BREAKING NEWS: MASSIVE HONDA RECALL, 2.26 MILLION VEHICLES AFFECTED

Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. to update the software that controls the automatic transmission. Certain 2005-2010 4-cylinder Accord, 2007-2010 CR-V and 2005-2008 Element vehicles will be included in the voluntary recall. Without the updated software, the automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing in the affected vehicles can be damaged if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions, as may be done in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. If the bearing is damaged in this unusual scenario, it can cause the engine to stall or lead to difficulty engaging the parking gear. The update to the vehicle's automatic transmission control module software will ease the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage. No injuries or deaths have been reported related to this condition.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Notification to customers will begin on August 31, 2011.

When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end, in addition to contacting customers by mail, after August 31, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling            (800) 999-1009      , and selecting option 4.

2012 Honda CR-V Concept

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. 

Spied! 2012 Honda CR-V

Honda's next-generation 2012 CR-V has been spotted out testing, it appears that photos seem to show an extended and enlarged wheelbase and rumors are that the extended wheelbase is to fit a 3rd row. As you can see, the styling of the CR-V probably won't really change too much from the current version, think of an evolution similar to the 2011 vs. 2012 Civic. However, expect the front end to shoot up instead of the current model's droopy-like looking front end and the rear end will be more Volvo-like and streamlined rather than the odd-shaped rear end of the current version. The engine appears to be a carryover from the 2011, but if the CR-V is to get a 3rd row, Honda engineers better increase the output of the engine to suit the weight of having 7 passengers. More to come ...

For more spy shots, visit these websites.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1063281_2012-honda-cr-v-spy-shots
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111071835004/2012-honda-cr-v-spied-hot-weather-testing

Spied! 2012 Honda CR-V

A set of spy shots were taken by a Chinese auto website.

Honda Tops JD Power Study

Honda has earned its best ranking, at 2nd place in a recent J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study for 2011. Honda led the industry having 7 models earn the top initial quality spots including the Honda Accord and Honda Civic. Honda's premium brand, Acura was next in line, topping out at 3rd place. This is the first time since 2002 that an automaker has won to the amount 7 1st place awards out of 11 models. Honda received 2nd overall but 1st among non-luxury brands.

Honda's Ridgeline earned the highest in the truck category while the Odyssey improved upon its initial quality score from last year's model. The Element and the CR-V earned 1st and 2nd place respectively while the mid-size crossover Accord Crosstour also earned the top initial quality. The Honda Fit and Honda Insight joined the list as well.

The Initial Quality Study surveys new car buyers to measure the initial quality of new vehicles after the first 90 days of ownership, it is recognized as a measure of vehicle quality and owner satisfaction. The study recognized Honda's Indiana, Ohio and Japan plants for superior manufacturing quality. 

2012 Honda CR-V Info

CR-V models to be in 2WD or AWD on all trims (LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L RES, EX-L NAVI), a 5-speed automatic transmission is the only available transmission for the CR-V in 2012.  

LX 2WD/AWD Colors (Exterior/Interior)
CRYSTAL BLACK PEARL/BLACK 
URBAN TITANIUM METALLIC/BLACK 
TWILIGHT BLUE METALLIC/GRAY 
OPAL SAGE METALLIC/BLACK 
POLISHED METAL METALLIC/GRAY 
BASQUE RED PEARL II/GRAY 
ALABASTER SILVER METALLIC/BLACK 
ALABASTER SILVER METALLIC/GRAY 
TAFFETA WHITE/GRAY 

EX and up 2WD/4WD Colors (Exterior/Interior)

CRYSTAL BLACK PEARL/BLACK 
URBAN TITANIUM METALLIC/BLACK 
URBAN TITANIUM METALLIC/BEIGE 
TWILIGHT BLUE METALLIC/GRAY 
OPAL SAGE METALLIC/BLACK 
OPAL SAGE METALLIC/BEIGE 
POLISHED METAL METALLIC/GRAY 
BASQUE RED PEARL II/GRAY 
ALABASTER SILVER METALLIC/BLACK 
ALABASTER SILVER METALLIC/GRAY 
WHITE DIAMOND PEARL/BEIGE

BREAKING NEWS: 2012 Honda CR-V Spy Photo

As reported by Car and Driver, link at http://blog.caranddriver.com/2012-honda-cr-v-spy-photo-%E2%80%93-future-cars/ 

Car and Driver has managed to snag a picture of a test mule for the next 2012 Honda CR-V. Judging by the picture, the wheelbase for the new generation seems to have been extended. This is leading to rumors that the new generation of the CR-V may have a third-row seat to compete with the Toyota RAV4. It also seems that the new car is adopting a Volvo-like D-pillar.

Expect the new vehicle to debut in the coming months. 

Honda CR-V Fires

NHTSA is now investigating almost 150 000 CR-Vs over drivers door smoke and fire. The probe covers 149 583 2006 Honda CR-Vs and are focusing on the melting/burning of the master power window switch and other electrical system components. Earlier last year, the NHTSA opened an initial investigation based on three reports. Honda has received a couple dozen other complaints and have held a meeting with NHTSA officials to discuss the investigations. Honda is continuing to analyze the situation. 

More Honda Tidbits

Honda is looking to reveal the 2012 CR-V next week at the New York Auto Show, it has not been confirmed but it seems that it is the plan. Perhaps a concept will be unveiled of some sort?

The Autumn 2011 launch of the sub-TSX vehicle continues, rumors tell us that it will NOT be a car similar to the CSX, which was a Canadian luxurified-Civic. Rumors also persist saying that this model will also be offered in a hybrid model and will be extremely edgy and affordable with a "Lexus IS350 feel".

Honda continues to be mum on any details of a "super-sportscar" and has only given some sort of a confirmation. More to come ...

2012 Honda CR-V Info Site

With a new design—both inside and out, new features and new possibilities, the 2012 CR-V will set a new standard for the class. As a top-selling crossover for over five years, expectations for the 2012 CR-V are high and we’re confident they will not only be met, but exceeded. Much more will be revealed over the next several months so be sure to sign up on this page to receive updates. 

For more information, sign up on Honda USA's site @ http://automobiles.honda.com/2012-cr-v/

Consumer Reports Releases Ratings

Honda's 2011 Fit won Best Value and Best Used Small Car

Honda topped Consumer Reports' annual rankings of automakers for 2011. No Honda product scores less than average in reliability and CR recommends 76% of Hondas it has tested. Recent Honda models including the CR-Z and Insight have been disappointing and have not been recommended due to their low score. The redesigned Odyssey is also down a couple of points compared to the 2010 model.

In other categories, the Honda Fit won Best Value for a Small Car along with Best Used Small Car, the Acura TSX 4-cyl won Best Value for Upscale Sedan, the Acura RL won Best Used Luxury Car, the Honda CR-V winning Best Used Compact SUV and the Ridgeline winning Best Used Pickup Truck.

Honda Superbowl Ads

Honda is launching a spot via AOR RPA/BNS for the 2011 Honda CR-V during the Superbowl XLV. The ad is using the idea of a computer weather prediction (5-day forecast) panels that one would see on a weather site. The ad shows the CR-V rolling over unpredicted weather, rain/snow with numbers at the top. When the camera pulls out of the shot, the numbers are those of the weather forecast temperatures and the car drives through panel to panel on the forecast window. The voiceover touts the Real-Time 4WD and VSA as the selling points of the CR-V, "Capable, whatever the forecast."

Here's the PR: 

The artists and producers from international production company and design studio Brand New School (BNS) are very proud to announce that their latest project work in conjunction with advertising agency RPA, a national broadcast/web spot for the 2011 Honda CR-V, will debut in selected regions across America throughout Fox’s official broadcast coverage of Super Bowl XLV on Sunday.

By using artful graphic design, seamless visual effects, flawless finishing and the lighthearted visual storytelling that BNS is known for, the finished :30 spot conceived by RPA’s creative team and directed by BNS director Ben Go offers a refreshing, eye-catching take on traditional commercials showing vehicles being driven.  The agency’s creative brief called for Ben and his colleagues to use the storytelling framework of a five-day weather forecast to demonstrate the CR-V’s driving capabilities under different conditions.  “Another important part of the idea was to tease viewers with mysterious, giant type, that’s only partially visible in the sky, while the CR-V drives from one set of weather conditions to the next,” Ben explained.  “In the end, we reveal that the type is part of the weather forecast graphics.”

“This time of year, people all over the country are sitting there looking at some pretty miserable weather forecasts.  We wanted to take them inside the world of one of these forecasts and literally show that the CR-V can handle whatever nature offers—a timely and pertinent message,” said Jason Sperling, SVP, Group Creative Director at RPA.  “BNS created a beautiful blend of real environment and graphic forecast elements.  And did it on a production calendar not much longer than a five-day forecast.”

With a background in design, painting, photography, and a degree from Otis College of Art and Design, Ben joined BNS when the company was starting out 10 years ago.  Over the past decade, his impeccable eye and fine arts aesthetics have impacted high-profile projects for many prominent television networks and other consumer brands.

For this project, Ben and his colleagues, including director of photography Bill Bennett, planned out a very ambitious single-day live-action shoot in and around California’s Santa Ynez Airport.  “We really wanted to grab the audience’s attention instantly with the beauty and sophistication of the spot,” Ben began.  “To achieve that, we opted for a look that’s both real and graphic, both stylized and photoreal… a good mixture of fact and fantasy.  On location, we wet down the road, and had practical snow on it as well… then we composited partly realistic and partly graphic rain and snow in the finished shots.  The sunny environment in the original plate we shot was also replaced with different CG environments to match the different weather conditions.”

On location, the BNS team used the ARRI Alexa digital camera system to capture HD source footage.  Also, a crane car called The Edge System from Performance Filmworks allowed the crew to capture the moving vehicle from various angles as it appeared in different situations at and near the picturesque airport.

For BNS VFX supervisor Vadim Turchin and many studio artists, the first steps in post were to track the live-action scenes and rotoscope the background and the CR-V.  A matte painting was created for the background, which was projected onto 3D geometry in Maya.  All the elements were then put together in After Effects, along with additional plates, particle effects, and initial color correction.  Final color was handled in Autodesk Flame.

Honda to continue exporting

Honda's CFO said Wednesday that he doesn't envision vehicle exports from Japan falling anytime soon, despite the yen being near a 15-year high against the dollar.

"Our export models are the CR-V and hybrids, but the CR-V is selling well in the U.S. and production of the model is at full capacity (in the U.S.), so we have no choice but to export from Japan," Yoichi Hojo said in a meeting with reporters.

He said that as production volume of hybrid vehicles is not large at present - around 200,000 hybrids a year - it is more efficient to produce them at a single plant in Japan.

Honda plans to produce 72,000 CR-V small sport-utility vehicles in Japan in the current fiscal year through March, of which half are headed for the U.S. market, the CFO said.

He added that the car maker is considering increasing production of the SUV model at a plant in Ohio and another plant in Mexico when it rolls out the redesigned CR-V this autumn.

Japanese car makers have gearing up to build more vehicles overseas in order to counter the threat posed by the yen's appreciation and to provide vehicles at a lower cost to local markets.

But it is tough to respond quickly to the currency's sudden strength as it takes months to lay out facilities needed to increase output at overseas factories.

Hojo said that one way Honda is working on measures to cope with the stubbornly strong yen is by using lower-cost parts made in China, India or other overseas countries.

Canadian Deal of the Week: 2011 Honda CR-V LX

MSRP : $28 290

Freight: $1 690

Dealer Discount: $1 000

Factory Rebate: $1 000

Taxable Subtotal: $27 980

Total Price w/ 13% HST: $31 617.40

BREAKING NEWS: Honda Recall

Honda's slew of recalls lately continues ... as it recalls 2 277 vehicles to replace an electrical wiring coupler on the 2010 Honda Accord and 2010 Honda CR-V with 4-cylinder powertrains. The problem is that the  coupler may have been damaged during assembly in certain models which can lead to the engine stalling during startup. Honda is encouraging owners to take their vehicles in for inspection if they are the affected owners. Honda will be sending out notices in February.

Honda News

Honda Accord MMC To Be Introduced in India

Honda is set the launch the MMC of the 2011 Honda Accord in India in February 2011. This is the exact same facelift and changes that North America has received in its 2011 rendition of the Accord Coupe/Sedan. There is a slight exterior facelift, interior changes and slight mechanical changes to improve fuel economy. 

Honda's Placement in 2010 Top 10 Best Sellers in the US 

The Honda Accord topped 4th place with 282 530 units sold, the Honda Civic topped 5th place at 252 882 units sold and the Honda CR-V topped 8th place with 203 714 units sold. The list included cars, SUVs, trucks and minivans.

More Honda News

The current 2011 Honda Civic Sedan

Along with the memo sent to dealers earlier today regarding the 4-cylinder Accord Crosstour launch, details on the next Civic and CR-V were listed. It is expected the Civic to debut in April 2011, the next-generation CR-V to debut later this year and the MMC Pilot refresh to debut fall 2011. Rumors abound saying that this new rendition of the CR-V will have a larger 4-cylinder engine perhaps around 2.6/2.7L and the engine itself will be brand new from the ground up.

Since the CR-V is America's best selling SUV for 2010, we probably won't see Honda messing around with its tried and tested formula.

BREAKING NEWS: Stop Sale Order Issued for 2011 Accord/CR-V

Honda said it has stopped the sale of the 2011 Accord and CR-V and is asking its U.S. dealers to inspect more than 10,000 of the vehicles for potential engine oil leaks, including an estimated 1,200 vehicles that have been delivered to customers and another 9,200 vehicles on dealer lots. Dealers are inspecting their own stocks of about 4,900 Accords and 4,300 CR-Vs, all of them assembled in North America, to check for engine oil leaks.

A Honda spokeswoman said the action "is not a recall; it's a simple service bulletin." She described the oil-leak problem as "a manufacturing issue." If necessary, Honda dealers will replace an internal engine part called a rocker shaft holder to correct the problem.

Of the additional 1,200 vehicles that already have been sold, customers will receive a letter from Honda requesting that they return their vehicles to dealers for inspection and possible repairs.

Continuing Canadian Honda Deals ...

Honda's continuing Canadian Christmas event now includes the new revamped 2011 Accord, and the Civic and CR-V models, this is the pricing for Western Canada models, Eastern Canada models will have price increases of around $500 per vehicle. 

US Honda Lease Offers

For more information, visit http://automobiles.honda.com/current-offers.aspx