Dongfeng Honda Recalls Again

Honda is recalling 459 962 CR-V and Civic models in China to fix defective horns from April 30th. The CR-V and Civics affected were built in China from July 2009 to August 2011.

Malaysia Unveils the Jazz Hybrid

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Honda Malaysia) unveiled the highly anticipated all new Jazz Hybrid, which debuts as Honda’s latest addition to its family of hybrid cars in Malaysia. Honda Malaysia aims to sell 3,000 units of the Jazz Hybrid by the end of this year and will continue to introduce more new hybrid models to excite Malaysians. According to a press release, for this year Honda’s target for the total hybrid series is 10,000 units and it was currently leading the hybrid market share in Malaysia at 55 per cent.

Speaking at the launch of the Jazz Hybrid, Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Yoichiro Ueno said the Honda Jazz Hybrid was developed with the concept of ‘Enhancing the fundamental qualities of the vehicle’. With its unique driving characteristics and practical features, the new entrant was targeted at eco-conscious individuals who were interested in a compact hybrid that catered to their fun driving and active lifestyle. It was also targeted at independent young professionals who recognised the value of advanced technologies packaged in a clean design. To-date, close to 800,000 Honda hybrid vehicles were on the road all over the world, benefiting from the IMA system’s combination of low emissions and fuel economy. The new car was available in five exciting colours fresh lime metallic, alabaster silver, Milano red, crystal black pearl and Taffeta white. Designed with everyday driving and use in mind it combined spaciousness, utility, fuel economy, low carbon emission, refinement, comfort and enhanced

The Jazz Hybrid came with a five year or 140,000km warranty for IMA battery which was the same with the Insight and CR-Z and was the longest among the industry.

Canadian Acura/Honda Sales in March 2012

Honda has updated the 2012 Insight for Canada as Canadian Insight sales continue to fall into a black hole

Combined February sales of 8,883 units by the Honda and Acura divisions of Honda Canada Inc. represented a 14% increase over last year's sales.  The Honda Automobile Division reported February sales of 7,885 units, up 14% from last year, led by strong February sales of Honda Fit (up 111%), Ridgeline (up 108%), Pilot (up 49%), and record monthly sales of the new CR-V with 2,836 units, ahead of last year's monthly record by 342 units. The Acura Division reported February sales of 998 units, up 10% over last year, bolstered by a 64% monthly increase in sales of Acura TL.

American Acura/Honda Sales for March 2012

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today reported February 2012 monthly new-vehicle sales of 110,157, an increase of 7.8 percent over February 2011, based on the daily selling rate*. The Honda Division posted February 2012 sales of 98,899, an increase of 8.8 percent year-over-year.

In its second full month of sales, the all-new Honda CR-V eclipsed its previous February record with sales of 24,759, up 24.5 percent over last year's total of 19,096 units. The all-new Civic continued to build momentum with sales of 27,087, up an impressive 36.0 percent compared to February 2011.The Accord posted January sales of 20,702, down 6.3 percent from the same period last year.

"The ultimate arbiter of a vehicle's success is how customers vote with their purchase decision, and customers are voting for Civic," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "On top of the strong consumer support for the new Civic, we're seeing tremendous demand for the all-new CR-V."

The Acura Division's February sales totaled 11,258, up 0.1 percent compared to February 2011, with two models registering strong sales increases. Sales of the TL sedan reached 3,211, up 26.0 percent from the same period last year, while TSX sales set a new February record of 3,373, a year-over-year increase of 15.9 percent.

2012 Honda Insight On Sale In Canada!

Despite rumors of the axing of the Insight in Canada, Honda Canada has introduced the 2012 refreshed Insight with a single trim level, LX priced at $21 990 with the CVT transmission. It seems Honda's Canadian hybrid strategy is a tri-fold with the Insight LX at the lower end, the CR-Z EX in the middle end at $23 990 and the Civic Hybrid at the top end at $26 350. VSA is now included with the Insight and 4 colors are available. The Insight is available as a special order. 

For more information, visit the Insight's site @ http://honda.ca/insight

To The Track ...

The Honda Racing Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship team are putting the new Civic Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) through its paces at its first public test outing at Brands Hatch today (21 February 2012).

Both Gordon 'Flash' Shedden and triple-BTCC champion Matt Neal will be pushing the car to the limit to make it is as competitive as possible ahead of the season debut on 1 April 2012.

The testing at Brands Hatch follows a successful preliminary test at the MIRA test track last week where the car underwent extensive system checks to ensure it is fully functional. Matt Neal and the Honda Racing team spent Friday acclimatising to the car and making sure it's safe and ready for track testing.

Matt Neal commented; "This is the first opportunity we have had to get behind the wheel to really see what the car has got. The team are really pleased with the results from the test at MIRA last week and I can't wait to finally start putting the car through its paces.

"It will be interesting to see how the car performs, but I'm optimistic that we'll walk away from today confident we have a championship winning car."

Gordon 'Flash' Shedden added; "The feedback on the new Civic NGTC car so far is incredibly promising and I've been itching to get into the car since the end of the 2011 season. Like Matt mentioned, this is the first time we have had to really push the car and I'm looking forward to putting it into action."

Team Manager, Peter Crolla, concluded; "The team have all been working incredibly hard since the start of the NGTC programme back in August so everybody's very excited to see the new car on track for the first time. It'll be interesting from the point of view of both drivers and engineers to see how the car behaves on a track where we were very competitive with the S2000 Civic and we can really start to understand and develop the new car.

"The main aim for the day will be to establish a baseline set-up for the car which we can then tune for the various circuits we visit during the season. Initial feedback from the MIRA shakedown was positive so we're hoping to continue that today and cover some valuable mileage with both Matt and Gordon behind the wheel".

The next testing session takes place at Donington Park circuit on Thursday 23 February.

Management Changes Shock

Honda has recalled the CEO and a top exec in its Indian subsidiary. This move has shocked the company workers in India because of its unusual and unprecedented move. Many are taking this as a sign of Honda's desire to start fresh and regain its lost footing in the critical Indian minicar market. Takashi Nagai (pictured), the president and CEO of Honda Siel Cars of India along with the marketing head, Seki Inaba have only spent less than 2 years in their roles and they have already been shown the door. Honda spokespeople have said that this is part of a routine top management change announced every so often. Inaba will be moving to an unknown assignment while Nagai will become the president and representative director of Honda Logistics Inc and his spot will be taken by H Kanayama, current head of Honda's Taiwanese operations on April Fool's Day. 

Chicago Tribune's 2012 Honda Pilot Review

"So many times I hear a fellow mom say, "Well, I really need a third row," and I think to myself, why? Oftentimes, the third row in an SUV or crossover seems like an afterthought. It's either too small to transport people or too difficult to get the kids into it. There's also the problem of the third row hogging all the cargo space; what's the point of a road trip with seven when only one person's luggage could actually fit back there? The Honda Pilot, which was restyled for 2012, dispels those concerns."

For more information, visit Chicago Tribune's website @ http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/sns-autos-car-review-2012-honda-pilot-20120222,0,7478776.story

Exec Changes

Honda plans to post its second-highest ranking global executive in the U.S. for the first time as the automaker that was Japan’s first to build cars in the market extends a three-decade localization push.

Tetsuo Iwamura, 60, Honda’s chief operating officer for North America, on April 1 adds the titles of executive vice president and executive officer, the Tokyo-based company said today in a statement. Iwamura is to also join Honda’s board in late June, pending shareholder approval, the company said.

Iwamura will continue to run operations in North America while assisting President Takanobu Ito in managing global sales, said Jun Odajima, a company spokesman. “This is the first time the top North American executive has also been the No. 2 company official,” he said.

The promotion of Iwamura and naming of Erik Berkman to lead Honda’s U.S. research and development unit, the first time that job has gone to a non-Japanese engineer, come as the company lifts production across North America, its biggest source of revenue, to counter a rising yen. Honda is increasing vehicle output at plants in the U.S. and Canada, adding a factory in Mexico to build subcompacts and preparing to make the Acura NSX supercar in Ohio by 2014.

Berkman, currently vice president of corporate planning and logistics for U.S. auto operations, is to become president of Honda R&D Americas on April 1, the company said.

Honda’s U.S. headquarters are in Torrance, California. The company’s American depositary receipts rose 1.3 percent to $37.28 at the close in New York.

India Production Back In Business

Honda production is back in Thailand with the company producing more than 450 cars a day through two shifts to clear a massive production backlog created in the past few months. Honda's Thailand plants, which source most of the Honda cars for sale in India, was hit by a massive flood earlier last year that completely shut down the Honda plant. Honda's Brio received 9000 bookings when it was released in October 2011 but only around 2000 bookings have been filled; Honda expects the bulk of the bookings to be filled by the end of March 2012. Along with that, Honda has also lost production of about 15000 cars. 

To make up for its recent shortcomings, Honda is set for a massive all-out advertising campaign for the new Brio along with adding dealership networks across India to reach out to consumers. 

Too little too late? What do you think? Comment below!

Honda Europe In Reverse

Honda's shares in Europe have not been doing well lately. In 2011, Honda Europe fell to a market share of just over 1%. But Honda won't let that stop it from competing with other manufacturers. However, it will take Honda until at least 2013/2014 to return to profitability in Europe. In that time frame, Honda will be moving to having almost 80% of all Euro cars (nearly 180 000 vehicles will be doubled by the end of this year to begin with) sold be produced in the UK. Honda Europe's head continues to look for ways to cut Honda Europe's exposure to the yen. 40% of Honda's sales in the region are Hondas produced elsewhere in the world including every Honda Accord sold. In the next-generation Accord, Honda Europe is looking to import the model from the US, cutting down shipping times from four weeks to seven days. 

Honda will also be hiring more engineers in the UK region and putting an increased emphasis on local content in its vehicles made in Europe. Honda Europe hopes to achieve 300 000 sales in Europe by 2014/2015.

Honda also brushed off rumors that Honda would enter into an alliance with another company to fund fuel-saving technology in its cars. Honda has no interest with allying and does not have any future plans. Honda will be adding a new, 1.6L diesel engine into its European engine portfolio some time in the near future. 

2013 Acura RDX Pricing

The all-new 2013 RDX crossover SUV will go on-sale at Acura dealerships in early Spring with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $34,320 Acura announced today.

"The right-sized 2013 RDX adds increased comfort, utility and power, along with class-leading fuel economy," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales."Based on changing consumer preference, small is becoming big in the eyes of today's consumers."

The 2013 RDX significantly ups the game with its all new looks, increased comfort and new technology. In addition the RDX features a new 3.5L V-6 engine with 33 more horsepower than the outgoing model, a new 6-speed automatic transmission and a new all-wheel-drive system (available as a $1,400 option). The RDX exterior incorporates a sleek (more aerodynamically efficient) body and chassis updates abound in the form of a longer wheelbase with increased track, all-new Amplitude Reactive Dampers and a new motion adaptive electronic power steering system.

Inside the 2013 RDX, occupants will appreciate a new interior design with increased utility, rich interior materials and generous use of noise insulation. Standard features on RDX include leather seating surfaces, heated power front seats, a power moonroof and a 360watt audio system. New technologies such as Pandora® internet radio interface, an SMS text messaging function, a Keyless Access System with pushbutton start, an Active Noise Control system and a rear view camera system with three unique viewing angles are also standard on all RDX models.

Available for $3,700, a Technology Package brings the RDX owner even more high tech appointments including items such as the AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™,a GPS-linked solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system, Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Sound System, a power actuated rear tailgate, projector beam headlights with Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs and front fog lights.

2012 Euro Civic Gets 5-Stars

The new Honda Civic 5 door has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, according to new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP. In addtion, Euro NCAP have announced that they are extending Honda's Advanced NCAP reward for its Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) technology to include the new Civic.

The new Honda Civic has been awarded Euro NCAP's maximum 5-star rating. The rating scheme focuses on the vehicle's overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. Since the introduction of Euro NCAP‘s new rating scheme (February 2009) all Honda models tested have achieved 5 stars.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, commented "The 9th generation Civic impressed and achieved high scores in all areas of assessment, putting it on a par with its rivals in this competitive market segment. The car scored well in Safety Assist and is also fitted as an option with Honda's Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)."

Euro NCAP also announced today that they are extending Honda's Advanced NCAP reward for its CMBS technology to include the new Civic. The reward recognises Honda‘s CMBS technology as amongst the best available safety innovations, offering research proven benefits. Euro NCAP Advanced is an initiative developed in response to the rapid development of new safety technologies, for which there is no independent assessment.

Honda has been recognized for its Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS), a radar-based autonomous emergency braking system. CMBS is designed to help prevent collisions with vehicles which are stationary or travelling in the same direction. The system is aimed at alerting the driver to an imminent collision both at low speeds, typical of urban driving, and at higher speeds typical of rural roads and motorways. By studying accident statistics in Germany and extending the figures to the broader European community, Honda estimates that, if all cars were fitted with CMBS, between 200,000 and 250,000 accidents could be either prevented or mitigated every year.

The new Civic's top safety rating and Advanced NCAP reward reflect Honda's commitment to overall vehicle safety. Honda's car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D center analyzes impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both passengers and pedestrians. The omni-directional vehicle-to-vehicle crash test facility opened in 2001 and is the world's first indoor facility of its type.

Recall Alert: 2008 and 2009 Honda Odyssey

Along with the theme of recalls, Honda is recalling 45 747 2008 and 2009 Honda Odysseys with a power liftgate in the US because they may have faulty gas-filled struts. These struts are prone to early life failures because of a "manufacturing flaw" and as a result, may leak pressurized gas leading to an unexpected liftgate injury. Honda will notify owners in the coming weeks. 2790 Honda Odysseys in Canada are affected. 

Recall Alert: 2012 Honda Pilot and 2012 Acura MDX

Honda is recalling 8709 2012 Honda Pilots and 2012 Acura MDXs beginning mid-March. The recall is focused on the possibility of a fuel leak when the vent shut float valve cases in the fuel tank assemblies do not meet the proper design specifications. As a result, fuel may leak from the tank. Owners with affected vehicles will be notified in the coming weeks.

2012 Honda CR-V Exclusive Edition

To commemorate the passing of the second-generation Honda CR-V, Honda is rolling out a CR-V Exclusive Edition that will be sold in Italy and launching this weekend at 22000 euros. The Exclusive Edition will add from the Elegance trim level with a choice of two engines, one turbodiesel common rail engine and one i-VTEC gasoline engine. Inside, power windows, automatic climate control, Alcantara steering wheel and leather gear shift knob, driver's assistance, tinted glass, heated mirrors and 17" inch alloy wheels adorn the exclusive model. Interestingly, a manual transmission is also offered. Petrol models start at 22900 euros while the diesel model starts at 28950 euros. 

Phillipines Production

 Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) has decided to stop the assembly of its Civic model in the country and instead relocate it to Thailand on cost competitiveness issue leaving the company with only one CKD model produced here.

Tatsuya Natsume, president and general manager of HCPI, told reporters at yesterday’s launch of the all-new Honda Civic, that there is no plan to revive CKD operation for Civic at its Sta. Rosa plant.

Natsume said they have stopped local production of Honda Civic at its Sta. Rosa plant in July last year and was supposed to source it from Thailand since then. The flooding in Thailand, however, has forced them to temporarily source Civic from Japan. Once the Thailand operation has stabilized, he said, they would start getting its supply of Civic from this ASEAN country.

“It is a matter of scale of economy,” Natsume said pointing out that its Thailand plant has a production capacity of 240,000 units a year and that makes it more efficient than maintaining its local assembly of Civic in the Philippines.

Besides, he said, importing from Thailand is already at zero tariff. CBU imports from Japan is slapped with a 20 percent tariff.

There is no plan to bring back the CKD operation for Civic at its Sta. Rosa plant, which has a capacity of 9,000 to 10,000 units. The decision to stop CKD operation for Civic has not also affected its workers. They maintain a total of 530 workers.

Natsume, however, said that the capacity void left by Civic would be replaced by the growing demand for its City model.

“City’s sales is a lot higher so iT is better to continue City and that has replaced Civic volume,” he said noting that City’s sales are placed at 9,000 units last year.

For the all-new Civic, HCPI is targeting total sales 350-unit monthly sales. Civic’s record sales before was 9,000 units a month. The Laguna plant is already back into its full operation and they have started delivering City units to its dealers last year.

Natsume did not give a comparative figure last year because 2011 was not a good year because the flooding in Thailand has left the company practically with no inventory in the latter part of the year.

2012 Honda CR-V Review

"One of Honda’s bestsellers, the CRV, arrives totally redesigned for 2012. Honda’s popular compact crossover SUV’s newest reincarnation is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, but there’s still plenty of good news for consumers. The 2012 CRV Touring boasts a lower base price ($25,990 for 2012 vs. $26,290 for 2011), more power (185 horsepower), a better fuel-economy rating (9.2/6.6 l/100 km city/hwy for 2012 vs. 10.1/7.5 for 2011), and increased shoulder room and cargo-carrying capacity despite a slightly lower roof and shorter body. But wait ... there’s more! Kudos to Honda for making heated front seats and rear-view camera standard on ALL CRVs."

For more on the Edmonton Journal's review of the 2012 CR-V, visit http://www.edmontonjournal.com/cars/Honda+absolute+winner/6150719/story.html

Indian Production

Honda Siel Cars of India is set to resume delivery requests of the Brio and Jazz cars this week following the Thailand floods that disrupted production and cancelled many delivery orders. Owner prospects will receive their vehicles before the end of this month. The plant in India has been operating at a minimal output due to the shortage of components from China. Currently, there are 13000 orders for the Brio, Jazz and City. Honda looks to increase daily vehicle production to 440 units a day by next week. 

Honda Doubling Europe Production

Honda is attempting to double its vehicle production in Europe to reduce the reliance on foreign production plant imports after an awful year that devastated production levels across the world. Honda is aiming to increase production at its main Swindon plant in England from 97 000 units last year to 180 000 units this year. Honda believes this approach will allow them to respond better to the increasing yen and allow the company to escape unscathed from natural disasters around the world that crippled Honda's Japanese plants and Thailand plants last year. Honda's European sales have taken a nosedive since the 2008 economic crisis and continues to nosedive from a lack of new product and strategic focus. Honda is changing this with the new Civic that is coming to the UK, the new CR-V coming this fall and the refreshed Jazz coming later this year too. Along with increased production facilities, Honda's Swindon plant will produce a smaller 1.6L diesel engine which will add 500 workers and a second shift to the plant. Honda is also looking to expand its R&D in Europe but there are no concrete plans as of yet.