Inside Line: 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Long-Term Test

By Mark Takahashi, Associate Editor Published Feb 28, 2011

Our staff is growing up. We've got two new babies and a new hire with a 5-year-old, so it seems fitting that our long-term test fleet should add a little bulk. In the spirit of baby announcements, please join us in welcoming the 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring to our growing family. This rather large delivery took place on February 1, weighing in at 4,541 pounds and measuring 202.9 inches.

What We Got
There are five Honda Odyssey trim levels, with our Touring model ranking second only to the Touring Elite. Included with our Topaz Metallic minivan are 18-inch alloy wheels, dual power-sliding doors, a power liftgate, a sunroof, foglights, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, memory settings for the driver, retractable third-row sunshades — deep breath — a fold-down armrest for third-row passengers and both the navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems. Opting for the range-topping Touring Elite would've added xenon headlights, a blind-spot warning system, an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with a 16-inch HD widescreen video monitor (with HDMI input) and a premium 650-watt, 12-speaker surround-sound audio system.

Like all 2011 Odysseys, ours is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Touring and Touring Elite models get a six-speed automatic, while lower trims make do with a five-speed. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 city/28 highway mpg and 22 mpg in combined driving.

The 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring is priced at $41,535 with no notable options to kick that figure higher. That makes our latest addition the second most expensive minivan on the market — $2,495 less than the Odyssey Touring Elite. Fortunately, Honda provided the car to us for 12 months, so those children of Edmunds still have a college fund.

Why We Got It
The entire minivan segment has seen significant revisions or complete redesigns for the 2011 model year, and the new Honda Odyssey benefits from a roomier interior, better fuel economy and a longer list of features.

In our most recent minivan comparison test, the Odyssey (in midrange EX trim) tied for 2nd with the new Nissan Quest. The 1st-place Toyota Sienna SE is already in our long-term fleet. Before the Sienna, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan was the last minivan in our lot. While the new DGC is a vast improvement, it still finished last in the comparison test.

This latest long-termer addition is almost $10,000 more than the Odyssey EX from the comparison, with plenty of other bells and whistles to evaluate. Are these added features worth it? Do they function as advertised? These are questions that we hope to answer in the next year.
In our reviews, we list the Odyssey's agile handling, fuel economy, quiet cabin, configurable second-row seat and easy-to-fold third-row seat among its strengths. On the other end of the spectrum, we count the high sticker price and button-heavy dash among its drawbacks. We'll see how these hold up during the next 12 months and 20,000 miles.

Follow the long-term road test blog for updates about our 2011 Honda Odyssey.

Current Odometer: 1,373
Best Fuel Economy: 23.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 19.6 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 20.8 mpg
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.

Source;
http://www.insideline.com/honda/odyssey/2011/2011-honda-odyssey-touring-long-term-test.html

Honda's 'road to zero emissions'

Honda is very much looking to the future - and a clean one too. It will use the Geneva show to strut its environmental credentials

"Road to Zero Emissions" is the theme of Honda's stand at Geneva, where it will showcase its EV Concept electric vehicle and a platform for mid-sized plug-in hybrids.

The concepts - first unveiled at the LA Auto Show in November 2010 - aim to illustrate the current technology of hybrids, alongside the "near-future" technology of plug-in vehicles and the ultimate goal of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, such as the company's FCX Clarity.

Both the EV Concept and the plug-in hybrid platform are integral to the "Honda Electric Mobility Network", the company's approach to reducing CO2 emissions through innovative products, energy-management and energy-production technology.

Honda says its EV Concept hints strongly at the direction and styling for its forthcoming production battery electric vehicle, the Fit EV, which will be introduced in the US and Japan in 2012. The EV Concept is designed to meet the daily driving needs of town and city dwellers and has the same five-passenger layout as the Jazz. It will achieve an estimated 100-mile driving range per charge.

The plug-in hybrid platform showcases Honda's next-generation, two-motor hybrid technology set to debut in 2012. Integrated into a mid-size saloon, the plug-in hybrid is aimed at motorists who make short, frequent trips in all-electric mode, but also need long-distance capability.

Source;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motor-shows/geneva-motor-show/8328219/Hondas-road-to-zero-emissions.html

2012 Honda CRV Rendered Speculation pt2

This is another from Japan Car Design Corner, a really good site for Japanese car enthusists! Second time I have seen this pic, this would be something that I'd have to warm up to, the front end is not grabbing me. Anyway, they say style is subjective....

Source;
http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-honda-cr-v-coming-this-autumn.html

Scoop: Next Gen Honda/Acura NSX Rendering

This car has has so many renderings that I am starting to get dizzy just trying to keep up with what all the speculations are, - V8? 3.5v6? High performance 4cyl? Hybrid (please no)? 4WD? Boxter? and so on....

Click on the link to get even more speculations!
Source;
http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2011/02/latest-honda-nsx-successor-rendering.html

Next Gen Honda Odyssey for Japan

The Honda Odyssey is a smaller van in Japan, much in the same vein as the old 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey that was here in North America. This was taken from a MagX (Japanese auto mag) cover. Anyway, not coming here, but nice to see none the less.

Source;
http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2011/02/scoop-on-new-jdm-honda-odyssey.html

2012 Honda Civic Trim Levels and Colours available for Canada

2012 Honda Civic DX Sedan Manual Transmission (no Automatic)
-Base model, not expecting Air Conditioning (?).....
NH-578 - Taffeta White with Grey Interior
NH-700M - Alabaster Silver Metallic with Grey Interior
NH-731P - Crystal Black Pearl with Grey Interior
NH-737P - new Grey with Grey Interior
B-561P - new Blue with Grey Interior

2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan Manual and Automatic Transmissions
-Expect Air, Tilt, Cruise, XM, Bluetooth, etc....
Same colours as above only adding;
R-543P - new Red with Grey Interior
YR-578M - Urban Titanium Metallic with Grey Interior

2012 Honda Civic EX Sedan Manual and Automatic Transmissions
-Expect Moonroof, etc....
Same colours as above only changing;
YR-578M - Urban Titanium Metallic with new 'GG' (???) Interior

2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi Sedan Automatic Transmission (no Manual)
-Expect Leather, Navigation, Backup Camera?!?, etc....
Same colours as EX

2012 Honda Civic Si Sedan 6 Speed Manual Transmission (no Automatic)
-2.4Litre 200hp engine, performance version, etc....
NH-578 - Taffeta White with Black Interior
NH-731P - Crystal Black Pearl with Black Interior
NH737M - new Grey with Black Interior
B-561P - new Blue with Black Interior
YR-589P - new Orange with Black Interior

No pricing yet, and no official equipment list yet, except the fact that there is now a Civic with Navigation!

Source;
Honda Canada

Update on the 2012 Honda CRV

Well, I have confirmation that the next generation CRV is indeed pretty much ready to go, however won't be released until the fall this year. Your guess is as good as mine as to what this incarnation is going to look like, however I have been told that this won't be a dramatic departure from the current formula. It would sure be nice to see the 2.2l diesel engine make it's way here, but as far as I know that's not even on the table.

Honda has been doing a great job of keeping this one under wraps, I have found a few drawings out there as to what the vehicle may end up looking like (Crosstour front end?), and when I asked a Honda Canada rep (who had seen the 2012) about the Crosstour front end they just looked at me and said 'nope'. That doesn't mean much to me, due to the fact that this is the same person that said the spyshots of the 2012 Civic a few months back were inaccurate (bang on).

Anyway, when I find out more, I'll let you know!

Source;
Honda Canada

Vancouver Sun: CRV Review: A compact sport-ute evolution

First introduced in 1997, the Honda CR-V is nearing the end of what has been a successful third generation of this compact utility vehicle. It was the first utility vehicle produced by Honda and has been an unqualified hit both for this auto maker and with its owners . . . just ask one.

Outstanding in terms of its reliability and excellent resale value retention, the CR-V has evolved over the years and the 2011 edition has also embraced a more stylish cross-over design trend.

Yet, it still retains excellent interior functionality and off-the-beaten track driving capability.

Last year, CR-V received a mid-life cycle refit, receiving more power out of its one and only engine without compromising fuel economy. Its 2.4-litre four-cylinder powerplant employs variable intake valve timing and can now produce 180 horsepower. That’s an eight per cent increase in power, plus a four per cent improvement in fuel economy was also achieved.

Engineering tweaks used to achieve the power boost included a higher compression ratio, larger intake valves, lower-friction piston rings, and fuel injectors that deliver a finer spray. The engine’s maximum torque is unchanged at 161 lb.-ft, but it’s achieved at a slightly higher 4400 rpm.

All 2011 models come with a five-speed automatic transmission and drive is sent to the front wheels or all four, via Honda’s Real Time 4WD. It’s a system that doesn’t involve any driver decisions and defaults to front-drive for best fuel economy.

Built on a rigid unit-body structure, the CR-V has no noteworthy changes for the 2011 model year, unless you count some new paint colour choices. Buyers also get to choose from three models: the basic LX; mid-range EX; the top-line EX-L, which comes with leather-upholstery and there’s a navigation package option.

The Looks
The requisite two-box utility design configuration is almost unrecognizable in the 2011 CR-V. Long gone are the days when its spare wheel hung on the rear door. It sports a cleaner, more car-like design these days, with prominent fender flares that give it a solid and planted appearance on the road.

Tapered side windows add to the sporty fast-back look of CR-V and at the rear there are distinctive tall high-mounted taillights. The rear liftgate design is also unique in that this door spills over into bumper. The idea is that it provides a lower cargo entry way, which lines up with a perfectly flat cargo floor. That said, the liftgate does look like it`s more venerable to rear-ender damage.

The Inside: The big inside pull-handles on the doors, which look like engine connecting rods, fit-in with the decidedly practical personality of the CR-V’s interior. There`s no third-row seat to expand seating to seven or even eight people, like some competitors. Instead, the CR-V offers comfortable seating for five and lots of cargo room.

Head and leg room in the rear seat are generous; passengers can also slide their feet under the seat in front, and the split (60/40) seats have high backrests that recline. To increase cargo space the rear seatback first folds and then the entire seat tumbles forward against the back of the front seat.

Up front, there’s a second and smaller (upper) glove box with a multimedia USB connection inside. The transmission shift lever on a pedestal sticks out from the centre stack and there’s storage underneath. In fact, there are all kinds of storage nooks and pockets in the CR-V.
And my top-line EX-L trim came with a centre console between the front seats.

Safety
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in the US has introduced tougher crash test program with a more stringent new 5-Star Safety Rating system that’s no longer comparable to 1990–2010 vehicles.

The 2011 Honda CR-V received four-star ratings (out of five) in front, side rollover and overall ratings. That’s as good, if not better, than any other small compact utility vehicle that the NHTSA has tested to date.

An electronic stability system, called Vehicle Stability Assist, is standard on all CR-Vs. It’s also coupled with four-wheel disc brakes (vented in front and solid in the rear), ABS, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.

The Drive
It’s easy to understand why this size of utility vehicle has become so popular. It’s small enough to park with ease and use in an urban environment. The seat height makes it easier for many people to slide in or out and that extra height also gives occupants better all-around vision.

Driver vision in the CR-V is very good, the back window is large and the side mirrors are also an extra-large size. My test CR-V came with a backup camera, which comes with the optional navigation system package.

You sit tall in the driver’s seat in a more chair-like seating position, looking down at the instrument cluster, and a wide left-foot dead pedal is a welcome feature. In addition to the added comfort, it can be used to brace the left leg in an emergency braking situation.

Honda has, commendably and like some of its competitors, resisted chucking a V6 engine in to the CR-V to get more power. It’s a move that should pay off in the long run, if as predicted we are moving into a season of higher fuel costs.

A five-speed automatic transmission matches well with the four-cylinder engine. There`s an overdrive on/off button on the side of the shift lever that gives the driver limited control over shift functions, as manually down-shifting with the level is cumbersome.

The CR-V handled better than expected and is more stable while cornering than most in this class. The steering is on the light side, a little too much assist for my taste, but it is precise. Most impressive was low level of interior noise, even a highway speeds.

The Score
The Honda CR-V is a sturdy vehicle and a benchmark in the compact utility class . . . a “can’t go wrong” purchase.
The Specs
2011 Honda CR-V
Trim levels: LX, EX & EX-L
Sticker Price: $26,290 to $35,590
Power (SHO): 2.4-litre I4, 180-hp
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption (fwd):
9.8/7.1 L/100 km (city/highway)
Fuel consumption (awd):
10.1/7.5 L/100 km (city/highway)
Basic Warranty: 3 yrs / 60,000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 5 yrs / 100,000 km
Rust Warranty: 5 yrs / unlimited km

The competition
Ford Escape: $24,499 - $34,549
Hyundai Tucson: $22,995 - $34,449
Kia Sportage: $21,995 - $35,995
Mazda CX-7: $26,495 - $36,690
Nissan Rouge: $23,198 - $33,098
Toyota RAV4: $24,345 - $34,390
Source;
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/compact+sport+evolution/4328232/story.html#ixzz1EnXnlyqJ

Globe and Mail: Honda unveils 2012 Civic

New model will start rolling off the assembly line in April;

Just as the Honda Civic Coupe “concept” was making its Canadian premiere at the Canadian International Auto Show last week, the company released details and photos of the actual production coupe, sedan and hybrid versions, scheduled to arrive this spring in Canada.

The 2012 Civic is to start rolling off assembly lines in Alliston, Ont., and Greensburg, Indiana, in April, and it’s obvious that fuel economy will remain a calling card of this Civic, even in non-hybrid versions. Its base 1.8-litre engine will produce 140 hp, as well as fuel efficiency ratings of 7.2 litres/100 km city/5.0 highway, a 12 per cent improvement over the miserly current Civic four-door.

But Honda is also dropping a notably larger 2.4-litre engine into the Si versions of the Civic, both sedan and coupe (no hatchback yet, unfortunately). Top-end power is not much changed, at 200 hp versus 197, though the driver is most likely to feel the added torque, which is bumped up to a peak of 170 lb-ft versus the current model’s 139 lb-ft.

So the top-line performance Civic will not require as much redline-screaming for quick passing, although a new six-speed transmission for Si models may still encourage such shenanigans for fun. Even with the increased displacement and torque, fuel economy is said to be increased by 2 per cent.

For those enamoured with the rakish Ford Focus sedan or hatchback, or the similarly eye-catching Hyundai Elantra, the Civic is not going to come close to generating the style points of those two, or of the current-generation Mazda3. Redesigned for 2010, the Mazda3 was the vehicle that came closest to knocking the Civic off of its 13-year perch at the top of the Canadian car sales charts. In the long tradition of the Civic and Toyota Corolla, it's steady as she goes on the design front, lest some wayward curve offend any particular aesthetic sense anywhere in the world.

Granted, this is no major surprise, since the “concept” versions of the Civic coupe and sedans shown at the Detroit, Montreal and Toronto auto shows were clearly very near production models. Still, some may lament the loss of the concept’s striking centre-mounted exhaust, smoked grey wheels and LED fog lights didn’t make it to production.

During a visit to the Alliston plant last fall, Honda executives said the delay in rolling out a new Civic was because spiking fuel prices in 2008 convinced the company that the ’12 Civic had grown too heavy, and that it had to focus on fuel economy and stop the perpetual enlargements that have come with every new Civic generation. But other accounts say the delay was a result of a spending freeze prompted by the global financial crisis, while some reports say Honda execs saw what was coming down the pipe from other auto makers, Ford and Hyundai especially, and simply knew they had to do better.

No fuel economy estimates were released for the Civic hybrid sedan, but it will be powered by a 110 hp 1.5-litre four and a CVT, similar to the CR-Z, though with no manual option.

Source;

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/honda-unveils-2012-civic/article1916530/

Mazda May Exit From U.S. Factory Operated With Ford

By Makiko Kitamura and Yuki Hagiwara - Feb 18, 2011

Mazda Motor Corp. may pull out from a U.S. factory it operates jointly with Ford Motor Co. after production turned unprofitable, Chief Financial Officer Kiyoshi Ozaki said.

The company will announce plans for the factory in Flat Rock, Michigan, by middle of this year, Ozaki told reporters in Tokyo today. Mazda may also consider overhauling the plant or changing the models built there, he said without elaboration.

Mazda, Japan’s second-largest auto exporter, has been hurt by the yen’s sustained rise against the U.S. dollar in recent months. The Hiroshima-based company’s U.S. sales fell 9 percent in January, as increased incentives on Toyota Motor Corp.’s Corolla compact, and demand for Hyundai Motor Co.’s Elantra sapped demand for the Mazda3, Ozaki said.

A decision by Mazda to leave the plant shared with Ford since the 1980s “wouldn’t catch Ford off guard,” said Kim Hill, an economist with the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“Unlike several other Ford facilities, Flat Rock hasn’t had a major recent investment in flexibility,” Hill said. “If Mazda were to leave, Ford would probably want to look at putting something off its small-car platform in that facility.”

Marcey Evans, a Ford spokeswoman, declined to comment.

The Michigan plant needs to run at 70 percent of its full 240,000 annual capacity to make a profit, Ozaki said earlier today. Mazda aims to introduce a more fuel-efficient engine to spur demand and increase domestic production to improve economies of scale after slipping into a third-quarter loss.

Mazda will need to adjust U.S. inventory by 5,000 units through the end of March, he said.

Ford’s Stake
Mazda aims to increase domestic production 33 percent to 1.1 million units in the year ending in March 2016, compared with 827,910 units last fiscal year. The ratio of exports will also increase as demand for cars in Japan declines, he said.

Mazda’s Michigan plant produced about 54,000 units last year, Ozaki said.

Ford, the second-largest U.S. automaker, reduced its stake in Mazda to 3.5 percent from 11 percent last year, scaling back an alliance of more than 30 years. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker formed an automatic-transmission joint venture with Mazda in 1969 and acquired a 25 percent stake in the Japanese automaker in 1979.

The U.S. carmaker took effective control of the Japanese company in 1996, raising its stake to 33.4 percent. It reduced the stake to 13 percent in November 2008, and a share issue by Mazda in 2009 further shrank the holding to 11 percent.

New Powertrain
Mazda plans to introduce its new “Skyactiv” powertrain system across almost all models by 2015, starting with the domestic, U.S. and Australian markets this year. Earlier this month, the carmaker reported a third-quarter loss, citing the strength of the Japanese currency which reached a 15-year high in November.

The new Demio compact, the first model to use the system, will go on sale in Japan in the first half of 2011 and runs 30 kilometers per liter of gasoline under the Japanese testing system, Mazda said in October. The new car’s fuel-economy rating is the same as the hybrid version of Honda Motor Co.’s Fit and better than the current Demio’s 23 kilometers per liter.

Yen’s Impact
With exports making up 80 percent of Japan production in 2010, Mazda is more vulnerable to the yen’s impact than its domestic rivals. The strong yen against the dollar cut nine- month operating profit by 13.6 billion yen ($163 million), the company said this month.

Mazda posted a net loss of 2.7 billion yen for the three months ended Dec. 31. The company will still meet its full-year profit forecast of 6 billion yen as sales in Japan recover, Ozaki said.

While the strong yen erodes profitability of exports, Mazda needs to increase domestic output to boost economies of scale, the company has said. It aims to increase domestic production 33 percent to 1.1 million units in the year ending in March 2016, compared with 827,910 units last fiscal year, Ozaki said today.

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2011-02-18/mazda-s-cash-position-won-t-improve-next-fiscal-year-cfo-says.html

Jim Smail, Acura Dealer Advisory Board: Acura Q and A.

Jim Smail was into motorcycles before he was into cars. Grabbing a Yamaha franchise in 1974, he added Honda bikes in 1975, saw their engineering strengths and added Honda automobiles the year after that.

Smail Auto Group has expanded significantly since then, and it now sells nine brands. Smail has gained such respect among his peers that, in addition to chairing the Acura Dealer Advisory Board, he also becomes chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association this month.

Smail spoke with Staff Reporter Mark Rechtin about what the future holds for Acura.

Q: How was 2010 for Acura dealers?
A: It was a significant improvement over 2009. Not only were sales up 27 percent, which is right up there with the best increases in the industry, but dealer profitability made significant strides as well. We saw increases in profits, not just with new-car volume but also in the certified pre-owned brand and with service and parts contributing as well. I was at the December dealer board meeting, and that was the sentiment of all the members of the board.

What will be the big issues for Acura dealers in 2011?
The company has to continue to have the marketing, incentives and advertising to support a brand with only one new product coming this year. That's the TSX wagon, which, being realistic, the company isn't looking for significant volume. And we have a facelift on the TL. But for the whole line to continue to sell, the biggest thing is going to be keeping the incentives strong, and keeping the marketing strong.

What about beyond 2011?
Starting in 2012, in terms of product launches, it is going to be some of the best years possible for Acura coming up. They are getting back to their core values in terms of value, in terms of pricing, and adding a lot of content in these vehicles.

Are dealers satisfied with Acura?
Looking at the NADA survey last summer, Acura had made some progress. And when I was leaving our dealer meeting in October in Denver, I heard all the positive comments. Management did a great job communicating the direction of the company. They said, "We know we had some challenges, but we are sharing information with you about where the brand is going." I hope I'm right, but I think the brand will take a step forward in terms of dealer confidence as the product portfolio gets stronger. There's a good sense of optimism.

Do you get that feeling from Japanese management, too?
Earlier in his career, Mr. Ito [Honda Motor Co.'s current CEO] was instrumental in development of first NSX and the first MDX, and he met with the dealer advisory board in October. He shares a passion for the Acura brand, even though it only is here in America. There are a few vehicles exported to China and Russia, but those numbers are small. But if the brand does build back up to 200,000 units, he told us there might be consideration of putting the brand in other markets around the world.

What is your feeling about Acura styling? Does the factory ask dealers about that sort of thing, or do Acura designers not want feedback?
We have had many discussions about it. Acura was criticized for not having aggressive-enough styling. But now, quite frankly, particularly on the TL, they went too far the other way in being aggressive. We have been very robust in our conversations, saying this went way too far, it is out of hand. Customers like the car, but not the styling, particularly the front end. In seeing the 2012 enhancement of the TL, if we had that initially, we would have sold a lot more cars. I think Acura got the message loud and clear. We want highly styled cars with great content, but we don't need boy-racer looking vehicles or whatever.

Acura SUVs seem to be selling well, but what are you going to do to get car sales revved up again?
We had a minor change to the TSX this year for the 2011 model year, and as we have other products joining the portfolio, I think that's going to be the resurgence. As calendar 2013 comes around there will be additional products, which might be all-new or full-model changes. It's going to take a little bit of time, but we're not that far away from seeing a significant amount of product arriving over a 15- to 18-month period, where virtually everything in the lineup will be changed.
Should Acura get back into the compact luxury segment with a rebirth of the Integra/ RSX?
We've had discussions about that. The Integra and RSX were great vehicles, and we sold 25,000 or 30,000 units a year of them. The strategy was that the RDX crossover would replace the RSX, but we've never hit those types of numbers, even with the two-wheel-drive version. The compact luxury segment is a great opportunity, and we would like to see that part of the market come about, and there are all indications it may happen.

Is there anything else missing in the product lineup?
A revised RL will be coming. You will see further derivatives of the vehicles that we currently have, new segments we will be entering that we have not had in the lineup in a number of years. Once the core products are re-established and put into the marketplace, that's going to give Acura the chance to explore opportunities with other derivatives. Whether that's convertibles, sports cars or coupes, that's a long way off.

What's your opinion on Acura not having rear-drive or a V-8 and trying to compete in the luxury game?
Where we are today, with more powerful V-6s, I like to call Honda Motor Co. with the emphasis on "Motor." They have the ability to create anything they want to. Whether it's through direct injection or turbo, Honda has done things with engines that no one else has done.
Rear-drive has its advantages, but as a Mercedes dealer outside Pittsburgh, I don't stock rear-drive. All my customers want all-wheel drive. Acura will be a solid player. Not that the TL and TSX are bad cars, but to get back to 200,000 units, we're going to have to offer cars that the consumer is looking for.

What is the best way for Acura vehicles to be more than just Honda-plus?
We're getting away from that, to a great extent. The content of the vehicles is different. There will be further separation in styling, for both divisions. I see more familiarity between Lexus and Toyota than between Honda and Acura. I realize the Europeans are different in that regard. But I think we'll have enough differentiation in our products.

How much real contact do you dealers have with factory management?
I have a good rapport with John Mendel, Jeff Conrad in sales, Chuck Kendig in service, Bruce Smith in parts, Richard Kent in marketing. These fellows really do reach out. We have their numbers and they like to talk to us. I've been in this business for 40 years, and the Acura and Honda advisory process is the best in the industry, from a grass-roots, district, zone level, gathering that information up and meeting as a group to discuss the issues that are a national concern to dealers. When we sit down with John and other American management, they really pay attention. There's lots of note-taking and questions back.

What about talking to the Japanese leadership at American Honda?
Mr. Iwamura and the Japanese staff really want to know what's on our minds. They tell us what they can and can't do, what the costs and benefits are, and they get back to us with answers. After representing GM, Ford, Mazda, Kia and so forth, I think Honda and Acura really have the best process for dealers. Sure, the last few years have been challenging for Acura, but things are changing as quickly as we could expect at this moment.

What are Acura dealers doing to attract more service business?
They have developed some of the most forward-thinking programs in direct-marketing and digital formats. Our service departments are going to be wireless, instead of having to go to a dedicated computer. An adviser can take a laptop or service tool and get all his information wirelessly. It lets the technician stay with the vehicle. It's a great enhancement for how service departments are going to work in the future. He'll have service codes at his fingertips. He won't have to look it up.

You mentioned Acura's certified pre-owned program. How goes it?
I think we have a great opportunity with certified used cars. Companies are looking to establish a certified brand, but it's now going to be the entry-level for those who are competing the in the luxury segment. The research we see for Acura is that 70 percent of those who buy a certified pre-owned Acura end up buying a new Acura later on. So there's a lot of upside there.
Should Acura get more involved in leasing? Your residuals are so strong, it would seem like a no-brainer.
I think the whole industry is going to be more aggressive in leasing. I see a real upside for Acura. As long as you have great products, the residuals should be there. By not playing in the fleet business, that has helped our residuals dramatically. There's a tremendous amount of leasing in the Northeast, but not so much in other areas. It's a matter of educating the customer. We are growing our lease portfolio because we want that customer to come back in three years, and for us to have that certified used car. As we hit the fourth quarter of this year, the industry is going to have some difficulties acquiring used cars.

What do you think of Acura's advertising?
After hearing the presentations in October, I get the "Advance" message. It's simple. It's saying, "Advance your thinking." But the consumer can interpret it however they would like to. Is Acura advancing the value, the styling, the features? But we also want Acura to keep the theme that Acura is where you will find the most innovative thinking.

Is Acura ahead of the game, behind the game or in the game when it comes to social media?
It's getting better. Acura is taking their time to make sure they get it right. Our dealership is involved in social media. It's where marketing has gone in the past year. I think it's less of a factor with luxury brands than mass-market brands.

You also are chairing AIADA. What are the issues there?
The international nameplates have 54 percent of the market. There are a lot of opportunities for the international manufacturers to work together, to make sure there aren't moves within the Beltway to make it more difficult on us. When the U.S. government still owns a significant amount of GM, and has significant interest in Chrysler, and the UAW has a significant stake in both, we need to watch for actions being taken.
We dealers are all local businessmen, and the international players have spent billions of dollars on plants here, employing tens of thousands of workers. You can't favor one set of manufacturers over another.

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110206/RETAIL06/302079985/1379

Honda Motor To Cut Number Of Directors To 12 From 20 - Update

(RTTNews) - Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC: News ) Tuesday stated that its board of directors has decided on a plan for changes in management and board structures. The plan includes reducing the number of directors to twelve from presently twenty.

The plan, which was decided at a board meeting held today, is intended to strengthen the company's management structure amid changes in the economic environment.

The planned changes are subject to shareholders' approval at the general meeting to be held in late June 2011 and a decision at the board meeting to be held immediately thereafter.

According to the company, in 2005, it had implemented an operating officer system to strengthen the execution of regional and on-site operations and to carry out appropriate management decisions. In that system, a structure was established to differentiate the roles between directors and operating officers.

Honda Motor today said it will designate all of the directors who have business execution roles, including the president, as operating officers. In conjunction with these changes, titles such as senior managing, managing, and the like will be attributed to officers within the operating officer system.

Further, the company will elect a member from the operating officers as a candidate for director.

This member will be responsible for deciding matters provided by law and for monitoring and supervising business execution, in order to speed-up and streamline board's decision making. This member will also respond to the requests of shareholders and investors.


As a consequence of these changes, the number of directors will change from twenty to twelve in late June this year. Meanwhile, the company will maintain the number of corporate auditors at five.

In addition, in order to align with the beginning of the business year, the time of assumption of office for operating officers will be changed to April 1. It was late June earlier.

HMC closed Friday's trading at $44.49, up $0.12, on a volume of 496,400 shares.

Source;
http://www.rttnews.com/Content/BreakingNews.aspx?Id=1558176&SM=1

Honda Showcases Tuning Potential With REMIX CR-Z and Accord Tuner Cars [CIAS 2011]

By Colum Wood at Autoguide

Honda is well aware that it has a strong following of enthusiasts who love to modify their cars and with the launch of the 9th generation Civic expected later this year, the Japanese automaker is catering to its fan base, displaying a few tuner cars at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

Flanking the new Civic Si Concept and Civic Sedan Concept are what Honda is calling the REMIX CR-Z and REMIX Accord Coupe, built in association with Performance Auto & Sound Magazine (PASMAG).

As expected with PASMAG, both cars have big audio systems, but otherwise the builds are surprisingly clean, both using matte white and matte black paint, with tame aero kits, suspension drops and some nice Enkei wheels. For all the details, hit the jump for the press release, and check out the galleries below.

Official release :
Canadian Experts Engaged in the Creation of Two Special, One-of-a-Kind Models
Toronto, Ontario (February 17, 2011) – Today, during the press preview of the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Honda Canada unveiled two examples of how its vehicles can be customized for sportier looks and performance – the Honda REMIX CR-Z and Honda REMIX Accord Coupe. Honda worked with Performance Auto & Sound Magazine (PASMAG) to do what so many Canadians before them have done – take a great Honda product and personalize it.

“We’re proud of the history our products have with after-market customizations and we wanted to see what these product experts could come up with,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada. “We love that many people choose our cars as the canvas for their personal expression.”

The REMIX vehicles were completed in just six weeks and will be on display at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto from February 18-27. Further details are available upon request, or by visiting http://honda.pasmag.com.

About the REMIX CR-ZDeveloped as a stylish, driver-focused vehicle with an emphasis on efficient “green” performance with a fun-to-drive demeanour, the 2011 Honda CR-Z is a sleek, two-passenger, gasoline-electric hybrid coupe that uses a 1.5-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and Honda’s unique, compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to provide sporty, responsive handling.

The challenge laid out from Honda was to build upon its original design and produce a CR-Z with more power, less weight, improved efficiency and unique styling – and the result is incredible.

Among the many modifications performed by PASMAG’s official builder International Automotive and Custom (IAC) were the installation of an AEM Cold Air Intake for improved air flow, a new Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust, and BC Racing ER-Series coilovers for sportier handling. The REMIX CR-Z rides on stylish 18-inch, black Enkei Wheels Fujin alloys wrapped in high performance Yokohama S.Drive tires. PASMAG also used matte white paint and matte black accents to create a very unique look.

Inside, the audio and multimedia upgrades were performed by the experts at 20 Hz Audio Sound and Security, the official PASMAG installer. The original stereo was replaced with JVC’s premier KW-NT30HD navigation head unit featuring CD and DVD playback, iPod and iPhone USB connectivity, HD radio tuner and Bluetooth wireless technology, complete with a 6.1 inch touchscreen. 20 Hz also installed JVC’s high-end Arsenal-branded 8000 Series amplifiers, along with Arsenal subwoofers and speakers to provide exceptional audio quality and power.

About the REMIX Accord CoupeReceiving a number of updates this year, the 2011 Honda Accord Coupe is the ultimate choice for young professionals who still wants to be excited when they drive. The 3.5L V6 produces 271 horsepower with optimal timing through its 24-valve i-VTEC system. Paddle shifters and an available 6-speed manual transmission provide a driving experience un-matched in the segment.

The mission for the Accord REMIX was simple – take the exhilarating drive that this powerful coupe delivers and express it visually. Modifications performed by IAC included a K&N Typhoon Intake to open up the airways for the potent V6 along with a Magnaflow stainless steel muffler and custom stainless steel exhaust. Stopping power was augmented with the installation of Wilwood 4-piston big front brakes, and the original wheels and tires were exchanged for 19-inch Enkei Wheels RP05 alloys wrapped in Continental ContiSport Contact 3 tires for exceptional three-season performance. Like the CR-Z, PASMAG used matte white paint and black accents to provide a sharp contrast.

To create a powerful audio and multimedia experience, 20 Hz added a PAC Sven4 module to allow the factory stereo to interface with the powerful audio gear from Gentec International. Phoenix Gold amplifiers and subwoofers, matched with Energy speakers have been installed to surround Remix Accord occupants with brilliant and dynamic sound.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/02/honda-showcases-tuning-potential-with-remix-cr-z-and-accord-tuner-cars-cias-2011.html

All-New 2012 Honda Civic Emphasizes Style, Fuel Economy and Performance

02/17/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.
Featuring the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic is designed to even better meet the diverse needs of the compact-vehicle buyer when it launches this spring.

The entire redesigned ninth-generation Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient with two models – the all-new Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid – each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg on the highway.

Built on the tradition of Honda fuel efficiency, the economical Civic HF model will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup when it launches this spring. Equipped with a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the Civic HF is targeted to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy1 of 41 mpg on the highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy1 of 45 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg compared to the current Civic Hybrid. Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models will be equipped with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency and Honda ECO Assist™ technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback to promote more efficient individual driving styles.

"The Civic is the only model in the industry that can deliver on all fronts – fuel economy, sporty performance, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co.,Inc. "For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing improved fuel economy across the board, from the hybrid sedan to the sporty Si model."

In addition to the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models, the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX Natural Gas models are also estimated to achieve improved fuel economy compared to the current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy2 of 39 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg when compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas vehicle is anticipated to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current model. The Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models will all be equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.

Along with improved fuel economy, the new Civic lineup also delivers more performance, particularly with the Civic Si. The Civic Si sedan and coupe models will be equipped with a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The new engine is anticipated to deliver 200 horsepower with 170 ft-lb of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22 percent increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy1 of 31 mpg; an increase of 2 mpg when compared to the current model.

The 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, a new "HF" high fuel economy version, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Additional information on the new 2012 Civic will be announced closer to the on-sale date. For more information on the current Civic and other Honda models, please visit http://www.hondanews.com/.

(Don't forget for us Canadians that these numbers are with the US Gallon vs what we use with the Imperial system, the US gallon is bigger)....
Civic HF, Sedan, Coupe and Natural Gas Specifications
140 horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
5-speed automatic transmission
ECO Assist technology
EPA-estimated Civic HF highway fuel economy: 41 mpg
EPA-estimated Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe highway fuel economy: 39 mpg

Civic Hybrid Specifications
110 horsepower, 1.5-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine (combined gasoline + electric)
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Lithium-ion battery
ECO Assist technology
EPA-estimated Civic Hybrid city/highway combined fuel economy: 45 mpg

Civic Si Specifications
200 horsepower and 170 lb-ft, 2.4-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
6-speed manual transmission
EPA-estimated Civic Si highway fuel economy: 31 mpg

1Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Source;
Honda

Another 2012 Honda CRV Artistical Rendition

Stumbled across this in http://www.crvownersclub.com/ , definately looks like a Honda Accord CrossTour front and gives it an almost 'Mitsubishi-ish' look to it, not sure what to think about this one....

Honda Civic Ti Limited Edition

I always thought that these UK versions would make their way over here with an Acura badge, guess not....
The Japanese car maker is introducing the Honda Civic Ti, a limited edition model which combined 'race-car looks' with high-spec interior equipment, and which is based on the 1.4 and 1.8 i-VTEC SE.

According to the company, the Honda Civic Ti has been inspired by their Racing British Touring Car challenger, so it features 17 inch 'Pro Race' matt black wheels, redesigned front and rear spoilers, new side sills, and a rear body skirt, plus the exclusive Premium White Pearl body paint.

At the interior the Honda Civic Ti features the Pioneer Navigation Multimedia System which includes a 3D touch screen, a map database covering 44 countries, a traffic message channel receiver, and also offers the possibility of playing CDs, DVDs, and music stored on iPod, iPhone and USB devices.

The Honda Civic Ti price starts at 15,995 GBP for the 1.4 i-VTECH while for those who prefer the 1.8 variant will have to pay an additional 1,000 GBP. Sales will begin in the UK in March, and production will be limited to 500 exemplars.

Honda press release :
New Touring Car-inspired Honda hatch has £3,700 worth of extrasRace-car looks are combined with high-spec interior equipment on Honda’s new limited edition model, the Civic Ti. Based on the 1.4 and 1.8 i-VTEC SE variants, the Civic Ti comes with £3,700 worth of extra equipment over and above the standard model.

The 5-door Civic is inspired by this season’s Honda Racing British Touring Car challenger, and is fitted with unique, 17-inch ‘Pro Race’ wheels from Team Dynamics, Honda’s racing partner in the BTCC.

The sporty image of these matt black wheels is enhanced by Honda’s ‘GP’ body kit finished in Crystal Black, which provides a stark contrast to the exclusive Premium White Pearl body paint and body coloured trim. The race-like GP kit includes front spoiler, rear spoiler (finished in white), side skirt inserts and rear body skirts.

Inside, the Civic Ti is equipped with a state-of-the-art Pioneer Navigation Multimedia System, which offers full-scale sat nav, entertainment and communication with a 3D graphic touch screen.

This high-end multimedia unit includes a map database covering 44 countries, multiple sensors to ensure more accurate positioning, a traffic message channel receiver to avoid traffic jams and a hands free telephone system. It also plays CD, DVD, iPod, iPhone and USB devices, with on-screen controls.

The Pioneer system provides another link to the BTCC team, as the global audio/video and electronics firm is the main sponsor of Honda Racing Team’s attack for the 2011 title.

Honda dealerships in the UK will sell just 500 of the limited edition Civics, which go on sale in March. Prices start at £15,995 OTR for the 1.4 i-VTEC and £16,995 for the 1.8 variant.

Source;
http://www.carsession.com/car-news/honda-civic-ti-limited-edition.html

HONDA JAZZ HYBRID - LOW EMISSIONS AND PRACTICALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Not for North America....
The Jazz Hybrid made its world motor show debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, further demon-strating Honda's continuing commitment to petrol-electric hybrid technology.

The new version will be sold alongside a revised version of the petrol Jazz and marks the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to B-segment consumers. Importantly the Jazz Hybrid will not lose any of the practicality of the conventional car, with the compact nature of the Honda IMA system allowing the B-segment car to retain its ultra-flexible "Magic Seats" and 300 litres of boot space.

The IMA battery pack and power control unit have been integrated in the area under the boot floor, retaining the normal boot area and allowing the "Magic Seats" to fold in the same manner as non-hybrid versions. This means that the seats still fold entirely flat to provide a surprising (1320 litres measured to the roof) of space or the seat bases can be folded up vertically, so as to accommodate tall items within the car. New to the petrol-electric and conventionally powered versions of the Jazz is the reclining rear seat, which can now be tilted back, increasing rear passenger flexibility.

The IMA hybrid system is shared with the Insight and CR-Z hybrids, taking advantage of the proven reliability of this important technology. With almost two decades of development and 10 years of sales, the Honda IMA system has proven itself to be a flexible and dependable system, with over half a million vehicles on the road benefitting from its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.

The new model features the same powertrain as in the Insight hybrid, using the same 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine and electric motor as its dedicated hybrid model sibling. The system is combined with a CVT gearbox in the Jazz and with emissions of just 104 g/km of CO2 it has the lowest CO2 output of any automatic car in the B-segment. Fuel consumption is just 4.5 l/100km under the combined EU drive cycle. As a petrol-electric hybrid, the new derivative has ultra-low levels of other exhaust emissions, not just taxable elements.

Visually the Jazz Hybrid is distinguished from the rest of the Jazz range with revised headlights, which have a chrome blue surround, clear rear lights, new chrome blue front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish. The new hybrid will also be available in a range of existing colours plus a bespoke Lime Green metallic.

Inside the cabin is given a fresh look with a darker single colour dashboard, which contrasts strongly with the blue lighting of the dials and centre console. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe.

The dashboard integrates a version of the Eco Assist function, which uses the ambient lighting of the speedometer to advise the driver on how their driving style is impacting on their fuel economy.

The Eco Assist function aides drivers in getting the maximum economy from their car in everyday situations and gives users real-time feedback on how their use of the brakes and throttle effects their fuel bills and environmental impact.

While respecting the unique features of the car, a range of Genuine Accessories will accentuate its hybrid character even further. Decoration items, such as doorstep garnishes, a variety of exterior and interior stickers, B-pillar garnishes and alternative alloy wheels can be fitted according to the driver's personal taste. A Solid State Drive navigation, hands-free Bluetooth® and rear entertainment system are set to provide extra technological comfort. A complete range of Genuine Accessories is available for those customers that want to add in even more functionality and style.

For the rest of the article;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1644-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Volt and Leaf Fail to Topple Honda Civic GX From Green Book List

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a Washington-based nonprofit group financed by foundations, electric utilities and state and federal agencies, released its annual list of the 12 greenest vehicles of the model year on Tuesday. With five models having displaced 2010 honorees, this year’s list differs markedly from last year’s group.

With the Nissan Leaf electric car and Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid now being delivered in the United States, one would think they would duke it out on the group’s list for top honors, too. Not so.

The Leaf earned second place in this, the council’s 14th Green Book annual ranking. As for the Volt? It managed a 12th-place finish, while topping the list for the eighth consecutive year was the Honda Civic GX — a limited-production model that burns compressed natural gas and that was expected to be available for retail sales nationwide in 2012.

In between are conventional hybrids and vehicles with old-fashioned gasoline-combusting engines. In fact, six of the vehicles on the list use only internal-combustion engines.

How can this be? The council uses a novel, holistic method of calculating the slippery notion of greenness, one that owes little to fuel-efficiency or tailpipe-emissions considerations made by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We consider not just what emissions are coming out of the tailpipe while the vehicle is running,” said Therese Langer, the group’s transportation director, in a telephone interview. “The E.P.A. would consider the Leaf a zero-emissions vehicle because electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions,” she said.

The so-called upstream emissions of an electric vehicle, however, can be substantial, she said, depending on where and how its electricity is generated. Electricity produced hydroelectrically, for example, will generally produce far lower carbon emissions than energy produced by burning coal.

But the council methodology also includes emissions associated with the generation of the electricity used to power a battery; the production of raw materials like steel and aluminum — and in an E.V.’s case, a lithium-ion battery unit; and its eventual disposal.

This was the first year in which the group incorporated emissions data associated with battery manufacture and disposal, for which it used the GREET model created by Argonne National Laboratory, an Energy Department lab. This explains why hybrids, which rely on power generated by electric motors and stored in batteries, claimed just three of the top 12 spots this year, compared with five in 2010.

The 12 greenest vehicles for 2011, from top to bottom, are:
• Honda Civic GX
• Nissan Leaf
• Smart Fortwo cabriolet and coupe
• Toyota Prius
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Honda Insight
• Ford Fiesta SFE
• Chevrolet Cruze Eco
• Hyundai Elantra
• Mini Cooper
• Toyota Yaris
• Chevrolet Volt

For more information and the listings of the “Greenest” and “Meanest,” as well as best-in-class lists from the council, visit its Greenercars.org Web site.

Source;
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/volt-and-leaf-fail-to-topple-honda-civic-gx-from-green-book-list/

What should Honda do to the (2013?) Honda Accord for North America?

This is not the next Honda Accord.

Here are some facts to consider about what type of direction this car should go, it is no secret that here in Canada we prefer the smaller cars, our 2010 Honda Civic sold 57,501 units VS the 2010 Honda Accord which sold a paltry 14,659 (down I might add from 16,017 in 2009).

However in the US, different story, the 2010 Honda Accord sold 311,381 (up I might add from 290,056 in 2009) and placed 2nd overall for cars sold in the US (Toyota Camry sold 327,804 units). The 2010 Honda Civic sold 260,082. So, in the US, it's obvious that they like the larger cars.

Looking at these numbers, and thinking of North America as a whole, I would have to say that the car is the right size.

I will start this off by going through what I'd like to see;

-Better gas mileage.

-Shorter, put it back into the mid-sized car category.

-Heated Cloth Seats

-Leather 2nd row Heated Seats

-Heated Steering Wheel Option

-Make the Navi portable, using the cars key, you can unlock the Navi and go.

-Flat Rear Floor.

-Keep the traditional windshield rake, people in this class want to see the front end.

-Updated Navi Interface.

-Height Adjustable Passengers Seat (if not power, pump!)

-Please stay away from the push button start!

-Adjustable Power Pedals (a Touring model?)

-115 Volt outlet More Common

-Inflatable Seatbelts

-Forward/Backward Adjustable Headrests (some find that the Headrests push too forward).

-Backup Sensors w/Backup Camera

-Blind Spot Indicators (like in the Touring Odyssey)

Just add what you think to the comments section.... who knows maybe Honda's listening....

Rendered Speculation: 2012 Honda CRV

Not sure where they dug up this sketch, but it's here none the less....
Source;
http://cheapsportscars.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-honda-cr-v-coming-this-autumn.html

Cars.com: $29,000 SUV Shootout: The Results

Here's an interesting review, done by a interesting choice of reviewers, didn't know that Joey Lawrence was a car guy (mind you, I do seem to remember him being a mechanic on his show). I find it frustrating that one of the biggest cons against the CRV is style, which in my opinion is one of the most subjective things when reviewing a vehicle.... can't wait for the 2012, although I have no problems with the 2011.

Which SUVs?
How did we pick these SUVs? In many cases, we let the automakers pick them. We talked to J.D. Power & Associates to see which SUVs consumers cross-shopped with the Chevrolet Equinox and the Hyundai Santa Fe. They came back with this list: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Kia Sorento, GMC Terrain and Dodge Journey. We looked at sales popularity and found all eight had sold at least 17,000 through April 2010. A couple of others — Subaru Forester and Nissan Rogue — merited inclusion because of their sales popularity, and a handful didn't make the cut due to a lack of sales. We allowed only one SUV per automaker, so GM had to pick either an Equinox or a Terrain.That left us with a set of compact/midsize crossovers scattered across a wide price spectrum. We returned to J.D. Power to investigate the group's median transaction price. J.D. Power reported a $6,500 spread, from $25,361 for compact crossovers to $31,844 for midsize crossovers. Splitting the difference gave us $28,603, which we rounded up to $29,000. What do you get for $29,000 on these SUVs? This is what they come with.

The Rules
Then we set the rules for automakers: We wanted an SUV or a compact or midsize crossover that fit under $29,000. Automakers had to provide a Monroney sticker to prove each car came in under that price (excluding destination charges). It needed to have an automatic transmission. We also gave them specifics about our target family: It would be a family of four who would use this SUV as their primary vehicle. The family would be based in Southern California, meaning they would spend a fair amount of time in traffic together, and that might also explain why most automakers did not give us a car with all-wheel drive.The automakers made different — and interesting — choices. Rather than going with their midsize Santa Fe and Sorento, Hyundai and Kia (respectively) elected to give us well-equipped versions of their smaller Tucson and Sportage. Similarly, Ford and Nissan opted against a stripped-down Edge and Murano (respectively), going instead with a well-equipped Escape and Rogue. Chrysler, it turned out, was the only automaker that stuck with a truly midsize entrant.

The Testing
We put the SUVs through a number of tests, including a full day of testing by the experts, a full day's examination by our test family guided by our team of experts, and a full day's mileage drive. The tests were conducted in early December in Southern California around the Pasadena area.

The Scoring
Judging the SUVS were:
Kristin Varela, chief mom for Cars.com and editor of MotherProof.com
David Thomas, senior editor for Cars.com
Jennifer Newman, editor for Cars.com and MotherProof.com
Chris Woodyard, reporter and editor for USA Today
Brian Robinson, producer for "MotorWeek," the longtime public television automotive show
Joey and Chandie Lawrence. Joey is the star of "Melissa and Joey" on the ABC Family network. They are the parents of two young girls.

The experts' opinions make up 65 percent of the score; the Lawrence family, 25 percent. Fuel economy makes up the final 10 percent of the final score.See what our experts and family found, and let us know what you think as well.

The State of the SUV/Crossover Segment

The Family

Mileage Challenge

Results

http://www.cars.com/go/crp/buyingGuides/Story.jsp?year=New&section=SUV&story=crossoverResult&subject=stories&year=New

Honda's big hopes for a new Civics generation

GREG KEENAN — AUTO INDUSTRY REPORTER
MARKHAM, ONT.— From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Feb. 14, 2011 7:49PM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 8:55AM EST

If Honda Canada Inc. (HMC-N43.950.150.34%) president Masahiro Takedagawa is worried about the Civic plunging out of first place in compact car sales last month, he’s not showing it.

Sales of Honda’s most important vehicle stumbled badly last month, dropping 51 per cent compared to the previous January. They sat behind sales of five other compact cars: the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus.

“January was a bit unlucky,” Mr. Takedagawa said in an interview, attributing some of the drop to snowstorms wreaking havoc on sales.

“We do also have the snow blower,” he joked. “That helps a lot.”

Honda’s snow blower is not, however, the Civic, which has been the best-selling passenger car in Canada for the past 13 years and the product that has come to define the company in this country.

While the results show just a single month of sales, the presence of cars from two of the Detroit Three auto makers ahead of the Civic is almost unheard of in the compact segment, which represents the biggest chunk of the Canadian market.

The January results underline how the competitive landscape in Canada has become tougher for Honda – and other Japan-based auto makers that have relied on compact cars – amid the rise of Hyundai, the new emphasis Ford is putting on passenger cars and GM’s rebound from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

They also come after a year that saw Honda underperform in the Canadian market. Its sales rose 1 per cent versus a 7-per-cent advance for the market as a whole, at a time when Honda was expected to benefit from the recall crisis that afflicted its arch-rival Toyota Canada Inc.
Mr. Takedagawa and other senior executives are fully aware of the competition.

“Each of our brands, while being well regarded in the Canadian marketplace, is facing significant, unique challenges which must be overcome,” Jerry Chenkin, Honda Canada’s executive vice-president, said last month in a memo to dealers of the company’s Acura luxury brand. “We must develop a more robust marketing effort to ensure that our brand messages resonate with Canadians.”

As Mr. Takedagawa put it: “Marketing, advertising, incentives, discounts; it becomes war, particularly in the compact segment.”

Honda’s immediate response to the disappointing January results was to boost advertising and slap a low interest rate incentive of 0.9-per-cent financing for up to 60 months on the Civic and the second-best seller in Honda’s lineup, the CR-V crossover utility vehicle.

A longer-term solution will arrive in April – in the form of the ninth generation of the car that launched the company’s sales in Canada in 1973.

Honda has shown only concept versions of the car so far and will do so again on Thursday at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

Mr. Takedagawa offered one detail: The wheelbase on the 2012 Civic has been shortened by 30 millimetres, providing a sportier ride.

There will be other innovations and upgrades, particularly to electronics components, he added.

“We [will] try to minimize the price increase, but enrich content,” he said in the company’s sparkling new head office in Markham, Ont., north of Toronto. “We don’t believe this is the situation to increase dramatically the price.”

He’s relying on a 22-per-cent jump in Civic sales – to 70,000 this year from 57,501 last year – to propel an overall gain in Honda’s sales to 150,000 from 141,070 in 2010.

But industry sources say the new Civic will have to be dramatically better than the Elantra, Focus, Cruze and others in the segment to generate those kinds of sales numbers.

Mr. Takedagawa also pointed to the redesigned Odyssey minivan that was introduced late last year and a new CR-V coming at the end of 2011 as other vehicles that will help boost sales.

“Everybody has a lot of new product,” said Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ont. “How do you distinguish yourself?”

As for last year, Mr. Takedagawa and Mr. Chenkin point to a shift in the market to pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles as one reason for Honda’s underperformance. That shift appears to have been driven in part by Canadians’ comfort with gas prices above $1 a litre.

“We saw some crazy advertising where a manufacturer is offering a $14,000 rebate on a pickup,” Mr. Chenkin said. “You can buy a lot of gas for $14,000.”

The CR-V and other crossovers performed well in the market shift, but Honda’s Ridgeline, a combination of pickup and SUV, doesn’t compete directly with the Ford F-series, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram pickups, all of which experienced double-digit sales gains last year.

Mr. Takedagawa said he spent much of last year focusing on reducing a vast oversupply of vehicles at the company’s dealers in Canada, reducing the days supply of vehicles – a key measure in the auto industry – to a healthy 56, from more than 100 last March.

Honda has also restructured its marketing and sales initiatives in Canada so that there are now three distinct brands representing Honda, Acura and the motorcycle and power business.

In addition, about 50 salaried employees and executives have opted for early retirement after the company offered such incentives for the first time in its history in Canada.
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THE NINE LIVES OF THE HONDA CIVIC
1972
First generation
The car that started the Honda ride in Canada in 1973 offered great fuel economy at a time of soaring gas prices, based on its four-cylinder engine, light weight and front-wheel drive.
Canadian sales, 1972: 747
––––
1979
Second generation
The 1979 redesign included a new version of the fuel-efficient CVCC engine, plus four-door sedan and station wagon versions of the subcompact.
Canadian sales, ’79: 19,880
––––
1983
Third generation
The boxy 1983 Civic had more interior space and came in three-door, four-door and five-door versions.
Canadian sales, ‘83: 18,903
––––
1987
Fourth generation
By 1987, Honda was offering five different engines and a double-wishbone suspension. The auto maker began assembling the car in Alliston, Ont., that year and added a second shift of workers in 1988.
Canadian sales, ‘87: 25,831
––––
1991
Fifth generation
Styling changed dramatically in 1991. A new VTEC engine replaced the CVCC, including a 170-horsepower version.
Canadian sales, ‘91: 50,320
––––
1995
Sixth generation
The sixth generation, available beginning in 1995, offered evolutionary changes in styling and included the option of a variable speed automatic transmission.
Canadian sales, ‘95: 33,386
––––
2000
Seventh generation
The Civic continued to get bigger with a 2000 redesign. By now, it was competing in the compact segment in North America.
Canadian sales, 2000: 60,407
––––
2006
Eighth generation
By 2006, Civic is much more global, tailored to different tastes in different markets and being produced at a Honda plant in China for the first time.
Canadian sales, ‘08: 72,463, an annual Canadian sales record.
––––
2012
Ninth generation
The 2012 version will start rolling off assembly lines in Alliston and Greensburg, Ind., in April. There are 930,000 Civics still on the road in Canada, representing about 4 per cent of the existing Canadian fleet of 22.3 million vehicles. Cumulative Canadian sales total 1,569,465 since 1973.
Greg Keenan

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/hondas-big-hopes-for-a-new-civics-generation/article1907083/page2/