Honda Teams With Lollapalooza, Austin Music Fest

I can just see it now, ASIMO crowd surfing....
Honda is teaming up with C3, better known as the promoter of Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Each year, those festivals draw thousands of music fans to Chicago and Austin, Texas. Honda wants to reach those fans through a so-called “eco-partnership.”
Honda will use the events to push its new Insight, which it bills as the most affordable hybrid on the market. The sponsorship includes “integrated green activities,” hybrid vehicle displays and — most tempting of all — a giveaway of a 2010 Insight at each event.

If you want a chance at that free Insight, you can head to Lollapalooza in Chicago from Aug. 7-9 or Austin from Oct. 2-4.

Source;
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/04/honda-teams-with-lollapalooza-austin-music-fest.html

Chrysler to get $15-billion in government aid

Financing from Canadian and U.S. governments will help car maker operate through Chapter 11 bankruptcy
JACQUIE MCNISH AND GREG KEENAN
Globe and Mail Update
April 30, 2009 at 9:25 AM EDT

U.S. and Canadian governments will provide about $15-billion (U.S.) in financing to Chrysler LLC to help keep it operating through bankruptcy protection, sources said Thursday.

The federal and Ontario governments will provide about $3-billion, the sources said, which will cover debtor-in-possession financing and exit financing when the beleaguered auto maker emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The governments will hold a 10-per-cent stake in Chrysler, with the Canadian governments' stake sitting at 2 per cent.

Chrysler is expected to file for bankruptcy protection on Friday.

Talks between debt holders that were insisting on a higher cash payment than major banks accepted, broke down early Thursday, although the deadline for a deal is still 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.

A key piece of the Chrysler plan is in place, however, with the signing of a strategic alliance with Fiat SpA imminent and expected to be announced late Thursday morning by U.S. President Barack Obama, sources said.

Fiat will take a 20-per-cent stake in Chrysler.

If the No. 3 Detroit auto maker goes into bankruptcy protection as expected, it will be split into two companies, with its key Canadian operations being placed into the part of the company that will emerge from creditor protection and form the basis for the Fiat-Chrysler strategic alliance. Unwanted assets will be hived off into another company.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090430.wgovs0430/BNStory/Business/home

How to Fail a Sobriety Test

Here's a funny one to end off the month of April, click on the link below.
http://www.videosift.com/video/Drunk-Driving-Test-Fail?fromdupe=How-to-fail-a-sobriety-test

Honda suspends global travel due to swine flu

If there's one worldwide news story that's stealing thunder from the impact the global economic downturn is having on automakers, it's the swine flu scare. Now, the two stories converge as Honda Motor Co. has reportedly suspended all global business travel until May 6th... at the earliest. Furthermore, the automaker has said it's considering sending home the families of Japanese workers in Mexico, which is where the outbreak is most dangerous.

Japanese auto parts supplier Denso has taken similar measures, recommending that families of Japanese workers in Mexico temporarily return home. If the swine flu turns into an all-out pandemic as many experts suspect, we wouldn't be shocked to see the remaining automakers make similar recommendations.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/report-honda-suspends-global-travel-due-to-swine-flu/

Toyota is getting ready for a war! Toyota "war room" keeps tabs on possible supplier interruptions, stockpiled parts

Fearing that a couple dozen of its U.S. suppliers could shut down production, Toyota has established a "war room" to monitor suppliers and has begun to warehouse assembly components. While the move marks a departure from the automaker's "just in time" production philosophy, a mantra that associates stockpiling with inefficiency and waste, a bankruptcy by one of the Detroit 3 could knock-out a key supplier crippling the Japanese automaker's North American factories. It is a widespread problem, as more than half of Toyota's 500 U.S. parts suppliers are also under contract to supply parts to General Motors.

The "war room" is located in Erlanger, Kentucky, at a major Toyota assembly complex. Reviews are conducted by senior executives each week to monitor the supply chain. It's the Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers that has the automaker most worried, as the small companies are less visible on the radar yet their closure could be just as catastrophic. To help stave off supply interruptions, Toyota has sent people to its troubled suppliers to assist their performance and help them cut costs so they will remain afloat.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-toyota-reportedly-stockpiling-parts-war-room-keeps-tabs-on-po/

Dedicated Acura Financial Services Launched

TORRANCE, Calif. - 04/23/2009
American Honda Finance Corp. (AHFC) this week launched Acura-branded financial services to better satisfy the needs of Acura dealers and customers. The creation of Acura Financial Services (AFS) marks a major milestone in Acura history. This is just the first step of a multifaceted effort to further enhance customer service and raise the brand image for Acura, the luxury nameplate that pioneered the launch of Japanese luxury automobiles in the U.S.

"With our most recent ranking in the top two, three and four positions in the luxury lease segment of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study, the timing is perfect to utilize our years of experience and expertise to create financial services that will meet the needs of Acura clients," said Stephen E. Smith, senior vice president of AHFC. "The creation of separate Acura-branded financial services parallels other moves to strengthen and differentiate the Acura luxury brand."

About American Honda Finance Corporation
American Honda Finance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the captive finance provider of consumer financial products for Honda and Acura automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, minivans, Honda motorcycles, Honda power equipment, and Honda marine products. In addition, AHFC also provides Honda and Acura dealerships with vehicle floorplan programs, real estate, construction and capital loans, revolving lines of credit and inventory insurance.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle. Acura also recently unveiled a prototype of the ZDX, an all-new luxury four-door sports coupe, at the New York International Auto Show that will go on sale this fall.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/793/releases/4995

Develop Plug-In Autos as Obama Alters U.S. Policy

April 27 (Bloomberg) -- Honda Motor Co., the only company selling hydrogen-powered cars to U.S. drivers, may also develop plug-in models as U.S. policy shifts to favor battery-powered autos.

Honda, which began leasing hydrogen fuel cell FCX Clarity sedans in Los Angeles last year, still sees hydrogen as the best long-term alternative to gasoline as a fuel that can cut carbon exhaust tied to global warming, President Takeo Fukui said in an interview. Still, the company will respond to a push by the Obama administration for carmakers to sell plug-ins, he said.
“We understand the situation, in terms of government and incentives,” Fukui said April 23 in Detroit. “Naturally, we’re going to have to accommodate that too.”

General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., and startups Tesla Motors Inc. and Fisker Automotive Inc., are rushing out cars that can be recharged at electrical outlets as the U.S. moves to tighten fuel-economy and greenhouse gas rules. Honda has yet to announce plans to sell one, citing high costs for the lithium-ion batteries needed to power them and poor range.
“We are thinking about plug-in hybrids, but we aren’t thinking about commercializing one right away,” Fukui said.

Honda, Japan’s second-largest carmaker, last week began building a lithium-ion battery factory with joint-venture partner GS Yuasa Corp. in Japan’s Kyoto prefecture to make packs for gasoline-electric hybrid cars made by Tokyo-based Honda starting in late 2010.

“We started working with GS Yuasa with just the hybrid application in mind,” Fukui said. “We are thinking about extending that application to plug-in hybrids.”

Fukui, 65, said in February he’ll step down as Honda’s president in June, and will be succeeded by Takanobu Ito.

Policy Shift
Former President George W. Bush in 2003 committed $1.2 billion in federal funds to a 5-year program aimed at speeding development of hydrogen as a vehicle fuel as part of efforts to wean the U.S. from its reliance on imported oil.

So far, President Barack Obama has announced no new federal effort to promote the fuel, and federal funding for hydrogen for transportation use in the 2009 budget dropped to $177.7 million this year from $211.9 million, according to the Department of Energy Web site.

Tax Credits
Instead, Obama backed tax credits of as much as $7,500 in the stimulus package approved in February for buyers of plug-in cars. The Energy Department is also preparing to award as much as $25 billion in low-cost federal loans for production of advanced technology vehicles, with many of the applications coming from companies planning to build plug-ins or the batteries and components needed to power them.

“I haven’t heard any discussion of hydrogen since the Bush administration was getting ready to leave,” said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, a group in Washington that works for environmentally “clean” cars. “It looks like hydrogen has lost at this stage.”

Tom Welch, a spokesman for the Energy Department, wasn’t immediately able to comment on whether the agency’s view of hydrogen as an automotive fuel has changed.

Honda, the world’s largest engine maker, set a goal of leading the industry in hydrogen fuel cell autos. In July, it opened an assembly line in Japan to build its FCX Clarity. The hydrogen-powered car has a top speed of 105 miles per hour and travels as far as 280 miles on electricity produced by its fuel cell stack.

The vehicle costs U.S. customers $600 a month to lease. Honda hasn’t revealed its production price.

Fuel Cells
Fuel cells create electricity in a chemical process that combines hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapor. California, which requires big automakers to sell some non- polluting vehicles, rates Clarity a “zero-emission vehicle.”

While hydrogen provides driving performance similar to that of gasoline vehicles, fuel cell models will remain costly to build for the foreseeable future and aren’t as durable as conventional cars. A lack of hydrogen fueling stations also limits the areas in the U.S. where such vehicles can be used.
While GM, Toyota and Hyundai Motor Co. are also developing fuel-cell cars, those companies, as well as Honda, don’t expect hydrogen to be competitive with gasoline autos until about 2020.

“Hydrogen may have a future, but the view seems to be that batteries are what we can do reasonably soon,” Becker said.

Automakers have to plan for an eventual tightening of global oil supplies and pressure to cut greenhouse gases, Fukui said.

“Oil prices are going to go up. When that time comes, fuel cells, solar panels, hydrogen, those will be the key words,” Fukui said. “We will have packages that will be very competitive at that time.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Alan Ohnsman in Los Angeles aohnsman@bloomberg.net

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aD0dW_P92jeU&refer=us#

It's Official: GM to phase out Pontiac in 2010

General Motors Corp. said Monday it will phase out the Pontiac brand name by the end of 2010 as the automaker unveiled another restructuring plan that includes cutting more manufacturing jobs.

GM said its 82-year-old Pontiac division is being eliminated as it concentrates on its Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC brands.

The company also said it will complete its plans for the Saab, Saturn and Hummer brands by the end of 2009.

GM said it will reduce its number of assembly, powertrain and stamping plants in the U.S. from 47 in 2008 to 34 by the end of 2010, and to 31 by 2012. The locations of the plants that will close was not revealed.

GM will also cut more of its U.S. hourly workers. The company said its U.S. blue collar workforce will decline from roughly 61,000 in 2008 to 40,000 in 2010, and level off at about 38,000 starting in 2011. Details on any Canadian job reductions were not immediately available.

The latest job cuts are between 7,000 to 8,000 more than what the company spelled out in a February viability plan that was turned down by the U.S. government.

The company said it is also speeding up consolidation of its U.S. dealer network.

GM said it expects to reduce its U.S. dealer network from 6,246 in 2008 to 3,605 by the end of 2010. That is 500 more dealers, and four years sooner, than the company laid out in the February restructuring plan.

Source;

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/04/27/gm-pontiac-gone.html

Honda's Ace in the Hole, The 2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid

Honda has something that Toyota doesn't and it just might be want Honda needs to outgun Toyota in the hybrid war between the two companies. What is this little something that Honda has? The 2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid.

The Honda CRZ is a two seat hybrid disguised in a sports car body or a sports car fitted with a hybrid powertrain. Though Honda wanted to make the CRZ in a gasoline version too, they decided to make it as a dedicated hybrid to be on par with hybrid offerings from Toyota.
The CRZ is powered by a 1.8 liter engine taken from the Civic. The engine is rated at 140hp, significantly higher than the Insight's 98 hp. The hybrid components will be nearly identical to that of the Insight to keep costs down and provide a working power train in a short amount of time.

The sporty nature of the CRZ comes from its light mass and relatively powerful engine. The CRZ will weigh in around 2,800 pounds. The Civic engine is a high revving mill and the electronic motors will provide ample low end torque. Combined with an optional manual transmission, a rarity in hybrids, and you have all the necessities for a sports car.
The pictures tell the story as the CRZ does not look like your typical hybrid. Its coupe body style and wedgy design make it stand out among hybrids. The name CRZ is derived from Honda's long gone and much loved 2 door coupe the CRX. Honda is hoping consumers will feel the same way about the styling and sporty nature and buy the CRZ not because it's a hybrid, but because the car is fun to drive and attractive to look at.

Source (orig. motortrend);
http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1020261_hondas-ace-in-the-hole-the-2011-honda-crz-hybrid

TOV Rumours: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour CUV

Crosstour We've heard whispers of this product for so long it seems that it's been under development forever. We don't have any confirmation on the name yet, but Honda recently registered the Crosstour name, so at the moment it makes the most sense. A flurry of spyshots of a cleverly disguised test mule for this vehicle provided plenty of fodder for internet discussions over the past year or so, but we're still waiting to catch a glimpse of how it will look in production sheetmetal. So far, those spy photos have eluded us. We don't know a lot about this vehicle but there is at least some consistency in the rumors that we've been hearing. First of all, it will be based upon the Accord platform. It will be larger than a CR-V, yet smaller than the Pilot, and priced accordingly (one source tells us it will be equipped to match the Venza for the most part, yet it will undercut it in price). Drivetrains are expected to also be borrowed from the Accord, which would most likely mean you'll get your choice of 4-cyl or 6-cylinder power. Since it will supposedly be equipped to take on the Venza, our guess is that the Crosstour will also offer VTM-4. We've heard a tentative launch date of November, 2009, but we're also told that it could be moved up slightly or even pushed back to early 2010; the decision will be based upon Honda's inventory levels and the overall state of the economy as those dates get closer.
Summary: Honda's long-rumored Accord-based crossover will finally be reaching showrooms soon.
Watch For: Spyshots of camo'd test vehicles to begin surfacing soon.
Available: Oct/Nov '09 OR early 2010

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=828861

TOV Rumours: 2010 Honda Odyssey

This just in from the ever resourceful Temple of Vtec on the 2010 Honda Odyssey.
Odyssey The Odyssey's been keeping a low profile at Honda for the past year or so. The MMC happened in the '08 model year so we're not expecting to see any dramatic changes until its FMC. We're not sure at this point whether or not the Odyssey will follow a "standard" 6-year model cycle, but if it does, the all-new one should be arriving next year as a 2011 model.
Summary: Honda's roomiest people mover marches on with few expected changes for 2010.
Watch For: FMC in 2011(?)
Available: Autumn

Just to add what I am expecting from the 2010 model;
-small revisions to the front grill, more of the 'truck' corporate grill (like the 'spyshot above')
-VCM making it's debut into the EX cloth model?
-No other major changes.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=828861

General Motors to kill Pontiac on Monday

This is sad but inevitible news. Two of my favourite cars had the pontiac badge, a 1983 Pontiac Acadian (my first car) and a 1995 Pontiac Grand AM GT Coupe V6 (ah, my single days).
According to a report from InsideLine, General Motors could axe Pontiac as early as this Monday. Although IL isn't citing its source within GM, it did contact the General's PR man, Tom Wilkinson, who said, "There's nothing I can share with you at this time... Officially, nothing has changed with Pontiac's niche-brand status, until you hear differently." Not very clear, but not particularly positive either.The line about Pontiac's "niche-brand status" has been floating around since last December, when GM began to focus on its four core brands – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – while readying the rest (Saab, Saturn and Hummer) for execution or extradition.Pontiac's focus has been ill-defined (at best) over the decade, with solid products like the G8 coming to market alongside other less-than-stellar offerings (cough, G3). There was talk of reigniting Pontiac's performance heritage or even refocusing the brand as a Scion competitor. Regardless of past plans or intentions, there was no doubt that Pontiac was in the cross-hairs, and come Monday, we might know it's final fate.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/report-general-motors-to-kill-pontiac-monday/

Honda looks to expand hybrid market through venture with GS Yuasa

FUKUCHIYAMA, Apr 21, 2009 (Kyodo News International - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- YUSBF Quote Chart News PowerRating -- Honda Motor Co. and GS Yuasa Corp. on Tuesday marked the start of construction of their joint venture plant in Kyoto Prefecture to produce lithium ion batteries for hybrid cars, which many see as the key to enabling them to ride out the deep slump in the global auto industry.

Honda President Takeo Fukui indicated that the automaker plans to install the next-generation batteries that will be produced by the joint venture firm, Blue Energy Co., in its Civic or Fit hybrid model anticipated after 2010.

"We're going to take on the challenge of producing lithium ion batteries that will exceed nickel metal hydride batteries in performance and cost potential," Fukui said. "In order to strengthen our lineup, it's important to achieve further progress in hybrid technology." Fukui spoke to reporters following a groundbreaking ceremony in Fukuchiyama, where the plant will be built to make lithium ion batteries for gasoline-electric hybrids, a core component many experts believe will dominate the market for fuel-efficient cars.

Blue Energy plans to begin operations by autumn 2010 and is expected to have a battery production capacity that will be enough to make about 200,000 to 300,000 hybrids per year. The firm is capitalized at 15 billion yen and is owned 51 percent by GS Yuasa and 49 percent by Honda.

"The most attractive point for us is that we will be able to build next-generation eco-cars with the world's best automaker," GS Yuasa President Makoto Yoda said at a joint press conference with Honda's Fukui.

Despite being a front-runner in hybrid technology, Honda has been the last among Japan's top three automakers to find a specific partner to build its own lithium ion batteries.

The batteries are more compact, lightweight and powerful than nickel metal hydride batteries, which are mostly used in current hybrid models including Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius and Honda's Insight.

Toyota formed a separate battery venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., now Panasonic Corp., in 1996 while Nissan Motor Co. partnered with NEC Corp. in 2007.
Toyota plans to market a lithium ion battery-powered plug-in hybrid by the end of 2009, while Nissan has said it will launch an electric vehicle and a lithium ion-powered hybrid in 2010.
Meanwhile, Honda's current mega-hit Insight hybrid hatchback is powered by nickel metal hydride batteries developed by Sanyo Electric Co., a partnership many analysts believe will come under strain following its planned merger with Panasonic.

But Fukui expressed confidence that Honda's annual production level of all of its hybrid models will soon reach 400,000-500,000 units even as overall demand for vehicles sink under the weight of the global economic recession.

He added that Honda has received orders for more than 25,000 units of the Insight hybrid in just two months since its debut in early February, winning fans with its low retail price of 1.89 million yen.

Fukui said Honda's CR-Z sports car hybrid to be launched next year will not be powered with lithium ion batteries, but suggested the automaker may be ready to install the batteries in the hybrid version of the Fit compact or the second-generation Civic hybrid that will be launched at an undetermined date after 2010.

GS Yuasa, a Kyoto-based battery maker, also has a separate joint venture with Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp. to develop lithium ion batteries, which will be used to power Mitsubishi's zero-emission electric vehicle to be launched in the summer.

Source;
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2282149/

Honda gets insightful for Earth Day

To reestablish itself as a leader in the environmental space, Honda is using the launch of its 2010 Insight hybrid to cut a swath through the greenwashing clutter with a campaign to keep the skies blue for the kiddies.

The "Blue Skies for Our Children" effort launches today, Earth Day, with TV, print, online banner and POS ads, elevator wraps and digital brochures, all part of a media buy by PHD. It looks more to the bigger environmental picture, unlike the Insight's US launch, which predominantly focuses on the vehicle and its attributes, minus the "Blue Skies" messaging.

The real cornerstone of the campaign story is its microsite, which is divided into three sections: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Each one offers a unique look at Honda's ongoing legacy of pioneering environmental innovation, as seen through the eyes of children, Earth's custodians in waiting.

Today draws focus to the 2010 Insight - "the hybrid for everyone" - as further proof of Honda's green-geared leadership, as well as some of its other, more surprising green products, like a hybrid snow blower. Tomorrow features interviews with kids, using their visions to symbolically illustrate the road that Honda strives to take. The web interviews ultimately provided the groundwork for the TV executions, so even the creative is green.

"We wanted to talk about these innovations through the lens of children because children are dreamers, children are optimists, and really, for us, embodied this 'power of dreams' notion, which is Honda's global tagline," explains Jon Finkelstein, partner, creative at Grip Limited, who developed the campaign. "They're not jaded, they don't have a sense of ennui and they do have the sense that anything's possible if you put your mind to it."
www.hondabluesky.ca

Source;
http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20090422/honda.html

Honda considering investing in Pioneer

By Nobuhiro Kubo
TOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research) is finalizing plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in Pioneer Corp (6773.T: Quote, Profile, Research) to help rebuild the struggling electronics maker, a company source said on Thursday.

Pioneer shares jumped 7.5 percent on Thursday, taking its gains to more than a quarter since sources said on Tuesday it may seek government help. Honda shares rose 1.7 percent.

A Honda spokeswoman said her firm had been approached by Pioneer, a loss-making electronics maker withdrawing from its TV operations and focusing resources on the auto electronics business, but declined to elaborate further.

The move will help cash-strapped Pioneer shore up its capital and strengthen ties with Japan's second-largest automaker.

"This is very positive. They've had a lot of trade with each other in the past and to have Honda openly backing them up like this should be good," Chibagin Asset Management fund manager Hiroaki Osakabe said.

For Honda, an investment is expected by analysts to give it access to Pioneer's car navigation and other auto electronics-related technologies at a time when an increasing number of microchips and other electronics components go into cars.

"Several billion yen is not exactly a big amount of money for Honda although it is facing a tough business environment," said an auto analyst, who declined to be named.

"Also, auto makers cannot do everything in-house when it comes to auto electronics. So, this might be a good opportunity for Honda."

The Nikkei business daily said if Honda bought common stock, the automaker could become a major shareholder with a stake of around 5 percent.

A Pioneer spokesman said his firm has been in talks with various companies and financial institutions on ways to restore its financial health but declined to give further details.

Home and car electronics were two main earnings pillars at Pioneer, but in recent years, its home electronics unit has been in the red, hit by fierce competition with larger and more cost-efficient rivals such as Samsung Electronics (005930.KS: Quote, Profile, Research).

The Tokyo-based company, owned 14 percent by Sharp Corp (6753.T: Quote, Profile, Research), is set for a fifth straight annual loss for the just-ended year to March 31.

Two sources close to the matter said on Tuesday that Pioneer is considering applying for state funds available to companies hit by the global financial crisis. The Nikkei has reported the government would inject 30 billion yen. ($1=98.30 Yen)

(Additional reporting by Taiga Uranaka, Elaine Lies, Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Rodney Joyce)

Source;
http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKN2226826620090423

Shanghai 2009: Guangzhou Honda Linian roadster concept is messing with our S2000-loving heads

Guangzhou Honda surprised everyone at the Shanghai show with this tidy little roadster, its second Linian concept in as many years. While the 2008 Beijing show concept was a more pedestrian five-door, this two-seat droptop has us wishing for a proper S2000 successor.

Oh, one can quibble over some of the design details (oversized grille element, the showcar-only airplane yoke-style steering wheel, etc.), but fundamentally this is an interesting package.Sadly, according to our compatriots at Autoblog Simplified Chinese, Honda's domestic partner was mum on specifics, including driveline configuration, powerplant, and so on. That said, the shape does look quite production friendly. Add in a stronger windshield header, some larger mirrors, and do away with that Knight Rider steering wheel, and the rest seems plausible enough.

Rest assured, we are angling for more information on this car as we speak, but for now, enjoy the possibilities... and the gallery below.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/21/shanghai-2009-guangzhou-honda-linian-roadster-concept-is-messin/

Honda Accord SR-9 Study Unveiled in Shanghai, Looks Better than Acura TSX

One of the new models at the Shanghai Auto Show that managed to momentarily escape our attention is the Honda Accord SR-9 concept study that was designed in cooperation with the firm's Chinese joint venture, Guangzhou Honda. Compared to the European-spec Accord and the North American market Acura TSX (they are the same cars), the Accord SR-9 features a newly designed front bumper with concave surfaces and a restyled grille with honeycomb inserts.

The show car also featured a set of side skirts and beefier seven-spoke alloy wheels. Even though the styling mods are minimal, the tweaked fascia would be a welcome change for both the European-market Accord and the Acura TSX.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/04/honda-accord-sr-9-study-unveiled-in.html

The World’s first fully sustainable race car

Thanks goes out to Chris Nowakowski for the heads up on this one.
Chicago (IL) - With a vehicle body made from potatoes, a steering wheel made from carrots, the ability to run on waste chocolate and vegetable oil, the 140 mph Environ-MENTAL is the first formula 3 race car designed from materials that are both sustainable and Used by the WorldFirst Racing Team, a project of the University of Warwick’s UK-based Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC), the team plans to show the automotive industry that designing and building an environmentally sustainable competition level race car is possible. The team hopes to change public opinion, and prove that environmentally-friendly can be both fun and exciting.

The Environ-Mental is green from start to finish, from building the vehicle; to its disposal it puts the environment first. You will find

- 3D woven natural fiber composites in the barge board Composite steering wheel composed of carrots and other root vegetables
- Wing mirrors comprised of potato starch
- Wing end plates comprised of both flax and cellulose composite
- Lightweight wiring which utilizes recycled plastics and aluminum
- A biodiesel-powered, race calibrated engine
- Plant oil based lubricant
- Side pod composed of glass fiber and resin from recycled plastics
- A seat designed using flax fiber shell, recycled polyester and soybean oil foam
- Recycled carbon-fiber for the damper hatch and engine cover
- Pre-impregnated woven flax fiber for the big
- Non-carbon disks with low embodied energy for the brakes
- A catalyst which generates oxygen on the radiators and cleans the air when the vehicle is in motion

The chassis is based on a Lola B05/30 that integrates a BMW M47 diesel engine. The 2.0 liter power plant generates about 220 hp and will accelerate the car to a top speed of about 140 mph.

Source;
http://www.tgdaily.com/html_tmp/content-view-42081-178.html

Honda City Coupe 1.8 i-VTEC Artist’s Impression

This won't be coming to North America any time soon, it is intended for the Asian markets. Nice car though.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think the only coupes that Honda still sell are in the US, where both a Civic Coupe and the Accord Coupe are available.

Theophilus Chin whipped up this impression of a Honda City Coupe, which could be quite fun here in Malaysia as a sportier model available with the 1.8 liter SOHC i-VTEC paired to a manual gearbox.

The City is already offered in China with the 140 PS engine so it should be very easy to fit in. But during these troubled economic times perhaps such niche models are not possible even if they studied it internally in the first place, so this would most probably stay as what it is, some fun with Photoshop.

Actually if you do a double take, just like how the new Kia Forte looks a little similiar to the City, the City Coupe looks rather like a Kia Koup, doesn’t it?

Source;

http://paultan.org/archives/2009/04/21/honda-city-coupe-18-i-vtec-artists-impression/

Blue Energy Begins Construction of New Plant

One more step closer to.....WORLD DOMINATION!!!!KYOTO, Japan, April 21, 2009 - Honda Research Institute Japan Co., Ltd. (HRI-JP), a subsidiary of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have collaboratively developed the world’s first*1 Brain Machine Interface (BMI) technology that uses electroencephalography (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) along with newly developed information extraction technology to enable control of a robot by human thought alone. It does not require any physical movement such as pressing buttons. This technology will be further developed for the application to human-friendly products in the future by integrating it with intelligent technologies and/or robotic technologies.

During the human thought process, slight electrical current and blood flow change occur in the brain. The most important factor in the development of the BMI technology is the accuracy of measuring and analyzing these changes. The newly developed BMI technology uses EEG, which measures changes in electrical potential on the scalp, and NIRS, which measures changes in cerebral blood flow, with a newly developed information extraction technology which enables statistical processing of the complex information from these two types of sensors. As a result, it became possible to distinguish brain activities with high precision without any physical motion, but just human thought alone.

The BMI technology announced by HRI-JP and ATR in 2006 used a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner to measure brain activities. The large size and powerful magnetic field generated by the fMRI scanner limited the locations and conditions where it can be used. As the newly developed measuring device uses EEG and NIRS sensors, it can be transported to and used in various locations.

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First, EEG and NIRS sensors are placed on the head of the user. Then, one of four pre-determined body part options*2 is provided to the user. The user imagines moving that body part without making any physical movement. Changes in both brain waves and cerebral blood flow triggered by the brain activity are measured simultaneously. The data obtained are analyzed on a real-time basis to distinguish what the user imagined. Upon receiving the result, Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot makes corresponding movements such as raising its arm or leg. The world’s highest level*3 accuracy rate of more than 90% was achieved in the tests.

Since 2005, Honda and ATR have been conducting research and development of BMI technology exploring the potential of a new interface which connects people and machines. Honda is looking into the possibility of applying this technology to a people-friendly human interface through integration with other technologies such as artificial intelligence technologies and/or robotics technologies. In May 2006, Honda and ATR successfully developed a BMI technology which utilizes a fMRI scanner and achieved the first success in the world to control a robot hand by decoding brain activities without electrode array implants or special training of the user.

About BMI
While conventional machine-interface uses devices such as switches which need to be operated by a user’s hands or feet, BMI uses brain activity data measured by various devices and enables non-contact control of the machines (such as robots). Invasive BMI, which is widely studied by U.S. and European researchers, requires the surgical implant of electrode arrays, whereas non-invasive BMI uses sensors touching the user’s scalp.

Source;
http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090421Blue-Energy/

NFL: New Detroit Lions Logo?!?

I know, wwwaaayyyy off topic, but I'm an NFL fan (no, not a Lions fan). Thought I'd pass this on anywayz....
The rumors are true. It seems that the new Lions logo that "leaked" awhile back is legit and a new typeface and squiggly lines will soon usher in a glorious new era of Detroit football.

A new coach, new GM, a new No .1 draft pick QB waiting in the wings (grumble, grumble) and now these snappy new unis—oh, yes this team is destined for greatness ... as soon as they shake off the five decades of failure that weigh down the hopes and dreams of a troubled populace like a rusty anchor.

The leaping lion appears more fierce, while the team name features an italicized slant. The team says the changes are consistent with its "sense of mission and direction."

Yes, he does seem more fierce. Having a face will do that to a mascot. Is it possible for Lions fans to be energized by this? Does a smart new coach and No. 1 overall pick encourage anyone at this point? How many times has this franchise been here before and how many times has absolutely nothing changed? Why do they torture their fans with "mission statements" and "new directions" and new merchandise that only translates into fans feeding a broken machine with more and more of their hard-earned money while receiving nothing in return? Why? Why?!
Oh, and where can I pick up one of those new t-shirts?

Source;
http://deadspin.com/5220097/this-new-detroit-lion-logo-should-fix-everything

CAW pays a visit to Honda Canada's plants in Alliston

Trying to grow the Brotherhood
Representatives from the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) attempt to hand out information leaflets to Honda's non-unionized employees during this afternoon's shift change at both of its plants in Alliston.
The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW ) dispatched representatives to the front entrances of Honda Canada Manufacturing's (HCM) Plant 1 and Plant 2 in Alliston this afternoon during shift changes to handout leaflets explaining how autoworkers are facing similar fates whether they're unionized or not.

HCM, like the domestic automakers, has sharply reduced its production output, and because it doesn't have a union contract tying its labour hands, the company has also terminated all its contract, and part-time workers, implemented non-production days, eliminated an entire shift, and for the first time, making its associates take unpaid days off, and is offering voluntary buy-outs. Honda has also frozen salaries and wages, and bonuses for its production staff, and cut the wages of management.

The CAW calls its efforts in Alliston "a solidarity message."
Honda does not comment on union activities. The CAW has been the most persistent labour organization to push Honda's associates to unionize over the past 20 years. The UAW has also made overtures. Membership drives have never made it to a ratification vote.

Toyota was also targetted today by the CAW.

Source;
http://www.madhunt.com/honda-caw-info-20090415.html

Forget Celebrities. Employees Make Compelling Ad Stars In Tough Times

A few employees who haven't lost their jobs suddenly have a new one: advertising.

At a time when consumers are distrustful of big companies and their leaders, marketers are putting employees in ads in an effort to make their brands seem more transparent and trustworthy. These ads, from companies like Ford Motor, ExxonMobil and Alabama Power, among others, are geared to make customers and employees feel better about these companies.

American Honda Motor Co. features at least 30 employees, including Chief Executive Takeo Fukui, and a few luminaries, including race car driver Danica Patrick, in three seven-and-a-half minute online films dubbed "Dream the Impossible."

Each short film, shot in a documentary style, explores a different theme. In "Kick out the Ladder," one employee talks about Honda's culture. "If people ... see the final result of their work, they're much more committed to it," says senior manager Jim Keller. "Otherwise, it's just a job."

In "Failure," manager Margo Beylen describes a disastrous decision that she made soon after joining Honda. "I really wanted to do an orange car," she says. "And I decided, OK, the '96 Civic, we're going to do orange. Without doing my homework. ... The dealers flipped. What is this hideous color? They were like 'Stop production immediately.'"

Steven Center, the vice president of advertising and public relations at Honda in Torrance, Calif., says the carmaker produced the films because the company wanted to tell a longer story than is possible in a 30-second commercial. "People don't know us as well as they could," Center says.

Nationwide Insurance is taking a similar approach with its new TV, print and radio campaign called "I Am On Your Side." The TV ads feature Nationwide claims adjusters and customer service representatives talking about their experiences on the job. In one spot, property claims representative Terry Medley talks about how people prepare for a "prize fight" before they talk to an insurance adjuster. "We wanted to come across as authentic and genuine," says Nationwide spokesman Michael Switzer.

Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris directed the TV spots, which mark a sharp departure from the company's previous ad effort. Themed "Life Comes at You Fast," it featured celebrities such as Kevin Federline and Fabio showing the bad things that can happen to people when they aren't prepared.

In some cases, marketers hope to demonstrate that by treating employees well, they will do good things for customers too. A current print ad from Verizon Wireless talks up innovation by touting its training programs for employees, including Philip Morisky, who is pictured teaching his son how to ride a bike. The tagline: "Our people. Our network."

Will people really buy more cars if they relate to the Average Joe in a Honda ad? "I think in the long term [they will]," says Honda's Center. "It's always controversial when you do institutional advertising but, as a marketer, you have to be able to juggle a couple of balls. One of them is to sell products and generate revenue in near term while continuing to build the foundation your house is standing on. That's why we're doing these things, even in these tough times."

Source;
http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/17/honda-nationwide-ads-cmo-network-employee-ads_print.html

Original Honda Beat Information

With all this talk about the Honda Beat making a 'comeback' (don't know if this car would be destined for North America or just Japan like the original), I thought I'd do some digging in to the Original Beat.
The Honda Beat is a small sportscar, that fits the regulations of a keicar. It is a convertible and has a midengine. The production began in May 1991 and finished in February 1996. The total number of cars produced was around 33,600. Most of the production (around 2/3) occurred in the first year, and then production and sales reduced drastically. There were two different models of Beat (PP1-100 and PP1-110), although there were a couple of different limited edition versions as well. Variations on the first model were just cosmetic updates. Only the second model had any real mechanical differences. All cars were offered with the option of a drivers-side airbag. In typical Honda Fashion, the Beat's engine did not utilize a turbocharger or supercharger. The 660 cc engine was modified with the MTREC system, which included one throttle valve for each of the 3 cylinders, to produce 64 horsepower (48 kW). Only manual transmission was available. The MTREC design will filter down to the 1993 Honda Today keicar. The Beat is part of a wave of keicar-sized sports cars in the late 80s -- its competitors included the Suzuki Cappuccino and Mazda's Autozam AZ-1. Together they predicted the arrival of the Smart Roadster over a decade later, while Japan wouldn't see a new model of the genre until the recent Daihatsu Copen.

Source;
http://www.hondabeat.dk/

Next Gen 2011 Toyota Sienna Spied

The next Sienna is planned for a debut sometime this fall with sales following in 2010 and it's going to be bringing the heat. It will wear styling borrowed from the Camry and the 2010 Prius, but it's more the inside which will cause heartburn to the competitors with rumored features in the top-shelf model like Lay-Z-Boy-style reclining captains chairs complete with leg rests as well as a novel, extra-wide single video screen. Think of it like a 20:9 aspect ratio television screen, and the suspicion is the unit will run two video sources simultaneously. Should be interesting to see how it goes up against Chrysler's bread-and-butter minivans, one of the few product lines we're positive someone would snap up if Cerberus decides to chop Chrysler up and sell off the pieces. (Thanks for the pics Brian)

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5215216/2011-toyota-sienna-first-egg+shaped-look

Honda Beat To Return In 2011, Based On Honda OSM Concept?

Not sure if this means anything to us in North America, but would look like what I would have thought a Honda S3000 would look like.
According to the news-makers at Japanese auto magazine Best Car, Honda is working on returning the Beat name to the streets of Tokyo after a 13 year absence.

The original Beat ran on a rear-wheel-drive platform and was powered by a 47kW 660cc engine, putting it in the ‘kei’ category – a class of car so small and with such a low environmental impact, that tax breaks and parking discounts are part of the benefits of owning one.

Best Car says that Honda is looking at the market closely and working feverishly to bring the new Beat – based on the Honda OSM concept – to showrooms at the right time, likely around 2011.

The ‘kei class’ 2011 Honda Beat will, according to Best Car, be powered by the same 660cc engine motivating Honda’s Life, Zest and Zest Spark kei cars, utilising the same front-wheel-drive platform.

While all-wheel-drive is an option, it is likely the new Beat will deliver its limited power to the front wheels only.

How much of this can be believed will remain to be seen, but as we’re unlikely to see the Beat in Australia it’s a moot point for Aussies anyway.

Source;
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/27369/honda-beat-to-return-in-2011-based-on-honda-osm-concept/

Gizmodo; How It Feels To Walk With Honda's Cyborg Legs

Few geeks haven't dreamt of one day taking on cyborg enhancements—me included. And today I did, thanks to two of Honda's wearable Asimo-inspired Walk Assist devices. This is how it felt.

I strapped on Honda's fresh-from-the-labs Stride Management Assist and Bodyweight Support Assist rigs, and both devices made me feel totally unstoppable, albeit in a goofy sort of way. The whole time I felt the need to go do something great, like go on a cross-country jog or blast into outer space to join a robot colony.

I'm definitely not the target demographic for either device, which Honda's Fundamental Research Institute hopes will help mobilize and rehabilitate Japan's rapidly aging population or lessen the leg fatigue of factory workers who stand and crouch for hours on end. But of course, this didn't stop me from jumping at the opportunity to strap them on and stomp around; this is the first time Honda's prototypes have been presented on U.S. soil.

Stemming directly from Asimo research, Honda's learned so much about how bipeds walk that they can now produce devices that react to human motion in real time to support the motion of walking, using just a few simple sensors each. The magic is in the processing software which was refined with Asimo.

The first one I strapped on, the Bodyweight Support Assist (the one with the saddle) reduces the load on the user's legs to help with physically demanding activities. This one was definitely a bit more cumbersome to wear, but aside from riding up your crotch a bit (it doesn't exert upward pressure, much to Mahoney's relief), the experience is pretty cool. The system operates using just two tread sensors in the soles of the sweet built-in Velcro sneakers and two lift sensors in the legs which register the upward motion of your stride, as well as the orientation. There is zero delay, and you never feel like the device is controlling your movement. It reacted instantly to my motions and enhanced everything I did, like an exoskeleton.

Mundane activities like walking up the stairs and crouching down suddenly became fun and much easier—the saddle provides anywhere from 6.5 to 18 pounds of support when you lean back in it, which isn't enough to sit down on, obviously, but it's certainly noticeable and makes crouching easier. Personally, I had a little issue navigating the stairs and nearly fell backwards, as you can see in the video. Apparently my feet were too small for the sneaker sensors to pick up properly, making the whole device jerk my legs around more than was expected on the stairs. But even Asimo takes a tumble now and then, so wearing his legs, it was only natural that I had a stumble at some point. But when the shoes fit, the experience is absolutely natural.

Second was The Stride Management Assist, which straps on like a belaying harness and weighs practically nothing. It regulates the person's stride and walking pace, making walking much easier for the elderly or disabled while still building up their own muscles. The device was by no means discreet looking, but frolicking around in it felt very natural—just better, as my movements were enhanced almost immediately. The robo hip-huggers definitely perked up my posture and made me move around more confidently, giving gentle support to my legs during all parts of my stride. Walking up and down stairs, you can feel the complex processing involved, with more support given on the way up than on the way down.

Both devices have a sleek look, which Honda hopes to refine even further as they reduce the weight. Battery life for each is around two hours on a single charge, which will also get better as batteries get lighter. Even though Honda's tested both devices in real-world scenarious—the Stride Management Assist in a hospital, and the Bodyweight Support Assist in one of their factories in Saitama, there is no timeline for actual retail availability, but Honda does intend to come up with a finished product for sale eventually.

Which means most people will have to go on dreaming of the cyborg life, but hopefully not for much longer.

Source;
http://i.gizmodo.com/5212161/how-it-feels-to-walk-with-hondas-cyborg-legs

GM to close down 1,700 dealerships by June 1st

GM has accelerated its restructuring as the impending June 1 deadline approaches along with Chapter 11 speculations.

The carmaker has informed its dealers that it will expedite the close down of about 1,700 dealerships, an insider has said. At present, there are around 200 dealers that were shut down in this year’s first quarter.

Although the closure of such large numbers of dealers was not confirmed by GM officially, a spokesman did confirm GM-dealers meetings. The insider refused to comment on what happened behind the closed doors of the meeting. General Motors is counting on either the demise or sale of Saturn and Hummer. If GM succeeds in getting rid of these liabilities, the dealerships for these brands will also follow. GM can get rid half of the 1,700 dealerships it intends to close from the Saturn and Hummer brands alone. This will mean that there will be no buy-outs for the respective dealers together with those which GM will deem to be underperformers, whose franchise will ends by the first of June. Dealership closures will take place, whether GM goes bankrupt or not. One of the suggestions offered for the survival of the dealers is for them to acquire Saturn.

Source;
http://www.autospies.com/news/GM-to-close-down-1-700-dealerships-by-June-1st-43071/

Dog-friendly Honda Element Concept Transforms SUV into Pet-hauling Champ

New dog transportation features turn Element into the alpha dog of pet travel

TORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., April 8, 2009 - New dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element add canine-specific enhancements to one of the most dog-friendly vehicles available, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced at the New York International Auto Show.

Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly™ components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall. Major components will likely include:

·a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
·second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
·an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
·a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
·second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
·all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
·a spill-resistant water bowl; and
·Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

"In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components is intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car."

The Dog Friendly equipment, engineered specifically for the Element, is designed to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world's leading automotive safety systems suppliers, exclusively for display on the Dog Friendly Honda Element concept vehicle. The restraint concepts are intended to complement the potential of the vehicle's existing restraint systems by helping to protect the dog and helping to prevent injuries to other vehicle occupants due to an unrestrained dog impacting them in a collision. For convenience, a ramp is included to help dogs access the rear cargo area. The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be conveniently accessed when the rear tailgate is down.

"In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner's safe travel practices," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The expanded availability of manufacturer-based restraints and features can help elevate pet comfort and convenience for owners. Good ventilation and access to water on longer trips should also be primary concerns."

The Element has long been recognized for its dog-friendly interior with an easy-to-clean urethane floor and expansive, flat cargo area (up to 74.6 cu-ft. with rear seats removed), wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and accommodating dimensions for tall items. The consumer pet travel advice Web site, Dogcars.com, honored the 2007 Honda Element with its first-ever "Dog Car of the Year" award.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., 39 percent of all households own at least one dog with an estimated total U.S. dog population of 74.8 million. All pet purchases and related products and services comprise an estimated total market value of more than $43 billion (2008 est.).

Substantially restyled for the 2009 model year and available with new features, the Honda Element builds on its spacious and versatile SUV character with a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design. Three unique Element styles are available that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC.

Powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine, the Element is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Available Real Time 4WD™ can enhance all-weather traction. The interior provides seating for up to four people along with a cargo area that adapts to large items with its flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64-plus seating arrangements). The Element EX has a water resistant urethane-coated utility floor that wipes down for ease-of-cleaning and seat fabric that resists moisture.

For 2009, all Elements incorporate significant exterior styling changes that include new front grille and bumper designs, restyled front fenders (now metal, previously composite material), a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations. Interior enhancements include revised dashboard color combinations with titanium-look side linings, new fabric patterns, and enhanced switchgear designs and instrument panel meter graphics. The Element EX exclusively adds a new convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box.

Source;

http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4090408Dog-friendly-Honda-Element-Concept/