Japan’s carmakers halt domestic operations

By John Reed, Motor Industry Correspondent
Published: March 14 2011 13:00 Last updated: March 14 2011 13:00
Japan’s four biggest carmakers have said they are suspending production at their domestic plants through to at least Wednesday to cope with the after-effects of Friday’s earthquake and tsunami.

Honda, Japan’s second-largest carmaker, said on Monday that it was halting domestic production for a week and that damage to its suppliers’ plants might disrupt its UK production.

The announcement was an early sign of the disaster’s potential knock-on effect on the global supply chain in one of the world’s largest industries. Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors also extended shutdowns of their plants in order to assess and deal with damage from the quake.

Honda on Monday said that it had shut down its plants to check safety, power supply and infrastructure issues, along with the state of its local suppliers.

Honda said that it had 113 suppliers around the area in north-east Japan where the main tremors from the earthquake were felt. The carmaker said that it had been in touch with 44 of them, but was still trying to contact the remaining 69.

A UK spokesman for Honda said there were “potential supply issues” at its car plant in Swindon, England, where it makes its CR-V sport utility vehicle, its Jazz small car, and its Civic mid-size model.

“There will be a knock-on effect for car production in the UK, but we don’t yet know what it is,” he said.

Honda said that it had established emergency co-ordination centres in Swindon and at its plant in Tochigi in Japan in order to liaise on business issues concerning its supply of components and the well-being of its employees.

Toyota, Japan’s and the global car industry’s biggest producer, on Monday said that a shutdown already planned for Monday at all of its Japanese plants – including those of its Hino and Daihatsu subsidiaries – would be extended through to Wednesday.

The company makes some of its most popular models – including the bulk of its Prius hybrid model and Lexus luxury marque’s cars – in Japan.

Toyota said that the current three-day halt to production would not immediately affect its overseas operations. “The current production stop is for three days”, said a Toyota spokesman based in Brussels. “As such this doesn’t have an impact outside Japan, but we need to assess further.”

Nissan, Japan’s third-largest carmaker, said that it would halt operations at its Oppama, Kyushu, Shatai, and Yokahama plants south of Tokyo until Wednesday and at its Tochigi and Iwaki plants north of Tokyo until Friday.

The company also said that it would do its utmost to support “restoration activities” in Japan, including by conserving electricity usage in all of its activities.

Mitsubishi said that it was suspending plant operations on Monday and Tuesday to check safety at its suppliers. The producer’s main production hubs are located in Japan’s Aichi, Gifu, and Okayama prefectures, and were not affected by the earthquake.

However, it said that some of its suppliers had reported damage.

Japan’s car industry is one of the world’s largest. North-eastern Japan has become a major car-production centre in recent years, with Toyota, Honda, Nissan and operating plants there.

Most global carmakers, including Japan’s, produce and source parts for most of their cars in the regions where they build them.

However, Japan’s producers in particular are known for producing some of their models destined for export locally in order to preserve jobs and expertise at home in the face of declining domestic demand for cars.

Source;
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8d5f631e-4e2a-11e0-a9fa-00144feab49a.html#axzz1Ga6cJOuQ

2011 Honda Fit Receives More Standard Features; VSA Added to All Models

All I can say is carpted floor mats.... It's about freakin' time....
Accommodating, versatile and fuel-efficient five-door now includes standard VSA, USB, cruise control and remote entry on all models

11/29/2010 - TORRANCE, Calif.
The Honda Fit offers even more value for the 2011 model year in its already versatile, fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient five-door package. New for 2011, all models include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment, along with more comfort and convenience features.

New features on the Fit (base model) include cruise control, remote entry, a USB audio interface and VSA. The Fit Sport (non-navigation) also gains VSA for 2011, along with carpeted floor mats.

The Fit Sport with Navigation (previously equipped with VSA as standard equipment) receives carpeted floor mats as standard equipment. Four new colors become available - Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Celestial Blue Metallic and Vortex Blue Pearl - and replace similar colors from the previous model year.

Compact on the outside yet spacious inside, the Fit stands apart from other entry-level vehicles with its multi-functional interior and emphasis on quality and refinement. The exclusive 60/40 split rear Magic Seat® offers multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations - tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode - in addition to the standard five-passenger mode.

The exterior design provides excellent outward visibility and contributes to the vehicle's aggressive, sporty stance. The 1.5-liter, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine is tuned to deliver a rewarding combination of power and fuel economy. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a five-speed automatic transmission is available. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on Fit Sport models equipped with the available automatic transmission allow for manual gear selection.

Compact on the outside with an overall length of 161.6 inches, the interior provides an impressive passenger volume of 90.8 cubic feet for its class and a rear cargo volume of 20.6 cubic feet. The rear Magic Seat provides convenient one-motion dive-down functionality and can fold flat into the floor to create a rear cargo volume of 57.3 cubic feet.

Safety highlights include the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, standard VSA, anti-lock brakes and more. Dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all models.

The engine produces 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 106 lb-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. The Fit equipped with the available automatic transmission has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 28/35/31 miles per gallon . The Fit Sport with the available automatic transmission has an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/33/30 miles per gallon1. All manual transmission-equipped models have an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/33/29 miles per gallon.1

The front MacPherson strut suspension and torsion beam rear suspension settings are tuned to provide a sporty, refined and dynamic driving experience. Fifteen- and 16-inch wheels (Fit and Fit Sport, respectively) feature 175/65 R15 84S (Fit) and 185/55 R16 83H (Fit Sport) tires. The standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) uses 10.3-inch ventilated discs in the front and 7.9-inch drums in the rear.

The Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, cruise control, remote entry, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, USB audio interface2, auxiliary audio input jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), power windows, power mirrors and power door locks. The Fit Sport adds or replaces: carpeted floor mats, alloy wheels, an underbody aero kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights and a security system.

The Fit Sport audio system provides six speakers. The Fit Sport is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition3, featuring a 6.5-inch screen and more than seven million points of interest.

Fit awards and accolades include being named to Car and Driver Magazine's "10Best Cars for 2011" list (www.caranddriver.com), a prestigious honor it has received in each of the five years that it has been on sale in the United States.

# # #
1 Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2 The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your dealer for details on compatibility.

3 Certain functions that rely on a satellite signal will not work correctly in Hawaii and Alaska. These functions include, but are not limited to, automatic clock updates and time zone adjustments. RDS not available on navigation models.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2011-honda-fit-receives-more-standard-features-vsa-added-to-all-models

LA 2010: Subaru Impreza Concept

Does this ever look nice! I see a bit of the current generation Accord coupe in there....
One of the biggest surprises (so far...) of the 2010 LA Auto Show has to be the Subaru Impreza Design Concept that snuck up on us just a few hours ago. Some thought it might be the long-awaited Subota coupe (a close cousin of the Toyobaru, of course), but in reality what we have here is a conceptual sedan that the Japanese automaker claims will heavily influence future models... namely the Impreza, we'd wager.

Yes, there's a working 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine bolted to a CVT gearbox behind that shapely new front grille and its massive side vents, but it's the styling we're really intrigued by. To that end, be sure to take a good, hard look at the live shots in our high-res gallery below. If you need all the details, follow the jump for the press release.

Source (with tons of pics!)

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/subaru-impreza-concept-la-2010/

Honda New Small Vehicle Prototype Coming to Thailand Motor Expo

The world’s automotive producers are making efforts to developed new efficient vehicles that come to protect the environment and offer a high fuel efficiency that reduces transportation costs for the customers.

The latest news related to this comes from Honda, which has today announced that it will use the Thailand International Motor Expo 2010 hold the world premiere of a prototype that will showcase the future small vehicle that it is preparing to introduce in Thailand and India next year. The event is scheduled to run between November 30 and December 12.

The starting point for the prototype is the Honda New Small Concept, which was presented in India in January 2010 and in Thailand in March 2010. The vehicle has been created as a step forward towards the production model.

Subsequently, Honda will give birth to two versions of the small-sized car, which will share the basic styling. For Thailand, Honda will prepare a vehicle that offers a high level of fuel efficiency, while in India, the company will introduce a car that follows an approach suitable for the country’s emerging market.

The 27th Thailand International Motor Expo will also see Honda display a wide variety of models, including the Accord, City, Civic, Jazz (known as Fit in Japan), CR-V and Freed. In addition to that, the company will also showcase motorcycles, including the CBR250R, a new global sports model and PCX, a scooter model destined for the global markets. Both two-wheeled creations come to the world in Thailand, being exported to global markets.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-new-small-vehicle-prototype-coming-to-thailand-motor-expo-26158.html

Honda Raises Yearly Outlook

While cross-country rival Toyota may be slashing its production forecast, Honda has announced that it has raised its full-year financial outlook. Honda’s fiscal year ends March 31st.

Honda announced on Friday that it has upped its annual profit forecast to $6.2 billion, a significant increase over its previous goal of $5.65 billion. Honda says its year end sales may total as much as $111 billion.

Although the strong value of the yen has hurt Honda’s earnings, better than expected sales in the Asia region have helped alleviate losses associated with the poor exchange rate. Honda’s motorcycle division has also been performing well.

“Honda is solidly increasing its profitability, and the motorcycle unit is also supporting the business,” said Tadashi Usui, an analyst at Moody’s Investors Service in Tokyo. “Compared with Toyota, Honda is more economical with its capital investments, so we can be confident about its finances from a fixed-cost perspective.”

Despite the positive news, Honda expects a weaker second half to its fiscal year. Honda is calling for a $1.14 billion profit during the final six months of the year, compared to profits of $5.05 billion during the first half.

References1.’Honda raises annual…’ view

Source;
http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-raises-yearly-outlook.html

2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Launched in Japan, Limited to 1,500 Units

I don't know, maybe it's just me but, wouldn't this make more sense for a entry level Acura rather that the Civic rebadged CSX?!?....
Honda has introduced a new model year version of its British-built Civic Type R Euro in Japan. The 2011MY batch will be the last of this model series to make its way to Japan as production of the current generation three-door Civic Type R has been terminated in Europe because its 2.0-litre VTEC engine does not meet the Euro V emissions regulations.

The Japanese automaker had imported 1,850 examples of the Civic Type R Euro from Britain in late 2009. This time, Honda will bring a total of 1,500 units of the 2011MY version of its high-revving hot hatch. The only changes over the previous model year are the addition of a new Crystal Black Pearl color, some trim updates such as the different finish of the fuel cap and a new numbered plaque.

In Japan, prices for the 2011MY Civic Type R Euro start from 3,000,000 Yen [including consumption tax] or about US$37,200.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/10/2011-honda-civic-type-r-euro-launched.html

Honda, Hyundai issue anti-used-parts memos, junkyards object

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) issued a formal complaint letter with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against two car manufacturers, Hyundai Motor America and American Honda. Both companies released statements that warn against the use of recycled auto parts, and indicate that their use will void vehicle warranties issued by the companies. ARA said those statements and their threatened warranty refusals could be violations of the Magnuson-Moss Act.

Use of these recycled parts, a $22-billion industry, has been widely accepted for decades and there is a long track record of their successful use, ARA said. Recycled parts are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. They are fully functional and are in many cases identical to the original parts Hyundai Motor America and American Honda are requiring, according to ARA. Recycled parts were new OEM parts at some point, yet both Hyundai Motor America and American Honda are calling for the use of their own new parts in repairs.

“Neither manufacturer has provided any evidence that parts unaffected by an accident become inadequate once reused, which begs the question why their use is not supported by either company,” ARA’s Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Wilson states in his appeal to the FTC.
“Following the logic held by these companies, as soon as a new Hyundai, Honda or Acura drives off the lot, its parts are unsuitable for use as replacement parts in another vehicle, implying that the parts are unfit for use as soon as the car drives off the lot.”

In addition, recycled parts have several additional benefits compared to new parts:
Recycled parts allow consumers to save on costs while using parts identical to new OEM parts.

Recycled parts are better for the environment, since no additional resources or energy were used to create an unnecessary new replacement part.

Auto recyclers provide warranties on any recycled part used in a repair, indicating that recycled parts are not used in an attempt to cut corners with customers. "We believe the statements made by Hyundai Motor America and America Honda are part of a concerted effort among automobile manufacturers to limit competition in the automotive parts market to try to limit their competition,” said Wilson.

Source (via Autoblog);
ABRN

Honda Short Film on Sunday Nov 07, 2010

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct 26, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- As part of the "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" Documentary Series, Honda will debut its seventh short-film documentary, "Into the Unknown," at http://dreams.honda.com on Sunday, Nov. 7. That evening, a 90-second trailer for the new short-film documentary will air during the premiere of National Geographic Channel's "Great Migrations," an epic miniseries event that takes viewers around the world on the arduous journeys millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species. Today Honda's more than 599,000 Facebook fans, as well as its YouTube channel viewers, will get a sneak peek of "Into the Unknown."

"Honda's 'Power of Dreams' marketing spotlights human stories of perseverance, including our long-standing engineering commitment to develop cleaner forms of mobility," said Barbara Ponce, manager of corporate advertising for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Our corporate film series naturally aligns with the compelling 'Great Migrations'' themes of resolve and ingenuity. The inspiring content and cutting-edge caliber of 'Great Migrations' parallels the uplifting stories and cinematic quality of our 'DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE' Documentary Series."

Directed by Ondi Timoner, the only filmmaker to twice win the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, with producers @radical.media, "Into the Unknown" celebrates those who challenge the impossible and are motivated to solve problems and make a difference in society. The film features perspectives from a professional diver, a professional mountain climber, a retired NASA astronaut, Honda associates and engineers, and others who tell personal stories of exhilarating accomplishments. For example, Tatsuya Okabe, Ph.D., Honda chief engineer of brain-machine interface, describes how his research of the brain helps advance science to improve mobility for people who are physically challenged.

"Our latest 'DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE' film explores some of Honda's most amazing R&D ventures--brain-machine interface, robotics, advanced safety technology--but at the heart of the film is the idea that society has made its greatest advances thanks to the efforts of a few pioneering explorers, inventors and thinkers who were brave enough to make the leap into the unknown," said writer and producer Todd Carey of RPA, Honda's longstanding advertising agency of record.

As a presenting sponsor, Honda worked with National Geographic Channel to develop a custom cross-platform marketing campaign specifically designed to align Honda's corporate "Power of Dreams" campaign with the spirit of "Great Migrations'" epic tale of life on the move.
The robust on- and off-air campaign will reach millions nationwide and will include significant exposure through National Geographic Channel's many brand extensions, including web and mobile, VOD, home video, licensed products, educational outreach, consumer events and more.
During the month leading up to the premiere of "Into the Unknown," Honda worked with social media agency bigMETHOD to ignite dialogue about six existing films in the "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" Documentary Series. The social media program linked the documentary series' themes to original perspectives of consumers, thought leaders, and other organizations through digital communication channels. Participating contributors offered their unique insights and perspectives independent of Honda's viewpoint. The official Honda Facebook page serves as the hub for discussion (http://facebook.com/honda).

Racing Against Time Week brought together thought leaders and bloggers in the green, energy and automotive spaces. During Dreams vs. Nightmares Week, Honda partnered with ExperienceProject.com to create a custom environment and explore the impact of dreams. Kick Out the Ladder Week featured written and video contributions discussing how corporate philosophies allow for innovation and lead to success. Mobility 2088 Week will ask the Honda community to submit their thoughts on what transportation will look like in the year 2088. And, Failure: The Secret to Success Week will ask thought leaders to provide personal stories on past experiences they've had with failure that ultimately led them to success.

Launched in January 2009, the "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" Documentary Series is intended to speak to both the hearts and minds of consumers by revealing stories of Honda's corporate philosophy at work through an intimate multimedia, interactive website. The campaign strategy was developed by RPA.

The campaign targets 18- to 49-year-old adults who are comfortable with technology, who value authenticity, and who are drawn to brands they can relate to, connect with, or admire.
Credits

Film Chief Creative Officer: David Smith Writers: Todd Carey, Curt Johnson Agency Producer: Isadora Chesler Executive Producers: Barbara Ponce, Jon Kamen, Frank Scherma, Frank Stiefel, Justin Wilkes Production Company: @radical.media Producer: Liz Bradley, Todd Carey, Curt Johnson Director: Ondi Timoner DP/Lighting/Cameraman: Andrij Parekh Editor: Ron Patane/Outpost Digital Original Soundtrack: Q Department. Post Production: Outpost Digital Graphic Designer: Dave Dimeola Photographer: Davi Russo

Interactive Chief Creative Officer: David Smith Executive Producer, Content: Gary Paticoff Creative Director/Art: Curt Johnson Associate Creative Director/Copy: Todd Carey Senior Art Director/Art: David Mesfin Senior Copywriter: Brenna Hajek User Experience Lead: Alex Yra Technology Director: Scott Westerfield Technologist/Flash: Jeff Siegal

Source;

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/honda-debuts-into-the-unknown-short-film-documentary-at-httpdreamshondacom-and-during-premiere-of-national-geographic-channels-great-migrations-2010-10-26?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding Brake Master Cylinder Seal Recall: Selected 2005 to 2007 Acura RL and 2005 to early 2007 Honda

From what I understand, Honda used the same supplier as Toyota on this latest round of recalls....
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced a voluntary safety recall of 471,820 model year 2005 to 2007 Acura RL and model year 2005 to early 2007 Honda Odyssey vehicles to replace a seal in the brake master cylinder.

Honda made this decision to prevent the unlikely failure of a seal in the brake master cylinder. It is possible for the seal to fail if the Honda Genuine DOT 3 brake fluid installed at the factory is replaced with certain aftermarket brake fluids with reduced lubrication properties, followed by a manual brake bleed with full and rapid stroke of the brake pedal. This could cause the seal to become twisted within its retention groove. The twisted seal could then leak a small amount of brake fluid when the vehicle is used. A brake fluid leak due to this would cause the low brake fluid warning lamp to illuminate until repaired. Failure to repair the master cylinder seal would eventually result in a soft brake pedal and the possible loss of one of the two hydraulic braking circuits.

Drivers of affected vehicles should be aware that this condition will always cause the low brake fluid light to illuminate. If any of the vehicle's malfunction indicators are illuminated, owners should take their vehicle to a dealer for repair immediately.American Honda will begin to notify owners of affected vehicles within the next two months. Acura and Honda dealers will repair affected vehicles free of charge using a revised design of the brake master cylinder seal.

Owners are encouraged to contact their dealers for an appointment once notification is received by mail; owners of these vehicles can also periodically check for updates for Acura vehicles athref="http://www.recalls.acura.com/">www.recalls.acura.com or for Honda vehicles at www.recalls.honda.com . Acura owners can call (800) 382-2238; Honda owners can call (800) 999-1009 and select option number 4.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/statement-by-american-honda-motor-co-inc-regarding-brake-master-cylinder-seal-recall

2011 Honda Element Provides Rugged Versatility Inside and Out

I've heard from a pretty reliable source that Honda is seriously considering taking the Element off the market, which would mean no redesign....
The 2011 Honda Element SUV stands ready for adventure with its wide-opening side cargo doors, a wipe-down utility floor and a multitude of seating configurations that range from lounge mode to maximum cargo mode.

The purposeful interior offers a low load-in floor with flat surfaces along with a tall interior ideal for hauling many types of gear. The interior provides seating for four people along with a cargo area that quickly adapts to large items with its flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64-plus seating arrangements). Cargo space measures an impressive 74.6 cu-ft. with the rear seats removed. The Element has a water-resistant, urethane-coated utility floor that quickly wipes down and seat fabric that resists moisture.

Element models for 2011 include the rugged and simple Element LX and the more refined Element EX. All Element models are powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine with a five-speed automatic transmission. Available Real Time 4WD™ enhances all-weather traction. EPA city/highway/combined fuel-economy ratings1 are 20/25/22 miles per gallon for two-wheel-drive models and 19/24/21 miles per gallon for Real Time 4WD models.

The Element LX comes standard with a 4-speaker AM/FM audio system with a CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and remote entry. The Element EX adds a 270-watt high-output audio system, XM® Radio, CD player-based MP3/WMA™2 capability, an auxiliary audio input for MP3 players or other audio devices, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and seven speakers including a 6.5-inch subwoofer.

All models include numerous storage bins and beverage holders for items such as mobile phones, audio players and drinks. Storage areas include: a large, three-bin tray above the glove box; a modular three-compartment overhead storage bin (EX); seat back storage (EX); six hooks for strapping down bikes or other bulky gear; and door storage pockets on all four doors. The Element EX exclusively has a convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box.

The Element's fully independent suspension uses a front MacPherson strut and a rear compact double wishbone designs for responsive handling and a comfortable ride. A 101.4-inch wheelbase contributes to a compact exterior size. An ultra-tight turning diameter of 34.9-feet provides for excellent maneuverability in tight quarters. Element LX and EX models are equipped with 16-inch wheels (steel on LX, alloy on EX) with all-season P215/70R16 tires. Additional LX and EX standard features include power rack-and-pinion steering and front and rear stabilizer bars.

The all-aluminum Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) engine produces 166-maximum horsepower at 5800 RPM and 161 lb-ft. of maximum torque at 4000 RPM. The Element's i-VTEC variable valve timing system enhances low RPM torque while also delivering high RPM horsepower. The standard five-speed automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to minimize "gear hunting" on hilly roads. The available Real Time 4WD system enhance all-weather and light-duty off-road capabilities when driving in rain, snow, dirt roads and sandy conditions by sending power to the rear wheels when the front drive wheels experience a traction loss during acceleration.

Standard safety equipment includes: Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®); a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; front side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); active front seat head restraints; an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); and active front-seat head restraints.

1 The Element is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts.

2 Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.Windows Media® Audio is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2011-honda-element-provides-rugged-versatility-inside-and-out

2012 Toyota Yaris pics leaked

Looks like a big improvement over the current Yaris, hope they do something to that dash as well....
Toyota is getting ready to present a new generation of its Japanese domestic market Vitz supermini, which we will come to know (with a few changes here and there) as the 2012 Yaris.

For this reason, Toyota launched a mini site teasing the new car through some cropped images and text, which unfortunately, is in Japanese - any help with the translation would be appreciated. From what we understand, the new Vitz / Yaris will either be unveiled or is planned to go on sale in Japan, in December.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/10/toyota-launches-mini-site-for-2012.html

Honda UK: New look for Honda Civic

-Honda’s small family hatch has a new look
-New Type R-like nose and revised alloys
-Prices start at £13,995 for the 1.4 Type S

The most obvious change is at the front, where all models get a new nose, inspired by that of the discontinued Type R hot hatch. Sporty-looking Type S models also have colour-coded sideskirts, while a new colour – Ionised Bronze – is available across the range.

Every model receives new-look alloys, too – 16-inch wheels on the 1.4-litre and 1.8 SE versions, and 17-inch designs on the 1.8 Si.

Honda has also revised the Civic’s interior in an effort to make the car more comfortable. SE and ES models are now trimmed in a mixture of fabric and Alcantara, while Si models have a leather/Alcantara mix and heated front seats.

Despite the changes, there is no increase in cost, with the range starting at £13,995 for a 1.4 Type S.

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/new-look-for-honda-civic/253292

Porsche tuner Gemballa murdered

Uwe Gemballa, the CEO of the Porsche tuning company that bears his name, has been found murdered near Pretoria, South Africa.

The tuning company, Gemballa Automobiletechnik, is known for creating Porsche performance conversions and customers have included Arab royalty and movie stars.

Gemballa was found shot in the head with his hands tied and his body wrapped in cellophane.

The German businessman had been missing since 8 February after travelling to the country for a business trip.

At the time, police said there was little evidence to suggest kidnapping. Local forces have not commented on any of the surrounding circumstances of Gemballa's death.

Vishnu Naidoo, a South African police spokesman said: “We have found the body of Gemballa and we're now investigating the circumstances around his death. A murder docket has been opened.”

No arrests have yet been made, but two German police officers are in South Africa to assist with the investigation.

Andrew Papworth

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/253130/

Honda and the Future of the Automobile

CarScoop: 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha Hybrid Minivan Scooped?

Hmmm, interesting....
Carscoop reader Nick K. had an opportunity to snag what may very well be the first spy photos of the long-anticipated minivan version of the Prius, rumored to be called the Prius Alpha.

Spotted out in California following a new Lexus CT200h with its logos covered, the camouflaged minivan seen here - said by Nick to be "about the size of a Mazda 5" - appears to be wearing a Prius-esque front fascia and doesn't look to fit anywhere else in the lineup.

As you can see in our photo gallery after the jump, the minivan and the Prius also seem to share a similar design for the windshield, front window line and tail lamps.

If earlier reports from Reuters and Japan's Nikkei daily are correct, the Prius MPV will end up housing three rows of seats with space for up to seven passengers and be powered by in-house developed lithium-ion batteries (which may later be manufactured with help from Panasonic).

As we recently told you, Toyota Executive VP Takeshi Uchiyamada hopes to launch six new hybrids worldwide by 2012 (two Lexi and four Toyotas) on top of its current hybrid offerings. That means the Lexus hybrid family - LS, GS, HS, and RX - will likely gain another crossover of some sort and probably an IS hybrid.

Toyota - currently at three hybrids in the U.S. with the Prius, Camry, and Highlander - will likely get at least one more variant of the Prius, as well as three other models. Speculation on those is up to you all.

By Phil Alex

Source (with more pic's!);
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/09/2012-toyota-prius-alpha-hybrid-minivan.html