Happy New Year 2009!!!!

Let's hope that 2009 ends up a better year (economically) than the way 2008 ended up being.

See you in 2009!

All the very best from The Honda Portal!

Japans New Honda Zest gets Mugen'd

Didn't take long for the new Zest Spark to get the special Mugen treatment.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/12/mugen-sports-up-honda-new-zest-minicar.html

GM and Ford Trucks Save Mans Life from Hungry Polar Bear

One animal I'd stay clear of....
These pictures were captured during a deadly game of hide-and-seek between a hungry polar bear and an Alaskan man who stumbled into its path.

The bear — the only species known to actively hunt humans — stalked the man as he left his job as a surveyor in Barrow, the northernmost town in Alaska.

At first, he tried to hide behind the truck until, sensing his presence, the bear dived across the hood and pursued the man in circles around his locked Ford. Unable to unlock the doors quickly enough to evade his pursuer, the man gambled that the GM pickup parked a few feet over was unlocked. As he reached it the bear caught up and mauled the man, leaving over 100 deep claw marks in his back and head. Somehow, the man escaped, crawling through the unlocked door of the GM just in time.

As polar bears face food shortages and destruction of their habitats, they’re increasingly turning to humans — usually their trash — as a source of food. Polar Bears International claims only one human has been killed in the US by the creatures, which can grow up to 10 feet tall, in the last 30 years.

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5119694/truck-saves-alaskan-from-man+eating-polar-bear

Scans of Official JDM Honda Insight Leaked

Some scans have surfaced of Japans Honda Insight (same car we'll be getting here in North America). The production version but the brochure scans give us our first glimpse of the 2009 Insight's more conservatively styled rear-end along with the hybrid's interior which remains for the most part unchanged from the Paris Auto Show.

"The brochure that was uploaded on the Honda enthusiast site called Temple of Vtec also reveals a picture of the Insight Modulo. For those wondering, Modulo is the name Honda gives to jazzed-up versions of factory-designed cars. The accessorized Insight pictured above features a sporty bodykit with a front spoiler that incorporates an extra set of (fog?) lights, side skirts, a rear apron and larger alloy wheels. Finally, we also learn from the leaked brochure that the JDM Insight will be offered in three trim levels, G, L and LS."

Source; http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/12/2009-honda-insight-hybrid-jdm-brochure.html

Via; http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=805848&page_number=1#805848

Japan's Honda ZEST gets a Facelift and is called the SPARK

Looks like Honda Japan has decided to give the Zest a slight make over like they did with the Honda Element and the SC package. I am guessing that this is for the tuner market in Japan. This vehicle is alot smaller than the Element but like the FIT, it has alot of space and is a practical choise for a small car.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/29/japan-honda-zest-gets-extra-spark/

National Post; Automotive predictions for 2009

David Booth, National Post Published: Saturday, December 27, 2008

In an economic climate as topsy-turvy as this, even the bravest Nostradamus wannabes tend to get cautious. No one saw this automotive meltdown coming six months ago and you can bet anyone with even a semi-reliable view into the near-term future would be in high demand in Detroit, Tokyo and Munich.

Thus, it is probably more determination (She Who Equivocates still would call it pig-headedness) than actual prognostication that sees me peering into 2009's crystal ball. Nonetheless, I think I will be foolhardy enough to try to foretell next year's successes, even if it's only to give you readers an opportunity to agree with She Who Constantly Shakes Her Head In Frustration.

Like almost everyone, I don't expect the current low gas prices to last long. However, I do expect them to endure through next year and, considering most U. S. consumers have short memories, I suspect that sales of trucks will rebound. Actually, this one isn't much of a stretch. Lost in all this talk of a paradigm shift in the form of a new automotive consumer is the fact that Ford's F-150 and Chevy's Silverado are selling well. In fact, though their total sales are diminished, they are still the two best-selling nameplates south of the 49th parallel. Gas-guzzling SUVs, on the other hand, will not fare so well. The "need" for a cargo-hauling pickup is easily justified, but there are plenty of vehicles that can ferry the kidlets to grade school better than a Lincoln Navigator.

The first autojournalist tests of the Chevrolet Volt will be successful. Much of the skepticism surrounding General Motors' Electric-Extended Range Vehicle involves its lithium ion batteries, which, no less an automotive authority than Honda has said are not ready for prime time. Nonetheless, the Chevrolet will shock the world with the first foray into this game-changing technology. GM will, however, be sweating bullets over the previous prediction as the fuel-sipping sedan with an approximately $7,500 premium for its electronic gadgetry is a tough sell when gasoline is a buck-seventy-five per U. S. gallon. In a perfect world, The General is probably hoping for a continuation of this cheap gasoline for all of 2009 so it can squeeze out as many pickup sales as possible and then a gradual uptick in crude oil pricing as the Volt is being unveiled to the public. It's definitely wishful thinking, but it is in the realm of possibility.

Honda will once again become a significant competitor to Toyota in the hybrid market. Not as high-tech as the Prius, its new Insight will be inexpensive, a huge boon in an economic climate as clouded as this. However, thanks to the glut of cheap oil swirling about, the Insight will take some time before hitting the 200,000 units Honda predicts it can sell in a year.

As for Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn's prediction of purely electric cars becoming 10% of the global automotive market, I'm already on record as saying it's a pipe dream. Hybrids have been around for almost a decade now and, despite the headlines they generate, they still account for only about 2% of the market. There will be pomp and circumstance every time someone introduces a new electric car, but sales of the battery-only-powered automobile will remain low for quite some time.

At the other extreme, high-powered supercars are facing a difficult future. For the first time in many an economic crisis, the filthy rich are being hit as hard as we mere proles. Porsche has already noted a muting in demand and Lamborghinis are no longer flying off the lot. Nonetheless, it and Ferrari are iconic enough and have sufficient funds behind them (Lamborghini is owned by Audi, which is owned by Volkswagen, which is owned by Porsche ... you get the idea) that they will weather the storm. But all the boutique marques that have popped up in the last decade will certainly struggle as will newly independent Aston Martin. This is a shame for, if you read elsewhere in this issue, the DBS was my favourite car of the year.

And as my final prediction of the year, the comeback kid of 2009 will be Jaguar. Yes, in the midst of this terrible financial crisis, the storied English marque will resurrect itself for the umpteenth time. Fortified by a spate of new, more powerful engines and the achingly beautiful XF, Jag will find itself on much more solid footing. The divorce from ailing Ford will turn out to be a boon, especially since Ratan Tata, the Indian industrialist who rescued Jaguar as well as Land Rover, seemingly has a sustainable plan (including, I say with much hope, a lightweight sports car) for the leaping feline.

dbooth@nationalpost.com

Source;
http://www.nationalpost.com/cars/story.html?id=1118079

The hybrid wars heat up

Found a interesting article on the Hybrid battle between Honda and Toyota.
Honda's new hybrid throws down the gauntlet to Toyota

JEREMY CATO
From Friday's Globe and Mail
E-mail
December 26, 2008 at 4:59 PM EST

PHOENIX — Oil prices are going up. As I sit here writing about Honda's new hybrid, the 2010 Insight, on the desk next to me is the front page of The New York Times declaring that major oil and gas projects now being delayed are setting the stage for "another surge in oil prices once the global economy recovers."

So a spike in the price of oil is really just a matter of time. For Honda right now, the price of oil is not so much an issue of time, but of timing.

That is, will pump prices go back up to the levels of last May/June that looked like they would make the launch of the gas-stingy 2010 Insight hybrid a smashing success?

In the early summer, with oil pushing $140 (U.S.) a barrel and apparently headed to $200 with a bullet — as predicted by Jeff Rubin at CIBC World Markets, among others — a clean emissions fuel sipper like the Insight looked like a slam-dunk winner.

Yet as the Times points out, "oil markets have had their sharpest-ever spikes and their steepest drops this year, all within a few months."

Indeed, by September, with oil prices sliding dramatically and pickup sales actually picking up, Honda nonetheless used the Paris motor show for the worldwide debut of a "concept" version of its new five-door gasoline-electric hatchback.

This hybrid, said Honda officials not quite willing to admit to past mistakes, would challenge rival Toyota's success with the Prius hybrid hatchback ($27,400). The new Honda would be far less expensive than the Prius — perhaps as low as $19,000 — and would thus set new standards in hybrid affordability.

By November, Honda was again teasing the public with more details about the Insight at the Los Angeles auto show. The company said its Insight would not only be cheaper than any other hybrid car on the market it would also become an almost instant best-seller.

The low price, said Honda types, would make it possible to sell 200,000 of the cars each year in Japan, Europe and North America. Toyota has yet to sell 200,000 Prius cars in a single year and it's the world's hybrid best seller.

Honda plans to introduce hybrid versions of other models, too. One is a sporty compact car, a 2+2 hatchback based on the CR-Z concept first shown a year ago at the Tokyo motor show.

The longer-term goal is to sell 500,000 hybrids a year world-wide by early next decade. Toyota, meanwhile, aims to reach annual sales of one million hybrids globally by the same time.

Thankfully, the Insight tease will be officially over by the second week of January. That's when Honda — one of the most secretive car companies in the world — will finally give us the straight goods on the Insight.

But why wait? After all, I am here in Phoenix to drive the Insight and get all the details first-hand. Unfortunately, in return for the chance to drive the car, I've agreed not to share what I've learned here in Arizona until Jan. 11. This is so that Honda can do a one-time global unveiling at the Detroit auto show.

But there is more than one way to tell a story. Using other sources, I've already pieced together almost all you need to know about the Insight.

The price will be in the $20,000-range. Not the mid-$20,000s and not the high-$20,000s, either. Take that, Prius. (For the record, Toyota will unveil a new version of the Prius in January at the Detroit show, though the likelihood of a major price drop is not great.)

Honda has reined in costs for the 2010 Insight by using Honda's existing Integrated Motor Assist hybrid powertrain, though in a smaller package and with lighter components.

Like the Civic Hybrid, the Insight's system combines an electric motor with a 1.3-litre VTEC engine. Its main power source, a highly efficient, lightweight gasoline engine, will be assisted by battery power.

Fuel economy should be in the same range as the Civic Hybrid ($26,350): 4.7 litres/100 km city/4.3 highway, versus 4.0 city/4.2 highway for the Prius.

Toyota's "full" hybrid setup is more fuel-efficient because it more thoroughly weds a battery-powered vehicle with a gasoline engine. The Prius is able to run only on batteries, only on gas, or some combination of the two thanks to smart electronic controls.

As the fuel-economy numbers indicate, Toyota's approach delivers unsurpassed fuel economy in city driving where battery power comes into play for stop-and-go driving. At slower speeds, say crawling through traffic, the Civic Hybrid cannot run on battery power alone and that will be true for the 2010 Insight.

On the other hand, like the Prius, the Insight only will be available as a hybrid. That will appeal to buyers who like to tout their eco-friendly credentials as they commute to work or pull up to the red carpet at the Oscars.

By contrast, the hybrid versions of the Honda Civic, Ford Escape, upcoming Ford Fusion and Toyota Highlander look virtually identical to their gasoline-powered counterparts. All that identifies them as hybrids are some discrete badges saying "hybrid."

So the Insight's ace in the whole, above everything else, is price, rather than image.

My burning question to Honda Canada executive vice-president Jerry Chenkin boils down to this: If oil prices don't go back up by April, if gas stays cheap, isn't the Insight in danger of being a giant and costly flop?

"No. If the price of gas were $1 a litre or 50 cents a litre or $2.00 a litre, Honda would still be developing this product — these products — because it is part of the culture," says Chenkin, a 35-year veteran of the auto industry. "It [the Insight] is not built to combat the price of gas; it's built to preserve the planet."

It's true that Honda does have the most fuel-efficient fleet in North America and that fact bolsters Honda's case as a "green" auto maker. During the glory days of big pickups and SUVs, Honda refused to join the party — although Honda does make a large SUV-like vehicle, the Pilot, and a big minivan, the Odyssey, and a mid-size pickup, the Ridgeline.

This year, Honda's big product introduction was the 2009 Fit ($14,980), which is rated at a healthy if not hybrid-like 7.2 L/100 km city/5.7 highway. The quirky little hatchback is doing well; Chenkin anticipates selling perhaps 20,000 Fits next year in Canada.

Chenkin insists that Honda is a philosophy-driven company and that's why Honda is pushing ahead with the Insight regardless of fuel prices. That same philosophy prevented Honda from pressing ahead with large SUVs and trucks, even when they were big sellers. Despite pressure from dealers, Honda never went ahead with a V-8 engine, either.

"Toyota went in that direction, not us," says an obviously competitive Chenkin.

The point Chenkin and other Honda officials want to make is that the Insight should register with a public familiar with Honda's approach to auto making. That includes a reputation for reliability and handling, not just fuel efficiency.

"Honda's cars seem to have more personality than Toyota's," said Aaron Bragman, an analyst with the research firm Global Insight in Troy, Mich. "Their cars are enjoyable to drive, and not just appliances."

Yes, but Toyota's success with hybrids, and Honda's stumbles with them, clearly grate on Honda officials. The Civic Hybrid barely registers with the public and the Accord Hybrid was cancelled due to an utter lack of interest.

Meanwhile, Toyota's Prius is the runaway leader in the category and Toyota has a handful of other hybrids in its lineup, too.

With the Insight, Honda is issuing its challenge to the Toyota in general and the Prius in particular. In a nutshell, Honda is committed to taking a leadership role in hybrid technology.

"This new Insight will break new ground by providing an affordable hybrid to an expanded number of customers craving great fuel economy and great value," said Takeo Fukui, Honda's CEO, in Paris.

In the end, the picture that emerges of Honda is of a stubborn, go-it-alone auto maker that is determined to learn from its mistakes, and chart its own course. Thus, the Insight concept is a Prius look-alike, but Honda's hybrid technology is vastly different and, in a way, more elegantly simple and highly efficient than Toyota's or Ford's or GM's.

Honda officials argue that its hybrid technology is cost-efficient and, in small commuter cars, it is ideal for squeezing out fuel economy gains and lower emissions in stop-and-go city driving.

Regenerative braking, meanwhile, recharges the onboard battery in all that rush-hour driving.
In a nutshell, Honda wants to sell a fleet of smaller hybrids with smaller sticker prices. The idea is to make hybrid cars mainstream by lowering the price to the point where the fuel economy savings more than offset the price premium.

Cost is one reason why Honda is not pursuing — for now, at least — a pure electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid. Electric cars make no sense until lightweight and affordable lithium ion batteries are available, company officials say.

But Honda may be close to rethinking its electric car stance, having finally inked a partnership with a lithium-ion battery supplier, GS Yuasa, that will manufacture next-generation lithium-ion batteries for Honda's gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.

Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and more powerful than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in the current Prius, Civic Hybrid and 2010 Insight, and thus they are seen as the next big advancement in electric cars and hybrids.

This latest move is another signal that Honda plans to be competitive despite a global recession and tight credit that is strangling demand for new vehicles and hurting profitability even at lean, efficient auto makers such as Honda.

Make no mistake, these are challenging times. Honda, Japan's second biggest automaker, recently cut its annual operating profit forecast by two-thirds.

What is most interesting is Honda's response to events. The company has gone into full crisis mode, with a long-term plan for recovery that recognizes oil prices will eventually go back up — and dramatically.

In prepared remarks in Japan last week, CEO Fukui said that Honda will fully concentrate its resources on the development of fuel-efficient products. The keys to achieve this goal are advancements of electromotive technologies including hybrid models as well as motorcycles and small cars.

So even as Honda is cutting spending on everything from Formula One racing (Honda is out of it) to senior executive pay (slashed by 10 per cent), the company is focusing on clean and fuel-efficient technologies.

Oil prices are going up and when they do, Honda plans to be there offering more than just one Insight hybrid.

Source;

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081226.whHybridHondaMain1226/BNStory/specialGlobeAuto/?pageRequested=all

2010 Honda Odyssey Van Pic?

Well, if this is truely a 2010 Honda Odyssey, then it doesn't look like they are changing much, at least from the outward appearance. In fairness, the van is so good right now - what do you do?!?

Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2008/12/2010-honda-odyssey.html

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 2008!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from THE HONDA PORTAL!

Funny Car Pic's

In light of all the 'doom and gloom' of the auto market, here's something to brighten up the day. Hope you get at least a smile from one of these.

Ssangyong out of money, $77 million in the Red

Wow, we are living in some harsh times with the current economic crisis in full swing and it appears that no matter where you are - if you are in the 'car business', you are in the front lines. I hope this becomes a lesson to other companies.
Ssangyong Unable to Pay Staff

Korea's smallest carmaker Ssangyong Motors on Sunday said it cannot pay December salaries, which were due on Wednesday. Domestic carmakers saw a steep drop in sales in due to the worldwide economic crisis, but this is the first time a domestic automaker has failed to pay workers the money it owes them.

In letters to staff sent Friday, Ssangyong said, "The company is expected to post a deficit of more than W100 billion (US$1=W1,292) this year alone. Due to lack of operating funds for December, it is impossible for the company to pay salaries any longer."

It had asked the head office of its parent company Shanghai Automotive Industry in China for emergency operating funds, but the request was turned because the in-house union had called for Chinese executives to resign, Ssangyong said. Shanghai Automotive took over Ssangyong in January 2005 by buying 48.9 percent stake, bringing holdings to 51.3 percent. Ssangyong employs about 8,000 staff -- 2,500 white-collar workers and 5,500 production-line workers.

The Ssangyong executive committee plans a protest rally against management in front of the company's Pyeongtaek plant in Gyeonggi Province at 8:30 a.m. on Monday.

Ssangyong began suspending the operation of all plants, including the Pyeongtaek plant, for three weeks last Wednesday. On Dec. 12, Ssangyong drastically downscaled its entire organization by merging the domestic business division, the overseas business division, and the services division into a single one, and fired a dozen key executives. A Ssangyong executive said, "The company will conduct an additional round of restructuring focusing on its business departments."

With domestic sales dropping 34.5 percent from January until November, the number of Ssangyong's dealerships has shrunk by about 60, from 237 early this year to the current 180. November sales alone fell by 63 percent year-on-year.

Source (via www.autoblog.com);
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200812/200812220004.html

Honda Warning, Fix the Yen or we Leave Japan

That's right, current economic times are forcing Honda to talk drastic measures.

We're outta here!!!!
Corporate posturing or not, Honda's Takeo Fukui made his opinions perfectly clear regarding the Japanese government's recent lack of currency manipulation. Fukui, CEO of Honda Motor Co., suggested that the yen's rise in value relative to the currency in the United States and Europe is causing major damage to the automaker, and he's willing to take drastic measures to stop the hurt, including relocating the automaker's corporate headquarters to another country. Other possible actions include a major reduction in workforce, including the type of permanent lay-offs that the automaker has typically avoided in the past, as well as moving more production out of Japan and into overseas markets.

Fukui might get exactly what he wishes for, as many economists are predicting that the yen will sink in value in relation to the dollar within the next few days. If not, many, like Fukui, are calling on the Japanese government to step in and devalue its currency for the first time in four years. Thanks for the tip, BenS!

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/honda-could-move-headquarters-outside-of-japan/

Giant Robot Attack!!!! 49ft ASIMO Float

If you thought Asimo falling down the stairs (aww, that's just not funny anymore! ;) )was funny, wait until this epic 49-foot-tall version of Honda's robot falls down during the Rose Parade, crushing dozens of bedazzled dancers.

Yes, Honda made a nearly 50-foot-tall version of its not-so-nimble robotic friend, and it'll be heading down the Rose Parade route on New Year's Day. Also, it will be wearing a big top hat, which is a nice touch.

Source;
http://gizmodo.com/5114514/49+foot+tall-honda-asimo-robot-to-terrorize-spectators-at-the-rose-parade

Q&A: Honda Lithium Battery, GS Yuasa Form Battery JV

Here's an interesting look at the behind the scenes of Honda....
Honda Motor Co Ltd and GS Yuasa Corp reached a basic agreement on the establishment of their joint venture for the Li-ion secondary battery business Dec 17, 2008.

"We know that, under the current bleak circumstances, the key to survival is to further accelerate the development of advanced environmental technologies and offer them as attractive products to our customers," said Honda President Takeo Fukui at the press conference.

To diffuse hybrid cars, "the most suited solution" at the moment, it is important to evolve Li-ion secondary batteries, he said. And he explained why Honda is forming a new company with GS Yuasa, describing GS Yuasa as a company that has "high levels of Li-ion secondary battery technologies and expertise in battery materials and many other areas." He also emphasized the fact that GS Yuasa's Li-ion secondary battery is used in Honda's two-legged robot "ASIMO."

Major questions and answers were as follows.

Q: When and on what scale are you planning to manufacture a new Li-ion secondary battery? How much will the initial investment be? From which model are you considering introducing the new battery?

Also, there is a sense that Honda lags behind Toyota Motor Corp and Nissan Motor Co Ltd, which have already established joint ventures, with Toyota establishing "Panasonic EV Energy Co Ltd" with Panasonic Corp and Nissan setting up "Automotive Energy Supply Corp" with NEC Corp. Will this be a handicap for Honda?

Fukui: Honda is planning to provide half the joint venture's capital of ¥15 billion (approx US$168 million). It's difficult to specify when and from which vehicle we are starting to use the new battery now, as our "Insight" (to be released in spring 2009) will employ a nickel-hydride secondary battery. However, we will strive to do that as soon as possible and I believe we will never fall behind our rivals.

Q: Since when have you been considering establishing the new company? Honda has been purchasing components from various companies so far. Are you going to change that strategy? Also, are you planning to apply the battery to fuel cell vehicles and other green cars?

Fukui: Honda has been discussing diverse plans over the past few years. Our relationship with GS Yuasa involved Li-ion secondary batteries several years ago. Our latest "ASIMO" uses GS Yuasa's Li-ion secondary battery as well. To go back even further, we developed normal batteries for motorcycles together. Our relationship has a long history.

I think we started discussing specific things about the joint venture about a year ago. We happened to make the announcement at this timing, but we were not expecting an economic turmoil like this. We would have announced the plan at about the same time even if it had not been for the economic fluctuation, I believe.

As for future prospects, we are first aiming to develop a battery exclusively targeted at Honda's "IMA (Integrated Motor Assist)" hybrid system in a short period of time. After that, we will discuss and determine the next steps with GS Yuasa.

By the way, Honda will continue to purchase nickel-hydride secondary batteries from Sanyo Electric Co Ltd and Panasonic.

Basically, the new company will aim to become the world's top manufacturer in terms of product competitiveness, of course. But Honda will remain to be a purchaser. We must make purchasing decisions by properly evaluating products in terms of Q (quality), C (cost) and D (delivery). It will be the best if Honda decides to employ all the components (Li-ion secondary batteries) that the new company produces as a result of this evaluation.

Q: Honda has insisted on waiting to partner with a certain company until it gets a better perspective for the future, based on the belief that it had better procure batteries, whose technologies are still immature, from multiple manufacturers. So, now you have a technological prospect?

Fukui: Generally speaking, batteries still have considerable room for growth. And I suppose it is possible that various new concept batteries will be proposed in the future. We are also holding high hopes for them. Nevertheless, lithium batteries are the most realistic solution at this point. And we judged the fastest way to meet our goal is that battery and automobile manufacturers join hands to develop them.

Q: GS Yuasa already established its joint venture "Lithium Energy Japan" with Mitsubishi Motors Corp and Mitsubishi Corp. How will you separate the development between that company and the joint venture you are forming with Honda?

GS Yuasa's President Makoto Yoda: The new joint venture with Honda will start as a company to research, develop, manufacture and sell Li-ion secondary batteries for use in hybrid cars. Meanwhile, Lithium Energy Japan develops Li-ion secondary batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). Those products are clearly different from each other.

We will, of course, strictly separate our teams for development, production and preparation for volume production on the side of GS Yuasa. However, on a medium-term basis, I believe we can expect synergy in various ways.

Q: How do you think about the strategy of partnering with multiple automakers? And you said GS Yuasa will strictly separate Li-ion secondary batteries for EVs and those for hybrids. But what are the difference between them?

Yoda: Regardless of whether they are for EVs or hybrids, Li-ion secondary batteries are not the type of products that a battery manufacturer develops by itself and proposes to automakers saying, "Here you are." They are like "special order items." We tailor them in accordance with drive mode, specifications and many other conditions. In other words, they are products that we must discuss and develop with automakers from the design phase.

Therefore, it's natural for us to establish a new company that makes Li-ion secondary batteries for hybrids with Honda. Of course, we might find a different approach in the future. But under the current circumstances, we are sure developing Li-ion secondary batteries with Honda and Mitsubishi is the most natural approach for us.

As for the difference between Li-ion secondary batteries for EVs and those for hybrids, the former requires a large capacity because EVs have no power source other than batteries. The latter, on the other hand, does not need a large capacity because hybrids are powered by engines too.

However, batteries for hybrids charge and discharge extremely frequently: They output power when the car is accelerating and regenerate power when the car is decelerating. Therefore, batteries for hybrids can have small capacity but must be efficient in charging and discharging. So, their development processes are quite different.

Q: Honda could have chosen to invest in GS Yuasa. Why did you choose to establish a joint venture?

Fukui: I don't see much point in investing in GS Yuasa. Also, as this joint venture is a battery company, I believe the best approach is that GS Yuasa, a battery manufacturer, holds the majority stake and Honda takes the minority.

Q: Did Panasonic's acquisition of Sanyo have any influence on the establishment of the new company?

Fukui: I found out about Panasonic's TOB (takeover bid) to acquire Sanyo in a newspaper. We had begun discussing our plans long before that. SO, we were not influenced by the news.

Source;
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20081219/163085/?P=2

Honda outlines its green car future

It’s the time of year when most of us take stock of what’s gone before and evaluate our futures - and Japanese car maker Honda is no exception.

Its CEO Takeo Fukui has outlined the steps that Honda is taking in the short-term to tackle the global financial crisis while also addressing the company’s long term green car commitments.

According to Fukui, Honda will concentrate its efforts on the development of fuel efficient cars more than ever. He has outlined hybrid models of both small cars and motorcycles as the key to achieving this goal. Honda believes that hybrid technology is the most realistic path to carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction at this moment and will be focusing its energies on hybrids in an effort to achieve mass market penetration.

In particular, the eagerly anticipated Honda Insight, which will debut at January’s Detroit show, has been strongly emphasised while the company will also consider applying hybrid technology to medium and large-size vehicles.

To support the sale of hybrid models, the company will strengthen its manufacturing system. Production of the hybrid motor for the IMA system has already begun for the first time at the Suzuka Factory and motor capacity will be increased to 250,000 units annually. Honda will also establish a production system and determine the capabilities needed for a further increase in demand for hybrid cars.

In addition, Honda will focus on accelerating product development of small cars to fulfil strong demand from customers, particularly in emerging countries. A new small car will be positioned in the class below the Fit and be introduced in the next two-three years.

Honda will also remain committed to advancing its global production system with a central focus on Japan and in creating fuel-efficient products. According to Fukui, Honda is developing a battery powered electric motorcycle to be introduced to the market in around two years.

Source;
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2008/12/22/honda-outlines-its-green-car-future/

Chevy Suburban Crushes Honda Accord

Well, I guess that's one way to do it. It amazes me to see stuff like this happen. Last time I checked, here in North America the only 3 cars not made here IN North America were the S2000, FIT, and the Civic Hybrid. All I can say is wow.
Hilo, Hawaii (AP) - A Chevrolet dealer who tried to crush his Asian auto competition found the stunt a little harder to pull off than expected.

Island Chevrolet general sales manager James Severtson arranged for a Chevrolet Suburban SUV outfitted with massive tires costing $5,000 apiece to drive over a Honda Accord.

On the first attempt Friday, the monster truck blew a hydraulic hose and leaked vital fluid while the Honda remained intact and ready for more.

After several hours, the truck was repaired and driver Ryan Kepiki tried again, this time with a Hyundai Excel sedan parked next to the Honda.

Kepiki drove over the cars' hoods, destroying the windshields to the seeming delight of the rush-hour crowd.

Severtson said the dealership had been planning the crush-fest for a while. But he said it was a happy coincidence President Bush approved a bailout for U.S. automakers as the weekend arrived.

"We'd like to send the message that the best way to support your country is to buy an American vehicle today," Severtson said.

Source;
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/strange/odd_ap_chevy_dealer_crushes_the_competition_200812221012

2011 New VW Beetle to be more 'Manly'

Well, here's my first VW only post! A friend of mine is a BIG VW fan, so this one's for you Griff!

There has been a leak in the new details of the next-generation Volkswagen Beetle. Car Magazine is said that the 2011 Vw Beetle was going to be divided into two versions. Presently, however, the German carmaker has chosen on a new route. Initially, there would be a couple of Beetles; a diminutive scarcely large enough for a family, patterned on the 2007 Vw Up! model, and a larger version founded on the Golf.

Currently, the automotive group will create the production up! a front-engined vehicle, which means the new Beetle should debut in early 2010 as an altogether separate vehicle. And the distinctly feminine curves will be absent from the next Beetle. Plans call for a more belligerent and manly appearance, which could spell disaster if it pushes the present buyer base away from the car and does not get attention from new buyers.Rather, the car is thought to appear a bit more like the Vw Ragster model from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. This means that a flat-roofed four-seater, with a hatchback and steep angles should be anticipated. Of course, there are still many versions down the range, as VW is contemplating the conversion of the Beetle into a new brand. Anticipate expanded engine selections, and enhanced drivability with the fresh Beetle.

Source;

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/2011-vw-beetle-new-details-leaked/