants in Mexico, a 6.5 percent increase from the same period last year.

AMIA, using its own statistics and WardsAuto figures, said the United States imported 428,376 "Made in Mexico" cars compared to 408,405 from Japan between January and March. Analysts say the figures are credible.

Latin America's second biggest economy has steadily grown as a global power in the auto industry, with most of the production destined for exports.

It is the world's eighth-biggest car maker and the number four exporter.

Relatively low wages, being next door to the massive US market and a raft of free trade deals with other nations have combined to make Mexico a prime location for carmakers.

"Mexico will continue to grow very strongly in the next five years," AMIA president Eduardo Solis told AFP.

In addition to its ideal geographic location, Solis said Mexico is a major auto parts supplier, home to a skilled workforce and backed by a government that invites foreign investment.

- Japanese flock to Mexico -

Ironically, Japanese carmakers have helped Mexico become a manufacturing powerhouse, with Nissan, Mazda and Honda building new factories in the country.

"They're building a lot more cars in the United States and Mexico," Stoddard said. "Going forward there's going to be more production in Mexico of Japanese cars."

In November, Nissan opened a $2 billion manufacturing complex in the central state of Aguascalientes, its third in Mexico, which will raise the company's output in Mexico by 25 percent to more than 850,000 vehicles per year.

In February, Honda inaugurated a sprawling $800 million assembly plant in the central state of Guanajuato, where it is producing the Honda Fit hatchback.

That same month and in the same state, Mazda opened a $770 million factory to build compact models.

US and European automakers have also made huge investments in Mexico in recent years.

A US consultancy, IHS Automotive, predicted a few months ago that Mexico would surpass Japan this year as second exporter to the United States, sending 1.69 million units north, almost 200,000 more than the Asian nation.

"It's materializing a little bit quicker than we originally thought," said IHS Automotive analyst Guido Vildozo, who says that Mexico will beat Canada next year.

Japanese companies "are basically localizing production in the Americas, not only for the US market but also for the region as a whole," he said. "This is basically pushing Mexico into a higher role."

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

http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/viewart/20140408/WRT0351/304080296/Accord-hybrid-s-pluses-wipe-out-minuses

Accord hybrid's pluses wipe out minuses



Rides hard, hates our Windows phone, imposes awkward and unfriendly electronics and sentences you to a life of unpleasant engine revving.

Still, the 2014 Honda Accord hybrid does minimize fuel use, gives you a premium-feeling interior and tells neighbors you’re a thoughtful person who cut fuel costs at a not-bad price in a practical car grown-up enough to only subtly note that it’s a hybrid.

It’s the first gasoline-electric hybrid version of the Accord since the nice-driving but ill-fated V-6 hybrid launched in 2004. Interestingly, that discontinued model had the same base price as the new Accord hybrid.

Honda expects today’s Accord hybrid to be its best-selling hybrid, but declines to forecast sales. There’s also a plug-in version on sale since January 2013, but only in California and New York.

Honda folks especially disagree with us on the hard-ride issue. They say the hybrid rides as nicely as any other Accord.

However, our two test cars jiggled busily on smooth pavement, hammered over potholes and treated occupants harshly over rills and ridges.

The two test models were a high-end Touring driven in the Detroit area, mostly on highways, and a low-end version driven around Northern Virginia and in traffic-clogged Washington, D.C. Because the ride felt too stiff on different cars, on different roads, it seems unlikely to be an individual-vehicle problem.

The car’s shod with 50-series tires, which means they have fairly stubby sidewalls that don’t flex a lot. That certainly could contribute to the stiffness.

For context, Test Drive favors a firm ride and spends a lot of time in trucks, so we’re not softies when it comes to suspensions.

As long as we’re hanging crepe, other bothersome matters are:

CVT: Honda says it not really a continuously variable-ratio automatic transmission -- never mind the name (Honda calls it E-CVT, for Electric Continuously Variable Transmission). It is set to make the most use of electric power for high mileage before bringing the gasoline engine into play. In fact, Honda says, it can keep the Accord hybrid in electric mode up to highway speeds.

No belts or pulleys, as in more familiar sorts of CVTs. But despite its extra sophistication and smoothness, it makes our thumbs-down list. Never met a CVT (”E” or otherwise) we liked, except those you can override and turn into a facsimile of a conventional, step-ratio automatic (as used by Infiniti QX60).

Accord hybrid’s is too noisy when accelerating and still feels too much like driving a manual-transmission car that has a slipping clutch.

Electronics: Spoiled by easy-to-use setups on General Motors and Chrysler Group vehicles, the confounding operation and logic of Honda’s system, especially models with navigation, simply seems wrong.

After spending what seemed like hours, but surely wasn’t more than 15 minutes, trying to configure the navi in the Detroit Touring test car, we gave up. Out came our trusty travel-along, voice-command Garmin 3490. In moments, it was mapping our route and eagerly providing a Bluetooth link to our Windows phone.

Hondas of many kinds seem to treat the Windows phone as a thoroughly unwanted guest. Other types of phones fare a bit better, but the linkup isn’t instant, as you get in GM and Chrysler models.

We must note, though, that in trying to make their systems better, GM and Chrysler have begun making them harder to use on newer models and soon could fall from our list of best examples.

Jerkiness: A small matter, mainly in stop-go traffic, where the hybrid jumps ahead a bit more aggressively than you intend as you toe the pedal intermittently to creep forward. In more open situations, it comes across simply as brisk acceleration when the light turns green.

The good stuff:

Interior: Honda has a knack for making the Accord’s insides ooze premium-ness. All the pieces that make up the dashboard, door panels and seats seem so well put together. It’s not an exaggeration to say the Accord hybrid gives you the impression you’re in a near-luxury vehicle.

Plenty of room, too. Back seat leg space is generous, and the front doesn’t make your legs feel shoved into a tunnel, as some vehicles do by super-sizing the center console and door-panel power-switch pods.

MPG: The combined city/highway rating is an alluring 47 mpg. While Test Drive got about 37 mpg in combined driving, that’s quite remarkable, downright fuel-miserly, under our heavy throttle foot.

We have little doubt that a careful driver whose priority is fuel economy could match the window-sticker rating.

For reference, our driving circumstances and style almost never come up with anything close to the window-sticker fuel-economy ratings. We come closest when driving diesels, have the biggest gap in hybrids.

Agility: Accord has long had a reputation as the sporty choice among family sedans, and the hybrid is no different. Despite the wide 38-foot turning diameter (same as the non-hybrid), it feels easy to park and maneuver. That confidence-inspiring trait can make a car much nicer to drive.

It steers responsively and stops promptly, without the over-boosted and unnatural feel typical of regenerative brake systems that can be so annoying in many hybrids. Regenerative systems recharge the battery as the car slows.

Beyond that, the Accord hybrid does a very respectable job handling tight, fast corners with little body lean. And right now you’re thinking, “Of course, dummy; that’s why it rides so hard.”

Test Drive notes that BMWs and other exceptional corner-carvers, including some inexpensive small Fords, handle very well without slamming your backside.

In our view, if the Accord hybrid had a more accommodating ride and better infotainment system, it’d be awfully hard to beat.

What? Gas-electric hybrid drivetrain version of midsize, four-door, five-passenger sedan.

When? On sale since Oct. 31.

Where? Made at Marysville, Ohio.

How much? Base: $29,945, including $790 shipping. EX-L: $32,695. Touring: $35,695. Test cars were Touring and base.

What makes it go? 2-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to electric motor, driving the front wheels through E-CVT, which Honda says has no belts or pulleys and works different from the more familiar types of continuously variable-ratio automatic transmission.

Combined total horsepower, 196 hp. Electric motor has 226 pounds-feet of torque from the moment it begins turning through 3,857 rpm. Gasoline engine is rated 122 lbs.-ft. from 3,500 rpm and up.

How big? Same as conventional Accord; toward the big end of midsize. Weighs 3,550 to 3,602 lbs.

Trunk space is compromised by battery pack. Base has 12.7 cubic feet; EX-L and Touring, 12.3 cu. ft. Non-hybrid Accord has 15.8 cu. ft.

Passenger space: 103.2 cu. ft. (base); 100.8 cu. ft. with sunroof.

How thirsty? Rated 50 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, 47 combined.

Touring test car, mainly highway driving: 30 mpg (3.33 gallons per mile). Base test car, mix of city, suburban, highway: 37.2 mpg (2.69 gal/100 mi).

Burns regular, tank holds 15.8 gal.

Overall: Retune the ride and buy infotainment setups from Chrysler or GM and you’d really have something.

What stands out ...

Ride: Ouch! What were they thinking?

Mileage: Satisfyingly high.

Personality: Premium.

========================
http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1186127

All New 2015 Honda Fit Designed to Top the Subcompact Class

Both bigger and smaller in all the right places, more powerful and more fuel efficient, the all-new Fit is more advanced, refined, fun-to-drive and goes on sale April 14

04/09/2014 - TORRANCE, Calif.
With best-in-class passenger and cargo space, increased power, 41 mpg fuel economy1 and more refined, yet sporty dynamics, the completely redesigned 2015 Fit is poised to lead the subcompact segment. Add to this an abundance of class-above standard features including roofline spoiler, LED taillights, Bluetooth® connectivity and a segment-exclusive rearview camera for a starting price just $100 more than the outgoing model.

The 2015 Fit goes on sale at Honda dealerships nationwide on April 14, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)2 starting at $15,525 for the LX trim with 6-speed manual transmission. All Fit models are powered by a new, higher power and highly efficient 1.5-liter engine developing 130 horsepower3 and 114 pound feet of torque4,with an EPA fuel-economy rating of 33/41/36 (city/highway/combined)5 for the LX with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

"I'm thrilled that we've been able to greatly enhance and add to the Fit's already excellent attributes to provide Honda customers with class-above features and refinement at such a value price point," said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Honda. "The 2015 Fit is practical, roomy, efficient, affordable and perhaps best of all, great fun to drive."

The Honda Fit has always been known for its practicality, fuel efficiency, feature richness, high-quality interior and driving enjoyment. For the all-new Fit, the unique combination of these traits has been further enhanced with even greater versatility, fresh styling, a more dynamic and refined driving experience, and substantially upgraded technology and luxury features.

Outstanding versatility is fundamental to the design of the 2015 Fit. With class-leading interior space and versatility courtesy of its center-mounted fuel tank and ingenious Magic Seat®, the Fit epitomizes smart functionality with spacious and comfortable seating for five and the ability to carry voluminous cargo, including long and tall items. The larger interior features a remarkable 4.9 cubic feet increase in passenger volume and a 4.8-inch increase in rear seat leg room compared to the previous Fit, all the more remarkable considering its even more compact exterior footprint, including a 1.6-inch decrease in overall length.

A highly space-efficient new body structure pairs with an all-new chassis to create a completely new, more rigid and lighter subcompact platform. The new Fit's platform features a longer wheelbase and numerous improvements to front and rear suspension and steering systems that improve overall driving dynamics. The net effect of these upgrades is a more settled and stable, yet nimble and sporty ride, with greatly improved steering and improved ride comfort and quietness. The adoption of a new frame structure, including Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) front body structure, also benefits safety performance.

The 2015 Fit also raises the bar on acceleration fun and fuel efficiency with major advances to its powertrain. A new Earth Dreams Technology™ engine significantly increases power, torque and throttle response with support from two newly developed transmissions – a slick-shifting 6-speed manual and all-new CVT with G-Shift Control. The 1.5L DOHC 4-cylinder engine with i-VTEC+VTC valve and timing control features direct fuel injection, reduced weight and friction, increased compression ratio, and other changes to deliver an 11 percent increase in peak horsepower to 1303, and a 7.5 percent increase in peak torque to 114 lb.-ft4.

The 6MT is an all-new design, with closer ratios to aid performance and a wider overall ratio range to improve fuel efficiency. The newly-developed CVT enhances engine responsiveness by providing quicker and smoother acceleration while improving fuel efficiency with a wider ratio range and reduced internal friction.

With the combination of the new engine and transmissions, the Fit has an EPA fuel-economy rating of 29/37/32 (city/highway/combined)5 for the manual transmission, 33/41/36 for the LX trim with CVT and 32/38/35 for the EX and EX-L trim with CVT. The new Fit sports a fresh and dynamic exterior design with slimmer headlights that integrate into a solid grille design and an aggressive lower intake. Chiseled sides emphasize the wheels and the dynamically tapered roofline that terminates in a color-matched spoiler. Eight colors, including several new and vibrant options, accentuate the fresh exterior styling.

Inside, the increased interior room and visibility create a sense of airy spaciousness, which is complemented by upgraded, soft-touch materials that raise the feeling of quality. The rich and sophisticated black with silver accented design of the interior surfaces and controls, and blue backlit instrument dials are stylish and functional. The available Display Audio touchscreen interface and first-ever leather seating (EX-L models) further increase the premium feel of this new Fit.

The 2015 Fit boasts a high level of standard and available features and now aligns with other Honda models by being offered in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, each with a higher spec than the previous equivalent trim. New standard features on all Fit models include auto on-off headlights, LED brake lights, Bluetooth®6 HandsFreeLink® and a center storage console with armrest. Items such as Smart Entry Push Button Start, a one-touch operated moonroof, 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio7 with next-generation HondaLink and heated leather seats are among the upgrades available for the first time in Fit.

The Fit also features a long list of standard safety features. That list includes Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA®) with traction control, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, and Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. The new Fit targets the highest available crash-safety ratings: a five-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the (IIHS). Standard drive-assistive features on all trims include a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines and expanded view driver's mirror. The Honda LaneWatch™ display is standard on EX and above trims.

The new U.S.-market Fit will be produced for the first time in North America at an all-new plant in in Celaya, Mexico. View, build and price the 2015 Honda Fit at automobiles.honda.com/fit.



For More Information
Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com/fit. To join the Fit community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Honda/Fit. Additional media information including, pricing, features and high-resolution photography of the 2014 Honda Civic is available at hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-fit.

1Fit LX trim with CVT
2 MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) excluding tax, license, registration, $790 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
3 205 hp @ 7000 rpm (SAE net)
4 174 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm (SAE net)
5 Based on 2015 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending driving conditions, how the vehicle is driven and maintained, battery pack age/condition and other factors
6 The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.
7The Display Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and streaming from some current [Apple/Android] smartphones. For safety reasons, always launch HondaLink applications or perform any other operation on your phone only when the vehicle is safely parked. State or local laws may limit use of texting feature, and Assist functions may be terminated without notice. Your wireless carrier's rate plans apply. Please see HondaLink terms and conditions for details.

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #25 : Aprilie 14, 2014, 09:29:36 a.m. »
http://www.autonews.com/article/20140413/OEM03/304149931/honda-nissan-a-brand-new-battle#

Honda, Nissan: A brand new battle

The auto industry is always full of head-to-head rivalries, and right now the battle between Honda and Nissan is one of the hottest.

In the first quarter, the Nissan brand overtook the Honda brand in U.S. sales, a reversal from 2013. That lifted Nissan to No. 4, trailing Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota.

As the competition gets more intense, both brands are upping their game:

* At the New York auto this week, Nissan will introduce the redesigned Murano mid-sized crossover. Styling themes developed by Mamoru Aoki, Nissan global design chief, aim to elevate the brand's image, and you can expect the chiseled, aerodynamic look to show up on Nissan sedans. And Nissan is hurrying to market an aggressive freshening of its segment-leading Versa sedan, just two years into the car's life cycle.

* Honda says the 2015 Fit subcompact, which goes on sale this week, signals a return to the engineering-first ethic of company founder Soichiro Honda. The fold-flat rear seats provide more space, and a tweaked torsion-beam rear suspension improves responsiveness -- signs that Honda is willing to spend a few extra bucks to deliver smart engineering.

And Honda says the Fit is a preview of broader changes to its lineup.

See Monday's weekly print edition of Automotive News for stories on how Honda got its groove back and why Nissan hustled to refresh the Versa.

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

Honda, Acura, dealers tangle for Google ads
Executives seek ways to cut overlap, keep costs down


http://www.autonews.com/article/20140414/RETAIL03/304149969/honda-acura-dealers-tangle-for-google-ads

A battle is shaping up among Honda, Acura and their dealers for control of Google shoppers.

Dealers and brands sometimes collide by bidding for the same keywords that generate the most visible ad positions atop a consumer Google search for a vehicle.

That competition can drive up Google ad prices, said Brian Pasch, whose PCG Consulting helps dealers with digital marketing.

It's a quandary Honda Motor Co. and its Acura brand seem intent on tackling.

At a national dealer meeting in San Antonio on April 2, Honda executives told dealers they were looking at ways to minimize overlap on Google advertising buys between the brand and dealers. Specifics would come later.

Pasch stirred up a hornet's nest with a series of blogs on the subject in the past month. He made waves by declaring, based on sources he would not identify, that Acura is considering barring dealers from bidding on five popular keywords and phrases on Google: Acura, Acura.com, Acura USA, Acura Cars and Acura Auto, so as not to drive up prices.

The strategy, he says, would have the unintended consequence of allowing competitors and third-party shopping sites, such as cars.com, to get ad positions at the top of Acura vehicle search listings, which now are dominated by the manufacturer and its dealers.

Google is the world's dominant search engine for people looking for cars and nearly everything else. Two of every three visitors to a dealer Web site get there from clicking on a Google link.

Those links come in two forms: paid search ads that appear as shaded links at the very top and on the right side of a Google search page; and unshaded links, called organic, that appear after the paid search ads at the top.

Those top paid search ads are crucial to advertisers. As a rule of thumb, about twice as many people click on the first paid search ad as the second, and half as many click on the ad in the third position as in the second.

That's why the debate at Honda and Acura is so important, Pasch said. If dealers are restricted from buying such popular keywords as "Acura" and "Acura cars," their vehicles and stores are going to lose visibility on Google, he said.

The potential impact is even greater for mobile users, Pasch said. Cellphone car-shoppers are more likely to use simple searches such as "Acura" and, typically, just two paid search ads and one organic link fit on a mobile search page, Pasch said. "Nationwide, 35 to 40 percent of car shoppers are using mobile," he said.

Though prices can rise when brands and their dealers bid for the same keywords, the inflation is not so prohibitive as to keep dealers from bidding if allowed to by Honda and Acura, Pasch said.

Brian Benstock, general manager of Paragon Honda and Paragon Acura in New York City, is following the developments with interest.

Benstock, a digital-marketing enthusiast, said he went to the Honda dealer meeting with some trepidation, given Pasch's blogs.

But he said that after listening to Honda executives, he walked away reassured that whatever was coming would be rolled out gradually and with much dealer input. He declined to discuss specifics in recognition of Honda's request for confidentiality.

He said, "What I heard was that Honda would work with dealers so that we're not stepping on each other's toes."

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

http://www.autonews.com/article/20140414/OEM03/304149945/with-the-new-honda-fit-engineering-solutions-once-again-take-priority

With the new Honda Fit, engineering solutions once again take priority


Makoto Konishi: “Sometimes added cost is necessary. To spend the money to beat the competition, it's worth it.”

SAN DIEGO -- If there is any question about whether smart engineering is on its way back at Honda Motor Co., one need look no further than the second-row "magic" seats of the 2015 Honda Fit.

In an impressive display of packaging, not only does the second row give plenty of legroom and headroom for a 6-foot-tall person to sit -- unheard of in a subcompact car -- but the seats fold down seamlessly to the level of the hatchback's cargo area.

Sure, the seats cost more -- Honda declined to say how much -- to engineer and build than conventional seats. But a conventional seat -- as seen in the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent -- has nowhere near the same occupant space and does not fold flat with the cargo area. To Honda's engineers, the seats are worth every penny.

"It depends on how you think about it," said Makoto Konishi, the Fit's chief engineer or "large project leader" in Honda parlance. "Sometimes added cost is necessary. To spend the money to beat the competition, it's worth it."

That level of confidence from a chief engineer has been sadly lacking from Honda for more than a decade, as purchasing-, finance- and regulations-obsessed executives ran roughshod over Honda's engineering culture.

But after a series of product-launch miscues and meltdowns -- starting with the 2001 Civic and culminating with the 2012 Civic -- Honda had its moment of clarity: The automaker that once was willing to spend a couple of extra bucks to deliver smart engineering needed to return to its roots. Cost-down and fuel economy solutions still would be important, but no longer paramount.

With the 2015 Fit, engineering detail after detail is done the way of company founder Soichiro Honda: elegant solutions based on customer-first decisions. Sometimes, it's visible, with better packaging taking priority over aerodynamics. Sometimes, it's felt in the driver's butt, such as the subtle change in the design of the torsion-beam rear suspension that makes the Fit's handling more responsive.

"If you go cheap, and it doesn't sell, you don't win. If it's going to cost $50 more, and you don't do it, you don't win," Konishi said. "We are trying to give birth to things that are different from the competition."

That this is happening with Honda's $17,000 entry-level car can only spark the imagination for when Honda cascades those improvements up through the model line.

If the 2015 Fit is any indication, Honda has its mojo back.

In its glory days of the 1980s and '90s, Honda's main mission was to engineer a better car that flattered the driver, even if it was slightly more expensive.

But after Japan's economic bubble burst in 1991, bean counters began playing a larger role in Honda's strategic and product planning. The culture of dynamic driving and smart packaging took a back seat to meeting cost and corporate average fuel economy and safety standards.

For Honda watchers, the turning point came when Honda ripped out the supple, double-wishbone front suspension in the 2001 Civic and replaced it with a cruder, cheaper MacPherson strut setup. Honda's rationale was that it improved the engine bay layout -- and it cost hundreds of dollars less per unit. But Honda purists were outraged.

Still, within Honda, the band played on, as management continued to believe that consumers still worshipped Honda vehicles. Riding the red-hot car industry, the Honda brand rolled to 11 straight years of record U.S. sales, through 2007. It collected scads of J.D. Power and Associates quality and APEAL -- for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout -- awards.

But after a string of poorly envisioned products (see chart, Page 3),Honda stopped winning APEAL awards. Although Honda still was near the top in Power's quality rankings, its product execution was turning it into a commodity-car brand, with rising incentives to show for it.

As engineering took second priority, the nadir came with the 2012 Civic, which was savagely de-contented in anticipation of the recession crimping consumers' spending habits. The interior was subpar, with inferior materials and fabrics. Noise, vibration and harshness were punishing and un-Honda-like. Consumer Reports removed the Civic from its "recommended" list for the first time in memory, calling it "cheap" and "insubstantial." Although Honda sold a ton of Civics, it paid a fortune in incentives to move the metal.

This was the inflection point for Honda, and crisis thinking took over. CEO Takanobu Ito took the blame for the lousy Civic, but he also put heat on his engineers to make it better -- fast. The underlying message to chief engineers for subsequent products: engineering and quality over cost.

With a quick turnaround of a nearly clean-sheet, no-holds-barred redesign of the Civic for the 2013 model year, Honda rescued one of its most important vehicles. It also started applying the Civic's lessons to the development of the CR-V and Accord. Although both products were well down the development path in r&d terms, both showed measured improvements over their predecessors, especially the Accord.

The first vehicle that would benefit fully from the new thinking would be the Fit.

"The Fit reflected on our experience with the Civic," Konishi said. "How much would we be willing to do to save cost or improve fuel economy? Would we be willing to make the car smaller to get better fuel economy?"
One decision, together

Even from Day 1 of r&d, Honda engineered the Fit differently.

"In the past, for a global car, we would design it for Japan first, then ask, 'Is it OK?' to the U.S. or Brazil," Konishi said.

Problems from any regional market meant patchwork solutions.

This time, when engineers took the concept to Ito, he collected all the regional leaders and said, "'Let's decide this once, globally,'" Konishi added.

Instead of letting the purchasing or finance departments have decision-making power over engineering development, Honda let its engineers be creative, then told the purchasing department to make it work somehow -- just like in the old days.

"If we did everything we wanted, that meant the cost would go up, so the purchasing department had to work very hard," Konishi said.

The mission was to create a global car that could be manufactured anywhere in the world with a maximum of locally sourced parts. By getting early input from all the regional r&d centers, Honda was able to cut costs by up to 20 percent and channel those savings back into better content.

To improve the Fit platform's purchasing leverage with suppliers, Honda also performed the r&d work simultaneously on the Fit, the Fit-based crossover coming later this year and the City sedan that was launched in emerging markets in January.

Such a move was risky. Communication among the variants' engineering teams was crucial so that all decisions were in alignment. Purchasing executives, sales managers and manufacturing engineers also were brought on board much earlier. It didn't help that Honda was simultaneously opening a plant in Celaya, Mexico, to build the Fit. It also meant some hard choices, such as deciding not to sell hybrid and sedan variants in the United States.

"Of course, there were business decisions to be made," said Rick Schostek, Honda North America executive vice president of strategy, governance and support. "But when the engineers had their ideas, we knew that going with the lowest cost might not be the best way."

"If you go cheap, and it doesn't sell, you don't win. If it's going to cost $50 more, and you don't do it, you don't win. We are trying to give birth to things that are different from the competition." - Makoto Konishi, Honda

Standing their ground

In looking at the second-row seats, packaging was paramount.

"During the course of a five-year product cycle, at some point, our various features will be overtaken by others," Konishi said. "So the packaging had to be smart enough to last through the life cycle."

To make room for the seats to fold flat, the fuel tank's profile was squished flatter, even though capacity didn't change.

"With the Insight, we wanted good fuel economy and really good aerodynamics, even if it meant a bad second row and cargo area," Konishi said. "For the new Fit, we put the packaging in place first, then did the aero. The functional requirement came first."

In other words, if having an impressive second row meant sacrificing a few tenths of a mile per gallon in fuel economy, so be it. If Honda needed better fuel economy, the improvement had to come from the engine and transmission.

Honda made the engine better through direct injection -- arriving rather late to this technology party, to be sure -- mated to Honda's legendary VTEC variable valve timing system. Engineers lightened the crankshaft by 27 percent by narrowing the crankshaft journals -- which connect the crankshaft to the engine's connecting rods -- and used four counterweights instead of eight. Although the engine's horsepower jumped by 11 percent to 130 hp, with the new continuously variable transmission, fuel economy improved by 16 percent to a best-in-class 33 mpg city/41 highway.

There were other notable developments on which the r&d team refused to budge. Interior fabrics, materials and standard content are excellent for a budget car. And far less road howl and wind noise enter the cabin.

As for ride and handling, subcompact cars typically are saddled with an antiquated, cheap chassis to keep costs low. All have a variation on the torsion-beam rear suspension that has been in use since Conestoga wagons roamed the prairie. While stuck with using a torsion beam, Honda strengthened it by crimping the underside so that its shape is less like an "O" and more like an inverted "U."

A steel industry study shows this torsion-beam method is more expensive to create. But because the new design requires fewer patches and metal inert gas welds, it's less brittle and has better torsional rigidity, Konishi said. In a daylong comparison road test, the handling of the new Fit was more supple and responsive -- yet another way Honda flatters the driver of an inexpensive car.

"This car represents our values," Schostek said. "It's what a true Honda is to us."


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

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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #26 : Aprilie 15, 2014, 10:41:45 a.m. »
http://auto.ndtv.com/news/honda-mobilio-launching-in-a-few-months-from-now-385478

Honda Mobilio 'launching in a few months from now'

Honda Cars India seems to have started the pre-launch preparation for the Mobilio, which will be the company's next offering in India . The company has featured the upcoming car on its official Indian website, claiming it to be 'Launching in a few months from now'.

Claimed to be Honda's 'stylish MPV', the all new Mobilio will be pitted against Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Nissan Evalia, Chevrolet Enjoy and others in the same segment. And like we mentioned in our previous story on Honda Mobilio, the top-end variant of the MPV might also rival Toyota Innova. Built on the Honda Brio platform, the Mobilio will be 4.4 metre in length, which will make it bigger in size than the Ertiga.

Powering this seven-seater MPV will be the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, which also does duty in the Amaze and new-gen Honda City. Delivering an extra-ordinary 26kmpl of mileage, the Mobilio MPV will be the most fuel efficient car in its league. The petrol model of the Mobilio will feature Honda City's 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, and return 18kmpl.

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

http://cars.chicagotribune.com/fuel-efficient/news/chi-2015-honda-fit-improves-on-fuel-economy

2015 Honda Fit improves on space and fuel economy

If you're shopping for a fuel-efficient space-saving car, make sure to fit the redesigned 2015 Honda Fit onto your list. Even the outgoing car deserved that distinction; it thumped six newer competitors in a seven-car subcompact comparison back in 2012 (click here to read it).

It's not the quietest, quickest or most refined car in its class, but it plays a respectable hand in most areas — all while combining impressive fuel and space efficiency.

Honda skipped the 2014 model year for the Fit. Trim levels for the 2015 include LX and EX, which can have manual or automatic transmissions, and the automatic-only EX-L. I drove a range of EX and EX-L cars.
Exterior lines

The bug-eyed styling that's characterized two generations of the Fit hatchback has finally buzzed away. The Fit's creased expression draws comparisons to the Civic, which has rocked squinting headlights since the middle of the past decade. The Fit's shielded black grille is distinctive, though some may think it looks too much like the faux-grille areas on many electric vehicles, including the Fit EV, which is based on the outgoing model. Body-colored mirrors and 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers are standard; the EX and EX-L add 16-inch alloys, fog lights and a bit more chrome trim.

Curb weight remains roughly the same as the outgoing Fit, which was roughly the same height and width. Length is down 1.6 inches.
Let it ride

While the last Fit jumped off the line when you hit the accelerator, sustained acceleration revealed limited power beyond its initial pep. The 2015 redesign has more in reserve. Passing and merging maneuvers have surprising oomph, the sort you'd get from the larger four-cylinders in a Chevrolet Sonic or any member of the larger, compact class. Such is the result of Honda's Earth Dreams initiative, which bestowed the Fit's 1.5-liter four-cylinder with direct injection to make 130 horsepower, up from 117. More important, torque — that seat-of-the-pants feeling when a car pushes you ahead — is up 8 pounds-feet to 114.

Most trims have a new continuously variable automatic transmission, standard. It behaves well, kicking down as quickly as the previous Fit's five-speed automatic. It revs linearly, with little of the telltale CVT rubber-band feeling of disconnection between your right foot and the transmission. An Econ mode introduces a hint of accelerator lag from a start, plus a slower transition to higher revs. Below Drive, a sportier S mode defaults you to higher revs. (You can also throw the Fit into S mode and Econ mode at the same time. I did. S mode takes over. The universe did not explode.)

LX and EX cars offer a six-speed manual transmission, which replaces last year's five-speed stick. It's a delight, with short, direct throws and close gearing. Engineers say 6th gear is no taller than last year's 5th; indeed, all the gears feel close-ratio, and the Fit hovers near 4,000 rpm in 6th gear at 80 mph.

Fuel economy Fit

Honda clearly favored driving fun over efficiency, as demonstrated by the manual Fit's EPA mileage: It's improved, but still only so-so, at 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined. Mileage with the CVT ranges from 32/38/35 mpg in the EX and EX-L to 33/41/36 mpg in the efficiency-optimized LX, which adds aerodynamic underbody covering and deletes some weight in the form of insulation and the moonroof. Both trims compare well to automatic 2014 versions of the Nissan Versa Note (35 mpg in EPA combined mileage), Ford Fiesta (32 mpg), Hyundai Accent (31 mpg) and Toyota Yaris (32 mpg). Across the board, mileage also beats the prior Fit, whose EPA combined mileage ranged from 29 to 31 mpg. I haven't driven an LX, so it's unclear how that car's deleted insulation might affect noise. The EX and EX-L already exhibit plenty of wind and ambient noise, though. It's the Fit's biggest downside, and those who want a quieter subcompact should consider the Sonic or Ford Fiesta.

Thanks to a reworked suspension and 1.2 inches' extra wheelbase, the Fit's ride quality has caught up with the competition: It still rides on the firm side, but it dispatches manhole covers and other bumps with Fiesta- or Sonic-like richness. Both Detroit competitors ride better still, but the Fit has closed the gap versus its sometimes-choppy predecessor. The same goes for steering, which displays good highway composure especially compared to the previous Fit, which occasionally wandered in crosswinds.

Wheel choices range from 15 to 16 inches, but a sport-tuned suspension is no longer available. Honda says the redesigned torsion-beam rear suspension — a budget setup common among subcompacts — has enough rigidity to get by without a stabilizer bar, which the prior Fit Sport had, and the Fit corners well enough. Some body roll accompanies hard maneuvers, but the car's light, direct steering should satisfy casual driving enthusiasts.
Interior

Modern shapes and an airy layout characterize this redesign, whose dashboard sacrifices a few of the previous Fit's storage nooks for a more grown-up look. The front seats are more supportive than their flat backsides would suggest, and EX-L models have a moonroof and heated leather seats — firsts for the U.S. Fit. I'm 6 feet tall and needed the seat just one click ahead of all the way back. Taller drivers may wish the seat went farther back.

It's also strange that Honda invested in padding for the dashboard and door inserts — both areas that few people touch — but left hard, cheap textures on the armrests and upper doors, where your elbows usually end up. The Fiesta and Yaris both cushion the armrests, and even the last Fit had a shred of padding down there.

The previous Fit already had adequate backseat space, and thanks to a reworked fuel tank and rear suspension, Honda says it added 4.8 inches of rear legroom — a massive figure, as legroom goes. It's not quite the win-win that it sounds, though; while knee clearance remains generous and the seat sits a bit higher off the floor, which improves thigh support, you pay for it in headroom, which loses about 1.5 inches. It used to be excellent; now it's merely OK.
Economies of space

Honda says overall passenger volume has increased 4.9 cubic feet. Some of that may have come from the cargo area, which falls from 20.6 cubic feet — a figure that once led the Sonic, Fiesta and Versa Note, in some cases handily — to a more so-so 16.6 cubic feet.

Honda's Magic Seat carries on, and it's one of the Fit's niftier tricks. The 60/40-split seat's bottom cushions fold up and lock in place to expose more than 4 feet of vertical storage space in the second row; a low floor hump maximizes storage potential. The seats still fold flat into the floor for 52.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo room. That's down from last year's SUVlike 57.3 cubic feet, but it still leads the group. The Fiesta has less than half that much room.
Car tech

Fit LX models have a 5-inch display (not a touch-screen) with physical knobs and buttons, including radio presets. The four-speaker stereo has USB/iPod compatibility, Bluetooth phone/audio streaming and steering-wheel audio controls — generous features for a base trim in this class.

EX and EX-L models get six speakers, more stereo wattage and a second USB port. They also get a 7-inch touch-screen with 480-by-700 pixel resolution, HDMI inputs for video (when parked) and audio playback and Siri Eyes Free iPhone integration (click here to learn more). Similar to the system in the 2014 Civic, the touch-screen ditches the mechanical tuning and volume knobs for aggravating touch-sensitive capacitive buttons alongside the display.

Still, the system's capabilities are impressive. It facilitates HondaLink, which can play Pandora and Aha Internet radio off your smartphone (newer iPhones at launch; Android compatibility by late 2014). It can also read your Facebook wall or Twitter feed, and $60 adds a navigation app complete with pinch-and-swipe capabilities. Switching between apps generally requires going back to a root menu and waiting a few seconds for HondaLink to reboot, however. The navigation app is also slower than the optional factory navigation on EX-L models, which pinches and swipes at near-smartphone speed and packs navigation-specific voice recognition, plus HD and satellite radio. Is that worth the extra $1,000? You decide.
Safety

As of this writing, the Fit has yet to be crash-tested. Standard features include a stability system and side curtain airbags, which are now teamed with a rollover sensor to deploy if the Fit goes wheels-up. Forward collision and lane departure warning systems aren't available, but those are rare among subcompacts. A conventional blind spot warning system is also unavailable, but EX and EX-L models get Honda's LaneWatch blind spot camera system. Check out the photo for more information.
Fits a budget

The Fit LX starts around $16,300, including destination. That's hundreds more than many other entry-level hatchbacks, but standard features include power windows and locks, keyless entry, cruise control, manual air conditioning, a backup camera and Bluetooth phone/audio. Add $800 for the CVT, and the Fit nears Versa Note territory as the value choice for shoppers who want all the basic conveniences. Most competitors with similar features cost more — in some cases, a lot more. On the other end, a loaded Fit EX-L tops out around $21,500. That's with factory navigation, a moonroof, 16-inch alloy wheels, heated leather seats and a keyless access system — short of automatic climate control, the full palette of options in today's subcompacts.

Automakers have spent the better part of a decade trying to crack the code on desirability in this class, and the results have paid dividends in driving refinement, cabin quality, safety features and must-have technology. By and large, today's subcompact is a decent car, and the redesigned Fit is proof. Honda claims supply constraints were the biggest obstacle to the last Fit's popularity. Now built in Mexico, its successor should be in ready supply. I expect Honda will need to crank them out.

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

http://www.dailybreeze.com/environment-and-nature/20140414/toyota-honda-and-hyundai-investing-big-in-hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered-cars

Toyota, Honda and Hyundai investing big in hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars

California will be a major proving ground for hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars in the next several years, representatives from five auto manufacturers, including Toyota and Honda, said Monday at a panel discussion in Torrance.

The push for the new cars is connected to California regulations that require carmakers, by 2025, to make sure that 15 percent of all cars they sell are zero-emissions vehicles.

One of the earliest market hydrogen-powered entrants will be the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, which will be available for lease at some Southern California dealers later this spring. It can be leased for $499 a month for 36 months with $2,999 down. Toyota and Honda both plan to release similar cars next year.

But there are short-term drawbacks. At first, the cars will be more expensive than similar gas-powered models. And there are currently only nine hydrogen fueling stations in California, with another 19 now being designed or built. More are being planned.

But Stephen Ellis, Honda’s manager for fuel cell vehicle marketing, said California consumers, who have embraced the hybrid car, may react similarly to the new technology.

“What we have is this group of people already ... saying, ‘What’s next?’ and ‘How can I move beyond a hybrid?’ ” he said

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



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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #27 : Aprilie 22, 2014, 10:16:32 a.m. »
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/25271976/2014/04/17/honda-launches-less-graphic-anti-texting-video

Honda launches animated anti-texting video

Texting while driving makes you three times more likely to get into a car crash than those who don't, according to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Despite the risks, four out of five college students have reportedly done it anyway.

In order to bring the more awareness to not texting and driving, Honda created a new public service announcement that's different than many of the ones you've probably seen.

Rather than guts and gore, Honda pulls at your heartstrings in a different way.

Honda is just another company that's trying to show drivers how texting conversations can turn into disastrous situations.

Watch the video above or here for mobile users: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WJThbomts0

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

http://www.freep.com/article/20140418/BUSINESS0104/304180111/1002/business

Honda's high hopes for 2015 Fit

The 2015 Honda Fit's higher-tech cockpit has a new 7-inch display audio touch screen, paddle shifters and storage space for a phone or tablet that can be plugged into the audio system. / Honda

Honda has big plans for the little Fit that has been redesigned for the 2015 model year.

“We remade the Fit from top to bottom,” said Hiroaki Hamaya, a product planner who worked on the third generation of the subcompact car that is priced at about $17,000.

The new model went on sale Monday and Honda expects to sell 70,000 a year in the U.S., up from 53,500 last year.

Honda started building the subcompact for the first time in North America last month at a new plant in Celaya, Mexico, which should ensure a steady supply, said Jeff Conrad, Honda division general manager. The new plant will also make a new “urban utility vehicle” and Honda can adjust the mix of the two to meet demand. Celaya is Honda’s eighth assembly plant in North America, bringing capacity to 1.92 million vehicles a year.

Introduced to the U.S. market in 2006 when subcompacts were deemed too small to interest American consumers, the Fit now has more competition. The segment has grown as automakers try to attract first-time car buyers, hoping to retain them as they buy larger and more expensive vehicles.

About three of every five Fits are sold to customers who have not owned a Honda before. Of those, about 55% eventually buy another Honda, Hamaya said.

The subcompact segment is forecast to grow 3.6% this year, according to Honda’s research.

The new Fit is designed to meet disparate needs around the world, said engineer Yoshinori Nakamura. In Asia, it is a family car for the wealthy and in the U.S. it is a car for millennials, or those born after 1980.

“The next generation needed to satisfy them all,” Nakamura said.

For 2015, Fit will offer a new engine and transmission to boost both performance and fuel efficiency.

The 1.5-liter direct fuel injection four-cylinder engine is part of what Honda calls its Earth Dreams engine family, delivering 130 horsepower, an 11% improvement from its predecessor, and 114 pound-feet of torque.

The fuel-economy rating is 29 m.p.g. in city driving and 37 on the highway for a combined 32 with the six-speed manual transmission. With the new continuously variable automatic transmission, the car gets a combined rating of 35 to 36 m.p.g., depending on the trim level.

The new suspension is stiffer, and the steering improved. By using lightweight steel, engineers lopped 44 pounds off the car’s weight. Other new features include hill assist and an expanded side mirror that reflects an image on the car’s touch screen when the turn signal is activated to see whether there is a car in the blind spot.

The Fit’s secret sauce has always been its packaging. The 2015 small hatchback adds 4.9 cubic feet of interior room and an additional 4.8 inches of rear legroom with a longer wheelbase even though the car is 1.6 inches shorter, said Carl Pulley of the Honda Technical Center. The seating folds into four separate modes to handle four passengers or accommodate a tall plant or long surfboard.

The higher-tech cockpit has a new 7-inch display audio touch screen, paddle shifters and storage space for a phone or tablet that can be plugged into the audio system.

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

http://www.examiner.com/article/what-vehicles-are-most-likely-to-be-stolen?cid=rss

What vehicles are most likely to be stolen?



For many years, vehicles from the 1990s were some of the most popular choices for thieves. These cars were easy for groups of thieves to “chop up”, that is, sell them for parts that when sold separately could be worth more than the car itself. But in the past few years, there has been in an increase in thefts of newer cars.

In years past, there have been a lot of thefts of Honda Civics and Accords. These cars were some of the most popular cars on the road, and their parts were very valuable on the black market. In addition, these stolen cars were easy to steal, making them good targets for thieves.

Lately, however, criminals are choosing later model vehicles in addition to these standards. While the most stolen cars in 2011 include the 1994 Honda Accord, the 1998 Civic, and the 1991 Toyota Camry, the 2006 Ford pickup is the third most stolen car. The top ten most stolen vehicles according to the NICB are listed here:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1998 Honda Civic
3. 2006 Ford pickup (full size)
4. 1991 Toyota Camry
5. 2000 Dodge Caravan
6. 1994 Acura Integra
7. 1999 Chevrolet pickup (full size)
8. 2004 Dodge pickup (full size)
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 1994 Nissan Sentra

This list seems to point towards a trend of later model vehicles getting stolen more often. For many years, older model vehicles were avoided by thieves because new technology was making them harder to steal. In recent years, however, criminals are learning to defeat this new technology. Most of the new security systems are based on keeping the engine of a car from starting if the right key is not used. To defeat these systems, car thieves have to obtain the right key codes for each specific vehicle, then use these codes to make replacement keys. Since most mid-range models only issue a set number of key codes, it is easier to steal a lot of cars of the same type instead of a variety of makes and models.

If your car is on this list, take some basic steps to protect yourself. Always lock your car doors (the majority of car thefts are still crimes of opportunity), and consider installing a car alarm.

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



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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #28 : Mai 01, 2014, 11:18:36 a.m. »
http://savannahnow.com/exchange/2014-04-30/honda-import-mexican-made-cars-through-georgia-port

Honda to import Mexican-made cars through Georgia port

The Georgia Ports Authority has won new import business from Honda.

The 2015 Honda Fit, built at the carmaker’s new plant in Celaya, Mexico, is moving into the U.S. through the Port of Brunswick.

“Highlighting the truly global nature of auto manufacturing, a Japanese company building cars in Mexico has chosen Georgia’s deepwater ports as a vital gateway to the U.S.,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “These shipments will serve dealers in major markets across the Southeast.”

While Honda has been exporting U.S.-made vehicles through Brunswick, this is the first time Honda imports will move through a Georgia port. Honda will also deliver the 2015 Fit to East Coast markets through Davisville, R.I., and Baltimore, Md.

Dennis Manns, American Honda’s assistant vice president for sales and logistics planning, said the company is the first automotive manufacturer that has created a multi-faceted approach of distribution from Mexico to the U.S., including both rail and short sea.

“The use of short sea provides Honda with an alternative to ensure a high quality and consistent level of service to our dealers,” Manns said.

The Honda de Mexico team and American Honda have been collaborating closely to ensure a smooth launch and service to U.S. markets, he said.

GPA Board Chairman Robert Jepson welcomed the new import business from Honda.

“The Port of Brunswick is strategically located to best serve the Southeast,” Jepson said. “And because we have another 900 acres permitted for expansion, we can easily accommodate new business in the roll-on/roll-off market without congestion worries.”

The import Hondas will reach Brunswick via Mitsui O.S.K. Bulk Shipping. International Auto Processing will handle the cars upon arrival.

Robert Miller, the firm’s president and CEO, said because Honda accessorizes its vehicles for each of its markets at the manufacturing plant, IAP’s main responsibility will be speeding the shipments along.

“We will be using around 10 acres for these vehicles. The impact on employment has yet to be determined, but we’re thinking an additional 10 to 15 workers will be needed,” Miller said.

===========

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2014/04/30/109482-refreshed-civic-hatchback-sale-now-from-just-209-per-month.html

Refreshed UK Built Honda Civic Hatchback On Sale Now

April 30, 2014: Honda (UK) continues to help customers keep costs down and manage their budgets this spring, with low monthly payments, 0 per cent APR and an optional fixed-price FIVE year care package on the British built Civic hatchback which has benefited from a series of updates for 2014.

Customers can drive away a 2014 Civic 1.4 i-VTEC S for just £209 per month, or the super-frugal Civic 1.6 i-DTEC S for just £239 per month. These monthly costs include Honda (UK)’s very popular fixed-price comprehensive care package, ‘FIVE’*. Also available as a one-off £500 payment across the Civic range, this package offers potential savings of up to £1,345, leaving customers safe in the knowledge that their major motoring costs - servicing, warranty and roadside assistance – are all covered for the next five years. The ‘Five’ care package is already proving a bit hit since it was introduced at the beginning of 2014 with over 90 per cent of new Honda customers taking up the offer.

The refreshed version of the popular British-built Civic hatchback benefits from several modifications to enhance handling; a fresh look inside and out and a new suite of advanced safety technologies.

Overall it feels more agile and responsive, thanks to the re-tuned front and rear dampers for enhanced body control; while the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) has been re-tuned to improve high speed stability and the rear suspension has been re-aligned to further improve handling. The updates to the Civic build on its many strengths, which when packaged together with the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine, offers an impressive balance between fuel economy (78.5 mpg) and performance (120 PS and 300 Nm), with CO2 emissions of just 94 g/km.

The 2014 Civic also features several exterior and interior enhancements to give a more distinctive and sports inspired look and feel. Changes to the exterior styling focus on the rear of the car, with the introduction of privacy glass to the rear window. Smoke coloured rear combination lights have also been introduced, along with a new license plate, tailgate, and lower bumper finish, all in piano black. It now features a new front bumper finish also in piano black, darker wheel arch finishes and new 17” Aluminium wheels finished in silver and black. Additionally, subtle cosmetic changes to the interior further emphasise the quality feel of the Civic.

Leon Brannan, Head of Cars at Honda (UK) commented: “The Civic is an important model for Honda, and as such we are constantly looking at how we can further enhance its ‘Sporting and Advanced’ characteristics. With the much anticipated new Civic Type R on the horizon these changes very much point to the direction that we continue to take with the Civic range. We’re confident that such low monthly payments coupled with low and manageable running costs will add even further to the appeal of the Civic.”

The 2014 Civic also offers as an option a comprehensive range of new advanced safety systems known as ‘Driver Assistance Safety Pack’ which was introduced recently on the new Civic Tourer. These two new suites of sensor based active and passive safety systems use a combination of cameras and radar technologies to give the driver and passengers, complete peace of mind in all driving conditions.

The 2014 Civic is available in three engines – 1.4 and 1.8 i-VTEC petrol and the fuel efficient 1.6 i-DTEC diesel – and four generously equipped trims levels with on the road prices starting at £16,995 for the entry level 1.4 i-VTEC S.

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

http://www.gurufocus.com/news/257241/honda-motor-is-accelerating-ahead-nicely


Honda Motor Is Accelerating Ahead Nicely



Honda Motor (HMC) released outstanding results the last time, exceeding the company’s expectations. The strong results revealed a doubling of the profit. Honda managed to post such strong profits as a result of weakness in the yen. However, Honda saw poor sales in Thailand, which resulted in weaker than expected sales. However, the company performed well, but on the other hand the analysts’ were expecting better performance from Honda which it missed.

Trying to perform

In a highly competitive market, Honda faces stiff competition from automaker Toyota (TM). Honda, with its strategies, is focusing on improving its market share in the U.S. It is likely to face stiff competition from Ford (F) and General Motors (GM).

Honda managed to see a two-fold increase in the earnings mainly due to currency fluctuations. Besides the weakness of the Yen, increased sales and reduction in costs also helped Honda to see strong profits. Honda is dealing in four sectors worldwide, namely automobile, motorcycles power products, and financial services. Out of the three, the automobile segment is the primary contributor to Honda’s revenue and performed remarkably well in the previous quarter.

As a result of liberal economic policies, Honda is enjoying benefits which can be seen by its outstanding results. The economic policies helped weakening of the Yen by 18% as against the dollar in 2013. This helped Honda to increase its earnings.

The threats

Moving forward, Honda is facing neck to neck competition with world’s largest auto maker Toyota. Toyota, on the other hand, is reaping handsome earnings and is also well positioned for competition. Toyota is also focusing on various aspects to improve its product line to gain market share across the world. It is loaded with many new products and is launching 30 new vehicles this year in South Africa. On the other hand, in Philippines, with its new launch of the Wigo, it is working on cutting the price of its vehicles to gain higher acceptance.

However, Honda can be benefited by Toyota’s reputation supported by the fact that the company has been a serial re-caller of vehicles. The company recalled around 295,000 Lexus and Toyota brand vehicles across the globe earlier this year, with the majority being in the United States. It had also recalled 1.9 million of the third-generation Prius cars sold worldwide due to a software problem.

Other markets

Moving to India, where the consumers prefer diesel vehicles as a result of high petrol prices, Honda had seen weakness due to the absence of a diesel motor. But with the launch of the Amaze, it has started to turn customers towards the brands. In addition, the Honda City sedan is in great position to benefit in the Indian market.

Honda has great expectations from the emerging markets and is expecting to sell 6 million cars by 2017. China, being one of the largest markets with immense potential, has proved a key region for the company’s success. After the solution of the territorial dispute with Japan, Honda’s sales doubled in the third quarter in China. For the future, Honda is expecting a 10% growth in the coming days. Also, it is planning to increase its sales by 19% in 2014.

Moving on to North America, having launched a new small car, the Fit, Honda is expecting great sales in the future. With the Fit, Honda is promoting high fuel efficiency and hopes to grab market share from GM’s Chevrolet Sonic and Ford’s Fiesta. Also, with launches like Vezel and others, Honda is expected to grow in the U.S market.

Honda has stiff competition from Ford’s Fiesta as it is popular in the U.S due to its solid MPG figure and eco-friendly engine. Fiesta is the most fuel efficient non-diesel car and it might capture Honda’s market in Japan. So, Honda should be alert regarding its American rival moving forward

Conclusion

But, looking at the growth prospects and strong fundamentals, Honda's prospect look promising. It can become a good investment option as it launches more and more cars going forward.

=======

http://www.leftlanenews.com/obama-meets-hondas-asimo-receives-soccer-pass.html

Obama meets Honda's ASIMO, receives soccer pass

Though President Barack Obama usually rides around in an armored Cadillac, during a recent state visit to Japan he had an encounter with a Honda. Specifically, the POTUS met ASIMO at Tokyo's museum of science.

The Honda ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, is a bipedal robot with an array of functions that mimic human movement. The meeting took place as the Commander-in-Chief stopped by Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

During the man-machine mini-summit, Honda demonstrated some of ASIMO's key functions, including walking, running (defined as both feet leaving the ground simultaneously), and hopping on one foot. As part of the demonstration ASIMO kicked a ball to Obama, who skillfully stopped it with his foot, surely to go down in history as the world's first President-automaton soccer pass.

Obama described the robot as "a little scary," "too lifelike," and "amazing."

Introduced in 2000, Honda developed ASIMO to promote human-machine interaction. Potential uses for the robot include helping the handicapped or elderly with basic tasks. ASIMO can also communicate in American and Japanese sign language.

Honda has been working on robotics since the 1980s. Most Japanese automakers, including Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi, have similar programs in place. Watch the video of the presidential soccer block below.

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

http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-profits-up-despite-poor-sales-in-north-america.html

Honda profits up despite declining sales in North America

Honda has maintained revenue growth in its fiscal fourth quarter ending March 31, despite declining sales in the North American market.

Operating profit reached 165 billion yen (~$1.6 billion USD) for the recent quarter, a 21.5-percent increase compared to the same period in 2013. The company tallied 574 billion yen (~$5.6 billion USD) in net profit for the fiscal year overall, jumping by 56.4 percent.

Vehicle shipments were up by approximately 20 percent in the quarter, reaching 1.2 million. Growth was driven by increased demand for the Fit, Odyssey and Vezel in Japan, along with a gain in motorcycles sold in Asia.

Vehicle shipments to North American fell by nearly ten percent compared to the same quarter last year. The company suggests the cold wave is to blame, and the slide was not large enough to erase an overall sales gain in the region for the year.

The company expects its net income to maintain modest growth through the fiscal year ending in March 2015, though its 595 million yen (~$5.8 billion USD) profit forecast is approximately 14 percent below average analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Read more: http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-profits-up-despite-poor-sales-in-north-america.html#ixzz30S7UDx5Q

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

vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1188610

TOV Video: 2015 Acura TLX discussion with Chief Engineer Mat Hargett (Part 1)

2015 Acura TLX Chief Engineer Mat Hargett spoke with us on camera during the 2014 New York International Auto Show. In this first segment, we focused on the 2.4L 4-cylinder model. Stay tuned for our next installment, with more information on the 3.5L V6 model.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agFxgDNGVpk

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





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Re: Stiri despre alte modele HONDA
« Răspuns #29 : Mai 01, 2014, 10:30:17 p.m. »
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/28/honda-to-compete-in-seven-pikes-peak-classes-in-2014/

Honda to compete in seven Pike's Peak classes in 2014

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is one of the greatest events on the international motorsports calendar. Its Unlimited class harkens back to the old days of racing, when teams built vehicles to be the fastest with whatever they had. Honda is returning to the event for 2014 for its second year as a sponsor and participant, and it's bringing some cool machines of its own.

The company is fielding seven entrants this year, which is somewhat smaller than last year. In 2013, it brought 11 factory-supported vehicles in 10 classes, including an insane Honda Odyssey with a 532-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine. There's no need to be too disappointed by the shorter list, though. Former 24 Hours of Le Mans-winner Romain Dumas is back piloting a Honda-powered Norma chassis up the hill in the Unlimited class. Dumas attempted to race the car last year, but it broke down during his run. Other competitors include an NSX (pictured above), Fit B-Spec and an S3700, which is an S2000 with a 3.7-liter V6 engine.

In its role as sponsor, Honda says it has also worked with the sanctioning body to add an AirFence safety barrier along some corners for the motorcycle and ATV riders. This year's Pikes Peak is being held on Sunday, June 29. Scroll down to read the full details about Honda's team and start getting excited for this year's running.

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

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2014/04/23/local-manufacturers-make-list-of-those-taking-top.html

Local manufacturers make list of those taking top Honda honors

Six Dayton-area manufacturers are being hailed as among the top performing Honda suppliers.

Making that list of award winners — which the automaker recently unveiled at its annual North American Supplier Conference — is a big deal because Honda work tends to be lucrative. Being honored by Honda also is a sure-fire sign you’re in its good graces.

New auto parts supplier award winners from the Dayton region include:

    F&P America Mfg. Inc. in Troy;
    Green Tokai Co. in Brookville and;
    Industry Products Co. in Piqua.

Local Honda service parts suppliers that were recognized include:

    Metokote in Huber Heights;

    NK Parts Industries in Sidney; and
    Advics Manufacturing Ohio in Lebanon.

F&P America and Green Tokai also won performance awards as service parts suppliers.

Industry insiders say Honda is very particular about who it buys parts from, so the company’s performance awards are well respected.

“It’s a big deal just to be a Honda supplier, but if you win a supplier award (from Honda), that says a lot,” said Steve Staub, president of Dayton-based Staub Manufacturing Solutions and operator of madeindaytonblog.com.

Honda has more than 650 domestic new auto parts suppliers which ship to 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America.

===========

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114042574030/2014-honda-city-by-mugen-revealed

2014 Honda City by Mugen revealed



Honda has unveiled this week a Mugen-prepared 2014 City in the Philippines.

Towards the end of last year Honda introduced a Mugen version of the previous generation City and now they are doing the same thing with the current model. It will go on sale in the Philippines in the third quarter of 2014 with an array of cosmetic tweaks which will be followed later on by upgrades to the engine, suspension, brakes and interior.

This particular white example received different front & rear bumpers together with beefier side skirts and a black front grille. We also notice the Mugen decals and stripes as well as a faux carbon finish for the side mirrors, a lip rear spoiler along with bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Honda City Mugen is based on the range-topping VX version and comes with a 4-cylinder, 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine delivering 120 PS (88 kW) and 145 Nm (107 lb-ft) of torque to the front wheels via a standard five-speed manual or an optional CVT.
Source: autoindustriya.com

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

http://indianautosblog.com/2014/04/honda-mobilio-production-starts-128929

Report – Honda Mobilio pilot production kicks off in Greater Noida

Our friends at The Automotive India forum have images of a Honda Mobilio from the first batch of production at Honda’s Greater Noida facility. Honda had earlier announced that the Mobilio would launch in the July-September period, and the emergence of this spyshot is an indicator that the plan is on track.



Spied here is the ‘V’ variant, that identifies the penultimate variant on the Brio/Amaze/City. Cars from the pilot production are generally utilized for the pre-launch media drive and marketing activities.

The Mobilio was unveiled at the 2014 Auto Expo in Greater Noida in February. The Ertiga rival will be launched with a 1.5-liter i-DTEC engine that delivers over 25 kmpl and 100 PS of power on the Amaze and City that it already services. A top Honda official had also said that the variant lineup would be similar to other Honda cars: petrol manual, petrol AT and diesel manual.

The Mobilio had its global premiere at the Indonesian International Motor Show in September last year. The car has been developed with resources in Japan and Thailand, targeting the Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia, Chevrolet Spin and the Maruti Ertiga.

The Mobilio launched in Indonesia in three variants – S, E, and E-Prestige – with the top-end model getting features such as Aux and USB ports, double blower aircon, one touch tumble seat, Eco Meter, electric power steering, dual SRS airbags, ABS+EBD, and a Modulo accessory pack.

Read more: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/04/honda-mobilio-production-starts-128929#ixzz30T4uvd20
Follow us: @indianautos on Twitter | IndianAutosBlog on Facebook

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

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2014/04/23/honda-boosts-ohio-spending-to-9-7b-in-2013.html

Honda boosts Ohio spending to $9.7B in 2013

Honda Motor Co. continues to drive Ohio manufacturing on a mammoth scale, having spent $9.7 billion with nearly 160 parts suppliers in the Buckeye State last year.

The automaker was touting the figure on Wednesday — up $500 million from 2012 — as a new record.

That’s great news for the Dayton region, which is home to numerous companies that supply Honda either directly or indirectly.

Ohio is by far the top state when it comes to purchasing impact where Honda has manufacturing operations. And just to put that in perspective, the $9.7 billion spent in Ohio was more than $2 billion more than the next five states combined (Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina).

Honda, whose U.S. manufacturing operations are based in Marysville, operates the largest manufacturing facility in the Dayton region with its engine plant in Anna. The plant currently employs about 2,300 workers.

In total, Honda has purchased more than $300 billion in parts and materials from its more than 650 suppliers in North America during the 35 years since Honda began building products in the region.

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

http://jalopnik.com/i-bet-the-honda-concept-b-would-make-a-decent-integra-1565632262

I Bet The Honda Concept B Would Make A Decent Integra

It's no secret that Honda could use a serious injection of fun into their lineup these days. The CR-Z Hybrid wasn't the CRX revival we all expected, and while the current Civic Si is very good, it's not quite as rev-tacular as its forebears. Could this concept from the Beijing Motor Show make a decent Integra?

This is the Honda Concept B. It's a five-door hatchback, at the moment designed for the Chinese market only at the moment, that is aimed at the youth market. Honda intends to build it, and says they want to build a production version to market within two years.

And you know what? I actually think it looks pretty good. It's clean, aggressive, and has a nice overall profile. The big silver Acura-esque grille is a bit much, but the rest of it is sharp.

Here's what you need to do, Honda: add a stick shift and a high-revving four-cylinder engine or maybe a high-performance hybrid powerplant (think BMW i8 this time though, not CR-Z), throw in some leather seats, create a three-door variant in addition to the five-door hatch and voila: new Integra.

And call it the Integra, too, none of this alphabet soup nonsense. I will also accept RSX as an answer because I'm in a good mood today.

I know none of this will happen, but hey, I'm allowed to dream. You're welcome for the free advice, Honda. (Note: If this goes to production as I have suggested, I will send you a bill that includes my standard $25 million consultant's fee, plus expenses, of course.)

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