Value Of Old Cars - Buy Old Cars: 2012

Thursday, May 17, 2012

BREAKING NEWS: Honda recalls Acura TLs

Honda is recalling nearly 53 000 2007-2008 Acura TL sedans due to a problem with the power steering hoses. The problem can cause cars to lose power steering or cause a fire. Honda says there have been no reported crashes, injuries or fires related to the problem.

For car breakdown cover visit Green Flag!

Civic Type-R is 'resting'

Despite widespread rumors that Honda was going to cancel the Type-R Civic model for certain, forever, it appears that these rumors are not true. Honda is apparently working on a replacement of the sporty Civic variant. Honda's decision to axe the Type-R a year early was due to the development of new engines which will include more fuel efficient gasoline-powered engines along with diesels. Honda Europe claims that Honda is definitely working on a sporty model of the new Civic as a result of consumer feedback. Honda is looking to a lower-revving turbo engine for the Type-R replacement to solve the performance quotient and take care of the fuel economy and emissions quotient after the older Type-R model was given the door last year. Honda has deliberately delayed the process of building a new Type-R not only because of focus on its new technologies but due to the global economic crisis in 2008-2009 and the Fukushima disaster that annihilated production of Honda autos for most of last year. Australia and Europe will be the ones on the list of getting the new Type-R, US? Well not so fast. 3-door version of the Type-R? Also, not so fast.

USAA, a leading financial services provider to the US military has announced that the 2012 Honda CR-Z has made it 2x in a row to its annual Best Value list. The list identifies that top 2012 automobiles under 16 categories that give consumers the most for their buck. The USAA also listed the new CR-Z as one of the top 10 vehicles for teens in terms of reliability, safety and affordable insurance costs. The CR-Z's top of the class fuel economy, low price, reasonable ownership costs and its Top Safety Pick achievement netted it the win.

"Lithe and innovative, Honda was the first Japanese automaker to challenge the luxury-auto establishment when it launched its Acura line in 1986.

The opportunity for Japanese manufacturers to export more expensive models to North America had arisen, ironically, with the voluntary export restraints negotiated by the Reagan administration to prevent the Japanese from eating Detroit’s lunch and dinner.

Acura’s initial offerings consisted of a sporty hatchback (Integra), as well as an executive-class sedan and coupe. The latter were powered by a single overhead cam (SOHC) working four valves per cylinder in an all-aluminum 2.5 L V6.

Like a batter pointing to the outfield bleachers, Acura had the gumption to call its luxury car Legend."

For more, visit @ http://www.wheels.ca/columns/article/806523

Honda's 2012 CR-V is mom's most favorite vehicle, as part of the results from a TrueCar.com survey conducted earlier this year. The CR-V is also followed by several other Honda counterparts; the Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot, Honda Accord and Honda Civic. A senior analyst with the website believes that mom prefers vehicles that combine practicality with style and bigger is not always better when it comes to favorite vehicles for your mom. The Odyssey was ranked highest among moms with two or more kids with the Pilot coming in 2nd place.

Honda Australia has certainly not endured a positive few years in the land down under. Dogged with already low sales prior to the Thailand floods, inventory of Honda's models went to next to nothing by the end of last year. Last month, it only sold 8 Accords compared to 224 the year before along with 1 sale of the City sedan and 21 sales of the CR-V. In a country with an excess of 20 million people, that spells near disaster. In order to put Honda back on the map, the manufacturer plans a slate of new offerings in the next 12 months including the new Australian Civic hatchback pictured above by mid-June and the introduction of the new CR-V by the end of the year. Diesel will be added to the CR-V lineup by next year, the Jazz Hybrid is set to debut this fall and Honda's next-generation Accord will hopefully plug the drain on sales. Honda Australia expects the supply of all models to return to normality in the next few months as the first shipments of Thai-built CR-Vs and Civics will arrive this week. Unfortunately, the vehicles will only be available in white, black or silver for now to fast-track production.

However, you the consumer takes advantage of this situation with Honda reducing prices on most of its models to attract buyers. The Honda Accord sedan gets a price cut of 13% with the City sedan being reduced by $500 while the 2012 model is a face lifted model with a new front and rear end and new interior design.

Honda Wins ... Lawsuit

A judge overturned a nearly $10,000 small-claims judgment against American Honda Motor Co. that was won by a car owner who said the automaker misrepresented the gas mileage of her hybrid Civic, according to a ruling released Wednesday.

Superior Court Judge Dudley W. Gray II ruled Tuesday on Honda's appeal of a small-claims court commissioner's award of $9,867 to Civic owner Heather Peters. A phone message left for Honda's attorney, Roy Brisbois, was not immediately returned.

Peters opted out of a class-action settlement giving some 200,000 owners between $100 and $200 each, plus a rebate if they buy a new Honda, electing instead to sue the automaker on her own.

The ruling will not have a direct effect on any other cases involving the mileage claim.

Peters, a lawyer, previously urged Honda owners to take the small-claims route as she did, and her initial success led some 1,700 other hybrid owners to follow suit.

Gray's ruling found, among other issues, that while Peters had standing to bring the case in state court, federal regulations govern fuel economy ratings posted on vehicles and related advertising claims. The ruling also said most owners of that type of car achieve fuel economy close to federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

In addition, the judge said EPA miles per gallon ratings are for comparison among vehicles and don't account for various factors such as the condition of the car or the length of the trip, that can affect mileage.

"Despite these many variables, most of the owners of the subject vehicle achieve fuel economy very close to the EPA estimate," Gray wrote.

Peters argued that Honda knew it had problems with the hybrid cars but continued to advertise them as an alternative to high gas prices and a way to help the environment.

But Gray said the automaker's advertising slogans "are not specific promises of anything."

Peters also said her battery failed early on and was never again fully charged after she received a software update, leaving the car to run almost entirely on gasoline.

"The court finds it was designed to prolong the life of the battery, not to increase mileage or performance of the vehicle," Gray said of the software update.

Peters' "subjective impressions of sluggishness or impaired safety are unsupported by any objective evidence," he said.

Peters has said her purpose for not being part of the settlement was to hold Honda accountable for false advertising. Her suit was a unique end run around the class-action process that she said offered too little to Honda owners and too much to lawyers.

A judge has valued the class-action settlement at $170 million. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have placed the value between $87.5 million and $461.3 million, depending largely on how many people accept rebates of up to $1,500.

2013 Honda Accord Information

A few bits and pieces of information have been leaked out on the new 2013 Accord. 4-cylinder Accord will get a continuously variable transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission while V6 models finally receive the long-awaited 6-speed automatic transmission. The 4-cylinder Accord is expected to make in the ballpark of the current model's 190hp engine while the V6 is slated for a higher output nearing 290hp. Here's a look.

2013 Accord Sedan
- LX with 6MT or CVT
- Sport with 6MT or CVT
- EX with 6MT or CVT
- EX-L with CVT
- EX-L NAVI with CVT
- EX-L V6 with 6AT
- EX-L V6 NAVI with 6AT
- Touring V6 with 6AT

The sedan will have the following colors:
Champagne Frost Pearl - Black or Ivory Interior
Crystal Black Pearl - Black or Ivory Interior
Obsidian Blue Pearl - Black or Gray Interior
Hematite Metallic - Black Interior
Modern Steel Metallic - Black or Gray Interior
Basque Red Pearl II - Black or Ivory Interior
Alabaster Silver Metallic - Black or Gray Interior
White Orchid Pearl - Black or Ivory Interior

2013 Accord Coupe
- LX-S with 6MT or CVT
- EX with 6MT or CVT
- EX-L with CVT
- EX-L NAVI with CVT
- EX-L V6 with 6AT or 6MT
- EX-L V6 NAVI with 6AT or 6MT

The coupe will have the following colors:
Crystal Black Pearl - Black or Ivory or Black and Ivory Interior
Still Night Pearl - Black Interior
Tiger Eye Pearl - Black Interior
Modern Steel Metallic - Black or Gray Interior
Alabaster Silver Metallic - Black Interior
White Orchard Pearl - Ivory or Black and Ivory Interior
San Marino Red - Black or Ivory Interior

The Charterhouse auction of classic cars at The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, totalled over £250,000, confirming their position as a leading firm of auctioneers specialising in classic and vintage cars.
“It was a great weekend. On the Saturday view day we head nearly 1,000 clients looking around, and on the sale day, there were over 200 buyers who turned up.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “This combined with live internet bidding resulted in some high prices for vehicles which sold not only to UK buyers, but also to Germany, Poland and to a member of the Kuwaiti Royal Family!”

Star cars sold by Charterhouse included a 1964 Jensen CV8 at £28,000 to a member of the Kuwaiti Royal Family, a Jaguar C Type replica £33,000, a Healey Silverstone evocation £26,300, a 1947 Armstrong Siddeley Lancaster £11,700 to a Devon museum, a 1934 Austin 7 £10,000, a 1968 Mini pick-up £8,200, a 1957 Triumph TR3 £15,000, a 1973 Triumph TR6, garaged stored since the early 1990’s £10,000 and a 1994 London black cab £1,500 which is now on its way to the owners holiday home in Barbados!

Charterhouse is now accepting entries for its next specialist auction of classic cars on Sunday 15th July. This will be held in the beautiful grounds of Sherborne Castle where last year they conducted a specialist classic car auction totalling over £380,000.
For more information regarding these auctions, or to arrange a free home visit, please contact Matthew Whitney, Head of Classic Cars, at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 or via email mw@charterhouse-auctions.co.uk
Captions:
Fit for Royalty – a 1964 Jensen CV8 sold for £28,000
Garaged stored for over 20 years, a 1973 Triumph TR6 sold for £10,000
A Jaguar C Type replica sold for £33,000
A 1968 Mini pick-up sold for £8,200

Quick Links

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Tel: (01935) 812277

For further information regarding this article, please contact Richard Bromell, Partner

Get ready Canadians,

the new 2013 Acura ILX will arrive at your local dealerships on May 23rd, starting at $27 790.

Combined April sales of 12,800 units by the Honda and Acura divisions of Honda Canada Inc. represented a 4% increase over last year's sales. The Honda Automobile Division reported March sales of 11,303 units, up 4% from last year, led by strong sales of Honda Civic (up 15%) and CR-V (up 6%). The Acura Division reported April sales of 1,497 units, up 10% over last year, with increased sales of Acura RDX (up 76%) and TSX (up 35%).

"We are pleased to see a great sales start of the all-new 2013 Acura RDX compact luxury SUV, which went on-sale last month," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. "The vehicle is more powerful, roomier, quieter and has improved fuel efficiency, and these features are what customers in the luxury SUV market expect."

"Canadian built Honda Civic and CR-V have shown a steady sales increase in April. Both vehicles are designed to provide Canadian customers with best in-class value. And we would like to thank Canadians for continuing to embrace the Civic, keeping it as the leader in its segment year-to-date," added Chenkin.

Honda Canada has sold approximately 3.5 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canadasince 1973. Of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in April, 96% were produced at the company's assembly plants in North America, up 1% from same month last year.

American Honda today reported April 2012 U.S. sales of 122,012 units, an increase of 10 percent based on the daily selling rate. The Honda division posted April 2012 sales of 109,837, an increase of 9.2 percent compared to April 2011. Acura's U.S. April sales of 12,175 were up 18 percent compared to April 2011.

Honda
- Honda Accord sales up more than 40 percent compared to April 2011, demonstrating the strength of Accord, even as an all-new version is set to debut this fall.

- New April sales record for CR-V. Accord, CR-V, Odyssey and Ridgeline all post double-digit percentage sales gains compared to last year.

- Honda Civic Hybrid sales up more than 600 percent on heightened fuel-price sensitivity.

"With double-digit sales growth in April, the Accord continues to be the retail sales leader in the mid-size segment," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "As other manufacturers resort to fleet sales, the quality and value of the Honda Accord continues to win new customers even as we prepare to launch an all-new model this fall."

Acura
- 2013 Acura RDX is fast out of the gate, with sales of the all-new SUV up more than 65 percent compared to same period last year.

- All core Acura models (TL, TSX, RDX and MDX) post double-digit increases compared to 2011, while MDX remains Acura's best selling model.

- The all-new ILX compact luxury sedan goes on sale May 22.

"We're delighted to see customers embrace the right-sized 2013 Acura RDX," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "It's great to see so many new owners recognizing the remarkable combination of class-leading fuel economy, performance and luxury in our new SUV."

Old Civic Ain't Dead Yet

Dongfeng Honda introduced one of its new models, the Ciimo, based on the last-generation Honda Civic. This model will be positioned as a middle-class compact to mid-size sedan in China.

Honda also unveiled a new line of products for its luxury-brand Acura in China at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show today. This includes the small-compact luxury sedan named the ILX, the small compact luxury SUV called the RDX along with a sneak peek at the NSX Concept. The ILX and RDX will launch in China this fall and the NSX Concept will launch its production variant in China a few months following the US launch which is tentatively set for 2015.

Honda unveiled its Concept S at the Beijing Auto Show today with a focus on new-value passenger movers. This was primarily designed for the Chinese market and the Chinese market will be the first to have this model on sale. S stands for Stylish, Smart and Surprise. The model will adopt a hybrid powertrain which will utilize both the fun aspect of driving and the environmental technological packaging at the same time. This model will feature Honda's spacious cabins for its people-movers and a mass-production model will be released through Dongfeng Honda next year followed by a global introduction. Perhaps this model may make its way through to North America? Would you buy it?

Honda unveiled the world premiere of its Concept C model in China. It will be a middle-class mid-sized sedan that Honda is developing strictly for the Chinese market. C represents Cool, Challenge and China. According to Honda, the Concept C features a stately, distinctive and sporty design that was inspired by the image of a dragon. The product planning for this model was done through Honda China's development teams in association with Honda Japan. Honda will introduce a mass-production model of this concept through Guangqi Honda next year. Whether or not this will be our next Accord, it sure doesn't sound like it. What do you think of this as the next Accord? Overstyled or wrongly-styled?

Acura announced pricing today for the all-new 2013 ILX luxury compact sedan that serves as the gateway to the Acura brand. Available in Acura dealerships across Canada on May 25, the 2013 ILX will start with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $27,790 for ILX.

“The all-new Acura ILX will appeal to first-time luxury buyers - young and independent Canadians looking to express their individuality, while balancing environmental responsibility and affordability, " said Alexandre Roger, assistant vice president, Acura Canada. “ Although the luxury market represents just 10 per cent of total industry sales, 80 per cent of mass market buyers desire to step up to a luxury vehicle and ILX will provide those customers with a true gateway into the luxury market.”

The ILX will feature three advanced, sporty and efficient powertrain choices, including Acura’s first gasoline-electric hybrid. The ILX will be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 140 lb.-ft. of torque at 4300 rpm. For those who seek a more spirited driving experience, the ILX Dynamic is equipped with a 2.4-litre engine with an output of 201 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. torque at 4400 rpm.

As Acura’s first ever hybrid model, the ILX Hybrid makes use of a 1.5-litre engine and an integrated electric motor. The hybrid drivetrain uses the gasoline engine as the primary power source, while an electric motor provides additional power when needed. A lithium-ion battery pack is used to capture and store electricity for the 20 horsepower electric motor. Together, the gasoline engine and electric motor produce 111 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 127 lb.-ft. of torque between 1000-3500 rpm. During braking, the gasoline engine deactivates and the electric motor acts as a generator to recharge the battery pack. At a stop, the 1.5-litre engine can enter idle-stop mode to save fuel and reduce emissions. The engine remains off until the brake pedal is released.

The ILX chassis utilizes advanced MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems, along with new Amplitude Reactive Dampers. The dampers operate in two distinct performance parameters to simultaneously provide superior ride comfort and precision handling. In addition, Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering is used for excellent steering feel and improved fuel efficiency. The result is a chassis with a high level of refinement, confident handling and a nimble and sporty driving experience.

Inside, the ILX will feature a high-quality, well-appointed interior that is smart, spacious and sporty. It will offer a number of new, high-value features including a standard Keyless Access System with smart entry and pushbutton start and SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world.

As with all Acura models, the ILX will have a long list of standard features, two trim levels –a Premium Package and Technology Package – and excellent standard safety features, including Acura’s acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, front, side and side-curtain airbags, 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®). Although yet to be tested, Acura anticipates that the ILX will achieve top crash safety ratings from both the U.S.-based NHTSA and IIHS.

The available Premium Package features leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, an upgraded 365-watt stereo system, a rearview camera and an Active Sound Cancellation system to make for a quieter cabin.

Building on the Premium Package, the available Technology Package adds Acura’s award winning ELS Surround® audio system and a complement of relevant technologies, including Acura Navigation System with Bilingual Voice Recognition™. The navigation system makes use of a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity, including 15 gigabytes that can be specifically allocated for music storage. With the available Premium or Technology Package, a new multi-view rear camera is used.

The Acura ILX will be manufactured exclusively at the company’s state-of-the-art Greensburg, Indiana, plant – one of only three plants worldwide to receive J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Platinum Award for outstanding product quality, and the top award for any factory in North America.

2013 ILX Pricing
ILX - $27,790
ILX Premium - $29,990
ILX Tech- $32,290
ILX Dynamic - $29,990
ILX Hybrid - $34,990

2013 Acura ILX American Pricing Announced

The all-new 2013 Acura ILX will go on sale at Acura dealerships May 22, 2012, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP*) starting at $25,900 Acura announced today. The ILX offers remarkable value for the money with robust feature content and premium appeal.

“The 2013 Acura ILX will serve as the gateway to the Acura brand,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “At the leading edge of a new, sporty compact segment, the ILX delivers style, value, performance and connectivity to younger buyers looking to move into the luxury market.”

The all-new Acura ILX features a windswept exterior design with 5-passenger cabin, a choice of three powertrain options, including Acura’s first-ever gasoline-electric hybrid, and a well appointed interior that is smart, spacious and sporty. It will offer a number of new, premium features including a standard Keyless Access System with smart entry and pushbutton start, along with Pandora® internet radio interface and SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world. Like all Acura models, the ILX is equipped with a rich list of standard features including a power moonroof, aluminium wheels and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®.

The entry-level ILX (starting at $25,900) is powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower paired with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking a more dynamic driving experience, the ILX can be equipped with a 2.4-liter engine ($29,200, includes the Premium package) with an output of 201 horsepower featuring a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission. The ILX Hybrid (starting at $28,900) makes use of a 1.5-liter inline engine and an Integrated Motor Assist® electric motor. Paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the ILX 1.5L Hybrid has an EPA estimated** city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 39/38/38 mpg.

As with all Acura models, the ILX will have a long list of standard features, multiple trim levels (a Premium Package and Technology Package), and excellent standard safety features— including Acura's acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, front, side and side-curtain airbags, 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®). Although yet to be tested, Acura anticipates that the ILX will achieve top crash safety ratings from both NHTSA and the IIHS.

The Premium Package (available as a $3,300 option; not available on the ILX Hybrid model) features leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, an upgraded 360 watt stereo system with XM® radio, HID headlights, foglights, 17-inch aluminium wheels, a multi-view rearview camera and an Active Sound Cancellation system to make for a quieter cabin.

Building on the Premium Package, the Technology Package (available on the ILX with 2.0-liter engine for $2,200) adds Acura's award winning ELS Surround® audio system and a full complement of relevant technologies, including AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with radar image maps and HomeLink®. The navigation system makes use of a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity— including 15 gigabytes that can be specifically allocated for music storage. The Technology package is also available on the ILX Hybrid for $5,500 and includes all Premium Package features except 17-inch aluminium wheels.

The Acura ILX will be manufactured (using U.S. and globally sourced parts), exclusively at the company's state-of-the-art Greensburg, Indiana plant, one of only three plants worldwide to receive J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Platinum Award for outstanding product quality, and the top award for any factory in North America.

BREAKING NEWS: Honda to Unveil 2 Concepts in China

This may be the Accord Sedan Concept that Honda is debuting in Beijing on April 23rd

This may be the Asian/Australian Honda Odyssey Concept that Honda is debuting in Beijing on April 23rd

Honda is set to unveil two major vehicles in Beijing, China. These two vehicles are part of Honda's grandiose revitalization for the brand in China as it prepares to launch 10 new and full-model-change vehicles from 2013-2015. Honda wants to double its 2011 sales by 2015. Honda is now committed to equipping every model sold in China by 2015 with its patented Earth Dreams Technology and as a result, each of its new models will be tops in fuel efficiency and performance. As part of its revitalization, Honda will be unveiling the CR-Z, Insight and Fit Hybrid to Chinese consumers with preparations of building local plants in China to produce these hybrids and reduce shipping costs.

Acura China will also benefit from this announcement with the new NSX to be launched in China along with the introduction of the ILX, RDX and RLX models to Chinese consumers. Acura will also specifically equip local Chinese vehicles with smaller engines where the demand continues to grow for fuel-efficient and small engines. All Acura engines will be revamped by the end of 2015 to bring the latest advanced technologies to Chinese consumers.

Along with enhancing current products, Honda is also looking at establishing a Honda design studio in China. This studio will be able to strengthen Honda China and enable Honda China to produce local products that exceed the expectations of customers in China. And of course, Honda is also looking at ways of incorporating local supplies and parts/components into its Chinese vehicles to increase cost competitiveness and increase its support of local industries. Some of this will be achieved with Dongfeng Honda's second plant to be utilized by July 2012. Meanwhile, Guangqi Honda is set to expand its operations into a third line and is aiming for production on this line by 2014.

Of course, a revitalization isn't without word-of-mouth and Honda will begin a new brand communication campaign in China with the tag line meaning "a new future will be carved out when Honda takes new actions together with its customers." Acura's new tagline will suggest that Acura vehicles put the central focus onto customers and will provide each customer with the joy of becoming one with the vehicle and the freedom of maneuvering at the will of the driver. Acura will put the focus onto the customers and strengthen their already well-established customer service by providing specialized services.

Acura China and Honda China's revitalization begins with the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition which starts April 23, 2012 to the press, April 27 to the public until its closing on May 2, 2012.

2012 Acura TSX A-SPEC Released in Canada!

But be warned, this release is limited to 200 units in Canada with sales starting this week. Acura is making a limited run of the TSX A-SPEC model that slots in between the TSX Premium Package and the TSX Tech Package in Canada. The A-SPEC adds onto the Premium Package with features such as unique 18" aluminum alloy wheels, silver plated paddle shifters, red-trimmed ebony suede seat surfaces, metal racing pedals, cabin red ambient lighting, a front+side+rear body kit along with A-SPEC badging. The TSX A-SPEC starts at $36 190 in Canada for the manual transmission and tops out at $37 490 for the automatic transmission. The car will be available in either Bellanova White Pearl or Crystal Black Pearl.

If you're interested in snapping a limited edition TSX model, make your move fast! Acura expects to have all these cars accounted for by this summer.

For more information, visit the Acura Canada website @ http://acura.ca/tsx

The StepWGN Spada is a more luxurious StepWGN fitted with the latest technology gizmos and swads of chrome

The StepWGN people mover is Honda's first mid-size vehicle to be featured with the Earth Dreams CVT transmission. This allows the new StepWGN to become Japan's most fuel-efficient mid-size people mover as an idle-stop system, high-efficiency electric oil pump, G-Design Shift (coordinated control system for the transmission) are now all standard mechanical equipment on the 2012 StepWGN. A combination of these technologies has allowed the new CVT to offer 5% better fuel economy than Honda's traditional CVT units and up to 10% higher when compared to a typical Honda 5-speed automatic transmission.

Keep in mind that Honda's first car with the Earth Dreams technology was featured on the N BOX.

This iteration of the StepWGN features a revised front and rear end with LED lights along with improved interior trim and seating configurations along with an improved chassis with firmer driving dynamics.

The new StepWGN and StepWGN is now in Japanese showrooms.

500 More in Swindon

We reported yesterday that Honda's Swindon plant in the UK is now back into production. Now Honda is planning to recruit 500 additional staff to build a third shift at the plant. This comes a few weeks after all production levels returned to normal at the plant and several months after the Thailand floods and the Japanese triple-disaster that created a series of calamities for the plant. The third shift will come under the light on May 1. The aim is the ramp up production to 180 000 units this year and hit the plant's capacity of 250 000 units per year by 2014-2015. Honda may continue to invest in the plant and push expansion of the plant to include CR-V UK production. This means that the capacity of the plant may be pushed as far as 280 000 units.

This remains a piece of good news for Honda and local residents/workers in Swindon along with European consumers in general as it represents Honda's dedication and tenacity in building the best products possible for Europeans.

Quebecors, it's that simple,

Acura Canada's Master The Road sales event is going on now where you can get massive discounts if you pay by cash (up to $6000 off!) and you can also receive an accessories bonus on your new MDX! Head on over to your local Acura dealership for more information. Hurry because this offer ends April 30, 2012.

Acura Canada's Master The Road sales event is going on now where you can get massive discounts if you pay by cash and you can also receive an accessories bonus on your new TL! Head on over to your local Acura dealership for more information. Hurry, because this offer ends April 30, 2012.

Acura Canada's 2013 RDX is now officially on sale at your local Canadian Acura dealerships!

For more information, visit Acura Canada's 2013 RDX website @ http://acura.ca/rdx

The new 2013 Acura RDX is now available at your local Acura US dealerships.

Hit up, http://www.acura.com/ModelLanding.aspx?model=RDX for more information!

Honda's refreshed 2012 Insight for UK consumers include all the changes done to the North American 2012 Insight. These include a refreshed front end with a Honda Hybrid grille and LED lights, a refreshed rear-end with completely new lower intakes, a more luxurious interior with covered cupholders and woodgrain trim, a redesigned navigation system, higher quality leather and suede interior trim with leather stitching on the dashboard and seats, a larger split-view rear window, Hill Start Assist, HID automatic front lights with auto-levelling capability, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a shark-fin antenna.

For more information, visit Honda UK's 2012 Insight Brochure @ http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/insight/_assets/pdf/new-insight-2012-brochure-uk.pdf

In the 2012 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards, Honda has won the Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand categories. American Honda's Exec VP of Sales, John Mendel was on hand to accept the awards yesterday at the 2012 New York Auto Show and was honored to accept these awards to which he believes points directly to Honda's core tenets. KBB's Brand Image Awards have an enviable position in the minds of in-market shoppers and KBB believes that Honda vehicles enjoy a decades-deep reputation as the smart choice in many of the categories it competes in. KBB also believes that Honda's superb resale value, exceptional quality and legendary dependability continue to make it an exceptional automotive value in the market today.

After a very difficult year for Honda in Europe in 2011, Honda's Swindon manufacturing operations are back in business full time. Production and sales were hit extremely hard following last year's triple-disaster in Japan but things have been slowly been put back on track since. According to the board in Swindon, the plant lost 50% of its planned production last year because of massive parts supplies problems from its 2nd and 3rd party suppliers. Swindon has only returned to full production capability in the past 2 weeks.

Honda's sales in the UK dropped 20% and Honda admits that it is not only the availability problem that lead to lower sales but to product shortcomings. Honda is now committed to launching new models every year for the next 4 years beginning with the new Civic and ending with the new NSX. Research and development investment will also be done locally in Swindon with Honda investing up to 1.5 billion euros.

Honda believes it is time for some of its cars to have a more European feel to it, not only in terms of driving dynamics and engineering, but in interior trim and overall substantial taste as well.

Keep in mind that these are VERY EARLY pre-production photos of the new RLX as Acura engineers and designers are still working out the kinks to the interior. It is believed that the interior will be hand-crafted and the rough spots that you see on this pre-production model will be worked out in due time for the production model. What do you think of this new interior design, layout and outlook for the RLX?

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Friday, April 6, 2012

Thursday, April 5, 2012