Honda CRV; the Most Popular SUV

The times have certainly changed for the sport utility market. While SUVs enjoyed tremendous sales success in recent years, the rising price of gasoline coupled with a weakened economy has driven down SUV sales more recently. As a result, dealers are struggling to move SUV inventory these days, even with attractive incentives. The hardest hit by this trend may be domestic automakers as they have relied on the sales successes of gas guzzling midsize and large SUVs.

Larger SUVs, however, not only were hit hard by fuel prices, but were also hit hard by an alternative - the crossover. Crossovers deliver the capabilities of truck-based SUVs, but with a car-based chassis, along with a more car-like ride and fuel efficiency.

According to MSN Autos, the top 10 most popular SUVs are mostly crossovers or small sport utilities. Thanks to high seating position, flexible people- and cargo-carrying capacities, and a lighter more fuel efficient platform, it should be no surprise. With many SUV owners that don’t use their SUVs for towing and hauling or off-roading, the smart choice is clearly going with a crossover rather than a truck-based ‘ute.

1) Honda CR-V
At the top of the list of most popular SUVs, which should be no surprise, is the Honda CR-V. Honda’s reputation for reliability and value alone go a long way on any vehicle, but the latest CR-V also adds sleek styling and a powertrain that delivers 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. While Salinas CA Honda and Los Angeles Honda Dealers‘ customers are drawn to the the CR-V’s fuel economy, many site the crossover’s reliability and resale value as strong factors in their decision to purchase this vehicle.

2) Toyota Rav4

3) Nissan Rogue

4) Honda Pilot

5) Ford Escape

6) Subaru Forrester

7) Toyota Highlander

8) Acura MDX

9) Nissan Murano

10) Ford Explorer

Source with blurb on each vehicle;
http://www.autointheknow.com/top-10-most-popular-sport-utility-picks/

Honda wins energy efficiency rally

A Honda Civic Hybrid has won this week's AA Energywise four-day rally for completing the distance at the least cost.

A record 59 vehicles were tested in this year's rally over motorways, unsealed roads, rural state highways, and in peak-hour city congestion.

The vehicle that cost the least to run including fuel and road user charges, was the Honda Civic Hybrid, with a $111.72 bill for the 1641km rally which started and finished in Auckland.

The driver award, for the team that beat the manufacturer-stated fuel use of their vehicle by the highest percentage, went to a team driving a Holden HSV Maloo. They reduced their fuel consumption by 39.5 percent, achieving 9.497 litres per 100km instead of the manufacturer-stated fuel use of 15.7 litres per 100km.

The environment award, for the vehicle with the lowest fuel use and emissions for the rally, went to a Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion Manual, with 95.58 grams per kilometre.

Source;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4775813a30.html

Here's the results including all of the cars participated;
http://www.aa.co.nz/Documents/EWR/2008/main/results/ewr_26_nov08_results.pdf

Visiting the Honda HSC

The Honda HSC (High-performance Sports Concept) was initially shown to the public at the 2003 Tokyo Auto Show and although Honda never confirmed it, most thought that the HSC was going to be the next generation NSX.

The 2003 HSC featured a light weight, mid-mounted aluminum 3.5L V6 i-Vtec engine, with a 6 speed transmission controlled by either an F1 style paddle shifter on the steering wheel, or a unique dial shifter on the center console. When shifted into reverse, the navigation system's adjustable flat-panel screen in the center console becomes a display for a rear mounted camera. Abundant leather and aluminum trim pieces round out the interior, an all aluminum frame with Carbon Fibre body panels keep it light, and scissor style doors affirm its Super Car status.

I think that the back end of this concept would be a nice touch onto what Honda is proposing to be the next NSX, it stays closer to the actual NSX roots in my opinion.

Here's a link to the Honda HSC design page from Honda;
http://world.honda.com/collection-hall/globaldesign/hsc.html

Honda Clarity Burns Hydrogen, Emits Only Water: Jason H. Harper

Here's a good article from Bloomberg.com with some information on the Honda FCX Clartiy....
Nov. 26 (Bloomberg) -- It’s not every day that you get to kick the wheels on the car of tomorrow. After all, the question of what will power future automobiles is a guessing game, with candidates ranging from electricity and compressed natural gas to hydrogen fuel cells.

Honda made an expensive bet in that guessing game by designing the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity. It’s costly (perhaps $500,000 each to produce), yet the sedan emits only water.

Both Honda and Chevy are testing fuel-cell vehicles by making them available for lease by select customers. Hydrogen’s big upside is its cleanliness and ability to be produced from many sources, even water and human waste.

Fuel-cell stacks are akin to mini power stations in which the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen is converted into electricity, which then powers an electric motor. Since hydrogen is a gas, it’s stored under pressure in reinforced tanks.

There are big hurdles to clear because the technology is expensive and an entire hydrogen refueling infrastructure will need to be created. (Honda’s previous FCX, first delivered in 2002, cost about $1 million each to produce. Executives are coy but say the Clarity costs about half that.)

I pick up the Clarity in Manhattan with the intent of driving it dry, as I’m curious about the refueling process itself. Is it complicated?

I turn the key, push the start button and the center gauges soon turn blue, indicating it’s ready to drive. Like a hybrid or electric car, there’s no start-up noise.

I motor into traffic, trying not to ignore the fact that while the Clarity is as exotic and expensive as an Italian supercar, nobody else -- including errant yellow taxis -- knows this. Best to avoid fender benders.

Refueling Station

I’m on my way to Allentown, Pennsylvania, about 90 miles away. There I will find Air Products & Chemicals Inc. and its hydrogen refilling station. The Clarity has a range of 190 miles of highway driving, 280 of combined city/freeway. (Like hybrids, fuel-cell vehicles get better mileage in town, at slow speeds with less wind resistance.) A full tank is just enough for one back-and-forth trip.

In the Clarity’s case, hydrogen is delivered as pressurized gas, and one kilogram is roughly equivalent to one gallon of gas. Over 200 miles in the day, I average 55 miles per “gallon.” Yet the tank only holds about four kilograms of hydrogen, and if you run out, a flatbed truck is in your immediate future.

Only in California

The Clarity has its own production line, which over the next three years will put out some 200 cars. Only Southern California customers are currently getting them since the state has the most hydrogen stations. Customers are pre-vetted, and leases cost $600 a month for three years, including maintenance and insurance. (So far, only a few have been delivered.) Honda is obviously not making money on the project, but it does suggest a certain seriousness.

New York won’t see the Clarity soon. General Motors Corp., though, is offering its fuel-cell Chevy Equinox SUV at no cost to some 100 drivers in New York, Southern California and Washington, D.C. New York drivers can use a Shell station in White Plains.

The Clarity was expressly designed as a fuel-cell vehicle, and the result is an elegant and handsome four-door sedan. With no big engine in the front, the hood and overhang are quite short and offset by a raked windshield. The Clarity is basically one long swoop, with a high back trunk to minimize air drag. Futuristic, though not aggressively so.

Easy Handling

I’m surprised to find that it drives just about like any other Honda. It’s easy to negotiate in traffic, handles nicely and doesn’t feel especially sluggish. Nor did I have any problem keeping up with fast traffic on the highway.

It looks like a real car, too. The test version has a metallic burgundy paint job, attractive wheel rims and an interior that would make an Acura proud, with GPS navigation, cooled and heated seats and tons of room.

Electronic gauges monitor gas mileage, hydrogen levels and range, and how much power is recaptured while braking (a technology shared with hybrids). A small circle at the center expands and contracts depending on how much power is being used -- an intuitive way of gauging how efficiently you’re driving.

My range is dwindling as I near Allentown, and I’m glad to find Air Products, which has some 85 hydrogen stations in 15 countries. They’re expecting me, and representatives explain the simple refueling process.

I insert a narrow hose onto a nozzle inside the car’s gas latch and then turn a locking lever. It’s a “closed system,” so the hydrogen neither leaks nor releases fumes. The pump performs a check of the pressure inside the car’s hydrogen chamber, then begins fueling.

Minutes later, I’m back on the road to New York.

No doubt hydrogen technology has a long way to go to become practical, yet if the Clarity is any indication, the actual process of driving and refueling could be a painless one.

The Honda FCX Clarity at a Glance

Engine: Fuel-cell stack and electric drive motor, with 134 horsepower and 189 pound-feet of torque.

Transmission: One-speed direct drive.

Speed: 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 10 seconds.

Gas mileage per kilogram: 77 city; 67 highway.

Best features: Emits only water but drives like a gas-fueled car.

Worst feature: The fear of running out of hydrogen and being stranded.

Target buyer: The true environmental front runner (who also lives in Southern California).

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=atizckxemqGw&refer=home#

Honda president downplays BYD electric car

Photo taken from Autoblog.com, I love it, "MEH"

Shanghai, November 25 (Gasgoo.com) In a recent interview by auto163.com, Honda President Takeo Fukui said he didn’t think highly of BYD’s research and development of electric cars.

Speaking of the electric vehicle (EV) development, Fukui said as the EV technology is still not mature, it is impossible to push out the electric cars now. The key point is it is hard to solve the problems of battery, especially for the extension of battery life. The existing electric cars now can only reach as far as 100 km, reflecting a difficult situation for mass production and commercialization.

Fukui said he didn’t expect BYD’s research and development of electric cars to be good. Apart from that, Fukui showed his confidence in the Chinese auto market in 2009. He noted that despite the global financial crisis, Chinese auto market will maintain a 5% growth next year as a direct result of the overall economic growth in China.

Compared to Europe and some other neighboring countries, China was relatively less affected by the financial crisis. Fukui predicted that the Chinese auto market will see sales volume at around 9.4 million units for this year.

Honda will continue to put emphasis on the Chinese market and also increase investment in China in the coming years, Fukui said.

Source;

http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008507/Honda-president-downplays-BYD-electric-car.html

via Autoblog article;

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/11/25/honda-president-pooh-poohs-byd-electric-cars-in-general/

Car & Driver: 2010 Accord CUV Pic's from Brenda Priddy & Co.

This mule could be Honda's answer to the Toyota Venza.

A gap exists in the Honda lineup between the mid-size Pilot and compact CR-V SUVs, and the company might be filling that hole with an Accord-based crossover. Caught here wearing no camouflage, this bash-up mule could turn into a vehicle that would do battle with the new Toyota Venza.

Possibly based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon, this CUV prototype wears the familiar U.S.-market Accord front end grafted to a Tourer body. There are fender flares pinned to the body sides, indicating a wider track, and masking around the C-pillar hides a stretched wheelbase. From the back, a rear differential makes it evident the CUV will get power to the rear wheels as well as those in the front, likely via Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. Power could come from the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engines offered on the current Accord; the dual exhaust on this mule likely means it carries the V-6.

When asked to comment on the spy photos and its possible reponse to the Ford Flex and Toyota Venza, Honda stated simply that "it is always evaluating the needs of its customers." However unconfirmed, we’d expect that a mid-size crossover is all but guaranteed from a company known for being as forward-thinking as Honda.

Prancing around with no camo and combining currently produced sheetmetal, this is likely a mule that would look markedly different in production. Watch for an announcement at an upcoming auto show. We'll keep you posted.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/honda_acura_central/2010_honda_accord_cuv_spied

Here's a link to my previous post on the subject;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2008/11/tov-brenda-priddy-new-honda-accord.html

TOV & Brenda Priddy; New Honda Accord based Crossover Spy Pic

Wow, this came right out of left field for me and I'm not sure what to think of this. Alot of people have been clamouring for the return of the Accord wagon and Toyota is coming out with the new Venza, I just feel that this segment is already saturated. If this is a 'disguised' Latitude that turns out to be a smaller van with AWD, then I am sold.
From Temple of Vtec;
"This just in from Brenda Priddy & Co:"
Michigan's first snow has also brought the first look at this development vehicle for an ALL-NEW Honda crossover vehicle! An Accord-based crossover vehicle has been rumored for quite a while now and these pics are the first proof the project has finally been green-lighted.

At first glance, this vehicle may look like nothing more than the European Honda Accord Tourer. Closer inspection reveals that is not the case. For starters, the U.S. market Honda Accord front end has been grafted onto the body. While most of the body on this mule is non-production, this front end may actually be close to the final design of the nose we see on the production CUV.

We can also see fender flares that have been tacked onto the body and covered with tape that matches the color of the paint. These flares indicate that the wheel track has been widened slightly. Looking directly behind the rear doors, it quickly becomes apparent that a few extra inches of sheet metal and glass have been added to the body, suggesting the final product will be a few inches longer than the current European Accord Tourer. This development vehicle is also riding higher than a standard Accord Tourer and actually resembles and Audi allroad in person.

Based on the Honda Accord chassis, this all-new crossover vehicle will start production in the 4th quarter of 2009 at the Marysville or East Liberty factory. We've been told to expect a concept vehicle that foreshadows this new Accord CUV at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The Accord CUV will slot in-between CR-V and Pilot and will look to do battle with Toyota's new Venza CUV.

Powertrains are not yet known, but the motors currently found in the USDM Accord seem like a likely bet. We observed this mule testing alongside an Acura RDX. We also noted this mule accelerated rather briskly, so the 2.3L, four-cylinder turbo motor from the RDX may have a chance of making it into the Accord CUV.

One thing we CAN say for sure about this vehicle is that AWD will be an option. A close look at photo #5 reveals that this prototype has a rear differential. More than likely, this means the car has Honda's VTM-4 AWD system.

"Latitude" is one name rumored for the badge on the back of this new CUV. Though that now seems less likely as Honda allowed that trademark to expire many months ago.

Look for more details to surface as we near NAIAS 2009.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Co.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=801271

Here's a link to the Car and Driver article with more photo's;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2008/11/car-driver-2010-accord-cuv-pics-from.html

Automobile's Man Of The Year: Honda's Takeo Fukui

In a year when the U.S. auto market has been knocked out cold by the one-two punch of spiking fuel prices and the financial meltdown, it's not easy finding a hero in the car business. Now that the tide of easy credit and cheap gasoline has gone out, we see that a lot of car companies have been swimming naked. But not Honda. Honda's steadfast refusal to follow the herd once looked stubborn but now appears prescient. In an era when platinum-paid executives rarely deviate from the orthodoxy of the crowd, Honda's Takeo Fukui has successfully avoided faddish trends and instead stayed true to the founding principles of Soichiro Honda and his successors. For that, Honda president and CEO Takeo Fukui is the 2009 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE Man of the Year.

Fukui's long path to the presidency at Honda has seen him move through many of the arenas that are so key to the company's DNA: R&D, motorsports, and manufacturing. An engineer by trade-funny how so many of the best auto executives are-Fukui joined Honda in 1969 and started work on the project that would lead to the Honda CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine, a unique approach to meeting emissions regulations and an early indicator of the nascent automaker's engineering prowess and commitment to the environment.

Honda often goes its own way, whether it's being the first Japanese auto manufacturer to set up a U.S. assembly plant (a move many others followed), avoiding the merger mania that swept the industry (most of which have since been undone), or refusing to follow the herd with its model mix.

Honda kept to the sidelines when Nissan and Toyota went scurrying after the U.S. automakers in the full-size pickup, and attendant big SUV, markets-both of which are now in a free fall. Resources not spent developing trucks have been directed instead to cars, such as the Accord, enabling Honda to keep them at the top of their game.

Unlike so many other car companies, Honda has not treated the small-car arena as a low-margin backwater. Every generation of Civic moves the bar of excellence still further, and the introduction to the United States of the even-smaller Fit, in 2006, proved to be a deft move indeed. Honda blew through its 50,000-unit projected annual sales estimate for that car by some 30,000 units in 2007, and at this writing is on track to sell even more for 2008, when the model has been effectively sold out for months and a redesigned version was introduced.

Diesel engines are off the radar in Honda's home market of Japan, but Fukui and his team recognized their importance to Europe, leading Honda to develop an advanced 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder for that market. Like so many Honda engines, it's been winning rave reviews and will come to the United States later this year in the Acura TSX.

Looking ahead to future technologies, Fukui continues to lead the company outside the mainstream. The upcoming new Insight hybrid, for instance, was engineered with an emphasis on cutting the weight and the cost of the hybrid powertrain, rather than maximizing fuel economy. The Insight is expected to undercut the benchmark Toyota Prius by several thousand dollars while still achieving 40/45 mpg. Continued effort in this direction will allow Honda to add a hybrid Fit in a few years.

Fukui also has expressed skepticism of lithium-ion batteries, which he considers not ready for prime time-although Honda does use them in its FCX Clarity fuel cell car-and, as a result, is cool to the prospects of plug-in hybrids and battery-electrics. Instead, the company is forging ahead with the development of fuel cell cars-where Honda is the only manufacturer to put fuel cells into the hands of paying customers, albeit in small numbers. Will Fukui's independent course put Honda behind the pace, or is he steering around another costly diversion? It's too early to know, but one thing is certain: Honda's strong internal compass has kept it moving forward with a kind of plodding certainty that so many of today's naked swimmers can only envy.

Source;
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/0811_2009_man_of_the_year_takeo_fukui/_honda_future.html

Honda Introduces New Residential MCHP

11/24/2008
SustainableBusiness.com News

American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (NYSE: HMC) introduced a heat transfer and power generation device that provides home heating or water heating as well as electrical power for a variety of home applications.

The Micro-sized Combined Heat and Power (MCHP) Deluxe cogeneration unit was showcased at the U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild International Conference and Expo 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Originally ntroduced in Japan in 2003 and in the US in 2007, the new Honda MCHP Deluxe system features efficient energy management technologies for home heating and power combined with an automatic back-up power feature (a residential stand-by generator) that can provide back-up electricity in the event of a power failure.

When the Honda MCHP Deluxe module is paired with a furnace system, the total system provides heat for the home with the added benefit of electricity production.

The electric power produced by the system displaces electricity that consumers would otherwise purchase from the local electric utilities, helping homeowners save $500 to $1,000 per year on their electric bills.

MCHP owners also can utilize net metering, in states where this energy policy is legislated, to sell unused electric power generated by the MCHP to the public utilities in their communities.

The new Honda MCHP Deluxe system incorporates a battery-back up system that includes a long-life, five-year nickel metal hydride battery for dependable starts in back-up power mode during utility power outages.

The MCHP Deluxe unit produces 3.26 kilowatts of heat and 1.8 kilowatts of electric power, an improvement over Honda's Standard MCHP system that produces a maximum of 1.2 kilowatts of power. Both models allow homeowners to reduce their utility bills and curb carbon dioxide emissions while improving overall energy efficiency and comfort.

LEED Buildings

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. also announced the certification of five new green buildings under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. One of these facilities--Honda's Data Center in Longmont, Colo.--is the first LEED Version 2.2 Silver certified data center in the country.

Honda's five LEED-certified facilities this year include: LEED-EB Platinum--Northwest Regional Facility in Gresham, Oregon; LEED-NC Gold--Honda R&D America's Acura Design Studio in Torrance, Calif.; LEED-NC Gold--American Honda's Midwestern Consolidation Center in Troy, Ohio; LEED-NC Gold--Honda Aircraft Company World Headquarters, Greensboro, N.C.; and, LEED-NC Silver--Data Center in Longmont, Colo.

"We have embraced the green building program for many years, since 1999 when we built our first certified building in Gresham, Oregon" said Barbara van Gaasbeek, national administrator of American Honda's green building programs. "Although it takes an increased amount up front to build a green building, the payback is in reduced utility bills, because of reduced water and electricity use. So for the lifetime of a building, say 20 to 50 years, that's a lot of payback." Added van Gaasbeek, "It is the right thing to do and everyone should be doing it."

Source;
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17189

Honda wins “Automotive Lease Guide Residual” award

The outstanding value of a vehicle can be a complicated suggestion. There are so many factors to consider such as age, mileage, general condition, segment and brand of the vehicle make a whole lot of difference in ascertaining its value. If strong residual value is what you are looking for in a vehicle, then Honda would be a good choice, as the manufacturer from Japan has won six consecutive Automotive Lease Guide residual award. The Acura division of Honda joined its less expensive counterpart for the first time by taking the highest position for luxury vehicles, too, making it a an overall win for Honda.

Even though Toyota finished fourth overall in the voting, it managed to garner the most number of awards in the overall segment. Subaru won the second place overall in the residual values category. In the light pickup truck category Ford’s F-150 scored high. Of the 18 overall segment awards, Japanese automakers won 11, while U.S. carmakers won or shared only three segments.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-wins-automotive-lease-guide-residual-award/
[via autoblog]

2009 Honda Accord Sedan: Yahoo! Autos Excelerator Award Winner

By Matt DeLorenzo
November 2008

With all-new head-turning styling introduced last year, the Honda Accord has cemented its reputation as one of the best-selling family sedans in the American market. That popularity as a practical yet stylish 4-door is one of the reasons why the Accord has captured the first ever Yahoo! Autos Excelerator Award.

This new honor is an annual award to designate the No. 1 car on Yahoo! Autos. The award criteria are based on user interest, intent and satisfaction. These factors are measured by search queries, leads submitted, rating and reviews by Yahoo! users. The award is not sponsored by any manufacturer and Yahoo! is not being paid for this initiative.

In capturing the fancy of Yahoo! users, the Honda Accord Sedan relies on fresh styling to set it apart from others in the mid-size category. A bold grille, large jeweled headlamps and crisply executed character lines gives the Accord a commanding presence more in line with European luxury models. The Honda Accord Sedan is slightly larger than its main rival, the Toyota Camry. Compared with the previous Accord Sedan, the new car has a wheelbase that has increased by nearly an inch, and the overall length has increased by nearly 5 in. And at 72.7 in. across the beam, the Accord is an inch wider than the Toyota.

This translates into an abundance of room in the passenger cabin, which sports a contemporary design that matches the freshness of the exterior. In fact, while the Accord Sedan competes in the mid-size segment, its space-enhancing redesign means the EPA now considers it a large sedan, a designation confirmed by the excellent front and rear leg, head and hip room. The front bucket seats are comfortable, the center console has plenty of storage cubbies and there is a choice of no less than three audio systems, all with MP3/WMA playback capability.

But what makes the Honda Accord Sedan stand apart from the crowd is its fun-to-drive nature. Both the LX and EX trim levels come with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces a robust 177 bhp, which is delivered to the front wheels via a choice of a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. Top level EX-L models can be equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 making 271 bhp. That engine not only delivers power, but good fuel economy thanks to an ingenious cylinder deactivation system that allows the powerplant to run on either three or four cylinders when under a light load.

The Accord's ample output is enhanced by variable-assist power steering that provides ample feedback through the twisty bits and an easy action in low-speed parking maneuvers. Independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes imbue the car with a lively personality that has become a Honda hallmark.

While the head-turning styling and spirited performance appeal to the senses, other amenities of the Accord Sedan address rational concerns. Besides Honda's emphasis on great efficiency, the Accord boasts numerous standard safety features, including electronic stability control, six airbags and anti-lock brakes.

This combination of performance, safety and comfort — at prices ranging from $20,755 to $28,555 — make the Honda Accord Sedan a natural choice as the winner of Yahoo! Autos' inaugural Excelerator Award.

Source:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=10&article_id=7242

Guangzhou-Honda Linian Prototype

The Linian is a cooperative project between the Guangzhou Automotive Group (GAG) and Honda, bringing together the visual aspects of a Honda S2000, new Nissan 370Zish headlights and just a touch of Saturn Astra in the rear. There are no details available regarding engine choices, drive layout or just about any information at all for that matter (probably because it will never be produced). The badge adorning that scowl of a front fascia is neither GAG, nor is it Honda, meaning this is most likely the logo of the newly established GAG-Honda design studio. Just imagine all of the tasty vittles just waiting to pour out of that dream factory.
[ABChina]

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5096067/guangzhou+honda-linian-prototype

Iguida.com Speculates on the 2010 Honda Odyssey

2010 Honda Odyssey Changes

-Styling: The sharp lines of the 2009 Odyssey prove design flair can be applied to what is essentially a box on wheels. Look for Honda to fine-tune that approach on the 2010 Honda Odyssey. Sources suggest a more swept back look but one that sustains the outgoing model’s presence and planted-to-the-road form. The new lowered, tapered noise with its drooping grille and thinly sliced headlamps is previewed on Honda’s all-new 2009 Element hybrid hatchback. Indications are the 2010 Odyssey will sport a lower beltline than the 2005-2009 version, have nicely blistered fenders, and a roof designed to visually “float” over the body.

-Mechanical: Big news is the first diesel engine available in a Honda sold in the U.S. Forget notions of a rattling, smoking truck engine. This one will use Honda’s latest clean-diesel technology to provide smoothness and exhaust emissions that rival a gasoline engine, but with more torque (the thrust you experience when you hit the gas) and better fuel economy. Sources say the diesel in the 2010 Odyssey will be a 3.5-liter V-6 that’s 30 percent more fuel-efficient than an equivalent gas engine, meaning ratings something like 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway. The gas-engine alternative is likely to be the same 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 introduced in Honda’s redesigned 2009 Pilot SUV. It’s a fine engine that saves gas by automatically cutting back to four or three cylinders in low-demand situations. Expect the 2010 Honda Odyssey to continue with front-wheel drive and not offer all-wheel drive.

-Features: Odyssey helped pioneer the space-efficient setup in which the third-row seat folds fully into the rear floor, but Honda has resisted any similar system for the second-row seats. Second-row stowage is a high point of the Chrysler and Dodge minivans and is one opportunity open to the 2010 Odyssey. Same goes for the trend toward second-row seats that swivel to form a table-and-chairs arrangement. Otherwise, Odyssey is already available with a plethora of DVD and audio entertainment, voice-activated navigation, Bluetooth communications, and power convenience features. On-board wi-fi would be an opportunity, as would USB connectivity for iPods and other digital media. Better yet, the 2010 Honda Odyssey could simplify the complicated dashboard-control layout that’s one of the few knocks against the current-generation Odyssey.

2010 Honda Odyssey Release Date
-Look for the 2010 Honda Odyssey in showrooms by autumn 2009.

Source w/various info;
http://iguida.com/2010-honda-odyssey

Say What?!? Big Three CEOs Flew Private Jets to Plead for Public Funds

Above are the 3 wisemen in question, how would you like to be one of the unfortunate workers that just got laid off (just before Christmas) and you see this. Ever wonder why they are in such bad shape?!? It seems like they are just asking for it.

Auto Industry Close to Bankruptcy But They Get Pricey Perk

The CEOs of the big three automakers flew to the nation's capital yesterday in private luxurious jets to make their case to Washington that the auto industry is running out of cash and needs $25 billion in taxpayer money to avoid bankruptcy.

The CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler may have told Congress that they will likely go out of business without a bailout yet that has not stopped them from traveling in style, not even First Class is good enough.

All three CEOs - Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford, and Robert Nardelli of Chrysler - exercised their perks Tuesday by flying in corporate jets to DC. Wagoner flew in GM's $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone.

"We want to continue the vital role we've played for Americans for the past 100 years, but we can't do it alone," Wagoner told the Senate Banking Committee.

While Wagoner testified, his G4 private jet was parked at Dulles airport. It is just one of a fleet of luxury jets owned by GM that continues to ferry executives around the world despite the company's dire financial straits.

"This is a slap in the face of taxpayers," said Tom Schatz, President of Citizens Against Government Waste. "To come to Washington on a corporate jet, and asking for a hand out is outrageous."

Wagoner's private jet trip to Washington cost his ailing company an estimated $20,000 roundtrip. In comparison, seats on Northwest Airlines flight 2364 from Detroit to Washington were going online for $288 coach and $837 first class.

After the hearing, Wagoner declined to answer questions about his travel.

Ford CEO Mulally's corporate jet is a perk included for both he and his wife as part of his employment contract along with a $28 million salary last year. Mulally actually lives in Seattle, not Detroit. The company jet takes him home and back on weekends.

Mulally made his case Tuesday before the committee saying he's cut expenses, laid-off workers and closed 17 plants.

"We have also reduced our work force by 51,000 employees in the past three years," Mulally said.

Yet Ford continues to operate a fleet of eight private jets for its executives. Just Tuesday, one jet was taking Ford brass to Los Angeles, another on a trip to Nebraska, and of course Mulally needed to fly to Washington to testify. He did not address questions following the hearing.

"Now's not the time to do that sort of thing," said John McElroy of the television program "Autoline Detroit."

"Now's the time to be humble and show that you're sharing equally in the sacrifice," McElroy said.

GM and Ford say that it is a corporate decision to have their CEOs fly on private jets and that is non-negotiable, even as the companies say they are running out of cash.

Private jet travel is perhaps the greatest perk of all for CEOs, who say it allows them to travel more efficiently and safely, even in a recession.

AIG, despite the $150 billion bailout, still operates a fleet of corporate jets. The company says it has put two out of its seven jets up for sale and is reviewing the use of others. Though there are no such plans by GM or Ford.

It appears that the senior management of the automakers simply don't get it," said Schatz.

-No kidding.

Source;

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/WallStreet/Story?id=6285739&page=2

2010 Honda Insight Features, Pic's, and Information

Details on the instrument panel and driver assist systems on the new 2010 Honda Insight have been released and it seems Honda is intent on training the new hybrid's drivers in much the same way other auto manufacturers have announced. The "Ecological Drive Assist System" uses a combination of color cues in the speedometer and "leaves which grow" to encourages economical driving behaviors. When you push the "Eco" mode button, the speedo turns green when you're being frugal or blue when you're hooning it, also a panel grows "leaves" to reward short term driving and displays the long term performance as well. This of course comes on the heels of the announcement from Ford about their "Smartgauge with EcoGuide" system in the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid which also rewards judicious use of the go-pedal with growing leaves. We expect everyone who complained about that system to bellyache about this too.

But that's not all these new images tell us. If we take a closer look at the rest of the dash, it looks like the Insight will share design cues with its Euro Civic cousin and offer such features as a USB aux audio input, a CD/MP3/WMA disc drive and an overall simple control scheme. What we don't know is what the heck an "S" means in the PRNDL cadence. What the heck does "PRNDSL" mean? Park, reverse, neutral, drive, second and low? Probably, but we're holding out for a "Superamazing" gear.

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5094111/2010-honda-insight-ecological-drive-assist-system-grows-leaves-gets-other-features

Here's a link to my original post;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2008/11/honda-insight-to-introduce-ecological.html

More Honda FC Sport Pic's

Here is my orig. post on the subject with more pic's and information;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2008/11/2008-la-auto-show-honda-fc-sport.html

Next Gen Mazda 3 gets New Look and More Power

Looks like a nice car.

The new 2010 Mazda3 Sedan has been unveiled ahead of its official launch at the LA Auto Show and the Nagare design cues are plain to see. The twisted arches and fat lip treatment leave the car looking better built and more refined than other compacts cars in the market.

The aggressive good looks translate into a new MZR 2.5 liter four cylinder borrowed from the larger all-new 2009 Mazda6. The new engine uses the same construction features as the 2.0 liter but pushes out 167HP (versus 148HP in the 2.0) and almost 170 lb-ft of torque. You can have the engine mated to either a five-speed manual, six-speed manual or a five-speed selectable automatic.

For the rest of the article;

http://japancarblog.com/2010-mazda3-sedan-redesigned-repowered/

Honda Insight to Introduce Ecological Drive Assist System in Spring 2009

11/19/2008 - LOS ANGELES -
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced that a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™) will debut on the new Honda Insight in spring 2009.

The Honda Insight Concept, making its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, provides a strong indication of the design and styling of the all-new gasoline-electric hybrid model from Honda.

Eco Assist combines multiple functions: the driver-activated ECON mode that optimizes control of the continuously variable transmission, engine and related powertrain components to conserve fuel; and a feedback function that uses speedometer background color to provide real-time guidance on environmentally responsible driving. An economy scoring function further provides feedback about current driving techniques, as well as feedback on cumulative, long-term driving style.

"Hybrid drivers enjoy trying to get the most fuel economy from their vehicles," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The visual nature of Eco Assist is intended to help drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making the hybrid experience more fun and rewarding."

Honda developed the powertrain control, driver guidance and driver feedback functions of Eco Assist to help enhance real-world fuel economy. In particular, the scoring function provides cumulative, long-term feedback through graphic 'leaves,' which grow over time as drivers learn and implement driving practices that increase fuel economy.

The guidance function uses the speedometer background's color-changing, three-dimensional appearance to indicate fuel efficiency in real time. Fuel-saving activities like smooth acceleration and braking make the meter glow green. Somewhat less efficient driving makes the meter glow blue-green. Aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel make the meter glow blue. By observing the speedometer background's response to driving practices and seeking to achieve a consistently green color, drivers can receive assistance in developing driving habits that typically enhance fuel economy.

The scoring function provides feedback about current driving practices, as well as cumulative, long-term feedback tracking progress. Located in the center of the instrument panel of the all-new Insight, the Multi-Information Display offers drivers a selection of informational displays, including the scoring function, in which the number of 'leaves' displayed indicates the level of environmentally responsible driving performance. When the ignition switch is on, the display scores driving practices in real time. When the ignition switch is turned off, the 'leaves' in the top line of the display score driving in the just completed cycle (startup to shutdown), while a horizontal bar in the lower part of the display scores cumulative lifetime performance.

The Multi-Information Display also allows drivers to view fuel economy figures for the past three trips, as well as instantaneous and average fuel economy statistics. The scoring function encourages drivers to take an interest in developing fuel efficient driving habits over the long term.

Going on sale in North America next spring, the all-new, purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price significantly below that of hybrids available today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Insight will advance the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of buyers.

With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year -approximately 100,000 in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, a concept car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999 as North America's first gas-electric hybrid car. The original Insight was designed from the ground up to demonstrate the ultimate potential for fuel-economy in a two-seater subcompact automobile.

A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda was the first to market low-emission gasoline vehicles, a gasoline-electric hybrid car in North America, and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.

For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of the Insight Concept and other Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4878

2008 LA Auto Show; Honda FC Sport Hydrogen Car

Honda FC Sport Design Study Suggests Hydrogen Sports Car Future
Innovative fuel cell packaging demonstrates green performance potential

11/19/2008 - LOS ANGELES -
Honda today revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda's V Flow fuel cell technology - already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan - and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.

"The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future."

The high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle's performance potential. A modular approach to fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain contribute to the FC Sport's low center of gravity with the majority of vehicle mass distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars.

The ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific, hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The FC Sport is configured to accommodate a custom-formed high-power fuel cell stack, located between the rear seats, and a battery pack placed low in the middle of the vehicle. The electric motor resides just forward of the rear axle. Two fuel storage tanks, visible from above, are located above the rear axle.

The optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver's left and right side.

The sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and convey the vehicle's racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks, visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology in much the same way that a "naked bike" motorcycle showcases its engineering technology.

The glacier white body color conveys the FC Sport's clean environmental aspirations while the dark wheels and deeply tinted glass provide a symbolic contrast befitting of the vehicle's unique combination of clean power and high performance. Green construction techniques further contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.

The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, in Pasadena, California, developed the FC Sport design study with the primary objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.

Honda R&D Americas, Inc. began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development. Recent development efforts include trend-setting products such as the Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si.

In 2008, the company opened two new design centers in Southern California: the Acura Design Studio (Torrance), for the research and design of new Acura products; and the Advanced Design Studio (Pasadena), for the exploration and development of advanced design themes for both Honda and Acura.

The company operates 11 major R&D facilities in North America, including a full vehicle development center in Raymond, Ohio, and three design studios in Southern California. Honda R&D designers, engineers and support personnel are engaged in the development of Honda and Acura automobiles, powersports products, and power equipment for North America and global markets. The company's main centers of operation include the Los Angeles Center (Torrance, California), responsible for market research, concept development and styling design; the Ohio Center (Raymond, Ohio), responsible for complete product development, testing, and support of North American supplier and manufacturing operations; and a dynamic test facility in Cantil, California.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4879