Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Honda: United States

Though participating in international motorsport (see Racing), Honda was having difficulty selling its automobiles in the United States. Built for Japanese buyers, Honda's small cars had failed to gain the interest of American buyers. Honda's first automobile imported to the United States was the N600, sold in Hawaii in 1969. In 1970, the car was imported to California and beyond, but its tiny 600 cc engine and minuscule dimensions made it very unpopular with the American public. Source:
en.wikipedia.org Honda Malaysia rides on its strong slogan ‘The Power of Dreams’. It is a bold statement that signifies the ever-changing and growing needs of the future. A future with better technology along with better value. Source:
honda.com.my Honda's "Safety for Everyone" commitment is a comprehensive approach based on providing customers with advanced safety features in each vehicle, regardless of size or price. In addition to dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, all Ridgeline models come equipped with side curtain airbags with rollover sensor; front side airbags, including passenger side airbag with an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) to prevent airbag deployment when a child or small stature adult is in the deployment path; anti-lock brakes (ABS); Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control; and pedestrian safety features such as an energy-absorbing hood structure and hinges. Source:
accidentreconstruction.com
« PreviousPage 1 of 1Next »

Honda: Company

Honda is the world's preeminent maker of engines for automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, selling more than 21 million units globally in 2005. Honda engines are characterized by the same clean, quiet, fuel-efficient technology that is behind the company's unparalleled reputation for durability, quality, and reliability. Source:
forester.net Honda Aero will employ approximately 70 associates when the plant reaches its initial production plan of 200 engines per year within about one year of production startup. The company will invest approximately $27 million for construction of the headquarters and manufacturing facility, including equipment. Source:
sev.prnewswire.com In Asia, in addition to subsidiaries, many affiliates accounted for under the equity method manufacture and sell Honda-brand products. Operating income does not include income from these affiliates. Income from these affiliates is recorded as equity in income of affiliates and reflected in net income. Also, accounting terms of some of the affiliates differ from the Company's. Source:
markets.kiplinger.com

Since its introduction as a

compact hatchback car in 1976, the Honda Accord has earned widespread acclaim as a leader in smart design, superb quality and world-class efficiency. In its 28-year history, the Accord has constantly re-invented itself, going from the original compact hatchback to today's mid-sized sedan and coupe. The seventh-generation Accord, released in 2003, once again raised the bar for performance, safety and value in its class with a highly efficient and powerful 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower VTEC V-6 engine, standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) and standard features such as tilt-telescoping steering, air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and an AM/FM/CD stereo. In addition, the seventh-generation Accord was one of the first mid-sized sedans to bring luxury features such as a voice-activated navigation system, XM satellite radio and side curtain airbags to the premium mid-size segment.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Honda Marine BF225 Named Pacific Coast Sportfishing's "Best Outboard of 2009"

Pacific Coast Sportfishing magazine has named the Honda Marine BF225 horsepower (hp) outboard its "Best Outboard Engine of 2009." Unveiled in the publication's July issue, the "Best Of" list reveals the editorial team's favorite boats, motors, tackle, and anglers. "Unlike [consumer research company] J.D. Power & Associates, the PCS 'Best Of' list is more of a shoot-from-the-hip approach," said Drew Lawler, President and Editorial Director, Pacific Coast Sportfishing. "We went with what we knew and what we liked."

The award is an exceptional honor for Honda Marine. "On the heels of our fourth receipt of the J.D. Power award, being recognized by our peers in the boating industry is further testament to Honda Marine's commitment to producing an outstanding, high-quality outboard," said John Fulcher, senior manager, Honda Marine. "Our flagship BF225 has long been the crown jewel in Honda Marine's stable of award-winning four-stroke outboards, and we're grateful to the Pacific Coast Sportfishing family for this honor."

Ideal for pontoons, large sport fishing and cruising boats, and commercial applications, the advanced technology of these high-horsepower (hp) engines delivers a perfect balance of power, torque, and fuel economy in any environment. Honda-exclusive technologies such as VTEC™, BLAST, and Lean Burn Control contribute to the engines' outstanding performance and fuel efficiency, while a best-in-class 90-amp alternator provides ample battery charging (60 amps) for multiple electronic accessories.

The BF225 is available in 20-, 25- and 30-inch shaft models, while the BF200 is offered in 20-inch and 25-inch shaft lengths. All new Honda outboard engines sold for recreational use offer an industry-best True 5-year, non-declining limited factory warranty that is the same on the last day as it is on the first.

Honda Marine pioneered four-stroke engine technology, setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions. Honda's outboards share the same unparalleled durability, quality, and reliability of its legendary automobiles. With models ranging from 2 to 225 horsepower, Honda Marine's full line of current production models meets rigorous California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-Star standards, ensuring their availability and regulatory compliance in all 50 states

Nearly Every Honda Model Meets "Cash for Clunkers" Fuel Economy Requirements

With one of the most fuel-efficient vehicle lineups in the industry, nearly every new Honda model will help customers qualify for a federal "Cash for Clunkers" credit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

Depending on the trade-in vehicle, customers will be able to choose one or more of Honda's diverse model line including the Ridgeline pickup, its most-rugged vehicle; the Accord, Honda's best-selling U.S. model; and the all-new Insight, the most-affordable hybrid in the United States.

"You don't really need a complicated chart to find a qualifying vehicle at a Honda dealer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We hope that this program will help consumers make the move into vehicles that are easier on both their wallets and the environment."

The federal Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 was enacted on June 24 of this year. More commonly referred to as "Cash for Clunkers," this program is designed to stimulate vehicle sales and reduce overall fuel use by providing up to a $4,500 credit to consumers who trade in their current eligible vehicle for one that achieves greater fuel economy.

The only vehicles in the Honda lineup that will not qualify for a credit are the limited-production S2000 roadster, the Accord V6 Coupe with manual transmission and the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle (the latter is excluded by the program's five year lease requirement).

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is expected to issue final rules for program implementation by July 23. Further detail on the federal program can be found on the U.S. Department of Transportation's web site at http://www.cars.gov.

Honda cars that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 MPG or more and may be eligible for payments under this program include1:

2009 Fit - All models
2010 Insight - All models
2009 Civic - All models
2009 Accord - All models except V6 Coupe with manual transmission
Honda category 1 trucks that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 18 MPG or more and may be eligible for a credit under this program include:

2009 CR-V - All models
2009 Element - All models
2009 - 2010 Pilot - All models including 2WD and 4WD
2009 - 2010 Odyssey - All models
Honda category 2 trucks that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 15 MPG or more and may be eligible for a credit under this program include:

2009 Ridgeline - All models
For more information or downloadable high-resolution images of Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com.

1NHTSA has not yet adopted rules for the CARS program, but is expected to do so by July 23, 2009. It is Honda's understanding, based on information currently available to it, that the purchase or lease of the listed Honda models will qualify for a credit under the program if the customer trades-in a qualified clunker.

Honda Commemorates 50 Years of Innovation in America

Honda (NYSE: HMC) today marked its first 50 years in America, commemorating the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in a small Los Angeles storefront on June 11, 1959. Honda associates observed the occasion with a brief ceremony at the company's Torrance, Calif. headquarters.

"On behalf of the tens of thousands of Honda associates in America, past and present, we offer our deepest thanks to our customers for placing their trust in Honda over the past 50 years," said American Honda President & CEO Tetsuo Iwamura. "Today, in the face of new challenges, including the preservation of our environment, we renew our commitment to exceed the expectations of our customers and society."

Starting in 1959, with the fuel-efficient Honda 50 motorcycle, to the newly launched 2010 Honda Insight gas-electric hybrid vehicle, Honda has introduced new technologies and business strategies that have shaped the industry and the growth of Honda, including:

First automaker to meet U.S. Clean Air Act without a catalytic converter - Civic CVCC (1974)
First vehicle to top U.S. EPA list of most fuel efficient cars - Civic (1977)
First Japanese automaker to build motorcycles (1979) and automobiles (1982) in America - Marysville, Ohio*
First Japanese automaker to establish a luxury automobile brand -- Acura (1986)
First mass produced gas electric hybrid car introduced in America -- Insight (1999)
First government-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle -- FCX (2002)
Honda has steadily expanded its U.S. presence to encompass a broad range of products and operations. Today, Honda employs more than 27,000 U.S. associates engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, sale and servicing of Honda and Acura products including automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, personal water craft, power equipment, and an advanced light jet.

Honda operates 10 U.S. manufacturing plants with two new plants under construction, along with 14 R&D facilities and more than 12 regional sales, parts and service, and finance offices around the country. The company's network of U.S. parts suppliers comprises 545 companies in 34 states with annual purchases exceeding $17.5 billion in 2008.

Honda History in America
American Honda was the first overseas subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., established eleven years after HMC's inception as a small motorcycle manufacturer in Japan. Honda entered the U.S. market in 1959 with the step-through Honda 50 motorcycle and helped spur the dramatic growth of the U.S. motorcycle market, as it became the best-selling brand in America.

The introduction of the fuel-efficient Civic in 1973 paved the way for Honda's entry into the U.S. auto industry. As America faced the first oil crisis in 1973 and then the U.S. Clean Air Act tightened air emissions standards in 1975, Civic became both the first automobile to meet the Clean Air Act without the need for a catalytic converter and was ranked number one on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's first list of America's most fuel efficient cars (1977).

Based on its longstanding commitment to develop and build products close to the customer, Honda established research and development operations in America in 1975, and U.S. manufacturing in 1979, starting with production of motorcycles in Marysville, Ohio. Honda became the first Japanese automaker to build cars in America with the start of Accord production at the Marysville Auto Plant in November 1982. In May 2009, Honda reached the 15 million unit milestone in U.S. automobile production.

In 1986, the company expanded into the luxury automobile market with the creation of the Acura brand, the first luxury nameplate from a Japanese automaker. Acura earned a top rating in J.D. Power and Associates' Customer Satisfaction Index for four consecutive years (1986-1989).

In the 1990s, Honda introduced the U.S. automobile industry's first low-emissions vehicles, meeting challenging new emissions requirements in California while also enhancing fuel efficiency. In 1999, Honda introduced America's first mass production hybrid vehicle, the Insight, followed in 2002 by the Honda FCX, the first fuel cell vehicle certified by the U.S. government for daily use and the first to be placed in the hands of an individual consumer.

In 2008, the company began leasing its next-generation FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan, the industry's most advanced zero-emissions vehicle. In March 2009 Honda introduced the 2010 Honda Insight, America's most affordable hybrid, with plans to launch another all-new hybrid within the next several years based on the company's sporty CR-Z hybrid concept vehicle.

"Looking to the future, we are committed to advancing Honda's legacy of environmental leadership to help address the twin challenges of global climate change and energy sustainability," said Iwamura. "Along with a renewed focus on quality, we begin our next fifty years by accelerating our efforts to develop and deploy new technologies that put Honda at the forefront of this global challenge, to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for generations to come."

2009 Honda Cars

Click on any new Honda model name for more detailed Honda information, pictures, specs and reviews.

All CategoriesConvertiblesCoupesSedansSports CarsSUVsTrucksVans
2009 Honda Accord Coupe
4.4 stars (47)
MSRP$22,405 - $31,155InvoiceNot Available

2009 Honda Accord Sedan
3.8 stars (95)

MSRP$20,905 - $30,905InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Civic Coupe
3.7 stars (24)
MSRP$15,305 - $23,655InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Civic GX
4.6 stars (5)
MSRP$25,190InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
4.5 stars (34)
MSRP$23,650 - $26,850InvoiceNot Available

2009 Honda Civic Sedan
3.7 stars (55)

MSRP$15,505 - $23,655InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Civic Si Coupe
4.5 stars (15)
MSRP$21,905 - $24,105InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Civic Si Sedan
4.7 stars (21)
MSRP$22,105 - $24,305InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda CR-V
4.4 stars (46)
MSRP$21,245 - $28,945InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Element
4 stars (19)
MSRP$20,275 - $25,770InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Fit
4.5 stars (68)
MSRP$14,750 - $18,960InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Odyssey
4.4 stars (25)
MSRP$26,355 - $41,105InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Pilot
4.4 stars (37)
MSRP$27,695 - $40,095InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda Ridgeline
4.3 stars (19)
MSRP$28,200 - $36,530InvoiceNot Available
2009 Honda S2000
5 stars (12)
MSRP$34,995 - $37,995InvoiceNot Available