This week Honda gave consumers a glimpse of the styling direction for the all-new CR-V, which is slated to go on sale this fall. As one of the best-selling SUVs on the market, Honda had the difficult task of making this model even more appealing.

Next to the current CR-V, the upcoming model will be more aggressive, and it will feature deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia. The front bumper’s smooth-flowing lines are highlighted by a horizontal three-bar grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights. The graceful new lines of the 2012 CR-V will not only make the compact crossover look more aggressive, but they’ll also make the vehicle more aerodynamic.

Honda promises that the CR-V’s signature vertical rear taillights will remain for 2012. Other features to look for are large 5-spoke machined alloy wheels and bold fender flares that will emphasize the vehicle’s dynamic presence and capability.

Don’t expect significantly more power over the current generation. But, according to reports, it would be safe to anticipate a new six-speed automatic transmission and improved fuel economy.

“The 2012 CR-V Concept introduces the exterior styling for the more sophisticated and dynamic design of the upcoming production model,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “Long considered the benchmark for packaging and user-friendly design in the small SUV segment, the all-new CR-V will offer an added dimension of style, amazing interior versatility and Honda’s latest technologies for convenience and refinement.”

source: hondainthenews.com

Honda continues to invest in its U.S. manufacturing facilities.  A newly announced $50 million investment in the automaker’s transmission manufacturing facility will bring the cost of current Honda construction projects in Ohio up to $400 million.

The most recent investment will provide a 75,000-square-foot expansion at the Russells Point plant, which will be used to increase capacity for the casting of aluminum transmission cases. This will support a new transmission assembly line that will help build Honda’s latest transmission technologies.

“This latest investment in Ohio is another example of how we intend to meet the needs of our global customers by implementing advanced technologies in our production operations and in our products,” said Honda Transmission President Yuji Takahashi.  ”It also demonstrates our commitment to Honda’s Ohio production operations to reduce the environmental impact of our facilities while positioning this facility to compete at the highest levels on a global basis.”

Renovations completed earlier this year allowed Honda’s state-of-the-art transmission facility to add domestic production of six-speed automatic transmissions used in some Honda Odyssey models. When expansion projects are complete, the plant will continue to produce advanced transmissions that will improve performance and fuel economy. Additionally, ongoing expansion projects are also aimed at making the plant more efficient.

“The new melting furnace will implement technologies that will improve efficiencies and reduce our environmental impacts,” said Plant Manager Gary Hand. “These improved efficiencies will reduce waste and energy consumption.”

source: hondainthenews.com

Honda is pouring more than $355 million into its Ohio plants to get them ready for full North American production next month after parts shortages triggered by Japan’s March earthquake left Honda and Acura dealers short of models.

Ohio is home to Honda’s first U.S. wind tunnel, which the automaker created to help boost fuel economy for models designed and built in North America. Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai Motor Co. don’t have wind tunnels in the U.S.

“By the most common productivity metrics, they’re among the most efficient,” said Jeffrey Liker, professor of engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “They have a history of developing exceptional people and actually keeping them. That allows them to accumulate knowledge and continue to learn.”

Honda is also investing an additional $94 million to upgrade its Lincoln, Alabama, plant which builds Odyssey minivans and Pilot crossover. The automaker also recently announced that it will build an $800 million plant in central Mexico that will make 200,000 small cars a year after it opens in 2014.

source: hondainthenews.com

Most speculate that the Mugen Honda CR-Z will deliver around 200 horsepower and weigh 110 pounds less than its stock counterpart. From the recently released video, the modified CR-Z also features updated brakes, along with new wheels and tires.
In addition to those hard-working performance components, the Mugen Honda CR-Z also features a new fascia, rocker panels, rear wing and what appears to be a carbon fiber hood. The interior has also been outfitted with Recaro sport seats and white-faced gauges.

Call Angela Hoflund today to schedule a VIP appointment to see what this Mugen can do! 912-544-2118

Auto sales in this time period changed dramatically and sales of Honda’s popular minicars were down in Japan during this time period. However, consumers demanded the brand’s Fit subcompact, which was one of the industry’s best-selling cars during the month of March, as well as other small cars like the Civic.
See below for the complete breakdown of Honda’s worldwide production.

Production Outside of Japan
March 2011 Fiscal Year 2011
(’10 Apr.-’11 Mar.)
Units vs.’10 Units vs.FY10
North America 113,060 -10.5% 1,291,556 +12.1%
(USA) 89,483 -4.4% 963,911 +16.4%
Europe 12,912 -7.0% 139,114 +40.0%
Asia 108,997* +9.8% 1,085,457* +9.4%
(China) 73,032* +11.9% 687,632* +5.4%
Others 12,531 -22.7% 147,928 -7.2%
Overseas Total 247,500 -3.2% 2,664,055* +10.9%

* Record high for any month or fiscal year

Worldwide Production
March 2011 Fiscal Year 2011
(’10 Apr.-’11 Mar.)
Units vs.’10 Units vs.FY10
Japan 34,754 -62.9% 912,307 +1.2%
Outside of Japan 247,500 -3.2% 2,664,055* +10.9%
Worldwide Total 282,254 -19.2% 3,576,362 +8.2%

Calling it “the gold standard of minivans,” the automotive experts at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com website recently named the 2011 Honda Odyssey to their “Top 10 Family Cars of 2011” list. The only minivan to make the lineup, the Odyssey won over the KBB.com analysts with a package that’s “designed to please the whole family.”

Judging for the honor was based on family-oriented characteristics such as safety, comfort, economy of operation, child-friendliness, a reasonable purchase price and good resale value—all of which come standard on the Odyssey.

For the driver, Honda’s family hauler offers both more power and better fuel efficiency than in past years, thanks to its advanced 3.5-liter V6. This engine, which relies on the automaker’s innovative i-VTEC technology, makes 248 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque, yet is still capable of achieving EPA ratings of up to 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway22 mpg combined. That’s the same city rating as Toyota’s four-cylinder minivan, along with the best highway and combined marks in the segment.

And the kids will love the Odyssey’s wide range of available entertainment alternatives, including a factory-integrated Rear Entertainment System that boasts a 16.2-inch-wide screen—the largest ever offered by Honda. In fact, it’s so wide (and versatile) that it can function as two separate monitors, showing video from two separate sources, with the included pair of wireless headphones providing two separate soundtracks.

The cabin of Honda’s minivan is notable for its incredible functionality, too. Second-row seats are wider, more comfortable and more configurable than ever before, with the ability to slide both fore and aft as well as laterally. As a result, the Odyssey’s second row can quickly and simply go from providing high levels of comfort for two adults to the ability to fit three child seats in just minutes. Third-row seating also has been greatly enhanced by Honda’s groundbreaking 60/40 split Magic Seat system. It provides extra comfort, along with increased legroom, and can quickly fold down to handle cargo with just a single touch of a button.

All wrapped in bold new styling, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is on sale now.

Source: Honda in the News

Although the second-generation Honda Insight didn’t get off to a roaring start when it hit showrooms in 2009, it’s finally gaining momentum. Due to rapidly rising gas prices, among other factors, Honda sold 2,782 Insight units in March, which marks a 62.2 percent increase. That increase even outpaced the 52 percent increase for the Toyota Prius.

In addition to gas prices soaring above $4.00 per gallon in many parts of the country, Honda has also launched the “The Really Big Thing” advertising campaign which has helped fuel sales of the Insight.

“You’ve heard this bromide before, (but) when fuel prices go up, people think of Honda,” American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel tells Ward’s in an interview.

Honda resumed building the Insight hybrid on April 11 at its plant in Suzuka, Japan — exactly one month after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit the island nation. With production back on track, the Insight’s upward climb in sales should go unhampered.

SOURCE: Honda In the News