Report: Honda slashes board size to speed decision making

In a move similar to one recently made by Toyota, Honda has a plan, announced to reduce the size of the Board of Directors. Downsizing 20-12 board members allow Honda to streamline its decision-making.

Subject to approval at Honda forthcoming Annual General Meeting, the changes in June made official. The board is removed from the American Honda Motor Company President Tetsuo Iwamura. He retains his role stateside presidential elections and his additional position of senior managing director at Honda headquarters in Japan.

Honda Civic Ti adds touring car-looks (but no added punch) for UK buyers

Honda fans in the UK can inspire their teeth in a special edition of the Civic five-door sink, with new design elements of the British Touring Car Championship series. The Honda Civic is Ti-package available on both the 1.4-and 1.8-liter i-VTEC Civic SE models. Honda will only be 500 copies of the Civic Ti, with the first cars on sale in March.

The Civic is a Ti package looks only, there is no performance improvements. Outside there is a GP body kit that includes spoilers on the front and rear, side skirts and rear body skirts operations. Premium White Pearl is the only Ti paint color, and it contrasted nicely the 17-inch Pro-Race matt black rims of Honda Racing BTTC partner, Team Dynamics.

Inside the Civic Ti standard Pioneer navigation / multimedia system with iPod / USB port and speakerphone. (Pioneer Honda's main sponsor of the 2011 BTCC series.)

Prices start at £ 15,995 for the 1.4-liter Civic Ti and £ 16,995 for the 1.8 ($ 25,985 and $ 27,612 respectively on current exchange rates). Follow the jump for official press release Honda.

Mothra! Godzilla creators reportedly taking Honda to court over Odyssey ad [w/video]

Honda is feeling the heat of anger Godzilla at the moment. No, for once we are not talking about the Nissan GT-R, but the real star of the daikaijū almost 30 films. The Japanese company, the rights to Godzilla and produces the corresponding films Toho Co. and according to Automotive News, it's not very happy with a recent commercial for the 2011 Honda Odyssey.
The ad, entitled "The Van Beckons" shows a man walking out of a grocery store where he is confronted by the 2011 Honda Odyssey. The attempt to show that a minivan can be male, is Judas Priest The Hellion plays during pyrotechnics ignite the vehicle. The camera moves to show in Honda-widescreen monitor which is displaying an image of a heavy metal band on one side and Godzilla on the other.
This shot of Godzilla's what Toho Co. a little annoying, there was the use of its star lizard apparently not licensed. Toho Co. has a restraining order with the Los Angeles Federal District Court stating Honda has filed violated his copyright-protected material. For its part, Honda does not have a comment regarding the legal aspects of the matter, but one finds that the commercial be exposed issued. Click past the jump to see the place and see for yourself why Toho Co. legal breathes fire at Honda.

2012 Honda Civic launches in five flavors

That's right, this is all of the 2012 Honda Civic in its glory. While it would be hard to tell with one glance, this all-new Civic, the exchange virtually nothing other than his moniker with the previous generation. As much as we would have liked some additional visual flair, it seems Honda is conservative and right with the aim for the heart of the market with five separate and different flavors of the compact range.
We will start with the all-new HR model, which, as you might have guessed, is the most economical of the non-hybridized Civics, which are available in the U.S.. Honda expected to make the RF with its 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the EPA estimated consumption of 41 miles per gallon on the highway. The HF is its aerodynamic package with the returing Civic Hybrid, which creates a combined rating of 45 mpg (four mpg improvement over the outgoing Civic Hybrid), thanks to its lithium-ion battery - a Honda first - and 1.5-liter - i-VTEC engine and CVT transmission. There is also a natural gas Civic GX.
While these two models for the ultimate in fuel efficiency target, we imagine that the standard sedan and coupe models make up the bulk of sales. Buyer is a 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower under the hood, the scores of an EPA-estimated 39 mpg on the highway to find (three mpg improvement over the last Civic). The Civic soldiers and a five-speed automatic transmission at a time when most of its competitors are packing six conditions.

Honda recalling 700,000 Fit models over engine fears - 97k in U.S.

Honda has announced that the company has approximately 700,000 vehicles worldwide in regard to faulty lost motion springs in the valve train. The springs can fatigue and break over time, allowing the engine due to the stable. The recall affects certain 2009-2010 Fit, Freed and City models, and so far the company has received 72 complaints of the subject in Japan and 29 complaints from other countries in the world.

No injuries or accidents were reported due to the problem.

A total of 176,000 vehicles in Japan called back, while another being brought in 156 000 for inspection in China. A full 233 000 models will be dismissed by the rest of Asia and North America 122 000 cars should head back to the dealer - over 97 000 of them are from the U.S.. Hit the jump for official press release Honda. Thank you to everyone for the tips!

Geneva Preview: Honda to unveil EV concept and PHEV platform

Honda is still toting the company line, the plug-in vehicles are a "near-future technology" and that the ultimate goal of the green, driving is a choice of mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, such as its own FCX Clarity. This despite the presence of the new production of plug-in vehicles (Leaf, volts, etc) on the road today.
be independent of whether you subscribe to Honda's way of thinking, it's always a pleasure to welcome a new electric vehicle concept from a major automaker, and that is exactly what the Japanese automaker will bring the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
Honda says, "The Honda EV Concept hints strongly on the direction and styling for Honda's upcoming production electric vehicle, the Fit EV that are in the U.S. and Japan, introduced in 2012." Honda also notes that the concept is designed to "meet the daily driving needs of the average urban commuter," and to that end, seats five passengers and has room for their cargo in the hatch.
The range will come at 100 miles (with the help of the U.S. LA4 City Cycle), and it will (as seen in the CR-Z hybrid sedan), three separate driving modes along with "several interactive coaching systems to the driver in maximizing support battery area. "Honda will also show a matching prototype Honda EV recharging stand
The other major draw at the Honda display will be a new plug-in hybrid platform to showcase the automaker's next-gen two-motor hybrid powertrain. All-electric, gasoline-electric engine and a direct-drive mode: In contrast to existing integrated Honda Motor Assist technology, be it a full hybrid system with three modes. about the size of an Accord, we would imagine - Honda has packed the hybrid technology in a midsize platform.
We're looking forward to see what Honda has in store for Geneva, but in the meantime, feel free, however, in the press release after the break to scan for more information.

Opinion: Has Honda lost its footing?

When Honda handed out sketches of an all-new Civic Concept in December last year, she received a warm welcome from those looking for extensive changes to manufacturers long popular compact sedan.
Well, initiated the Honda press conference at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show last week, more than a little confusion - and even some disappointment. While we are journalists used to see things, diluted if a car manufacturer is moving from sketch to concept, and then from concept to production car. But the Civic Concept unveiled in Detroit is no fantasy in chrome. If anything, in terms of design, it is only a moderately warmed-over version of the current compact sedan.
This raises some serious questions about Honda's strategy at a time when the compact market is more competitive than in years. Until recently, Honda was able to assume that the only real competitor to the Civic would be the Toyota Corolla are. No new Chevrolet Cruze longer.The was generating quite a bit of buzz as the next generation Ford Focus, a major step forward in the Maker's global One Ford strategy. Then there is the new Hyundai Elantra, probably a more significant effort than the Korean car maker larger and more expensive Sonata.
The compact segment is more competitive than it was at about the memory, such as rising fuel prices, American motorists have to think about downsizing. It is expected that the production version of the Civic Concept solid reliability, driving pleasure and be well equipped. But on a broader scale to be in these days that not enough.And that underlines the problem that Honda can. The manufacturer has traditionally marked out his own path, providing a long series of surprises, from the original CR-X of the Acura NSX sports car (above). Even his mainstream offerings have been standouts. "But lately," laments George Peterson, senior analyst at AutoPacific, Inc., that "innovative companies () was missing the mark."
On the whole, the Japanese manufacturer, it went very well for the year 2010, although it lagged a bit behind the U.S. market overall, with 7.6% sales increase - volume for the year reached 1.23 million. But always have a clear idea of what the figures show, requires a much closer look. The manufacturer is largely being supported by a handful of core products, especially the Accord, Civic and the Honda Pilot at the division and the MDX, Acura TL and TSX on the page.
With rare exceptions, most of the manufacturers new models are stuck in neutral. True scored the Acura ZDX a seemingly solid 4,000% increase in sales compared to last year, but for all of 2010 sales still total only 3259. On the side of the new Honda Insight is not going anywhere. Designed to meet the iron grip of the Toyota Prius in the hybrid market challenge, Honda sold only 20 962 of its committed gas-electric offerings. And the Accord Cross tour was little more than a rounding error when you add up the figures for the entire Accord line at 28 851. What went wrong? Analyst Joe Philippi of Auto Trends Consulting, has the ZDX as a good example, suggesting "your style has totally got off track."
Perhaps such arguments encouraged Honda to take a play-it-safe approach to the design of déjà vu Civic Concept.
On the side of Acura, Philippi adds that the situation has to decide by apparent inability Honda, what exactly is the brand become more severe. Is it a luxury brand? A performance brand? Or it has a clear identity at all? With total sales of just under 130,000 last year, almost half of the leading high-line imports, may be the problem. For his part, is Honda's national marketing director Steve Center, the numbers do not really do justice to how well his company as a pianist by the recession. "We do not want to go for the jugular," he said, with heavy incentives in support of weak demand and weak models. "We run this place like a business," he adds, "not a runaway train."
Despite his conservative approach, as expected the next Civic Center "in the right place at the right time to be" recovered if the U.S. market - and especially if fuel prices to encourage a shift to smaller cars.
What gives Acura, center, the brand has lost focus, claimed a wave of new products come "within the next two years ... this address." And do not be surprised at some changes to the much-maligned, anime-style comic Acura be visible grid, he hints.It is good to hear, the manufacturer announced it has problems. Acura is a brand of particularly urgent help. But the main Honda brand, can not afford to lose its meaning once laser-like focus.
Of course, that is an outsider view. The market may be much more susceptible for an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach to the new Civic, which could provide the kind of slam dunk success of the model has made before.
It is better. Honda can not afford to be just another competitor in an important market segment, long dominated.

Auto execs answer our questions... and yours

We said that we had Autoblog readers a few questions for managers car on the North American International Auto Show, we would ask. We got to make the most of our questions, but even better, we have a bunch of questions that you had to ask our readers.
We do not have to get all of them, but we will do our best to follow-up e-mail, as well as the upcoming Washington DC and Chicago auto shows. Stay tuned for another column, where we have to address your questions. This is only Part One.
Q: Can we have a diesel Jeep Wrangler? A: Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said a diesel is very desirable in the Wrangler and within reach. There is demand. Other Chrysler execs even said Autoblog is there a business case to be tried. Stay tuned.
Q: What about a Focus SVT? A: You did. Unless it's the Focus ST, as mentioned in Europe. Ford decided it should have a nomenclature worldwide.
Q: Ford Global rear-drive platform for a Lincoln luxury car? A: Quite chief marketer James says he does not believe that Lincoln really needs an upscale luxury car to thrive. He says the heart of the luxury market for the future $ 30,000 - $ 50,000. More important than an up-market rear-wheel-drive sports car of the Lincoln entry from the Focus platform is developed. This will have under the new MKZ, a design that differs from the next merger will be sewn.
Read on for more responses.
[Image: Bill Pugliano / Getty]

Q: What about a B-car from Subaru? A: Subaru boss Tom Doll says it would be nice to have, but he notes that Subaru will address fuel consumption with innovative engine technology and design when the new Impreza comes scoring around 35 mpg even with the company four-wheel-drive system.
Q: Any chance of medium-sized truck stage a comeback need to cope with higher fuel consumption? A: Not much. Certainly not body-on-frame medium trucks. The Ford Ranger is gone. The Dodge Dakota is gone, according to Chrysler Marchionne. To compensate, a Jeep Wrangler is available with a flat-bed. And here's an idea we kicked around is - a new Explorer Sport Trac built from the new Explorer. If it comes true, look for the bed design, a bit more utilitarian than the old one. And Ford says Farley, the company is looking at derivatives of the Transit Connect. Maybe even one that has an open bed.
Q: Why no American muscle cars in Europe, except through the gray market? A: GM-president Mark Reuss says the company has a set of priorities, but that is not one of them. He thinks the market is too small to make the investment. Ditto when we asked Ford's Jim Farley.
Q: Why not a six-speed gearbox on Subarus? A: Subaru marketing chief Tim Mahoney says that the company has not yet seen the need for investment. But Subaru is always very cautious. We would be shocked if they are not themselves in the new Impreza. It's hard to imagine they can say 35 mpg in the Impreza it is to get to come without it.
Q: Can we have a Civic hatchback? A: Not from, we could say. Honda seems to be satisfied with the gasoline engine to adjust demand to treat.
Q: We [have finally caught with Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn. He is notoriously hard open to a U.S. journalist. But we are button-holed him at the Audi stand without a public relations representative] Why is it so important to remember all the time about this sales target of one million VWs and Audis in the U.S. by 2018th Why not improve the quality of focus in the wrong direction now for the past two years. And this, number one in the world? Have you learned something from watching GM and Toyota? A: Winterkorn: "We have four goals - to sell 10 million vehicles a year by 2018 Earn more than 8% have the best team in the industry to be # 1 in quality ...." So, yes. Leaders in quality is the last of the four goals. The VW chief is certainly dug, and convinced that this constant reminder to reach the sales targets in nearly every speech, the right way to go. Of course, even with his recent contract extension, he is to complete of the time the meeting that goal with the next CEO.
Q: How about that "Joy" campaign for BMW? A: BMW USA chief Jim O'Donnell told us that the Joy campaign will be "less visible" very soon.
Q: When will we see an AWD Focus, Ford Fiesta or recent U.S. Rally In addition, we push a 3-door Fiesta or a Mustang-based car? " A: Not a big market for three-door Fiesta, says Ford's Jim Farley. No shot for Mustang cars. Ford execs were Cagi of AWD for Fiesta or Focus, Focus, although that would be more likely eventually to have them as an option.
Q: Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne: "How on earth would you want the errors that Chrysler mergers and heavy game Adventure of the past have struck to avoid, also what you have taken concrete steps, and will continue to take to make sure? higher quality vehicles with better design, which are competitive with a market that is constantly being developed? " A: Marchionne says that investing in quality improvements in size. As one of the auto bloggers, all of which drove recently renewed products, I can tell you that, Charger, Compass, Patriot, Challenger and have some degree of the Chrysler 200 has been improved dramatically. The Town & Country is much better. And the Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango are both very good, good enough to be finalists for North American Truck of the Year. Marchionne says Chysler not get traction with doubters to third-party validation of Consumer Reports and JD Power has a chance to materialize. It takes time.
Q: GM CEO Daniel Ackerman, "Where is my money? A: We do not have the chance, Akerson ask directly. But I saw him at the GM Holiday Party, before I wrote the previous column. I could extrapolate from our IPO on GM, you bought some GM stock, when it took place in November, you would have had to earn money now to chat. Ironically, Akerson themselves as hard-core Republicans, probably not in favor of the bailout before he was due to GM board. He is trying very hard to get rid of the government as shareholder. But we suspect that GM execs say that there more to do, the freedom to do, has much more in salary and bonuses to allow the government currently pays when they know how car buyers felt. So far it's not like consumers to seek out one way or the other as GM sales and market share go up.
Q: Why did not VW Tiguan TDO in the U.S. A: Volkswagen execs tell us that the Tiguan is already suffering because they are too expensive compared to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The diesel would add another $ 3,000 and charge it is really out of whack pricing-wise. Only VW nuts that were still buying Eurovans would end up being tried. And there were about 100 of them in the year.
Q: GM: When can we expect "full" product lines for Buick and Caddy? A Cadillac is not a new product from 2012 to midway through ... one replacement for the STS Deville and called XTS, plus an entry level car called the CTS under ATS. Possible Roadster, the middle of the decade. The CTS and SRX moreover, plus hybrid versions, and the Escalade. That's it for Caddy. On the side of Buick, new Verano, Regal, LaCrosse and Lucerne and Enclave. Jeeez. How many Buicks do you want? The crossovers are going GMCs, which are sold in the same showroom.
Q: Why can not I have a more economical car with a manual transmission that is large enough to put a motorcycle in it? A: Because you do not live in Turkey. No one wants a manual tranny van in the U.S. more out of you, seven journalists and car Cheech and Chong.
Q: Ford: The supposed reasons alphanumeric "name" is to put more value on the brand. Would it not make sense at first a well-defined brand strategy for Lincoln, but new badging Fords? How about with some unique products? And why are you stuck with the MK name. A: From Ford's Jim Farley. The MKS and MKT not rebadged Fords. And the MKZ to be replaced, have a unique design apart from the Ford Fusion set. The Focus-based Lincoln is also a unique design. The alpha-mumerics, as they are or not to stay. Can not keep switching names strategies. Hopefully the new Lincoln campaign a few months to take effect and we will stay with the positioning.
Q: To Audi: Why the long delay between the base and S model and the RS? BMW and Mercedes-Benz M and give its AMG versions, almost simultaneously with the base models. A: Really? In the U.S., M and AMG models tend to come later. The 1 Series M Coupe is just out in a few months. and was just shown at the NAIAS. In any case, staggers Audi releases in order to keep the line fresh by the cycle. They consider it clever marketing and product management in order to have the power and convertible versions in the middle of the product cycle. Plus, if they could be released all at once variants, the exhibition spaces are not overcome.

Review: 2011 Honda Odyssey

While we shouldn't be shocked by anything coming out of Madison Avenue, part of me is incensed to hear Honda using Judas Priest to advertise its new Odyssey. That's right, the opening riff of the greatest album from the gods of heavy metal deployed, not in the service of Satan, but to sell a minivan?

While the 18-year-old headbanger in me would like to stand up and rail against Honda ("If you think you're going to make me think your stupid soccer mom taxi is cool, well, You've Got Another Thing Coming!"), the truth of the matter is that Honda's ad agency nailed it. We're not teenagers anymore. We've grown up and had families. I even own a minivan, and, indeed, there is at least one Judas Priest CD that lives in the center console. And after driving the new Odyssey for a week, I have serious van envy. Honda has crafted the ultimate, state-of-the-art people mover, even if it's not much more than some flashy design and incremental improvements in areas like powertrain, fuel efficiency and equipment.

The biggest changes in the redesigned Odyssey are obvious at first glance, as it no longer looks so much like a conventional minivan. Honda's ideas on styling have been polarizing as of late (read: the Accord Crosstour is ugly as sin), so it's smart that the company chose the Civic as the donor of the new minivan's face. The venerable compact is still the most complete and fluid execution of modern Honda design language, and what it lends to the Odyssey works to make Honda's largest vehicle appear smaller and sleeker. It helps that the Odyssey has a lower and much wider stance, having been stretched over two inches across.

Report: Honda CR-Z turbo fast-tracked

The Honda CR-Z gave us a little perplexed. It is interesting to look and it's a sporty handler, but with only 122 horsepower under the hood, the power is in short supply, unfortunately. Yes, the CR-Z is a hybrid, but its 38 miles per gallon combined fuel economy rating is less than impressive.

The solution could be right around the corner. Back in December, the British over at Autocar sources cited, the Honda CR-Z was planning a charged minus the battery and electric motor said.

Fast-forward a little over a month and the UK magazine Now reported that the CR-Z Turbo, the production fell. If there is any truth to rumors that the reinforced slip come in 160 - and 200-hp versions, a healthy bump for such a small vehicle. What does "fast track" with respect to mean time? Autocar claims, we could see the CR-Z Turbo at the Tokyo Motor Show in December.

Given the fact that his Autocar neglected to disclose "sources, "we are not quite ready to publish their word. But Honda still has all the lukewarm reviews in relation to the CR-Z and a production model to boost CR-Z concept from SEMA R basis could hear the shot in the arm of the small three-door should be.