Honda Teams With Lollapalooza, Austin Music Fest

I can just see it now, ASIMO crowd surfing....Honda is teaming up with C3, better known as the promoter of Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Each year, those festivals draw thousands of music fans to Chicago and Austin, Texas. Honda wants to reach those fans through a so-called “eco-partnership.”Honda will use the events to push its new Insight, which it bills as the most affordable hybrid on the market. The sponsorship includes “integrated green activities,” hybrid vehicle displays and — most tempting of all — a giveaway of a 2010 Insight at each event.If you want a chance at that free Insight, you can head to Lollapalooza in Chicago from Aug. 7-9 or Austin from Oct. 2-4.Source;http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009...

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Chrysler to get $15-billion in government aid

Financing from Canadian and U.S. governments will help car maker operate through Chapter 11 bankruptcyJACQUIE MCNISH AND GREG KEENANGlobe and Mail UpdateApril 30, 2009 at 9:25 AM EDTU.S. and Canadian governments will provide about $15-billion (U.S.) in financing to Chrysler LLC to help keep it operating through bankruptcy protection, sources said Thursday.The federal and Ontario governments will provide about $3-billion, the sources said, which will cover debtor-in-possession financing and exit financing when the beleaguered auto maker emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The governments will hold a 10-per-cent stake in Chrysler, with the Canadian governments' stake sitting at 2 per cent.Chrysler is expected to file for bankruptcy...

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How to Fail a Sobriety Test

Here's a funny one to end off the month of April, click on the link below.http://www.videosift.com/video/Drunk-Driving-Test-Fail?fromdupe=How-to-fail-a-sobriety-t...

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Honda suspends global travel due to swine flu

If there's one worldwide news story that's stealing thunder from the impact the global economic downturn is having on automakers, it's the swine flu scare. Now, the two stories converge as Honda Motor Co. has reportedly suspended all global business travel until May 6th... at the earliest. Furthermore, the automaker has said it's considering sending home the families of Japanese workers in Mexico, which is where the outbreak is most dangerous.Japanese auto parts supplier Denso has taken similar measures, recommending that families of Japanese workers in Mexico temporarily return home. If the swine flu turns into an all-out pandemic as many experts suspect, we wouldn't be shocked to see the remaining automakers make similar recommendations....

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Toyota is getting ready for a war! Toyota "war room" keeps tabs on possible supplier interruptions, stockpiled parts

Fearing that a couple dozen of its U.S. suppliers could shut down production, Toyota has established a "war room" to monitor suppliers and has begun to warehouse assembly components. While the move marks a departure from the automaker's "just in time" production philosophy, a mantra that associates stockpiling with inefficiency and waste, a bankruptcy by one of the Detroit 3 could knock-out a key supplier crippling the Japanese automaker's North American factories. It is a widespread problem, as more than half of Toyota's 500 U.S. parts suppliers are also under contract to supply parts to General Motors.The "war room" is located in Erlanger, Kentucky, at a major Toyota assembly complex. Reviews are conducted by senior executives each week to...

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Dedicated Acura Financial Services Launched

TORRANCE, Calif. - 04/23/2009American Honda Finance Corp. (AHFC) this week launched Acura-branded financial services to better satisfy the needs of Acura dealers and customers. The creation of Acura Financial Services (AFS) marks a major milestone in Acura history. This is just the first step of a multifaceted effort to further enhance customer service and raise the brand image for Acura, the luxury nameplate that pioneered the launch of Japanese luxury automobiles in the U.S."With our most recent ranking in the top two, three and four positions in the luxury lease segment of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study, the timing is perfect to utilize our years of experience and expertise to create financial services...

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Develop Plug-In Autos as Obama Alters U.S. Policy

April 27 (Bloomberg) -- Honda Motor Co., the only company selling hydrogen-powered cars to U.S. drivers, may also develop plug-in models as U.S. policy shifts to favor battery-powered autos.Honda, which began leasing hydrogen fuel cell FCX Clarity sedans in Los Angeles last year, still sees hydrogen as the best long-term alternative to gasoline as a fuel that can cut carbon exhaust tied to global warming, President Takeo Fukui said in an interview. Still, the company will respond to a push by the Obama administration for carmakers to sell plug-ins, he said.“We understand the situation, in terms of government and incentives,” Fukui said April 23 in Detroit. “Naturally, we’re going to have to accommodate that too.”General Motors Corp., Toyota...

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It's Official: GM to phase out Pontiac in 2010

General Motors Corp. said Monday it will phase out the Pontiac brand name by the end of 2010 as the automaker unveiled another restructuring plan that includes cutting more manufacturing jobs.GM said its 82-year-old Pontiac division is being eliminated as it concentrates on its Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC brands.The company also said it will complete its plans for the Saab, Saturn and Hummer brands by the end of 2009.GM said it will reduce its number of assembly, powertrain and stamping plants in the U.S. from 47 in 2008 to 34 by the end of 2010, and to 31 by 2012. The locations of the plants that will close was not revealed.GM will also cut more of its U.S. hourly workers. The company said its U.S. blue collar workforce will decline...

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Honda's Ace in the Hole, The 2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid

Honda has something that Toyota doesn't and it just might be want Honda needs to outgun Toyota in the hybrid war between the two companies. What is this little something that Honda has? The 2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid.The Honda CRZ is a two seat hybrid disguised in a sports car body or a sports car fitted with a hybrid powertrain. Though Honda wanted to make the CRZ in a gasoline version too, they decided to make it as a dedicated hybrid to be on par with hybrid offerings from Toyota.The CRZ is powered by a 1.8 liter engine taken from the Civic. The engine is rated at 140hp, significantly higher than the Insight's 98 hp. The hybrid components will be nearly identical to that of the Insight to keep costs down and provide a working power train...

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TOV Rumours: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour CUV

Crosstour We've heard whispers of this product for so long it seems that it's been under development forever. We don't have any confirmation on the name yet, but Honda recently registered the Crosstour name, so at the moment it makes the most sense. A flurry of spyshots of a cleverly disguised test mule for this vehicle provided plenty of fodder for internet discussions over the past year or so, but we're still waiting to catch a glimpse of how it will look in production sheetmetal. So far, those spy photos have eluded us. We don't know a lot about this vehicle but there is at least some consistency in the rumors that we've been hearing. First of all, it will be based upon the Accord platform. It will be larger than a CR-V, yet smaller than...

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TOV Rumours: 2010 Honda Odyssey

This just in from the ever resourceful Temple of Vtec on the 2010 Honda Odyssey.Odyssey The Odyssey's been keeping a low profile at Honda for the past year or so. The MMC happened in the '08 model year so we're not expecting to see any dramatic changes until its FMC. We're not sure at this point whether or not the Odyssey will follow a "standard" 6-year model cycle, but if it does, the all-new one should be arriving next year as a 2011 model.Summary: Honda's roomiest people mover marches on with few expected changes for 2010.Watch For: FMC in 2011(?)Available: AutumnJust to add what I am expecting from the 2010 model;-small revisions to the front grill, more of the 'truck' corporate grill (like the 'spyshot above')-VCM making it's debut into...

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General Motors to kill Pontiac on Monday

This is sad but inevitible news. Two of my favourite cars had the pontiac badge, a 1983 Pontiac Acadian (my first car) and a 1995 Pontiac Grand AM GT Coupe V6 (ah, my single days).According to a report from InsideLine, General Motors could axe Pontiac as early as this Monday. Although IL isn't citing its source within GM, it did contact the General's PR man, Tom Wilkinson, who said, "There's nothing I can share with you at this time... Officially, nothing has changed with Pontiac's niche-brand status, until you hear differently." Not very clear, but not particularly positive either.The line about Pontiac's "niche-brand status" has been floating around since last December, when GM began to focus on its four core brands – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet...

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Honda looks to expand hybrid market through venture with GS Yuasa

FUKUCHIYAMA, Apr 21, 2009 (Kyodo News International - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- YUSBF Quote Chart News PowerRating -- Honda Motor Co. and GS Yuasa Corp. on Tuesday marked the start of construction of their joint venture plant in Kyoto Prefecture to produce lithium ion batteries for hybrid cars, which many see as the key to enabling them to ride out the deep slump in the global auto industry.Honda President Takeo Fukui indicated that the automaker plans to install the next-generation batteries that will be produced by the joint venture firm, Blue Energy Co., in its Civic or Fit hybrid model anticipated after 2010."We're going to take on the challenge of producing lithium ion batteries that will exceed nickel metal...

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Honda gets insightful for Earth Day

To reestablish itself as a leader in the environmental space, Honda is using the launch of its 2010 Insight hybrid to cut a swath through the greenwashing clutter with a campaign to keep the skies blue for the kiddies.The "Blue Skies for Our Children" effort launches today, Earth Day, with TV, print, online banner and POS ads, elevator wraps and digital brochures, all part of a media buy by PHD. It looks more to the bigger environmental picture, unlike the Insight's US launch, which predominantly focuses on the vehicle and its attributes, minus the "Blue Skies" messaging.The real cornerstone of the campaign story is its microsite, which is divided into three sections: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Each one offers a unique look at Honda's ongoing...

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Honda considering investing in Pioneer

By Nobuhiro KuboTOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research) is finalizing plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in Pioneer Corp (6773.T: Quote, Profile, Research) to help rebuild the struggling electronics maker, a company source said on Thursday.Pioneer shares jumped 7.5 percent on Thursday, taking its gains to more than a quarter since sources said on Tuesday it may seek government help. Honda shares rose 1.7 percent.A Honda spokeswoman said her firm had been approached by Pioneer, a loss-making electronics maker withdrawing from its TV operations and focusing resources on the auto electronics business, but declined to elaborate further.The move will help cash-strapped Pioneer shore up its capital and strengthen...

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Shanghai 2009: Guangzhou Honda Linian roadster concept is messing with our S2000-loving heads

Guangzhou Honda surprised everyone at the Shanghai show with this tidy little roadster, its second Linian concept in as many years. While the 2008 Beijing show concept was a more pedestrian five-door, this two-seat droptop has us wishing for a proper S2000 successor.Oh, one can quibble over some of the design details (oversized grille element, the showcar-only airplane yoke-style steering wheel, etc.), but fundamentally this is an interesting package.Sadly, according to our compatriots at Autoblog Simplified Chinese, Honda's domestic partner was mum on specifics, including driveline configuration, powerplant, and so on. That said, the shape does look quite production friendly. Add in a stronger windshield header, some larger mirrors, and do...

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Honda Accord SR-9 Study Unveiled in Shanghai, Looks Better than Acura TSX

One of the new models at the Shanghai Auto Show that managed to momentarily escape our attention is the Honda Accord SR-9 concept study that was designed in cooperation with the firm's Chinese joint venture, Guangzhou Honda. Compared to the European-spec Accord and the North American market Acura TSX (they are the same cars), the Accord SR-9 features a newly designed front bumper with concave surfaces and a restyled grille with honeycomb inserts.The show car also featured a set of side skirts and beefier seven-spoke alloy wheels. Even though the styling mods are minimal, the tweaked fascia would be a welcome change for both the European-market Accord and the Acura TSX.Source;http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/04/honda-accord-sr-9-study-unve...

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The World’s first fully sustainable race car

Thanks goes out to Chris Nowakowski for the heads up on this one.Chicago (IL) - With a vehicle body made from potatoes, a steering wheel made from carrots, the ability to run on waste chocolate and vegetable oil, the 140 mph Environ-MENTAL is the first formula 3 race car designed from materials that are both sustainable and Used by the WorldFirst Racing Team, a project of the University of Warwick’s UK-based Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC), the team plans to show the automotive industry that designing and building an environmentally sustainable competition level race car is possible. The team hopes to change public opinion, and prove that environmentally-friendly can be both fun and exciting.The Environ-Mental is green...

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Honda City Coupe 1.8 i-VTEC Artist’s Impression

This won't be coming to North America any time soon, it is intended for the Asian markets. Nice car though.Correct me if I am wrong but I think the only coupes that Honda still sell are in the US, where both a Civic Coupe and the Accord Coupe are available.Theophilus Chin whipped up this impression of a Honda City Coupe, which could be quite fun here in Malaysia as a sportier model available with the 1.8 liter SOHC i-VTEC paired to a manual gearbox. The City is already offered in China with the 140 PS engine so it should be very easy to fit in. But during these troubled economic times perhaps such niche models are not possible even if they studied it internally in the first place, so this would most probably stay as what it is, some fun with...

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Blue Energy Begins Construction of New Plant

One more step closer to.....WORLD DOMINATION!!!!KYOTO, Japan, April 21, 2009 - Honda Research Institute Japan Co., Ltd. (HRI-JP), a subsidiary of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have collaboratively developed the world’s first*1 Brain Machine Interface (BMI) technology that uses electroencephalography (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) along with newly developed information extraction technology to enable control of a robot by human thought alone. It does not require any physical movement such as pressing buttons. This technology will be further developed for the application to human-friendly products in the future by integrating it with intelligent...

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NFL: New Detroit Lions Logo?!?

I know, wwwaaayyyy off topic, but I'm an NFL fan (no, not a Lions fan). Thought I'd pass this on anywayz....The rumors are true. It seems that the new Lions logo that "leaked" awhile back is legit and a new typeface and squiggly lines will soon usher in a glorious new era of Detroit football.A new coach, new GM, a new No .1 draft pick QB waiting in the wings (grumble, grumble) and now these snappy new unis—oh, yes this team is destined for greatness ... as soon as they shake off the five decades of failure that weigh down the hopes and dreams of a troubled populace like a rusty anchor.The leaping lion appears more fierce, while the team name features an italicized slant. The team says the changes are consistent with its "sense of mission and...

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CAW pays a visit to Honda Canada's plants in Alliston

Trying to grow the BrotherhoodRepresentatives from the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) attempt to hand out information leaflets to Honda's non-unionized employees during this afternoon's shift change at both of its plants in Alliston.The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW ) dispatched representatives to the front entrances of Honda Canada Manufacturing's (HCM) Plant 1 and Plant 2 in Alliston this afternoon during shift changes to handout leaflets explaining how autoworkers are facing similar fates whether they're unionized or not.HCM, like the domestic automakers, has sharply reduced its production output, and because it doesn't have a union contract tying its labour hands, the company has also terminated all its contract, and part-time workers, implemented...

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Forget Celebrities. Employees Make Compelling Ad Stars In Tough Times

A few employees who haven't lost their jobs suddenly have a new one: advertising.At a time when consumers are distrustful of big companies and their leaders, marketers are putting employees in ads in an effort to make their brands seem more transparent and trustworthy. These ads, from companies like Ford Motor, ExxonMobil and Alabama Power, among others, are geared to make customers and employees feel better about these companies.American Honda Motor Co. features at least 30 employees, including Chief Executive Takeo Fukui, and a few luminaries, including race car driver Danica Patrick, in three seven-and-a-half minute online films dubbed "Dream the Impossible."Each short film, shot in a documentary style, explores a different theme. In "Kick...

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Original Honda Beat Information

With all this talk about the Honda Beat making a 'comeback' (don't know if this car would be destined for North America or just Japan like the original), I thought I'd do some digging in to the Original Beat. The Honda Beat is a small sportscar, that fits the regulations of a keicar. It is a convertible and has a midengine. The production began in May 1991 and finished in February 1996. The total number of cars produced was around 33,600. Most of the production (around 2/3) occurred in the first year, and then production and sales reduced drastically. There were two different models of Beat (PP1-100 and PP1-110), although there were a couple of different limited edition versions as well. Variations on the first model were just cosmetic updates....

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Next Gen 2011 Toyota Sienna Spied

The next Sienna is planned for a debut sometime this fall with sales following in 2010 and it's going to be bringing the heat. It will wear styling borrowed from the Camry and the 2010 Prius, but it's more the inside which will cause heartburn to the competitors with rumored features in the top-shelf model like Lay-Z-Boy-style reclining captains chairs complete with leg rests as well as a novel, extra-wide single video screen. Think of it like a 20:9 aspect ratio television screen, and the suspicion is the unit will run two video sources simultaneously. Should be interesting to see how it goes up against Chrysler's bread-and-butter minivans, one of the few product lines we're positive someone would snap up if Cerberus decides to chop Chrysler...

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Honda Beat To Return In 2011, Based On Honda OSM Concept?

Not sure if this means anything to us in North America, but would look like what I would have thought a Honda S3000 would look like.According to the news-makers at Japanese auto magazine Best Car, Honda is working on returning the Beat name to the streets of Tokyo after a 13 year absence.The original Beat ran on a rear-wheel-drive platform and was powered by a 47kW 660cc engine, putting it in the ‘kei’ category – a class of car so small and with such a low environmental impact, that tax breaks and parking discounts are part of the benefits of owning one.Best Car says that Honda is looking at the market closely and working feverishly to bring the new Beat – based on the Honda OSM concept – to showrooms at the right time, likely around 2011.The...

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Gizmodo; How It Feels To Walk With Honda's Cyborg Legs

Few geeks haven't dreamt of one day taking on cyborg enhancements—me included. And today I did, thanks to two of Honda's wearable Asimo-inspired Walk Assist devices. This is how it felt.I strapped on Honda's fresh-from-the-labs Stride Management Assist and Bodyweight Support Assist rigs, and both devices made me feel totally unstoppable, albeit in a goofy sort of way. The whole time I felt the need to go do something great, like go on a cross-country jog or blast into outer space to join a robot colony.I'm definitely not the target demographic for either device, which Honda's Fundamental Research Institute hopes will help mobilize and rehabilitate Japan's rapidly aging population or lessen the leg fatigue of factory workers who stand and crouch...

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GM to close down 1,700 dealerships by June 1st

GM has accelerated its restructuring as the impending June 1 deadline approaches along with Chapter 11 speculations.The carmaker has informed its dealers that it will expedite the close down of about 1,700 dealerships, an insider has said. At present, there are around 200 dealers that were shut down in this year’s first quarter.Although the closure of such large numbers of dealers was not confirmed by GM officially, a spokesman did confirm GM-dealers meetings. The insider refused to comment on what happened behind the closed doors of the meeting. General Motors is counting on either the demise or sale of Saturn and Hummer. If GM succeeds in getting rid of these liabilities, the dealerships for these brands will also follow. GM can get rid half...

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Dog-friendly Honda Element Concept Transforms SUV into Pet-hauling Champ

New dog transportation features turn Element into the alpha dog of pet travelTORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., April 8, 2009 - New dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element add canine-specific enhancements to one of the most dog-friendly vehicles available, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced at the New York International Auto Show. Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly™ components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall. Major components will likely include:·a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;·second row and cargo area pet restraint...

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