Honda Ends U.S. Motorcycle Production

Did not see this coming....In a strange juxtapositioning of the auto and motorcycle industries -- and a business decision that marks the end to an era -- Honda Motor Co. Ltd. this week said that after three decades, it ended production of motorcycles made in the U.S.The Honda of America Manufacturing Marysville, Ohio, motorcycle assembly plant was in 1979 the start of the company's manufacturing footprint in the U.S. The HAM site eventually expanded to auto and engine production as well as major stamping and casting activities.At the time of its closing, the motorcycle plant was exclusively building Honda's flagship motorcycle, the Goldwing. The reported capacity was about 70,000 units and Goldwings sold in the U.S. now will be imported from...

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Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CDTi EX - Short Take Road Test

Ah! Stop the madness! Bring this car to North America!For all you Manual Transmission die-hards, look at the lower middle console....A diesel CR-V proves to be one stingy little trucker.BY JARED GALL July 2009When you’re talking trucks, diesel power trumps all. With their mountainous torque, diesels put up huge numbers for towing, and the engines also deliver (relatively) small fuel-consumption figures and—in a more recent development—low emissions. But what about compact trucks? Is a diesel the same feel-good pill in a unibody, car-based trucklet?Hey, Don’t I Know You?To find out, we called up the diesel wizards at Bosch and borrowed a German-market Honda CR-V oil-burner from their fleet. This is the same 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel...

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Honda starts building flex-fuel City sedan in Brazil

This won't make it's way over here in North America anytime soon....Honda Begins Production and Sales of City in Brazil SÃO PAULO, Brazil, July 24, 2009 - Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda. (HAB), Honda's automobile production and sales subsidiary in Brazil, began sales of theCity FFV (Fuel Flexible Vehicle) in Brazil. The production of the model is underway at HAB's plant. The company is planning to begin export of this model to Mexico and other countries of South America starting from September 2009.City became the third model produced by HAB locally in Brazil following Civic and Fit whose production began in 1997 and 2003, respectively. The price of the City FFV starts from R$56,210 (approximately 2.75 million yen at an exchange rate of R$1=49...

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Class-Leading MDX Takes Luxury, Style, Performance and Technology to the Next Level for 2010

TORRANCE, Calif. – The award-winning Acura MDX luxury SUV sets even higher standards in 2010 for styling, performance, technology and safety. For 2010, the MDX features a fresh new exterior look, revised powertrain that includes a new 6-speed automatic, chassis refinements, more comfort, and improved technology along with the introduction of an all-new Advance Package— making the class leader even better."Already considered by many as the benchmark in its class, the new 2010 MDX significantly raises the bar yet again," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "Fresh looks, an all-new 6-speed transmission and lots of new customer relevant technology make the MDX an even smarter SUV choice than ever."Visually, the 7-passenger 2010 MDX...

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Honda Canada: 2010 Honda Odyssey Changes Confirmation

When Honda engineers set out to update the current generation Honda Odyssey, they faced the challenge of improving on a vehicle that raised the bar not only in the traditional measurements of minivan performance – safety, space, comfort and utility – but went a step beyond to deliver a more personally rewarding experience for the passengers and driver alike; a vehicle that changed the definition of minivan excellence through attention to detail in every aspect of the vehicle's performance, function and character.The updated Odyssey has been freshened to create an even higher level of emotional appeal. In addition, many new and exciting features have been added to increase the Odyssey's value proposition so it can compete more directly with...

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1970's Dealers Choice, the board Game!

I just about fell out of my chair laughing at this one! Oh those crazy 70's.... (I might just have to find a copy of this game, it sounds too funny to pass up!)During my Malaise Era childhood, my sisters and I would often set up the card table for an acrimonious, hatred-filled session of the classic 1971 Parker Brothers used-car-selling board game Dealer's Choice.I hadn't thought about this fine game- a staple in the Martin family during the mid-1970s- for years, until I spotted one at a yard sale not long ago. The goal is to lie your @$$ off about the value of the clunkers on your lot, while avoiding getting caught in those lies. Definitely worth a buck to the yard-sale seller! While this game didn't get as much play as Touring (some of you...

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Much-Jumped 1987 Hoonda Accord For Sale For $250, Stunts On 13s!

Just when you think you've seen it all....We've seen a lot of hoons here, but this may be the best classified ad we've ever seen for a hoonmobile. This Utah Hoonda has seen plenty of hang time!Yes, this '87 Accord (go here if the ad disappears) is now for sale, and it's a proven desert jumper! Why would anyone sell such a great car? According to the seller, "Reason for selling: it's too damn ballin for us. We want to tone it down a bit and maybe get a Rally Van." And there you have it! Thanks to LTDScott for the tip!Source;http://jalopnik.com/5322616/much+jumped-1987-hoonda-accord-for-sale-for-250-stunts-on-13s/galle...

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2010 Acura RDX Facelift Appears on Official Site: Subtle Cosmetic Changes and new FWD Model

A couple of weeks ago we showed you a series of photos that supposedly depicted the redesigned 2010 Acura RDX. While the Japanese automaker has yet to release an official statement, Acura went ahead and posted a full gallery as well as initial details and prices on the 2010MY RDX on its public website. On the outside, the RDX has received Acura's controversial corporate grille along with a new front bumper and new trim for the lower part of the rear bumper that houses new hexagonal tail pipes. The redesigned alloy wheels complete the exterior enhancements.We didn't notice any aesthetic changes inside, but it is said that the 2010MY RDX benefits from a series of convenience and equipment upgrades.The most important news for the 2010 model year...

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The Warranty Direct Top 100 Most Reliable Used Cars Of The Past Decade

1 Honda Accord2 Subaru Forester3 Mazda MX-54 Mitsubishi Carisma5 Toyota Yaris6 Honda Civic7 Nissan Almera8 Honda CR-V9 Toyota RAV410 Nissan Micra11 Lexus IS 20012 Mazda 62613 Jaguar X-Type14 Toyota Landcruiser15 Volvo S/V4016 MINI (BMW)17 Suzuki Vitara18 Mazda 32319 Toyota Carina E20 Saab 9-521 Lexus LS40022 Ford Ka23 Rover 4524 Hyundai Lantra25 Mercedes SLK26 Citroen Xsara27 Ford Cougar28 Subaru Impreza29 Skoda Octavia30 Audi A431 Nissan Primera32 Toyota Avensis33 Volvo 85034 Vauxhall Corsa35 Seat Toledo36 Volkswagen Golf37 Daewoo Lanos38 Fiat Brava39 Hyundai Coupe40 Mitsubishi Shogun41 Rover 2542 Mercedes CLK43 Fiat Marea44 Ford Focus45 Peugeot 10646 MG MG TF47 BMW Z348 Hyundai Accent49 Volkswagen Polo50 Fiat Punto51 Vauxhall Zafira52 Mercedes...

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Britain's Most and Least Reliable Brands

The growing availability of information afforded by the internet will ultimately make all entities more accountable, whether they're made of flesh and blood, or bricks and mortar and concepts. Corporations will need to change if they are to survive in this coming age of accountability and automotive manufacturers in particular will need to reassess their communication strategies. Despite the financial magnitude of an automobile purchasing decision, the masses have until now been content to read the spec sheet and subscribe to the copywritten dreams rather than assess the real costs of owning the car—reliability, cost of repair, time-off-road and resale value—because those factors have been hidden. Now those figures are becoming publicly available...

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Toyota Thinking About Building a Honda CRZ Competitor?

Could this be part of the proposed Subaru-Toyota sports car venture? It could certainly make sense.Rumors of a Prius coupe from Toyota have been floating around for at least a couple of years – to no avail. However, now that new Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has decreed that Toyota needs some excitement in its lineup, and Honda has announced that the production CR-Z coupe will debut this fall, a real Prius coupe may finally gain some momentum. A new rendering that has popped in Japan shows a hybrid coupe with more resemblance to the new Hyundai Genesis coupe than any current Toyota.If the Prius coupe does become reality, it could get a more powerful version of the powertrain from the current 5-door hatchback, possibly with as much as 134 hp from...

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New Infiniti M Coming On August 14th- Do They Have To Go For Broke With A RADICAL Design Change?

They sure are all over that GT-R style....mind you....who could blame them.Infinity just announced they will do something a little different when they debut the next 'M' at Pebble Beach on August 14th.Rather than having the real car on display, they have created a virtual 3/D display of the car (holographic?) that will resemble the real car from afar.Sounds cool and different for a change.This is a pivotal time for Infiniti and our opinion this new 'M' needs to be a grand slam homerun for them because they desperately need a second high volume selling car line outside of the G.Hell, come to think of it, who DOESN'T need another high volume selling car line these days?So as I think of what this next 'M' should look like, I thought it would be...

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2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius

With its Prius, Toyota has dominated the hybrid scene for the last five years. The Prius has even been used to transport movie stars to the Oscars. But just in time for its 2010 model update, Honda comes along with a scrappy little competitor. Honda got in on the hybrid game early, too, but hasn't been as successful as Toyota. It's first Insight, a high mileage hybrid two-seater, was discontinued in 2006. For 2010, Honda comes out with a brand-new Insight that looks nothing like its namesake. Instead, it's a four-door hatchback, just like the Prius. At the starting gate, we know the Prius gets better mileage, while the Insight costs less, but how will these hybrids fare against each other through the entire course?It's time for these contenders to raise their green gloves and come out fighting.Here...

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Honda speeds up Insight update

Honda is fast-tracking an upgrade to the Honda Insight to counter the threat posed by the new Toyota Prius.With the Prius now trumping the Insight’s 85mpg with 107mpg in the same Japanese test cycle, sources in the cars’ home market say Honda engineers are being put under pressure to improve the Insight and close the gap.While economy will take priority, it’s believed that Honda will also take another look at the chassis to try to refine the Insight’s unsettled low-speed ride.In the sales race, the Insight got off to a roaring start in Japan in the early part of this year. The Honda even became the nation’s best seller with 10,481 units in April, the first hybrid car ever to achieve that position in Japan.However, things move fast in the fad-driven...

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Next Gen Acura NSX Rendition

Here's a picture that I don't remember seeing before on the proposed Next Generation Acura/Honda NSX, which is now rumoured to be a V6 Hybrid. So, I thought I'd pass it on....Source;http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/07/nsx-reborn.h...

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Canadian Driver: Modern Classics: Honda Prelude, 1979-2001

First Generation Honda Prelude Second Generation Honda PreludeThird Generation Honda PreludeFourth Generation Honda PreludeFifth Generation Honda PreludeThe first Honda cars to reach North American shores in the early 1970s were anything but exciting, but the Civic and Accord would prove to be reliable and fuel-efficient alternatives to what other manufacturers had to offer – notwithstanding their tendency to rust out in Canadian winters.Honda offered reliability and fuel efficiency at a time when fuel prices were starting to skyrocket as a result of the OPEC oil embargo in 1973. On this side of the Atlantic, the car-buying public were “warming” quickly towards fuel efficient vehicles. The days of stuffing big motors into small and medium-sized...

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Nissan planning to offer wireless charging for its upcoming EVs

Now, this sounds cool....Not only is Nissan developing a wireless charging bay, it also hopes to one day let electric cars charge as they are driven over a series of plates installed into the surface of designated lanes on the roads and highways, The Guardian reports.The wireless charging system borrows from the concept of inductive charging, similar to the electromagnetic field technology used to charge an electric toothbrush. Nissan’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) electric car is able to charge in a compatible parking bay without the use of wires. Referring to its plan to put plates on the road, Nissan says that it still doesn’t know the costs, the length of the designated lane, nor how long the car has to be on the lane for the battery to...

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7Tune: New Honda NSX To Become “Super Hybrid Sports”

After rumors surfaced that the NSX project would be put on hold last December, we’re now told the new Honda flagship’s development is steaming ahead despite some big changes.We’ve been told the new NSX has been steadily progressing since the test car’s appearance at Nürburgring last year where it pulled off some promising lap times. Where things get tricky is that the project now seems to be more like an exercise in parts sharing to create what Honda calls “Super Hybrid Sports”. It’s been hinted that rumours of Honda scrapping the new NSX project turned out to be merely a slight direction change to accommodate a more environmentally friendly approach which, according to our sources, will be a direct answer to Toyota’s FT-HS hybrid sports car.Readers...

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Inside Line: Comparison Test: 2010 Ford Taurus vs. 2009 Honda Accord

Alot of good things said about both makes;A Product of Their TimesBy Erin Riches, Senior Editor EmailDate posted: 07-20-2009If you understand the limitless desire of Americans for personal space, then you understand the thinking behind the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited and 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with Navigation. Taurus and Accord may be iconic midsize-sedan nameplates, but now the badges are on large-car rumps.Officially, the 2010 Ford Taurus and 2009 Honda Accord each seat five. Realistically, neither of these large sedans will ever see more than four passengers. And nobody will so much as rub an elbow, shoulder, buttock or knee during the 15-minute drive to the sushi buffet.As crossovers promise everyone a whole row of seating to himself, families...

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2010 Acura ZDX Interior Picture

Source;AutoblogHere's the link to my previous post on this with more pic's;http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2009/07/all-new-acura-zdx-4-door-sports-coupe.h...

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TOV: New Honda president says FR sedans (and V8s) are out

Who would have figured that July 20th would have held more than a single newsworthy story, but it's not even lunch time on the west coast and we're already up to our third item of the day.On a normal Monday I probably would have come across this sooner but I'm actually hurtling down the freeway somewhere outside of Lexington, KY as I type this.This is apparently all over the blogs already, but in case you missed it, Automotive News ran a story earlier today with the following headline: New Honda chief: We don't need rwd sedans.The story is available here, but it may require a login and/or subscription.Basically the gist of it is that Takanobu Ito claims that Honda has suspended its RWD development program and will shift its focus towards developing...

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All-New Acura ZDX 4-Door 'Sports Coupe' Arriving This Winter

Here's information on the Acura version of the upcoming Crosstour....Canadian-built 2010 Acura ZDX Will Feature Dramatic Styling, Outstanding Performance and Advanced TechnologyTORONTO, July 20 /CNW/ - The all-new 2010 Acura ZDX four-door "sportscoupe" will arrive at Acura dealerships in Canada this winter with dramaticstyling, outstanding performance and the latest in advanced technology. TheZDX features coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commandingpresence and flexible utility. Staying true to the prototype model that made its debut at the 2009 NewYork Auto Show in April, the production ZDX will feature the key designhighlights of a panoramic glass roof, hidden rear door handles and bold fenderflares.The ZDX will be produced at...

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