2015 Honda CRV Interior Picture

Pretty much as I expected, taking a page out of the Accord/Civic/FIT.

Looking at the picture closely, this confirms a Power Liftgate, I am going to take a wild guess and say that this is the Touring's interior.

Honda: New Civic faster than NSX

Honda will display its Civic Type-R Concept at the Paris Motor Show, this time in a vivid shade of blue

by David McCowen of www.driving.com.au

Honda has set the stage for a hot hatch war with a new Civic Type R that could be the brand's fastest-ever car.

The Japanese manufacturer has unveiled a thinly disguised production version of its new Civic Type R ahead of the Paris motor show, where a revised hatch that appears to be production-ready will go on public display.

The brand says its new machine "will deliver unmatched performance compared to any previous Type R car... even the NSX".

Honda research and development executive Suehiro Hasshi says the car's turbocharged engine will produce more power than previous Type-R versions of the Civic, Integra, Accord and NSX.

The latter was Honda's foray into the world of supercars and was powered by a mid-mounted V6 making 206kW of grunt, which the Civic is expected to comfortably exceed.

Honda says the car will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission, allowing drivers more control than an automatic or dual-clutch transmission.

Honda says the hot Civic will be faster than its highly-regarded NSX supercar.

It also have adjustable shock absorbers similar to the system fitted on Volkswagen's seventh-generation Golf GTI, along with 'steer axis', a mechanical system used to reduce torque steer in a similar way to the RevoKnuckle device used on Ford's Focus RS.

Honda hopes that its new Type R will be the fastest front-wheel-drive car to lap the Nurburgring. To do that, it must beat the 7:54.36 benchmark held by Renault's Megane R.S. 275 Trophy R, a hardcore special-edition machine with weight-saving measures that extend to the removal of its radio and airconditioning.

The Civic Type-R won't be Honda's fastest model for long though with an all-new NSX supercar set to go on sale by 2016.

Source;
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/honda-new-civic-faster-than-nsx-20140929-10ndbv.html

Honda Canada: 2015 Honda CRV Trim Level Changes

The 2015 Honda CRV for Canada will be dropping the EX 2WD and inserting a SE AWD (Special Edition).

SE AWD Speculation
-Adding Alloy Wheels over the 16" Steel Wheels on the LX.
-Adding Cargo Cover (EX and up get).
-Adding Fog Lights (EX and up get).
-Adding Dual Zone Auto Climate Control

Source;
Honda Canada

Vilner BMW 6-Series Convertible Stormtrooper first images released

Company strikes again

Bulgarian tuners from Vilner have released first images of its upcoming project – the BMW Stormtrooper.

The model is essentially a convertible version of the 6-Series Bullshark, revealed last year. The company explains that “after the transformation, the vehicle looks like the stormtroopers – the white soldiers from the Galactic Empire” from the Star Wars saga.

The convertible has received major design changes that include new headlights, bumpers, engine hood, alloy wheels with most of the aerodynamic elements made of carbon fiber. The interior is equipped with two-tone leather seats, door panels and dashboard.

The Bullshark is powered by an updated V8 4.4-liter engine with an exhaust system from AC Schnitzer and 370 HP (272 kW) and 522 Nm (385 lb-ft). Similar power plant is expected for the Stormtrooper, which means it will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in around 5.4 seconds.

According to Vilner, further details will be released over the next few weeks.

Source: Vilner

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114092581792/vilner-bmw-6-series-convertible-stormtrooper-first-images

2014 Honda City MUGEN showcased from the Indonesia Auto Show

by Anjan  Ravi of www.indianautosblog.com

The 2014 Honda City MUGEN was showcased at the 2014 Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS 2014). Based on the new generation of the City, the MUGEN pack adds cosmetic enhancers to the sedan.


The upgrade comes in the form of an all-black grille with the MUGEN logo replacing the Honda symbol, MUGEN badges on the fenders, side skirts and a bodykit for the front and rear bumpers.


There are no under-hood changes on the car, and it continues to be driven by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine which is capable of producing 120 PS (118.31 bhp) and 145 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the new City include a 5-speed manual and a CVT gearbox.


The regular variants of the City in Indonesia are priced between 277 million IDR to 321 million IDR (INR 14.12 lakhs to INR 16.36 lakhs).

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2014/09/2014-honda-city-mugen-indonesia-148470

2015 Honda CRV and 2014 Honda CRV Visual Comparison

As you know, here in North America, Honda is in it's mid-model refresh for the CRV (current bodystyle came out in 2012, goes to 2013, 2014, 2015 MMC, 2016, 2017 should be the full model redesign),  so I thought I'd post a comparison between the two.  The 2015 Should land with in the next 20 days in showrooms.

Car and Driver: 2015 Honda FIT EX Manual Transmission Long Term Testing

• September 2014
• BY K.C. COLWELL
• PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL SIMARI

The first- and second-generation Honda Fit subcompacts won our hearts with a combination of dynamics and practicality that couldn’t be beat at their price points—or perhaps any price point. The pair racked up seven consecutive 10Best trophies, went undefeated in three comparison tests, and a 2007 model survived a 40,000-mile long-term test without, ahem, giving us a fit. 

With a new platform, engine, transmission, and look, the third-gen Fit was ripe for another go at our high-mileage test. In our hands, the 2007 had a per-mile operating cost of about 10 cents, and while we doubt the 2015 will be able to match that statistic—in no small part because the cost of fuel has increased in the last six and a half years—it’s going to be fun to see how close we can get. 

We will admit to some trepidation about how long it’ll take us to accrue 40,000 miles, which takes just over a year for most vehicles. That’s not any major fault of our Fit, but rather because it’s notoriously difficult to persuade staffers to take little cars on long trips, no matter how much interior space they may have. It’s also especially challenging to convince them to do so when we have stuff like an F-type, a Corvette, and a Cayman in our fleet, as we do now. Small cars—and more specifically narrow small cars—typically tramline in highway ruts, and our Fit is no exception. In two months of service, the Fit has struggled to accumulate 3000 miles. 

When it launched the 2015 Fit, Honda did so without the previous-generation’s Sport trim and its dynamics-enhancing rear anti-roll bar. Instead, the latest Fit is offered in a pair of trims that aren’t differentiated by their handling. This time around, a conventional automatic has been replaced by a continuously variable transmission, while manual-transmission buyers get another forward gear for six in all. The stick shift is restricted to the bone-stock LX model and the one-step-up EX. The CVT-only EX-L has standard leather and available navigation and satellite radio. Why leather is even available in a Fit is a head-scratcher for us—it kind of goes against the Fit’s fun, basic-transportation premise—but the transmission-availability matrix made our choice easy. 

There is not a single factory option available on the Fit EX, but you are at least allowed to choose exterior color. We spec’d Aegean Blue paint because it reminded us of the old Vivid Blue, a color one editor (who shall remain nameless for his protection) likes so much that he had his ’67 Chevelle sprayed in the Honda hue. 

Stepping up the $18,225 EX from the $16,315 LX mostly means adding more electronic doodads, including the turn-signal-activated camera that shoots backward from the passenger side mirror, proximity entry and start, an upgraded audio system, and a seven-inch touch screen. The EX also gets a sunroof, and 16-inch aluminum wheels. We can already state unequivocally that if you’re buying a Fit, the EX is the trim level to get. Period. 

Honda prescribes no specific break-in period for the 130-hp, 1.5-liter direct-injected inline-four or the six-speed manual, but we still went easy for the first 1000 miles before heading to the track for initial instrumented testing. Of the new Fits, we have only tested another manual model thus far, and our long-termer proved to be slightly quicker. It turned in a 7.7-second 0–60 time and a 16.1-second quarter-mile, improvements of 0.3 and 0.1 second versus the other 2015 test car. Stopping from 70 mph took 181 feet for our long-term car, and the wee Fit held onto a 300-foot skidpad at 0.78 g. 

We’ve taken the Fit as far as Chicago. The car returned 39 mpg on that highway run, but our overall average is 33 mpg thus far, one better than the EPA’s combined estimate. The Windy City excursion proved that the Fit can still fit a whole lot of stuff in its 53-cubic-foot cargo hold; a high-school grad headed off to college in one of these should be able to get all of their stuff inside. 

As for complaints, there’s the tramlining, and, well, the sideview camera came in for a 1.5-page logbook rant from a staffer who found it to be more distracting than helpful. On the whole, we’re not particularly sure of its usefulness in our suburban environs, given that the Fit’s outward visibility is excellent and a set of properly adjusted mirrors (on any vehicle) can eliminate blind spots. The feature did, however, save a couple of fast-moving, seemingly suicidal bicyclists’ bacon when we were set to make right turns in more urban areas. Those who dislike the feature can deactivate it, though. 

Our previous test of the new Fit came to the conclusion that this latest generation has lost some of the joy in its driving experience. Our long-term test has so far confirmed that, yes, it’s softer overall than before, the steering is less feelsome, and the clutch pedal feels sprung with tissue paper, but we’re also rapidly coming to the conclusion that there are still few other sub-$20K cars that rival this Honda’s combo of usefulness and fun. Indeed, two months with the Fit have reinforced the notion among the staff that budget transportation doesn’t have to be a penalty. We’ll see if that impression holds up. 

Months in Fleet: 2 months
Current Mileage: 2794 miles Average Fuel Economy: 33 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 10.6 gal Fuel Range: 350 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0 View Photo Gallery

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-honda-fit-ex-manual-long-term-test-intro-review

Carscoops!: This is Toyota's C-HR Sporty Compact Crossover Concept

by John Halas of www.carscoops.com

Toyota's all-new C-HR Concept has come out of the digital shadows showing itself ahead of its first public outing at next month's 2014 Paris auto show.

It's a stylized, three-door compact crossover model made to stir up interest and give us a very rough idea of what Toyota is planning for the near future in the category.

Very few details are known about the car, with the Japanese brand having previously said that it combines "a bold new design language with an agile, engaging driving experience and a Hybrid powertrain".

Up until now, we've only seen one prototype that matches the size and characteristics of the C-HR in the form of a high-riding test-mule of the Toyota Auris hatch, which we spotted testing on European roads back in July.

A production version of the study, which would sit under the RAV4, could be offered in both 3- and 5-door body styles.

Source;
http://www.carscoops.com/2014/09/this-is-toyotas-c-hr-sporty-compact.html

Honda Reveals New 2015 CR-V

A new aggressive and bold appearance with unique Honda style portends the significant enhancements made to the 2015 CR-V. Going on sale October 1, complete information on the newest version of the best-selling SUV in America will be available September 30.

Honda has taken the wraps off its freshly facelifted 2015 CR-V.

Although the automaker has remained very tight-lipped as to what additional changes we can expect, the CR-V appears to receive a handful of “aggressive and bold” cosmetic tweaks for 2015.

The front end has been restyled with a fascia similar to the 2015 Fit hatchback and 2014 Civic, complete with a new grille and chrome trim styled to connect both headlights, at least visually. In addition, Honda has reworked the CR-V’s lower bumper and fog lights. Down the side, the CR-V appears largely similar to the outgoing, pre-refresh model, with the exception of new mirrors and five-spoke alloy wheels.

It’s also unclear if we can expect any mechanical changes, but Honda’s trend toward the Accord, Civic and Fit ditching their conventional automatic transmissions in favour of a CVT suggests we’ll see the same for the CR-V. Currently, the CR-V is powered by a 2.4-litre inline-four engine, rated at 185 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque, paired to a five-speed automatic.

Honda will fully reveal the 2015 CR-V on Sept. 30 before it goes on sale on Oct. 1. 

Source;

http://driving.ca/honda/cr-v/auto-news/news/honda-teases-refreshed-for-2015-cr-v

Hyundai Motor's record $10 billion bid for trophy property alarms investors

A visitor walks past a Hyundai Motor logo at a Hyundai dealership in Seoul April 25, 2013.

(Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Group will pay a record $10 billion for the site of its new headquarters in Seoul's high-end Gangnam district, out-bidding Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) and sparking investor concerns that it is wasting cash on a trophy property.

The conglomerate smashed the previous record auction price for a single plot of land in South Korea with its 10.55 trillion won ($10.14 billion) bid, more than triple the appraisal value.

It would be the highest price by far for a single piece of land in Asia since the global financial crisis, according to CBRE Research, topping the $3.6 billion paid last year by Hong Kong's Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016.HK) for a site in a commercial district in Shanghai.

Investors and analysts expressed alarm at the price that Hyundai was willing to pay for a site at a time when it could be pouring money into higher dividends or more factories. At the site, it plans to build an auto theme park and a hotel as well as new offices.

"The bid price is nonsense. I was stunned," said Kim Sung-soo, a fund manager at LS Asset Management and an investor in all the three Hyundai companies in the bidding group.

"Even taking into account competition with Samsung, the bid price is excessive," Kim said, adding that he expected it to cost another $6 billion to develop the property.

Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) shares fell 9 percent, their biggest drop in three years, after the bid was announced by the seller, state-run Korea Electric Power (KEPCO) (015760.KS). Sister firm Kia Motors (000270.KS) closed 7.8 percent lower and parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co (012330.KS), also in the bid group, declined 7.9 percent. Between them, the three lost nearly $8 billion in market value on Thursday.

Although Hyundai Motor Group has plenty of cash, Hyundai Motor Co and Kia, which together rank fifth by global auto sales, have been posting slowing profits as a strong local currency saps overseas earnings.

"This deal is going to take a huge chunk out of Hyundai's vault, and dipping their hands into a cash stash that could have otherwise been used for higher dividend payouts and R&D is going to aggravate many investors, especially foreigners," said Ko Tae-bong, auto analyst at HI Investment & Securities. 

The companies also need to fund new factory projects in Mexico and China, which are expected to go into production in 2016.

KEPCO shares gained 5.8 percent after Hyundai won the auction by what a KEPCO official called "a wide margin". The official did not disclose the size of Samsung's bid and a Samsung Electronics spokeswoman declined to comment.

CASH-RICH
Hyundai Motor Group's 10 listed companies, excluding financial firms, had 42.8 trillion won in cash and equivalents at the end of the first quarter, according to public filings compiled by data consulting firm CEO Score.

The South Korean economy is dominated by sprawling conglomerates, or chaebol, and Seoul-listed stocks have tended to trade at discounts to shares elsewhere partly due to low dividends and investor worries about corporate governance.

Shareholder activism in South Korea tends to be muted, as many fund houses manage money on behalf of chaebol or are themselves part of big corporate groups, said Chae Yi-bai, an analyst at Solidarity for Economic Reform, an activist group.

Foreign investors own 46 percent of Hyundai shares.

"Hyundai Motor needs to proactively reach out to shareholders to convince them on the rationale of the deal and provide adequate explanation," he said.

Chung Sun-sup, CEO of research firm Chaebul.com, said Hyundai was keen to secure the land because its current headquarters on the outskirts of Seoul is not befitting of its stature, and the KEPCO land is the only prime plot available. He said 76-year-old Chairman Chung Mong-koo may want to leave "something big" when he passes control to his son, Chung Eui-sun.

He also figures that about 30 Hyundai Motor affiliates pay a combined 220 billion won in office rent. "If you flip that around, that's roughly equal to the amount of interest you'd get on 10 trillion won in bank deposits. So in some sense that is a rationale for such a high bid for the Kepco land."

CAR THEME PARK
While some investors were shocked, Hyundai's big bid for a landmark in the heart of Seoul's trendiest district may help ease its tax burden under proposed rules that would tax excess corporate cash.

Based on last year's earnings, companies that belong to the Hyundai Motor Group would have the largest exposure to the law, facing 284 billion won in further taxes if the government required conglomerates to spend at least 60 percent of net profit on investment, wages and dividends, CEO Score has said.

Hyundai Motor Group has said it plans to build a vast complex on the 79,342 square metre site that will house its headquarters as well as a hotel, convention center and a theme park. It noted that rivals such as BMW and Volkswagen have tourist attractions around their headquarters.

"In order to achieve production capacity of 10 million cars and bolster brand value that befits a global top-five company, we need a global business center. The bid is the result of comprehensively reviewing its value as a symbol of the group's second growth phase," a Hyundai Motor Group spokesman said.

Hyundai and Kia have been keen to build a premium image around their brands to better compete with the likes of German rivals that are taking a rising share of the domestic market.

This was not the first time cash-rich Hyundai Motor Group drove up the price in a big auction.

A consortium of the same three Hyundai Motor Group companies bid around 5 trillion won in 2011 to buy Hyundai Engineering & Construction (000720.KS), which had been expected to fetch around 3 trillion won but had symbolic value as the original company of the Hyundai empire, founded in 1947 by Chung Ju-yung.

(Additional Reporting by Meeyoung Cho, Se Young Lee and Joonhee Yu; Editing by Tony Munroe, Stephen Coates and Ryan Woo)

Source;
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/18/us-kepco-realestate-hyundai-motor-idUSKBN0HD06U20140918

2015 Honda FIT's Finally Land in Canada

Well, we finally received our first 2X 2015 Honda FIT's, one LX and one EX-L Navi, both Automatics, both White.  Can't wait to get these Pre Delivery Inspected so we can go for a test run.

2016 Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle spotted undisguised in United States

Toyota says it's the 'car of the future'

An undisguised black prototype of the 2016 Toyota FCV has been spotted testing in United States.

Edmunds editor Mike Magrath photographed the vehicle on a highway in California during the final testing phase as the model is slated to go on sale at first in Japan next April, followed by Europe and North America later that summer. It's essentially an evolution of the FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) concept and it is believed the production model will be commercialized with the "Mirai" name.

Toyota says the FCV / Mirai is the "car of the future" and at the same time represents "an important step forward for zero-emission vehicle technology." Final specifications have not been provided yet but from what we know so far the fuel cell vehicle will have a range of about 300 miles (482 km) and will do the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in approximately 10 seconds. A full refill of the hydrogen tank will take roughly three minutes so it takes just a little bit more than a regular gas stop.

At home in Japan, the Toyota Mirai (Japanese for "future") will have an estimated starting price of seven million yen (about $65,300).

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/114091781337/2016-toyota-mirai-fuel-cell-vehicle-spotted-undisguised

Style, Substance, and Performance Come Together as Honda Civic Returns for 2015 with New High-Value Special Edition Sedan (US)

09/16/2014

• Sporty and youthful styling combines with substantial array of standard and available features
• Fun-to-drive powertrain and chassis performance is matched by high fuel efficiency
• Special Edition (SE) trim adds numerous feature and style upgrades over Civic Sedan LX

The stylish, feature-rich and fun-to-drive 2015 Honda Civic goes on sale tomorrow with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $18,290¹ for the Civic Coupe LX with manual transmission, and a fuel-efficient lineup that includes the Civic Sedan HF with an EPA highway rating² of 41 mpg. Joining the Civic family for 2015 is a new Special Edition (SE) sedan positioned between the LX and EX to provide customers with an even higher-value option, adding over $1,100 worth of telematics, audio, comfort, convenience and style upgrades for just $700 over the Sedan LX.

The Civic lineup received significant upgrades for 2014, including a redesigned Coupe exterior, new wheel designs, interior refinements, a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a host of available premium features, all of which are retained for 2015. The substantial list of high value standard features on the 2015 Civic includes a rearview camera with guidelines, expanded view driver’s mirror and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®³. Available features include the 7-inch capacitive touch-screen Display Audio, HondaLinkTM next-generation connected-car technology, LaneWatch™ display and Smart Entry with Push Button start.

The CVT, available on the Civic Sedan LX, Civic Coupe LX and EX, and standard on all other trims, enhances the responsiveness of the Civic’s 1.8-liter i-VTEC® engine by providing quick and smooth acceleration, while its wide ratio range and low internal friction help provide superior fuel efficiency. A slick shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Civic Sedan and Coupe LX and Civic Coupe EX.

The new 2015 Civic Sedan SE comes equipped with the CVT, 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels with black painted inserts, Honda LaneWatchTM, automatic climate control, Display Audio with next-generation HondaLink and additional tweeter speakers.

The 2015 Civic Sedan and Coupe will be joined by the Civic Si Sedan and Coupe, Civic Hybrid and Civic Natural Gas in the fall. The new 2015 Civic Sedan SE will also be available in the fall. Customers can view, build and price the 2015 Honda Civic at automobiles.honda.com/civic.

TRIM	MSRP1	EPA Fuel Economy Ratings2 (city/highway/combined)
Civic Coupe LX 5MT	$18,290	28/36/31
Civic Coupe LX CVT	$19,090	30/39/33
Civic Coupe EX 5MT	$20,390	28/36/31
Civic Coupe EX CVT	$21,190	29/38/33
Civic Coupe EX-L CVT	$22,640	29/38/33
Civic Coupe EX-L Navi CVT	$24,140	29/38/33
Civic Sedan LX 5MT	$18,490	28/36/31
Civic Sedan LX CVT	$19,290	30/39/33
Civic Sedan SE CVT	$19,990	30/39/33
Civic Sedan EX CVT	$21,190	30/39/33
Civic Sedan EX-L CVT	$22,840	30/39/33
Civic Sedan EX-L Navi CVT	$24,340	30/39/33
Civic Sedan HF CVT	$20,040	31/41/35

For More Information
Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com/civic. To join the Civic community on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/Honda/Civic. Additional media information including, pricing, features and high-resolution photography of the 2015 Honda Civic is available at hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-civic.
¹ MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) excluding tax, license, registration, $790 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
² 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, and other factors.
³ 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.

Globe and Mail: Tsunami, earthquake: How to lead when absolutely everything goes wrong

Here's an interesting read....

Jerry Chenkin is president and CEO of Honda Canada Inc.
(Deborah Baic/The Globe and Mail)

by Jerry Chenkin of Honda Canada Inc.

Good companies share some common practices. They focus on strengthening leadership, they develop plans for what to do when things go wrong and they prepare as much as they possibly can.

But what about when everything goes wrong all at once? When your entire business, from top to bottom, is thrown into chaos in a matter of hours because of circumstances that you could not possibly have ever imaged?

On March 11, 2011, I was getting on a plane with a group of Canadian Acura dealers to attend a meeting in Thailand. As we sat in the airport lounge, news broke of an earthquake in Japan. Of course we and our dealers were very worried about the impact of the earthquake would have on the people of Japan, and naturally the conversation turned to the possible impact on our business.

Since more than 90 per cent of the Honda and Acura vehicles we sell in Canada are manufactured in North America, I told them that while we could certainly feel some impact, it should not be too severe.

Shortly after we landed in Hong Kong, the first stop on our journey, I heard about the devastating tsunami that had followed the earthquake.

Then, over the next few days I came to realize the severity of the disaster on our business.

We all know now how devastating the earthquake and ensuing tsunami were. Four damaged nuclear reactors, 500 square kilometers submerged, more than 13,000 dead and hundreds of billions of dollars of damage only begins to describe the massive impact of this natural disaster. Many of the Japanese auto manufacturers were affected, but none as severely as Honda.

In the hours and days that followed, we realized that the effect on our Canadian business would be prolonged and, most frustrating to us as business leaders, totally beyond our control. What we came to understand during these early days was that while “just-in-time, single-source supplier” supply chains offer huge advantages when things go smoothly, there are huge risks when unexpected disasters happen.

What does it take to shut down a business?

In reality, not much. Imagine this: A sub-contractor of a sub-contractor makes a part, that part is then sent to another sub-contractor, who then combines multiple parts into an assembly destined for a Honda factory. The whole assembly eventually finds its way, just in time, to an assembly line in North America where it becomes part of a Honda vehicle moving down the line.

Well after March 12, that sub-contractor and many others weren’t only unable to deliver parts, since they had been washed from the face of the earth. The ultra-efficient, highly respected manufacturing practices that we employed were just derailed.

I remember a number of things from that time. I remember feeling so upset for the people in Japan who were suffering so much.

And the feeling of frustration that even with daily global video conferences at crazy times of the night, we simply didn’t have up-to-date information for our dealers and our customers.

Since there was no playbook or plan to follow, all we could do was gather a team of our best people and figure out how to get through this unbelievably tough situation. Here are some of the lessons I learned:

1. Show your face.
It can be difficult to stand in front of employees and customers when you don’t have answers and can’t offer much in the way of reassurance. But leaders must do it anyway. Make yourself available, as soon as possible. Just being there can be reassuring. In times of crisis it is important to realize that everything you do sends a message. This extends right down to things like your body language and tone of voice.

2. Over communicate.
In the normal course of business, we often worry about information overload and inundating our customers and stakeholders with information and turning them off. Even saying you don’t have answers is better than saying nothing at all. Also, realize that repetition is your friend. Information rarely reaches everyone you intend in one telling. So say it again, and again.

3. Trust your team.
When you’re in uncharted waters, where there is no playbook on how to respond, don’t retrench. Instead, open things up and trust your team. They are as invested in your business as you are and getting through the crisis will require the total commitment of everyone at every level. It can be hard to let go when everything already seems out of control, but pulling back won’t help.

Beyond all of these strategies, perhaps the most important lesson I learned is to never lose sight of what’s most important. I lost a lot of sleep in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. So did our associates and our dealers. And we all sweated the massive impact to our business.

But none of that matters much when compared to the devastation to the lives, environment and economy of Japan. Too often when things go wrong, we immediately focus on what it means for me. I think we all do that. I’m probably guilty of it too. But three years later our Canadian business has responded very well, but much devastation remains in Japan and will for decades. I’ll never lose sight of that.

Jerry Chenkin is president and CEO of Honda Canada Inc. (@HondaCanada).

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/leadership-lab/honda-canada-ceo-how-to-lead-when-absolutely-everything-goes-wrong/article20618136/

2015 Acura TLX Sedan Tuned by Pembroke Pines & Vossen

We can't vouch for this, but we're told that this is the world's first modified 2015 Acura TLX. It was made by tuners Pembroke Pines and alloy-wheel specialist, Vossen.

In theory, Acura's new TLX competes in the executive compact sedan segment, but in reality, very few, if any, will cross-shop it against a BMW 3-Series or even a Lexus IS. In the eyes of most, it's simply viewed as a small step up from the regular crop of mainstream mid-size saloons like the Honda Accord.

If you want to give it a more distinct look, the styling crews at Pembroke Pines and Vossen propose an OEM body kit with front and rear bumper addons, side skirts and a boot lid spoiler. The car rolls on Vossen's 20-inch VFS-2 silver-polished wheels and a lowered prototype set of coilovers from RS-R.

We don't see it in these photos, but the interior was "touched up" with carbon fiber wraps.

Source;
http://www.houseofjapan.com/auto-moto/2015-acura-tlx-sedan-tuned-by-pembroke-pines-vossen

Rumours Update: Next Honda/Acura S2000 Sketch

Rumours of what the replacement S2000 are;
-280-350HP Turbo 2.0L Engine (same as what's in the upcoming 2015 Civic Type R in Europe).
-SH-AWD

Source;
http://visions-autos.blog.sport24.lefigaro.fr/788805/Honda-Acura-une-probable-Berlinette/

Ward's: Acura Luxury Brand Becomes More Independent From Honda

Mike Accavitti, who started in the auto industry as a teen working at a Chrysler plant, now heads the Acura luxury brand.

by Steve Finlay of www.wardsauto.com

PETOSKEY, MI – After high school in the 1970s, Mike Accavitti worked the first shift at Warren Truck Assembly, a Chrysler plant near Detroit.

When a production cutback suspended the second shift, the young card-carrying member of the United Auto Workers union knew someone with more seniority from that shift would bump him off his. And they did.
But taking advantage of a UAW educational program, the son of a dry cleaner started classes at Western Michigan University. He graduated as an industrial engineer. He later earned an MBA and law degree.

Accavitti was working at a plastics company in 1984 when he learned of a job opening for an industrial engineer at Warren Truck. He dashed off a personal letter to Lee Iacocca, Chrysler’s CEO at the time.

“I wrote: ‘I’m an industrial engineer and I know something about that plant because I worked there.’”

Driver-focused ’15 Acura TLX.

 

It did the trick. He quickly got the call, the interview and the job. The person who interviewed him, unaware of the letter, said, “I’m just curious, who do you know here?”

Accavitti left Chrysler in 2009 and joined American Honda in 2011 as vice president-marketing. This year, Honda named him senior vice president and general manager of its Acura luxury brand. The division just underwent a major reorganization intended to give it a more independent voice within the company. Acura is No.5 in U.S. luxury sales with 165,436 deliveries last year, according to WardsAuto data.

At a media event for the debuting ’15 Acura TLX sport sedan near this northern Michigan resort town, Accavitti, 55, speaks about greater independence from the parent brand, the essence of Acura, the competition, dealers and the latest vehicle in the lineup. 

Thinking Like a Luxury Brand

WardsAuto: What’s the company reorganization all about?

Accavitti: Honda created the Acura Business Planning Office at our R&D operations in Ohio. It has global brand responsibilities. Erich Berkman leads it. His team has executive representation from all the major functions: purchasing, finance, R&D, design, manufacturing and sales.

The other area of reorganization took place at American Honda in Los Angeles. Now, the Acura division handles the brand soup to nuts: service, sales, marketing and parts. I’m fortunate and honored to lead that.

WardsAuto: So what’s the point of it all?

Accavitti: We’re closely associated with the Honda brand, a great mainstream brand to be associated with. But there was a lot of mass-market thinking getting into our luxury organization. The problem with that is you don’t necessarily take into account what the luxury customer wants.

Honda is a very successful brand. We can kind of think: “If it is good enough for Honda, it’s good enough for any company.” But Acura has to be the best that Honda has to offer. This reorganization will allow us to accomplish that.

WardsAuto: What did you mean when you spoke earlier of “possible disconnects through misalignments?”

Accavitti: Because we were organized by function we had, as an example, a marketing group within the brand-marketing function and a marketing group within the sales function.

Those two functions have different objectives. The short-term thinking that is necessary to sell a car today may run counter to a long-term brand-improvement movement.

It can be quite natural for that to occur. But by now structuring by brand, we are able to take that into account. So, yeah, we’re going to have sales events for short-term actions, but we’re also going to use the brand philosophy and messaging in those, so there’s consistency in the message to consumers.

Consumers don’t care if you’re organized one way or another. They just say, “This is what I think about this brand. This is how this brand speaks to me.” We want to make sure we are sending consistent messages.

Going Up Against Mercedes, BMW

WardsAuto: How do you compete with luxury-segment leaders Mercedes-Benz and BMW. They seem so powerful. Can you give them a run for their money?

Accavitti: We have in the past. We’re debuting the TLX, but the TL model we had from 2004 to 2009 was one of the top models in the segment. We sold 77,000 in one year. So we feel we can achieve top-tier success. With our MDX and RDX, we have the strongest 1-2 punch in the luxury-SUV segment. We have demonstrated the capability to do it, when we have the right product and the right messaging. That is what we are going to be focusing on moving forward.

We’re not out to out-Mercedes Mercedes. Acura is a different kind of luxury brand. It is for individuals who like to express themselves in a different matter. They like nice things, but they don’t necessarily associate the badge with that nice thing. It’s like: “I want a nice car with a good value.” It’s one of the areas we think we can beat the rest of the guys with.

WardsAuto: Is the difference also that Mercedes and BMW are luxury brands without mainstream-brand parents?

Accavitti: There are a lot of reasons those two companies are successful. They’ve been around a long time. They’ve established a heritage of luxury that goes way back. Mercedes is part of Daimler (AG), and (Gottlieb) Daimler invented the car. BMW has been around for a long time, but it really just got its stuff together in the last 20 or 30 years. They’re both great marques.

We’re only 28 years old. We’re the millennial of car companies, born here in the U.S.A. We can speak differently to the luxury audience because we are different. We always have been. We don’t have to try to make that up or change ourselves. We can go out and be ourselves and attract customers who are smart, affluent independent thinkers who want to drive a great car.

WardsAuto: When you speak to that audience, what do you tell them?

Accavitti: With the TLX, we’re telling them this is a great car that is focused on providing a thrilling experience whether it is looking at it or driving it. It’s a car centered around the driver. It’s exhilarating to drive.

WardsAuto: Was the reorganization a Japanese home-office idea or did it come from American Honda?

Accavitti: It actually came from Japan. Every year we go there and present to the board of management our plans for the next year and what our obstacles and challenges are. Last year at one of those meetings with the chairman and CEO, we talked about Acura and how we could improve the brand.

Shortly afterwards, we started having discussions on what we needed to do organizationally to accomplish that, because the existing organizational structure was holding us back.

We made the decision to put in place the best and the brightest to focus on Acura and bring out all its potential. Not to turn it around, because we’re a good brand with positive consumer perceptions.

Dealers Do Their Part

WardsAuto: What are dealers telling you these days?

Accavitti: Our dealers are excited. One of the best parts of my job right now is that I get direct contact with dealers. We have 273 dealers. We communicate more and deeper than before. We’re getting them excited about the brand and product. They like the direction we are going.

WardsAuto: Do you like what they’re doing?      
   
Accavitti: They are a tremendous body of businessmen and women. Just this summer, they underscored my belief that they are top-notch.

WardsAuto: How?

Accavitti: The TLX was delayed for a couple of months because of some technical issues. In the meantime, dealers didn’t have any TLs to sell because we had built out the outgoing model. So they came together. We put out some programs. They did some things and retained salespeople to assure that when the TLX came out, it would be received well.

We had this drought. Our sales were down for the last two months because of lack of inventory. We started the year off great. We were up almost 6%, outpacing the industry, and then we ran out of the TL inventory.

In September, we are going to see the year-over-year gains we like to see. We’ll close the year out super strong. Dealers are demonstrating they can really sell the TLX. They have a lot of preorders and they’re selling them off the trucks. They are demonstrating the ability of turning vehicles at an incredible rate.

 Source;
http://wardsauto.com/management-strategy/acura-luxury-brand-becomes-more-independent-honda?page=4

Toyota Teases its New Crossover Concept C-HR Ahead of Paris Motor Show Unveiling

Jaipur: With approaching Paris Motor Show, manufacturers like Toyota have triggered the teasing process of their upcoming cars. The Japanese automaker has teased the image of its new compact crossover C-HR which will be unveiled at next month’s Paris Motor Show starting from 4th October 2014. Looking at the teased image, the crossover gets narrow headlamps with angular rear taillamp clusters. The car is also supposed to get a sloping roofline that gives a sporty design which further spruces up with the roof mounted spoiler.

In first look, the car reminds of Honda HR-V SUV Concept and the only change one can find is the huge rear bumper.  With the technical details still in dark, the car carries Prius sourced hybrid powertrain.The C-HR concept combines the automaker’s powerful new design language with an engaging driving experience and a hybrid powertrain. The concept vehicle will be showcased at the centre stage of Toyota stand at hall 4. In first look, the car reminds of Honda HR-V SUV Concept and the only change one can find is the huge rear bumper.

With the technical details still in dark, the car carries Prius sourced hybrid powertrain. The 1.8-litre petrol engine powers the front engine, while the electric motor moves the rear axle. According to the Japanese manufacturer, the concept “combines a powerful new design language with an engaging driving experience”.
Furthermore, there is no word on the production model but as per media reports, if the concept gets a green light, the car will make its way to showrooms by 2016.

Source;
http://www.cardekho.com/india-car-news/toyota-teases-its-new-crossover-concept-chr-ahead-of-paris-motor-show-unveiling-14036.htm

Honda HR-V Compact SUV's First Images Revealed

Just ahead of its unveiling at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Honda has revealed the first images of the HR-V compact SUV - the European version of the Vezel. Just so you know, the new compact SUV is based upon the new-generation Jazz.

The HR-V's centrally located fuel tank helped Honda create one of the most spacious and adaptable small SUV cabins, claims the company. Moreover, Honda's Magic Seats enable a wide range of seating configurations, with the ability to fold the second-row seats for additional cargo space.

"The unique exterior design of the new HR-V prototype echoes that of a coupé, with sharp, dynamic lines that link the sleek upper body with the stable and planted lower body. This coupe-esque elegance is achieved without compromising the interior practicality of the car.", says Honda in a statement.

More information on the new HR-V will be revealed during Honda's press conference at the Paris Motor Show.

Source;
http://auto.ndtv.com/news/honda-hr-v-compact-suv-s-first-images-revealed-662354

Ward's Auto: Honda’s Showing Some Fighting Spirit (2016 Honda Civic Full Redesign)

After recent years of lengthier lifecycles, Honda is taking a page from competitors, and its own history, by bringing a new Civic out earlier than expected.

by Christie Schweinsberg in Road Ahead of www.wardsauto.com

One of the interesting tidbits of news that came out of last month’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI, was Honda’s announcement it soon will install new tooling for the next-generation Civic at its Alliston, ON, Canada, and Greensburg, IN, plants.

WardsAuto data confirmed that indeed a new Civic is right around the corner, due in fall 2015 for ’16.

“How odd, but finally Honda’s showing some fighting spirit!” were my first thoughts about the news of a new Civic, a mere four years after the current generation was released.

In the 1980s and 1990s, when Honda became a force in the U.S. auto industry, it had aggressive product lifecycles, with four years between generations of the Civic, routinely the best-selling compact car in the U.S.

But in the past 10 years Honda has lengthened its lifecycles. There was a nearly 6-year gap between the last two Civic generations; the current Honda Pilot CUV has been on the market for 6 years and counting.

In the meantime, Korean brands Hyundai and Kia have been relentless in their product-replacement schedules, with redesigned models arriving at dealerships every four or five years on the dot, and in some cases earlier. For instance, there only were 3½ years between the launch of the current Kia Forte in early 2013 and the prior generation in summer 2009.

That’s because Kia realized the old Forte wasn’t working. And it’s so refreshing for Honda to be admitting the same thing with the earlier-than-expected Civic redesign. Honda often tells critics they’re wrong for thinking a vehicle isn’t marvelous, because after all it’s a Honda!

But the current-generation Civic, released in ’12, was far from marvelous.

Many of us were left scratching our heads over the car’s subpar interior materials and design; others didn’t like the ride-and-handling.

So Honda, in another what-automaker-is-this-again move, notoriously did a major refresh of the car for ’13.

That righted some wrongs but it isn’t easy, or cheap, to make significant changes to a vehicle during its lifecycle. Honda did upgrade the Civic’s materials, adding new seat fabric and door-panel trims. But more major physical changes, such as fixing the awkwardly sized air vents and center-stack layout, would have to wait until a full redesign.

Nothing motivates buyers like new product. Honda learned this during the 2011 fallout from the Japan earthquake and tsunami, when its production was hampered and rival Hyundai, with no such roadblock, launched key new models, including the ’11 Sonata midsize sedan and ’12 Elantra compact car, to rousing success.

“Unfortunately, our competitors didn’t show us any mercy,” then-Honda North America President Tetsuo Iwamura told Bloomberg in December 2011. “They took as much market share from us as they could. That’s the reality of the market. You have to fight back.”

It’s great to see those words being put into action.

Source;
http://wardsauto.com/blog/honda-s-showing-some-fighting-spirit

Honda could run new Civic Type R model in BTCC in 2015

by Kevin Turner of www.autosport.com

Honda could field its new Civic Type R in the British Touring Car Championship next season.

The Japanese firm's future participation in the series had been questioned due to its Formula 1 entry with McLaren, but negotiations are ongoing for a 2015 tin-top plan.

A Honda spokesperson told AUTOSPORT: "We haven't finished our deal for 2015, but it is absolutely our intention to run in the BTCC again in 2015, especially with the launch of the new Civic Type R."

If confirmed, the move would mean works squad Team Dynamics switching back to a hatchback-style body for its NGTC contenders, after one season with the Civic Tourer estate (pictured).

BTCC champions Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal have both won races in the Tourer this season, but their championship campaigns have been troubled.

After a difficult Rockingham weekend, Neal pointed to the BTCC's boost regulations as an issue for the team's VTEC engine, which was also new for 2014.

"The car's great but it's not got a TOCA engine," said Neal.

"The first speed trap [at Rockingham] is fine because it's halfway through a corner but there's not a single Honda in the top 20 in the middle speed trap."

He also warned the issue had threatened Honda's future involvement, before the spokesperson's comments.
"Honda will pull out of the championship," added Neal.

"So they [TOCA officials] have done their job because what they want is Honda out of the championship."

GOW DISMISSES COMMENTS

Series boss Alan Gow responded to Neal by pointing to the fact that Honda has won three consecutive drivers' titles.

"We've heard those moans for the last three seasons about their engine power," he said.


"And in that time, the Honda Civic has won every drivers', teams' and manufacturers' championship.

"Moreover, last year Andrew Jordan in an independent Civic won the championship, beating the works Team Dynamics cars.

"At Rockingham Jordan was the top Honda driver - and he's not even using the latest-spec VTEC engine like the works cars - while the two Team Dynamics cars went backwards.

"Clearly they need to direct their frustration elsewhere, but if they think I'm going to just sit back and accept their outrageous accusation about us wanting Honda out of the BTCC, then they can think again."

Source;
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115778

Engadget: Take a ride in Honda's self-driving car

by Richard Lawler of www.engadget.com

One day (soon, according to GM) it won't be weird to get in a car, go for a drive and see the driver take their hands off of the wheel while the car continues on self-guided. That day isn't today though, so while I've already had demos of "autonomous driving," hopping in this Acura TLX for a quick drive through Detroit was still special. So far I've only seen similar technology working in controlled environments, but this time the car was navigating its way down the same highways I drive on regularly, and dealing with real drivers just trying to go about their day. As it turns out, after three years in development, Honda's technology can handle merging into highway traffic better than some people I know.

That blurry spot on top of the Acura is part of the array of radar, sensors and cameras that tell the car where it is and what's going on around it. Blended with GPS data (including street information and the speed limit, etc.) the car is able to manage going on and off of the freeway, driving and even changing lanes or merging with traffic. Once we began to enter the highway (M-10, underneath the Cobo Center), Honda's system notified the driver it was ready to take over with an audio cue and a light on the dashboard, and when he pressed the button, it just kept driving on the planned route. The only truly weird thing -- as anyone who has driven this route would expect -- is that the car's system kept it going at the posted speed limit, as the usual downtown traffic whizzed by going quite a bit faster.

Other than the unusually low/legal speed for the area, the only other indications inside the car that anything was different are the screens displaying the accumulated sensor data. Honda's engineers said it can detect objects hundreds of meters directly in front of the car, and on the screens, it pointed out not only any traffic nearby, but also their predicted path for the next few seconds. Merging from M-10 onto I-94 proved tricky because of heavy traffic however, and with another audio cue it prompted the driver to take over again. Once he handled the merge, it drove along in slow-moving traffic, then signaled and exited onto I-96 as planned on its way back to the ITS World Conference 2014. If this were an Uber driver (and it might be, eventually), I'd probably give it five stars.

So far Honda hasn't have laid out a specific timeframe to launch this technology, although industry watchers expect to see various forms available by 2020. More testing is needed before this hits streets in your town, as well as answers to the legal/insurance questions about who is responsible when the car is doing the driving. It'll need to lose the roof rack filled with equipment, but the software proved surprisingly capable dealing with normal, every day traffic, and I could see the current implementation with its notifications for the driver working in a real-world environment.

Source;
http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/08/self-driving-car-its-honda/

2016 Honda Pilot Spyshots in Video form

Not new, but thought I'd post it none the less. People are getting excited about this SUV.

Mazda unveils 2016 MX-5 Miata roadster

By Brendan McAleer

MONTEREY, Calif. – On one hand, an ambling seaside stroll along Cannery Row. On the other, dropping blind through the four-storey Corkscrew before realizing that the tricky corner actually comes right after the more-famous one.

There’s one car that’ll do both with ease, not to mention making the winding country route between the two a joyous experience. Clip the apex or slow your roll, it doesn’t matter: the answer is always Miata.

Er, that is, the answer is always MX-5. For a full quarter century people have had to endure enthusiasts waxing poetic about this modestly-powered, deceptively simply little car. The thing is, it really is that good. It’s inexpensive, they seem to last forever, the insurance and fuel to keep it going aren’t particularly expensive, and it might just be the most fun you can have on four wheels. Other cars are faster, more capable, grippier. Better? Perhaps not.

Now, here comes the new one. The fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 will be revealed this evening at a ceremony featuring owners and enthusiasts who have travelled from all corners. Sister ceremonies will be happening across the globe in Barcelona, and Toyko. Duran Duran will even be here in California, for some reason.

You can see the new MX-5 bow on Mazda’s YouTube channel at a live-streaming event (above) and follow @Drivingdotca along as we tweet live from the reveal with more details and impressions immediately after the press conference.

Then, tomorrow, we’ll have a special piece celebrating the past twenty-five years of Miata/MX-5, including driving with the Skip Barber school at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and piloting some of Mazda’s heritage Miatas, including two of the cars that were on stage at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show debut.

Even if there isn’t room in your garage for an MX-5 quite yet, this car is the spearpoint for Mazda’s engineering philosophy, and a roadmap for the future. This new one has really big shoes to fill; we can’t wait to fling it through the Corkscrew before too long, and see what’s what.

Source;

http://driving.ca/mazda/mx-5-miata/auto-news/news/mazda-to-reveal-2016-miata-tonight-at-10-p-m