Acura/Honda ZDX?

Burlapp's found another good pic, this time of what looks like the ACURA ZDX with a Honda badge. Some people are going to think that this is going to be the new Accord Wagon, but I'm going to say that the lines are pretty much identical to the photo's below of the upcoming Acura Concept (ZDX). For those that don't know, Acura is pretty much North American only, and if the car comes out in Japan or UK, it will be badged a Honda, so the 'H' does make sense.Source;http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/03/new-honda-non-carnon-suv-thingy.htmlThe above photo is from Acura which is a 'teaser' of what the concept is going to look like. Above is a photo taken in good ol' Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was seen presumably being tested for cold weather climate...

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Acura ZDX Crossover coming to dealerships this fall

Acura announced today that its new four-door sport coupe crossover concept will wear the ‘ZDX’ badge (previously reported to be badge MSX) when it is unveiled at the New York Auto Show next week. Acura said that its ZDX will feature “striking coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commanding presence and flexible utility to define a new luxury category.”“The prototype showcases a new level of luxury, style and refinement for Acura and speaks volumes towards our commitment to advancing the brand,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president, Acura sales.Acura confirmed that the production version of the ZDX will arrive at dealerships later this fall.Source;http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/03/30/acura-zdx-crossover-coming-to-dealerships-this-fa...

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Henderson to take over as GM chief

By Bernard Simon in New YorkPublished: March 30 2009 14:10 Last updated: March 30 2009 14:10General Motors announced on Monday that Fritz Henderson, the beleaguered US carmaker’s president and chief operating officer, will replace Rick Wagoner as chief executive, and that a majority of its directors will be replaced.Mr Wagoner stepped down on Sunday at the request of the White House as part of the widening shake-up at GM, which was the world’s biggest carmaker until last year but is now dependent on government aid for its survival.Kent Kresa, chairman emeritus of Northrop Grumman, the US aerospace group, has been named GM’s interim non-executive chairman. Mr Wagoner had been executive chairman.Mr Kresa said in a statement that the board had...

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Honda Insight hitting U.S. dealerships now

According to Kicking Tires, the new 2010 Honda Insight is now beginning to hit dealerships across the United States as we speak. A quick phone call to my own local dealership revealed two shiny new hybrid hatchbacks ready to drive off the lot. That's the good news. The bad news (it's not that bad, don't worry) is that there aren't that many to choose from in the United States just yet.An inventory check on Cars.com shows that there are exactly 478 2010 Honda Insights for sale from all U.S. dealerships, which isn't all that many. Prices range from the base model's $19,800 starting price all the way up to $25,678 for what's surely a well-equipped model. Honda is expecting high demand for the new vehicle and we've heard production in Japan is...

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GM, Chrysler to get additional short-term aid

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington BureauWASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will provide General Motors Corp. with short-term "working capital" as it conducts additional restructuring, while providing short-term aid to Chrysler LLC as it works to complete a tie-up with Fiat SpA.Obama told four key Michigan members of Congress during a Sunday night conference call that he would grant unspecified additional aid to GM for 60 days and Chrysler for 30 days, according to a person familiar with the call.Obama said GM Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson would take over the automaker on an interim basis and that no management changes at Chrysler were forthcoming.The White House demanded and received GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner's resignation...

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Acura's Future Vehicle Site

For those interested, here's a link to Acura's site spotlighting Future Vehicles (MSX anyone?).http://www.acura.com/FutureVehicles.aspx#/FutureVehicles...

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HONDA SHINES BRIGHT IN NEW TV AD TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HYBRID CAR

Honda will debut its latest TV ad ‘Let it Shine' in April to support the launch of its new hybrid car, the Insight. The advert is part of an integrated marketing campaign to work towards the company's aim of environmental leadership across the EMEAR* region by 2015.The 60, 30, 20 and 15-second TV spots marks the global launch of the all-new Insight - the most affordable hybrid on the market - which aims to make cleaner car technology accessible to a wider audience. The new Insight goes on sale at the start of April in most of Europe.The advert opens on what appears to be the world's largest LED screen displaying an animated sequence of simple dot matrix graphic stories that depict the notion of ‘good'. The animations show hugs and kisses,...

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MotorTrend: Comparison: 2010 Honda Insight vs 2010 Toyota Prius

Here's a little snipet of the article, btw, it's a really good read even if you're not thinking of buying one."But which is the more important hybrid? That leads us back to the issue of price. Although the Prius will eventually entail such far-reaching technologies as lithium batteries and possibly plug-in capability, that's in the future. Not now. And when these two go on sale, the price spread is likely to be at least $3000. Starting at just over $20,000, the 41-mpg Insight is the first hybrid that's simultaneously within the reach of just about every pocketbook and also a solid business proposition for its builder. Amazingly, it delivers nearly identical mileage as the current Prius at about 85 percent of the price. The incremental value...

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Used Vehicle Review: Honda Fit, 2007-2008

Looking for a small, safe, economical, and reliable car? Here's a nice link to a read on the 2007-2008 Honda FIT's.Link;http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/03/26/used-vehicle-review-honda-fit-2007-2008....

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IIHS adds new rating for roof strength

Above are some pic's I picked up from Autoblog.com on the same test, the last one is of the poor Kia. Yikes!The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) created a roof strength rating system to help customers assess a vehicle's safeness. Roof strength is critical to keeping passengers alive and in the car in the event of a rollover accident, according to a press release issued by the IIHS. The stronger the roof, the less likely it will deform.More than 10,000 people die in rollover-related accidents. While any vehicle can roll in a crash, SUVs are three times as likely to roll in an accident than a passenger car.To earn a good rating, the vehicle must have a roof that is more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards requirement.IIHS...

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Toyota reviving Celica name for joint Subaru RWD car

Everytime I hear something like this it gets me excited about the idea of Honda bringing back the Prelude to compete. Like I said, here's to wishfull thinking....http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2007/08/heres-to-wishfull-thinking-2010-honda.htmlThe last report about the on again/off again sports car being developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru was that it's on again. Today comes word from L'Automobile in France that not only is the rear-wheel-drive Toyubaru going to happen, but it will arrive bearing the Celica name sometime in 2010. If Wikipedia is to be believed, this would be the eighth generation of the Celica, which traces its roots all the way back to 1970 when it debuted in Japan as an inexpensive rear-wheel-drive sports car. Through the years it switched to front- and all-wheel...

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Vtec.net: Some "MSX" tidbits through the vendor grapevine

Straight from Vtec.net, don't forget to follow the link to get a glimpse of a really good rendering of what this MSX might look like...."We have received a bit of info on Acura's new sport crossover today. This information has reportedly been relayed to vendors who are supplying components for the project. At the moment we cannot ascertain how legitimate the information is, so take it at face value for now. The information confirms that the "MSX" (this is what these folks are calling it, not sure if that's what it really will be called) will be launched at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. Also indicated is a production start date of March 30, 2009 at the Alliston, Ontario plant.Supposedly Acura was initially asking for pricing quotes based upon an annual production run of around...

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Acura Upstages Audi And Peugeot Taking The Pole At Sebring

Ferran Motorsports will be on pole position for Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Fresh From Florida.Scott Dixon in the Acura ARX-02a set the fastest lap time in today’s qualifying session. The expected battle between Audi and Peugeot was fought out on the track, but on a last lap attempt the Acura team beat them all.Read the article, (via Autospies.com);http://www.planetlemans.com/2009/03/19/sebring-12-hours-qualifying-repo...

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Toyota Stages MR2 Comeback As The Prius Coupe But Can It Rekindle The Spirit?

Still having problems loading images right now. New MR2? That would be nice!Toyota is developing an exciting performance hybrid which would revive the much loved sports car and rival Honda’s upcoming CR-Z. It’s set to swap its predecessor’s roadster shape for that of a compact coupé. Under the skin will be a rear-wheel-drive chassis, a paddleshift gearbox and a specially developed version of the Prius’s hybrid powertrain.The new model will boast an amazing blend of performance, economy and low emissions, all wrapped up in a stunning body. It would be a fitting successor to the MR2, which ceased production in 2007. Follow the link for a picture;http://www.autospies.com/news/Toyota-Stages-MR2-Comeback-As-The-Prius-Coupe-But-Can-It-Rekindle-The-Spirit-420...

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Not sure what's going on with Pictures

I have to apologize, I am in the midst of trying to figure out why pictures are not loading. In the mean time, I will just post links to the pic's.Tha...

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2009 JD Power Dependability Rankings

Well, it's that time again where JD Power releases their New Vehicle Dependability Study. Click the link below for the rankings (I would normally post them myself but there are issues with images right now).http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-jd-power-vehicle-dependability-study/14395...

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Faceoff: 2009 Ford Flex v. 2009 Honda Pilot

How does the 2009 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year stack up against the segment leader?With its mix of haute couture style and funky functionality, the new Ford Flex beat out the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the Subaru Forester to take the 2009 Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s Utility Vehicle of the Year award.Second place: 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWDCongrats to Ford. Well done. No doubt the Flex makes a big styling statement compared to Ford's previous crossover attempts -- the bland 2005 Freestyle and slightly less bland '08 Taurus X. But when it comes to good ol' fashioned value -- what should be a high priority for buyers in this class -- how does Ford's latest crossover hold up against what some consider the established leader...

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Acura teases crossover concept ahead of New York Auto Show

Just as we started thinking the 2009 New York Auto show may turn out to be boring, Acura has dropped teasers of a new concept it plans on showing in New York next month.As you can see, the concept will be a crossover. The Acura Crossover Concept is expected to enter production in 2010.We’ll bring you more details from the 2009 New York Auto Show on April 8.Source;http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/03/16/acura-teases-crossover-concept-ahead-of-new-york-auto-sh...

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Toyota to Take on Honda Insight With New Hybrid, Nikkei Reports

I guess this was bound to happen.By Bill KoenigMarch 13 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp. plans to develop a new hybrid car costing less than 2 million yen ($20,436) to compete with Honda Motor Co.’s Insight, Nikkei English News reported, without saying how it obtained the information.The new model will be as much as 30 percent cheaper than Toyota’s Prius hybrid car, which starts at 2.33 million yen, Nikkei reported.Source;http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aLMrNb_93dbk&refer=ja...

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Some more Pic's of the Mugen NSX RR Concept

Source;http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news-1039-Mugen+NSX+RR+Concept%E2%80%A6+The+Ultimate+Gallery.h...

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Honda Motor Co. reportedly denied trademark for "Acura RL"

In what appears to be a classic case of sweating the small stuff, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board have refused to grant Honda a trademark for the term, "Acura RL," which, as we're sure you are aware, is the name of the luxury firm's flagship model. From what we can tell, this means that the Japanese automaker does not hold a trademark for the car's complete name.The reasons given make sense from a technical standpoint, as the TTAB's response to Honda's appeal states that "we find that the likely impression here is that ACURA is the trademark for a line (or "make") of cars, while RL is a trademark for a particular "model" of that line."Well, yeah. Acura is the make and RL is the model -- we're in agreement on that one. The differing viewpoints...

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Could this be Honda's CR-Z in production form?

Well, don't know where Mr. Burlapp dug this up (he's always been great at finding stuff like this), but it's interesting none the less. Looks a lot like the Honda S3000 that was to be proposed to replace the S2000. If anything, I think it could be what the CR-Z could end up looking like in it's (close to) production form, although Honda has squashed any ideas of a convertible CR-Z last I heard.Source;http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/03/hondas-miata-fighter.h...

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Toyota Develops World's 1st Rear-seat Center Airbag

Toyota Develops World's 1st Rear-seat Center AirbagTokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it has developed a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) rear-seat center airbag-the first*1 in the world-to help reduce the severity of secondary injuries incurred by rear-seat passengers in a side-on collision.The new airbag is fitted in a large, fixed, rear-seat center console that comes in a version of a Toyota model to be launched in Japan in the near future. When the vehicle is hit side-on, the airbag deploys from the top of the console to act as a barrier that helps lessen injuries caused by passengers colliding with each other or into the console.TMC has continued to actively develop and make available its collision safety technologies-including...

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Chrysler threatens to pull out of Canada

Updated: Wed Mar. 11 2009 10:50:07 PMctvtoronto.caChrysler LLC says it may no longer be able to operate in Canada unless Ottawa loans the company billions of dollars and workers agree to massive wage cuts.Chrysler president and vice chairman Tom LaSorda told MPs Wednesday the company is seeking US$2.3 billion from the Canadian government -- roughly a quarter of what it's asking from the White House.He also said Canada's tax agency must agree to not demand more cash or collateral in a tax fight with the company. The Canada Revenue Agency is withholding $300 million in tax rebated and has put a $500-million lien on Chrysler's Brampton plant."The current success and long-term viability of Chrysler's manufacturing operations in Canada is very much...

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Carscoop: Honda Prices the 2010 Insight Hybrid from $19,800 in the USA

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight (click here for our mega gallery) will go on sale in the USA on March 24 with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $19,800, or $2,200 less than the current Toyota Prius that starts from $22,000, but will soon be replaced by the third generation model -see here. Honda's five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist system comprised of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine and a 10kW electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 mpg."The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience," said Dick Colliver, executive vice...

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New Acura Crossover Spied!

Below are the previous spyshots taken awhile ago."The last time that we saw this vehicle, it was caught circulating the Nürburgring wearing a lot more camo than this example, and it's widely believed to be a new crossover from Acura. So far, Acura hasn't actually given any public indication that this machine even exists or is planned. Nonetheless, it's wearing all the contemporary Acura styling cues and the Nürburgring pics clearly showed the shield grille through the camo. This particular example was snapped by an alert AB reader while it was evidently conducting cold weather testing in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada. Judging by the reduced amount of camouflage on this unit, it's probably getting close to a public launch, and we're guessing that...

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American Honda to Test Hybrid Diesel Electric Truck

As part of its ongoing effort to reduce its global carbon dioxide footprint and fuel consumption, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., of Torrance, Calif., introduced a Class 8 hybrid diesel electric truck into its fleet at its parts center in Alpharetta, Ga., according to a March 6 press release. Built for Honda by Peterbilt Motors Company, the Smartway(SM)-certified Model 386 hybrid truck is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 45 tons per year, as compared to its diesel counterpart.Honda uses Class 8 trucks to transport service parts between its parts centers and dealerships. The company's diesel truck fleet, operated by its truck fleet partner, UPS Freight Truckload, typically travels 300,000 miles per day.The hybrid truck will...

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Honda's hybrid selling well

The Insight starts at 1.89 million yen (S$29,500) in Japan and will sell for under US$20,000 (S$30,800) in the US, the cheapest hybrid on the commercial market. -- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE TOKYO - ORDERS for the hybrid Insight have totalled 18,000 since it hit the Japanese auto market about a month ago, outpacing Honda's target and underlining the success of the new affordable and ecological vehicle, the company said on Tuesday. The brisk demand for the gas-electric hybrid is a rare piece of good news for Honda Motor Co. as the auto industry grapples with plunging global demand. Honda, Japan's second biggest automaker, was hoping for the Insight's monthly sales to reach 5,000 vehicles. The Insight starts at 1.89 million yen (S$29,500) in...

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2010 Honda Accord CUV (Wagon) Information

Below are spy pic's taken by Brenda Priddy and Co. of the upcoming Honda Accord Wagon to be introduced to North America for fall 2009.Below is a pic of a 2006 Honda Accord Wagon's Blueprints, just to help speculation of the the upcoming Accord Wagon to North America, below that is the blueprint of a Honda Airwave wagon-van. Here's what we know so far.... -will have the North American Honda Accord front end.-will be a little longer than the European Honda Accord Wagon.-will sit higher of the ground than the existing North American Accord Sedan.-will be built on the current Honda Accord platform.-is to be situated between the Honda CRV and the Honda Pilot.-will be a direct competitor to the Toyota Venza.-speculation of the 4 wheel drive system...

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Skoda Superb Launched in India, Priced at Rs.18.8 Lakhs | Superb Photos, Pictures, Images

Skoda Superb Launched in India, Priced at Rs.18.8 Lakhs | Superb Photos, Pictures, ImagesSkoda India launched its all new "Superb" model in the market after success in Europe last year on Tuesday, 10th March 2009 with all new exterior and better engineering and technical design. The all new Skoda Superb equipped with a 1.8l turbo-charged petrol engine and a 2.0l diesel variant.All new Skoda Superb is more spacious and and equipped with lot of gadgets and safety equipment like touch screen entertainment-cum-information system with 30Gb hard drive, ABS, ESP and lot of air bags.New Skoda Superb Price: Rs. 18.88 Lakhs Ex-showroom Delhi.All New Skoda Superb Exteriors:New Rear Boot "Twindoo System" as it can be open half and full.All New Skoda Superb...

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