Tag Archives: honda

Honda Closed, Toyota Cuts Japan Production from Thailand Floods. After Effects Continue to Worsen for Japanese Makers

Honda Automobile Thailand – HATC – continues to be shut down since October 4th because of the Thailand floods. “Due to the inability to access its facility in, Ayutthaya , HATC does not currently have a clear outlook for when production will resume.

Toyota Motor Corporation has also “adjusted” production in Japan this week due to Thailand parts shortages at least through Friday, as the after affects of the Thailand Floods – responsible for at least 300 deaths – continue to grow. Continue reading

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All Honda Plants at Full Production Post Earthquake

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, HMIN, today began a second production shift for the first time, which increases output at the plant to its full annual capacity and adds approximately 1,000 new associates to Honda’s operations in Indiana. HMIN opened in 2008 just as the global auto markets were collapsing due to the financial crisis caused by the reckless practices of Wall Street firms, banks and rating agencies. Continue reading

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Thailand Floods – Worst in 50 Years – latest Tragedy to Hurt Auto Industry as Honda, Toyota and Ford Production Disrupted

Thailand has been inundated by floods, the worst it’s estimated in at least 50 years. Aside from the real human tragedy, once again the auto industry is negatively affected since Thailand has an annual vehicle production capacity of almost 2 million units, extensive exports, as well as numerous component parts manufacturing operations. The disruptions will also have some unknown effects on production in other countries, which will become clearer during the next few weeks. Continue reading

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2012 Honda Insight Hybrid Ups Fuel Economy at Under $20,000

Honda’s latest attempt to catch Toyota Prius, the undisputed hybrid sales leader, results in an updated 2012 Insight hybrid with revised exterior and interior styling, as well as an improved EPA fuel economy rating of 1 mpg. The new Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41/44/42 mpg, is up from 40/43/41 on the outgoing Insight hybrid model.

More significant is the price as Insights are just now arriving in dealerships. Honda continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000, which is really $19,120 for the base Insight delivered, plus state and local taxes. Continue reading

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Honda Starts Production of 2012 Civic Natural Gas car in U.S.

As it stands now, compressed natural gas or CNG vehicles that are growing clean air darlings – under debatable assumptions about how clean natural gas really is and how it is produced under exemptions from government environmental regulations – are all conversions of mostly Detroit Three pickup trucks and vans with one Honda factory-made exception. Continue reading

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Ten Honda Plants in North America Achieve Zero Landfill Waste

While all automakers have environmental initiatives well under way, Honda and GM appear to have the most sweeping company-wide programs in place. Continue reading

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Honda Increases Global CO2 Emissions Reduction Targets

The Honda, Toyota and other similar announcements actually track the needed improvements in fuel efficiency as required by new European and U.S. fuel economy regulations. Continue reading

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Toyota, Nissan and Honda April Auto Production Plummets

Toyota, Nissan and Honda – the Japanese Big Three – become a lot smaller in April as production virtually halted in Japan and was severely hurt globally due to parts shortages caused by the earthquake in March. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls 2011 Odyssey Again. Window Glass Can Shatter

American Honda is recalling 2,800 model-year 2011 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to replace the side window glass in one or both of the front doors. It was the second Odyssey recall of the month, following an earlier one to replace a front windshield wiper linkage rod that could break. Continue reading

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Honda Reveals Indy Car Refueling Interlock System

American Honda has revealed a refueling safety interlock system designed to reduce the potential for pit fires and injuries caused by drivers pulling out with the hose still attached. An accident that resulted in serious injuries during an American Le Mans Series race in 2008, prompted Honda Performance Development (HPD) to start development of a safety system that prevents engagement of first gear while the car is still refueling. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls Odyssey Minivan for Bad Windshield Wipers

Honda is recalling 33,341 model-year 2011 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to replace the front windshield wiper linkage rod. If the windshield wipers are frozen to the windshield with heavy ice and the wipers are turned on without freeing them … Continue reading

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Huge Earthquake Rocks Northern Japan, Tsunami Follows; Effect on Japanese Auto Exports and Yen Value Unknown

The earthquake has also shut down an unknown number of Japanese automaker and parts supplier plants at a time when car sales are rising and exports are needed to meet growing demand in the U.S. and elsewhere. Continue reading

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Honda Ranks First for Automaker Website Satisfaction

Honda’s website ranks the highest among new vehicle shoppers, according to an automaker website evaluation study just released. Honda had the highest with a score of 836 on a 1,000-point scale, and performs particularly well in information/content, navigation and speed measures, according to J.D. Power and Associates. Continue reading

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HondaJet Makes First Flight toward FAA Certification

Honda Aircraft Company announced today that it has successfully completed the first flight of its FAA-conforming HondaJet light business jet, a step that could now lead to customer deliveries during the third quarter of 2012 of the delayed aircraft. The … Continue reading

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Detroit Three Continue to Trail Import Brands on Customer Retention Rates. Conquest Rates Are Up Slightly

While customer retention rates among Detroit Three brands as a whole have improved slightly from 2009, domestic makers still trail import brands when an existing vehicle owner considers purchasing the same brand again. Continue reading

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