Motor Trend

Keeping in accordance with the refresh of the Fit/Jazz models across the world in Japan and Europe, Canada (and the United States) will be getting the same refreshed Fit model for 2012. The majority of the refresh seen in other worldwide countries on the Fit/Jazz will be seen on the Canadian model of the Fit. A slight change will happen in the front bumper as the Fit must go through federal Canadian safety regulations. The changes in wheels will also come to the 2012 Canadian Fit as well as an updated interior with less grey palour. The Fit will arrive in Canadian Honda dealer showrooms late this winter/2012.

Despite rumors of its pending death in Canada following disaster sales, (only a couple have been sold last month), and Honda's decision to not offer a 2011 version of the Insight, Honda Canada will be offering a 2012 edition of the Insight. This model will receive the same changes as the European Insight received for the 2011 model year. The Insight will be getting a better ride, increased interior comfort, slightly better fuel economy and a slight revision in terms of exterior styling. The LX model pricing is expected to remain the same while the EX model will receive premium touches with a slight bump in prices. The 2012 models of the Insight will roll out late this fall/winter.

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A few more spy shots of the new Civic Euro. The Civic Euro will be heavily redesigned despite keeping a similar 5-door hatchback look to the previous generation. The new 2012 Civic Euro has been tuned specifically on European roads so that the ride and handling are top-notch in comfort and sport levels. Honda has fitted fluid filled bushings on the rear suspension and retains the torsion-beam suspension for practicality and versatility. More to come ...

Pakistan’s Automobile Industry has always played a commendable role in the field of manufacturing, says a press release. Honda Atlas Cars (Pak) Ltd employs a staff of more than 1000 people and has achieved the mark of selling more than 180,000 units in the local market. Honda has not only played a positive role in the economical stability of the country but has also contributed an amount of more than Rs 61.65 billion as taxes to the Government exchequer. The company has paid 225pc cash dividends and 75pc bonus shares till now to its shareholders.

With skyrocketing fuel prices and a general shift to more economic cars in our world today, more and more consumers are looking towards purchasing vehicles that go further on a gallon of gas and automakers are seizing this chance to produce as many fuel efficient varieties of certain vehicles as possible. A large majority of car manufacturers offer fuel-efficient vehicles for more money than their conventional counterparts. Case in point, the 2012 Honda Civic HF, only available in the United States. The trim level is $800 more expensive than the LX model with a small increase in combined miles per gallon from 32 in the LX model to 33 in the HF model. The biggest difference is the highway mpg where the HF scores 41 mpg, passing the "Golden-40mpg" barrier compared to the regular Civic's 39 mpg.

Consumer Reports claims that it will take up to 18 years in order to return on the extra $800 investment a consumer makes when buying the HF model compared to the LX model because it estimates that the small increase in fuel economy will only really save consumers $45 a year.

An interesting option to help consumers save their money when purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles is to refinance their car loans. This process allows drivers to lower monthly payments while driving the same car.

The Civic HF offers alloy wheels, a decklid spoiler, underbody aero wind-cheating panels and a lowered suspension compared to the LX and is only available with an automatic transmission. Unfortunately, there are only two colors available on the HF, grey and white.

"The Honda Civic is like the Golden Retriever of cars. It's a vehicle that feels like a friend from the start, has the utmost loyalty to its owner (and vice versa) and is always ready to go where you want to, when you want to."

For more information, visit the OC Register's website @ http://www.ocregister.com/articles/civic-309218-honda-compact.html

Honda's domestic output fell almost 51% on the year to more than 43 000 units in June, down again for the seventh straight month. Exports fell 60% to 12 561 while domestic sales fell 36% to 38 780 units. Overseas output fell 42.1% to 125 084 units while domestic production between January and June fell 45.7% to 266 473 units.

National environmental consulting firm Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA) announced today that it has been selected by American Honda Motor Company (Honda) to promote the newly redesigned Honda Civic Natural Gas sedan. GNA is widely recognized for its efforts in leading the successful deployment of clean, alternative fuel transportation projects across the U.S.

GNA will collaborate with Honda to market the Civic Natural Gas sedan in 19 states spanning the Mid-West to Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions including the District of Columbia. The project will be managed by GNA's East Coast office, based in New York City.

GNA chief executive officer Erik Neandross stated, "GNA is extremely fortunate to have played a role in managing the deployment of a number of nationally recognized NGV projects. We are excited to work with American Honda to promote its Honda Civic Natural Gas sedan, which is the nation's leading light-duty natural gas vehicle product."

Honda has hired more than 100 of the 1 000 people it is planning to add by October to introduce a second production shift at its Greensburg plant west of Cincinnati. Honda currently employs 1 000 workers that produce Civics at the Indiana plant. Applicants do not need experience but must be 18 and have a high school degree and live in 20 targeted countries. For more information, visit, http://www.indiana.honda.com

Honda has won 5 categories in Edmunds.com's 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own awards. They name the 2011 car and trucks in 23 categories with the lowest projected ownership cost in a 5 year period. The Accord won the Coupe $25-$35K category while also winning the Sedan $20-$30K category while the Civic Hybrid won the hybrid category, the Pilot winning the SUV $35-45K category and the Ridgeline nailing the Large Light Duty truck category.

One of the key factors were free maintenance plans that helped push the award winners to the top. Edmunds.com uses an algorithm that takes into account depreciation, financing interest, taxes and fees, fuel, maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums assuming these vehicles are driven 15 000 miles per year.

Honda is recalling 200 000 cars around the world, NOT IN NORTH AMERICA, to replace water pump pulleys that may become loose and stall the engine. In Africa, this includes 1638 Civics and 283 FRVs. 4 200 vehicles in Singapore are affected. 7 000 UAE Honda Civics are affected by this recall. 50 000 vehicles are recalled in Japan with a total of 150 000 vehicles recalled in Latin America, Europe and parts of Asia. There have been 63 reports of engine malfunctions due to this problem in Japan alone. Globally, they include the Stream, Crossroad and Civic. These models were built at Honda's Japanese plant between July 2008-2010. Warning signs of problems include bolts becoming loose, a dislodged water pump, warning lights on the dashboard and lost power steering.

Honda is attempting to regain its number one position in the Korean import market by importing cars made in Europe, helping to take advantage of the free-trade agreement between Korea and the EU. Honda produces the CR-V and Civic in the U.K. and bringing them into Korea will create a price advantage for Korean customers because of the lowered tariff on imported cars. Honda's market share has steadily dropped from a booming share in 2008 and continues to fall in Korea with only a 16.7% market share, down almost 27%.

In 2008, Honda sold more than 10 000 units and was the top importer, selling almost 12 400 vehicles. "The reason why sales have struggled recently is not due to our own quality or performance but due to external factors such as the high yen and the earthquake in Japan," Chung Woo-young, Honda Korea CEO states. New models will also be introduced in Korea later this year to help bring in customers. The CR-Z, the new redesigned Civic and Civic Hybrid are just some of the models that Honda Korea's CEO is hoping to woo in buyers.

Chung hopes to double the sales in the second period of this year, aiming to sell about 3 300 vehicles and within a few years, be back to its 2008 levels by utilizing aggressive strategies.

Dongfeng Honda's millionth vehicle has rolled off the production line, cnhan.com reported today. The joint venture has finally entered the esteemed circle of Chinese manufacturers making over a million vehicles.

Since its establishment in 2003, Dongfeng Honda has followed a strategy of promoting large-scale investment, hiring top-of-the-line production staff and manufacturing high-quality products. Dongfeng Honda's vehicles sales have brought in a total of 18.59 billion yuan ($2.9b) in taxes, becoming Wuhan province's largest tax earner.

Chen Binbo, deputy executive president of Dongfeng Honda, was pleased with the milestone achievement. He hopes that the JV will continue to bring products to satisfy customer demand, and will be bringing an additional eight models in the upcoming months.

Three of the JV's models, the CR-V crossover SUV, Civic sedan and luxury Spirior have become leaders in their respective segments.

The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept provides the first official glimpse of the styling direction for the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V set to go on sale in the United States by the end of the year, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

"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."

The CR-V Concept embraces a distinctive and bold styling direction for the top-selling SUV in the United States. Compared to the current-generation CR-V, the concept model takes on a more aggressive stance with 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 lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability with a generous approach angle, while the lower front bumper design now integrates more smoothly with the fascia for improved aerodynamics.

The CR-V's signature vertical rear taillights remain for 2012 with a more three-dimensional style that wraps further into the design of the vehicle. The CR-V Concept's large 5-spoke machined alloy wheels and bold fender flares emphasize the vehicle's dynamic presence and capability.

The all-new 2012 CR-V will improve upon the current model in a variety of ways, and will feature a more fuel-efficient engine and reduced body weight. In addition to all-new exterior styling, the 2012 CR-V will have an all-new interior with a more accommodating and spacious design with a lower cargo floor.

Currently in the fifth year of its model cycle, the CR-V continues to sell at a record pace. The 2011 CR-V was among the highest-ranked vehicles in its segment for initial quality in J.D. Power & Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS), where it finished second to the Honda Element in the compact SUV segment. The CR-V is sold globally in more than 160 countries throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In the U.S., CR-V is manufactured in Ohio at the East Liberty Auto Plant of Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., using domestic and globally sourced parts. The East Liberty Auto Plant earned a Silver Award for outstanding quality in the recently released J.D. Power 2011 Initial Quality Study. The 2012 CR-V Concept will be on display at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California, in September.

Despite rumors of its demise, the Ridgeline will continue to soldier into 2012 with a new trim model. Perhaps this is the last hurrah before the model is out but Honda is keeping it alive for another year by adding the Ridgeline Sport model. The model includes exclusive black 18-inch alloy wheels, exclusive revised black honeycomb grille, standard fog lights, black headlight and brake housings and black mirrors and door handles. The Sport model is a step up from the RT model. It is unclear whether or not the Sport model will be only offered in Black or other colors. Expect the Ridgeline to arrive slightly later than the refreshed 2012 Pilot in mid and early October/fall 2011.

HONDA PRESS RELEASE:
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline receives improvements for style and fuel efficiency as the new Ridgeline Sport (pictured) introduces popular high-value features consistent with the entry 4-wheel-drive truck segment, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced on July 25, 2011. The new Ridgeline Sport model adds the following to Ridgeline RT standard features: exclusive black 18-inch alloy wheels (+1 inch from RT steel wheels), exclusive black honeycomb grille, standard fog lights, black headlight and brake light housings, and black mirrors and door handles. The 2012 Ridgeline goes on sale November 2011.

Honda's venerable Pilot mid-size SUV is getting a nice little refresh for 2012. Among other things, the first noticeable change is a more refreshing and luxurious front end refresh with the original tough-look grille replaced with three chrome slats. Honda says that the refresh of the 2012 Pilot will make it the most fuel-efficient third-row 8-passenger mid-size SUV on the market today. How Honda is achieving this will be something to look forward to, although expect typical Honda-style fuel-economy efficiencies such as low-rolling resistance tires and low aero body panels. The interior has also been refreshed with upgraded navigation and audio systems, a welcome upgrade as current Honda models are being outdated with technology advancements. But the big welcome news is that the old 5-speed automatic transmission is being phased out for Honda's new 6-speed automatic transmission, directly sourced from the Acura MDX and the better news is that the tranny will be available on ALL of its models. Perhaps Honda's decision to include this on the base Pilot model is a sign that it could offer the 6-speed transmission on all of its Odyssey models come 2012. Comfort and convenience features will be bolstered and additional features will be added to the base 2012 Pilot LX trim level, think of the extra features that the 2011 Odyssey LX trim level received this year compared to the 2010 Odyssey LX. Wheel designs are also revised including the Touring wheel design and a new set of colors will be introduced. Look for this model to be in dealership lots by September 2011.

HONDA PRESS RELEASE:
The 2012 Honda Pilot embraces a new, more refined look, improves its comfort and convenience features, and is designed to deliver the highest EPA fuel economy available in a three-row, 8-passenger SUV, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced on July 25, 2011. The substantially updated model will go on sale in September 2011.