Honda Cars : The Least and Most Polluting Cars of 2009 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Top 20 Least Polluting Vehicles of 2009
20th place (tie): Saturn Astra, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Pontiac G5, Nissan Versa
A number of cars post a CO2 per year rating of 3,552 kg. The Saturn Astra with a manual transmission, the Ford Focus with an automatic transmission (which should get better with the double-clutch model in 2010), the 2.0-liter Mazda3 with a manual transmission (the only Mazda on the list), the Pontiac G5 with an automatic transmission and the Nissan Versa with an automatic transmission.

19th place (tie): Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 (manual)
Equipped with a manual transmission, the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 improve their score to 3,504 kg/year of CO2.

19th place (tie): Hyundai Elantra (manual)
The Hyundai Elantra with a manual transmission also releases 3,504 kg of CO2 per year.

18th place (tie): Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Versa, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe
Measuring in at 3,456 kg/year of CO2 are the Ford Focus manual, Hyundai Elantra automatic, Nissan Versa manual, and Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix models equipped with the 1.8-litre engine with automatic.

18th place (tie): Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD
The Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD is the only SUV of this Top 20, releasing 3,456 kg/year.

17th place: Pontiac Wave, Chevrolet Aveo, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, Honda Civic
Several cars produce 3,408 kg/year: the Chevrolet Aveo and the Aveo5 with an automatic transmission (and their cousins, the Pontiac G3 and Suzuki Swift+), the Honda Civic with a manual transmission as well as the 1.8-liter Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe with a manual transmission.

16th place: Nissan Sentra (2.0L, CVT)
Sitting all alone in 16th place is the Nissan Sentra with a CVT automatic transmission, releasing 3,386 kg of CO2 per year.

15th place (tie): Mini Cooper, Clubman, Convertible, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Aveo, Saturn Aura Hybrid
Many cars produce 3,312 kg/year: the Chevrolet Aveo and the Aveo5 with a manual transmission (and, of course, the Pontiac G3 and Suzuki Swift+), the Hyundai Accent with a manual transmission, the non-turbocharged Mini with an automatic transmission (Cooper, Clubman or Convertible) as well as the Saturn Aura Hybrid.

15th place (tie): Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Like the Saturn Aura, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid produces 3,312 kg/year of CO2.

14th place (tie): Chevrolet Cobalt XFE, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper S, Clubman S, Convertible S
Checking in at 3,264 kg/year of CO2 are the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (and the Pontiac G5 XFE), the Kia Rio with an automatic transmission, the Hyundai Accent (automatic), the MINI Cooper S (Coupe, Clubman or Convertible) with a manual transmission as well as all the John Cooper Works.

13th place: Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel (DSG)
With the new clean diesel technology and a double-clutch transmission, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel produces 3,240 kg of CO2 per year.

12th place (tie): Kia Rio (manual)
The Kia Rio equipped with a manual transmission does better than the comparable Hyundai Accent with 3,216 kg of CO2 per year.

12th place (tie): Toyota Corolla (non-XRS, manual)
The Toyota Corolla with a 1.8-liter engine and a manual transmission produces 3,216 kg of CO2 per year.

11th place (tie): The clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI
The clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel with a manual transmission releases 3,186 kg of CO2 per year, the same as the wagon version.

10th place: Toyota Corolla (non-XRS, automatic)
The Toyota Corolla with an automatic transmission fares better than the manual version at 3,168 kg/year.

9th place (tie): Honda Fit (manual)
The Honda Fit with a manual transmission releases 3,120 kg of CO2 per year.

9th place (tie): Honda Civic (manual)
Although equipped with a bigger engine than the automatic-transmission Fit, the Honda Civic with a manual transmission produces about the same amount of CO2, with 3,120 kg/year.

8th place (tie): Honda Fit (automatic)
The Honda Fit with an automatic transmission produces 3,072 kg of CO2 per year.

8th place (tie): Toyota Yaris (automatic)
The Toyota Yaris with an automatic transmission posts the same performance as the Fit, with 3,072 kg/year.

7th place (tie): All 1.6-liter Minis – Cooper Clubman and Convertible
With a manual transmission produce 3,024 kg/year.

7th place (tie): Toyota Yaris (manual)
The Toyota Yaris with a manual transmission releases just over 3 tons of CO2 per year, with 3,024 kg.

6th place: Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD
Without the all-wheel-drive system, the Ford Escape Hybrid produces just under 3 tons of CO2 – 2,928 kg/year to be exact.

5th place: Nissan Altima Hybrid
One of the sportiest driving hybrids around, the Nissan Altima Hybrid checks in at 2,784 kg/year.

4th place: Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid tops the large sedans category, with 2,736 kg of CO2 each year. But watch out for competition from the new Ford Fusion Hybrid which will arrive in showrooms later this spring …

3rd place: Smart Fortwo
Despite its small size, the Smart fortwo and the convertible version produce 2,592 kg per year. Surely, you’d think that this car could do better!

2nd place: Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid may not have the look of a green car but it produces just 2,160 kg/year.

1st place: Toyota Prius
This was to be expected. The most fuel-efficient car in the country is also the least polluting vehicle, with 1,968 kg of CO2 per year. And that’s not all. The next-generation Prius is more fuel efficient; it seems as if Toyota will hold on to its first place position in this category.

Source;
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/showpage/LeastPolluting2009.aspx

Source for the MOST POLLUTING CARS OF 2009
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/showpage/MostPolluting2009.aspx

Honda Cars : ebay find: Whoa! A Chevrolet Cobalt 'Star Wars' Edition | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Complete with proton torpeedo upgrade!
"This Paint features a detailed Star Wars likeneses like the Darth Vader reaching his hand out as if he's congering up the red realistic fire and the Dumbbell nebula. Next to him are the Imperial Walkers & Storm Trooper. Also featured are Photo reproductions of Nebulas and gallixies Etc. Photographed by the Hubble telescope. The Hubble is featured on drivers side over the planet Saturn along with the Horsehead nebula and Helix nebula. Both doors feature spiral galaxies NGC 1300 & M81. Passanger (blue) side features the Eagle and Trifid nebulas along with the NGC 346 emission nebula & Pleiades star cluster NGC 1432 with Boomerang nebula in door jam. Front view features the SN1987a Supernova remnant with The Mice center and Orion nebula next to R2D2/C3PO. Next to that is Han Solo Frozen in carbinite with a stunning Toxic Green Yoda congering up the realistic blue fire and light saber. AWESOME!! The hood features X-Wing Fighter, Millenium Falcon, Imperial & Corellian Fighters and Death Star plus much more. We used House of Kolors Auto Finishing products, basecoat and candy colors to produce and create this truly fabulas art work over original factory paint. This is a one of a kind Custom Painted car. The paint is smooth and super shinny. Many hours have been spent buffung and polishing this car. Painted Aug. of 2008, John and myself worked over 200 hours from preping, creating, producing and finishing this stunning professional paint job in just 4 weeks in August, showing it Laybor Day Weekend. We have shown this car several times and took home the Best Graphics Award at Harps Lake, Wisconsin Laybor Day weekend. Sure to win more. We have gotten a huge responce and great comments. The Custom Paint extends under the hood, door jams and rocker panels. This car was professionally cleaned and prepaired prior to paint. Front end and doors were disasembled so all edges and undersides were cleared. Sales tax, Licence and pick-up is resposability of winner. We will work with winner to secure a pleasent sale and delivery. Your satisfaction is our goal. Car offered as is. This paint has held up to driving condition. Any extra work is possable but possably at additional cost. The interier has been kept clean but not new. This car preforms very well, its comfertable a pleasure to drive with good gas econamy and a head turner. Good Luck and May the Force Be With You.

The FORCE will be Strong as you drive this very comfotable and gas economical car."

Source (with more pics);
http://jalopnik.com/tag/chevy-cobalt/?id=5160916

Honda Cars : Honda Malaysia scores highest monthly sales ever thanks to new 2009 Honda City | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The Honda City seems to be defying the current financial downturn as it has helped propel Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd achieve its highest monthly sales ever in history, bringing Honda market share up to 10% of the Total Industry Volume, in a market that has shrunk by 17.5% year on year. Honda scored 1,693 units of the Honda City in January 2009, which is nearly 50% of total Honda sales of 3,815 units. The Civic, Accord and CR-V scored sales of 734, 803 and 413 units respectively. Honda dealership traffic has also doubled ever since the City’s launch. Honda Malaysia has bumped up production for the City by 20% to shorten the waiting period and the Pegoh Plant in Malacca is running at full capacity on two 10-hour shifts and even the occasional runtime during holidays. Read our past coverage of the 2009 Honda City linked below.

Source;
http://paultan.org/archives/2009/02/27/honda-malaysia-scores-highest-monthly-sales-ever-thanks-to-new-2009-honda-city/

Honda Cars : More Info. on Honda's plan for a bioethanol research plant | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Tokyo, Japan - Honda Motor Company has announced that it plans to build a new research facility for bioethanol production technology from non-edible cellulosic material, such as the stems and leaves of plants. The facility will be built in Kazusa Akademia Park in Japan.

The new facility of Honda R&D will be a single, 1,050-square-metre building, with construction scheduled to begin in April 2009. The company’s goal is to begin operations in November 2009.

Honda has been collaborating on research into bioethanol production technology since 2006 with RITE (Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth) and has been conducting research on the bioethanol conversion process in an experimental plant since April 2007. The new building will allow for research using a large-scale experimental facility that will enable more accurate evaluations.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/26/honda-plans-bioethanol-research-plant.htm

Honda Cars : Honda builds best vehicles: Consumer Reports | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Yonkers, New York - Honda has earned class leader status for building the best all-around vehicles for American drivers, according to Consumer Reports. It is the third consecutive year that Honda has been so named.

At the opposite end of the annual ranking is Chrysler, which fared worse than last year. The magazine said that the company’s poor-performing products and sinking reliability reports have kept all Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles off its “Recommended” list.

With an overall score of 78 out of 100 points, Honda was followed closely by Subaru at 75, and Toyota at 74, in the overall score. Subaru is the only automaker with every one of its tested vehicles as recommended, although it has a relatively small model lineup.

Fourth place went to Mazda at 73, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Volkswagen and BMW, all tied at 72 points.

The editors said that while the top four overall scores belong to Japanese automakers, a Japanese nameplate is no guarantee that every car in a model range will be a reliable and good performer, citing that the Honda Element and Toyota Yaris scored too low in testing to be recommended. Conversely, despite overall scores of 63 points for Ford and 57 for General Motors, new models such as the Ford Flex, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS have done well in testing, and rank near the top of their classes in ratings.

The overall score for each automaker is based on the average of its vehicles’ overall scores in Consumer Reports’ road tests, and their average predicted reliability ratings from its annual auto survey. Manufacturers received a report card only if five or more of its vehicles were tested.

Of the three class leaders, Toyota regained lost ground after last year’s report, when the Camry V6, Tundra V8 4WD and Lexus GS AWD fell below average in reliability. All three have improved to “average” this year. Of the Asian automakers, Subaru, Nissan, Mazda and Hyundai improved their overall scores, and Nissan and Hyundai also improved their reliability rating. Of the four, Hyundai showed the most improvement, increasing its overall score from 66 to 70; the new Genesis also topped the upscale sedan ratings.

European automakers have lagged in reliability, but with notable improvements with several models from Audi, BMW, Saab, Volkswagen, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes showed the most significant improvement, and reliability was greatly improved across most of its lineup, with 67 per cent of tested vehicles now recommended, compared with none in the prior year.
All three Detroit automakers continued to be at the back of the class, although General Motors and Ford improved their overall scores. Chrysler had the lowest overall test score, with no vehicles recommended.

The magazine said there was some positive news for the domestic automakers, with latest models from GM now ranking among the best in testing, and the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Corvette and Chevrolet Malibu all scoring well. Some Ford models now rival competition from Honda and Toyota in reliability, and the Dodge Ram is now very competitive with other full-size trucks. Less than a quarter of recommended vehicles are from U.S. companies, a result of inconsistent reliability and performance, while about half are Japanese.

“While Japanese automakers continue to set the standard for the industry in terms of real-world performance and reliability, many domestic, European and Korean manufacturers are narrowing the gap by building better and more reliable cars,” said David Champion, senior director of automotive testing. “While some automakers are still dragged down by old product investments, we expect the race for the front of the class to become even more competitive, which may lead to some excellent values for consumers in the near future.”

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/26/honda-builds-best-vehicles-consumer-reports.htm

Honda Cars : Rest in Peace Nick Laping | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

All the best to the Laping family, Nick will be sorely missed.

Honda Cars : Honda tops Consumer Reports 2009 Automaker Report Cards... again | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

In what may be the least surprising news you read all day, Consumer Reports has released its annual 2009 Auto Issue that contains Automaker Report Cards. These report cards compile all of CR's road test data and predicted reliability ratings for all vehicles in its database, and Japanese automakers have again earned top rankings just as they have for as long as we can recall.

Honda, Subaru and Toyota came out on top after all the scores were tallied, with every single Subaru model earning a Recommended rating from CR. Honda was the brand that fared the absolute best in predicted reliability, with just its Element small SUV barely failing to make the grade as a Recommended nameplate. Toyota also fared very well in reliability testing, as we've come to expect from the world's largest automaker. European automakers managed to get a shout out for offering unmatched performance, comfort and safety along with incremental increases in overall vehicle reliability.

American automakers got their own separate report cards, which you can see by clicking here. Of the Detroit-based manufacturers, Ford came out victorious with its Flex and F-150 earning top ratings and many of the rest of its models scoring well. General Motors managed to sneak eight vehicles on the Recommended list: the new Pontiac G8, Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu, along with the Corvette and each of the Lambda-based CUVs. Chrysler pulled up the rear again this year among all automakers without a single vehicle earning a positive score from CR.

Source;

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/honda-tops-consumer-reports-2009-automaker-report-cards-again/

Honda Cars : Honda to build biofuel research centre | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda plans to set up a biofuel R&D unit in Kazusa Akademia Park in Japan's Chiba Prefecture.

Source;
http://www.automotiveworld.com/WAM/content.asp?contentid=75019
(subscription required)

Honda Cars : GM loses $9.6 billion in last quarter bringing the total to $30.9 Billion for 2008 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Embattled automaker reports larger than expected in fourth quarter loss and burns through more than $5 billion in cash; says it needs new loans this year.

By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com senior writer
Last Updated: February 26, 2009: 9:51 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors posted a $9.6 billion net loss in the fourth quarter, a period in which its sales plunged and it needed a federal bailout to avoid filing for bankruptcy.

The company also disclosed that it burned through $6.2 billion in cash during the last three months of the year. The company ended the quarter with cash of $14 billion.

If not for the $4 billion federal loan it received in the quarter's closing days, GM's cash level would have fallen below the $11 billion to $14 billion in cash the company has said it needs to continue operations.

Since receiving the first installment of that loan, GM (GM, Fortune 500) has gotten another $9.4 billion in federal assistance. The company asked for an additional $16.6 billion in the turnaround plan it submitted to the Treasury Department last week. GM disclosed Thursday it will need this at least $9 billion of that money in 2009 to weather the current downturn.

The company is expecting to burn through another $14 billion in cash this year, with most of it taking place in the first quarter as the company struggles to deal with weak demand and significant overhead costs.

GM chief financial officer Ray Young said the company's request for more loans was made with that weak outlook in mind.

"We're not forecasting any heroic recovery for the industry in '09," he told investors.
The company also said it anticipates its outside auditors will issue a statement on whether the company is a "going concern." The statement could be important not only to investors but to federal officials who are determining whether the company is viable in the long-term.

If the government determines GM is not viable, it would demand immediate repayment of the company's loans.

The auditor's statement will be included in GM's year-end results filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. GM disclosed Thursday it had filed for a two-week extension to submit that report.

The company also disclosed that its hourly and salaried pension plans are currently underfunded, on a combined basis, by about $12.4 billion. But GM said it does not anticipate needing to make a further contribution to those funds over the next three years.

GM facing challenges around the globe

As bad as GM's results were, it could have been worse. The company posted a $533 million gain because of the fact that GMAC, the finance unit in which it held a 49% stake during the quarter, got its bond holders to agree to swap debt for equity. GMAC become a bank holding company as a result of the debt swap, which significantly reduced GM's stake in the unit.

Excluding special items, GM lost $5.9 billion, or $9.65 a share, in the quarter. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had forecast a loss of $7.39 a share, compared to a profit of 8 cents a share on that basis a year ago.

The operating losses were particularly pronounced in GM's core North American market. It lost $3.5 billion before taxes in the quarter, up from a $1.3 billion loss in North America a year earlier.

Revenue in the North American unit plunged about 32% to $19.3 billion. GM's market share also slid 1.7 percentage points to 21%.

But GM, which now sells more than half its vehicles outside of North America, is facing challenges around the globe.

Losses more than quadrupled in Europe, and the company lost money in its Asia-Pacific and Latin America-Africa-Middle East units. GM posted profits in those two regions a year ago.
Overall revenue at GM plunged 34% to $30.8 billion, significantly worse than the Thomson-Reuters forecast of $35.1 billion.

For the full year, GM reported a net loss of $30.9 billion. The automaker has posted net losses of $82 billion over the past four years as its U.S. sales and market share plunged and it closed plants and slashed staff in an unsuccessful effort to stem losses.

Shares of GM fell about 8% in early morning trading Thursday.

Separately, GM rival Ford Motor (F, Fortune 500) filed its own year-end financial statement with the SEC Thursday. Its filing included an "unqualified" statement from the company's outside auditor that "there is no substantial doubt" about Ford's ability to continue as a going concern.

Because it arranged for billions of dollars of asset-backed loans and lines of bank credit years ago before the current credit crunch, Ford is in a much better cash position than GM and privately held Chrysler LLC.

Ford has yet to need federal loans but it has asked the government for a $9 billion line of credit in case the economy deteriorates further.

First Published: February 26, 2009: 7:19 AM ET

Source;
http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/26/news/companies/gm_results/?postversion=2009022607

Honda Cars : Honda Recognizes Environmentally Responsible Battery Chargers | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

FERNDALE, Wash., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- ALTEN Battery Chargers Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as an OEM partner with Honda Inc., as it introduces the first full line of portable DC battery chargers to the North American market. Powered by Honda's environmentally responsible, advanced four-stroke engines, ALTEN's portable battery chargers can save up to four hours (67%) of time and offer up to 67% savings in fuel over conventional battery charging methods.

With over 10,000 battery chargers sold around the world, North America now has the opportunity to experience the quickest way to bulk charge batteries.

Originally designed for the rugged Australian Outback, by Christie Engineering, ALTEN's portable battery chargers are used in applications including mountain-top communication stations, charging batteries in unmanned lighthouses on the Norwegian coastline, and servicing heavy industrial equipment with the roughest abuse imaginable. "As a recognized Honda OEM partner, you can be assured that clean and reliable DC power supply will be there when you need it," says ALTEN President Will Huggett.

Unlike an AC generator paired with a slow plug-in charger, ALTEN Battery Chargers are a fast and highly efficient way of charging 12, 24 and 48-volt battery configurations. They can deliver up to 120 Amps per hour of run time consuming 0.4 gallons of fuel to achieve a 90% bulk charge on a 500 Amp/ Hour bank of batteries in 2 hours. Compared to a 3500W AC Generator, running at full throttle, paired with a 40 Amp plug- in charger, this same charging scenario would take 6 hours and consume 1.2 gallons of fuel. As a result ALTEN's portable battery chargers save fuel (67% savings), save time (four hours), lower emissions and increase reliability.

ALTEN, a Pacific Northwest company, offers a range of portable DC powered battery charger products for the Heavy Industrial, Off-Road, Marine, Security, and Emergency markets.
For more information and to see a high-resolution video demonstration of ALTEN battery chargers visit: http://www.altenbatterychargers.com

About ALTEN Battery Chargers Inc.
ALTEN Battery Chargers, based in the Pacific Northwest, was founded on the principal of solving the energy problems that matter. ALTEN brings ideas and technology to the North American market that help make better use of existing resources today in order to meet the growing demand for energy tomorrow. Focused on DC power and storage ALTEN's technology complements and offers reliable and redundant power for industrial battery applications, remote access power applications and micro generation platforms including solar photovoltaic, small wind and other renewable power generation installations. http://www.altenbatterychargers.com

Source;
http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20090224/AQTU04624022009-1.html

Honda Cars : A requiem - Honda admit future F1 return possible | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Motor Co.'s incoming chief executive has left the door open to the struggling Japanese manufacturer returning to formula one in the future.

Under the stewardship of departing CEO Takeo Fukui and amid the brunt of the global financial crisis, Honda decided to pull out of the sport after the 2008 season, citing the need to "protect its core business activities."

But with Takanobu Ito set to take over in June, the future Honda CEO and president insisted that elite motor racing is "very challenging but also fun."

"Unfortunately, our company has a slight cold right now. But we would like to cure this cold as quickly as possible and work towards reaching that happiness (of racing)," the 55-year-old explained in a press conference in Tokyo.

Honda contested grands prix as a standalone manufacturer in 1963-1968 and 2005-2008, but achieved its greatest success as a F1 engine supplier in the 80s and 90s.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090224.031/a-requiem---honda-admit-future-f1-return-possible

Honda Cars : Autoblog; U.S. hybrid price war preview: Insight takes lowest hybrid price crown in UK | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

When the new Honda Insight and third-generation Toyota Prius go on sale in the U.S. later this year, there will be a bit of battle to see if the lower-priced Insight can topple the third-generation Prius from the top hybrid spot. Now that pricing for the Insight has been announced, we can see a preview of that match-up brewing in the UK, and Honda is staking it's claim for the "most affordable hybrid" title. The Insight will start at £15,490, and go up from there to £18,390. The entry-level Insight SE CVT will cost £2,380 less than its nearest rival, which is, you guessed it, the second-generation Prius T3 CVT. We can vouch that the Insight is capable of 60+ mpg, too. We'll have to see how many miles we can squeak from the 2010 Prius when we get our chance behind the wheel soon. See more details from Honda after the jump.

Source;
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/02/24/u-s-hybrid-price-war-preview-insight-takes-lowest-hybrid-price/

Honda Cars : Honda says to raise Insight output as orders climb | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

TOKYO, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co plans to produce more of its new Insight hybrid cars from April, having received orders for almost three times its monthly sales target for the gasoline-electric model it launched on Feb. 6 in Japan, a top official said on Tuesday.

Honda plans to launch the Insight, its first attempt at a low-cost, high-volume hybrid, in Europe and the United States over the next two months.

Japan's No.2 automaker is targeting global sales of 200,000 Insights a year, with half of that in North America and 60,000 in Japan, hoping to rival Toyota Motor Corp as a leader in the hybrid segment.

"The response has been overwhelming," Hiroshi Kobayashi, deputy chief operating officer for Honda's domestic operations, told a small group of reporters at a test-drive event in Tokyo.

"We will have to increase production plans," he said. But he stopped short of saying how much it could expand output given possible supply limits for hybrid components.

Customers in Japan will have to wait at least one month for an Insight if they ordered one today, he said.
Honda is positioning the Insight as its fifth "global car" alongside the Civic, Accord, Fit and CR-V cars, which collectively make up about two-thirds of its car sales.

Kobayashi said half of the Insight sales so far were to customers switching from other brands, including premium import brands and Toyota's hybrid leader, the Prius. The Insight starts at 1.89 million yen ($19,980) in Japan.

"What's unique about the Insight is that we're attracting a broad range of drivers, from (660cc) minivehicles to sedans to minivans," Kobayashi said.

While cautioning that the Japanese car market remained tough -- total vehicle sales in January fell 20 percent from the year before -- Kobayashi said Honda aimed to sell as many cars in the business year from April as the 570,000 to 580,000 units he expected it to sell in the 12 months to March 31.

Toyota is due to launch its third-generation Prius in May, pricing it slightly higher than the current version, which starts at 2.3 million yen in Japan. Local media have reported widely that Toyota would take the unusual step of selling the current model at a discount alongside the new version to compete with Honda's Insight.

A Toyota spokeswoman said the company had made no such decision yet. ($1=94.59 Yen) (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Source;
http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUKT37087520090224?sp=true

Honda Cars : New president, CEO at Honda Canada | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Canada Manufacturing will have a new CEO and President effective April 1.

He is Hiroshi Sasamoto, who has been President of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama since April 2007. Mr. Sasamoto is also being promoted to operating officer of Honda Motor Co.

During his tenure as president in Lincoln, he oversaw the transfer of production of the Ridgeline pickup truck from Alliston to Alabama. It's the first time Honda shifted model production from one North American plant to another.

The move in administration comes amid a series of senior executive changes including Honda Motor Company's president Takeo Fukui, stepping down in Japan, on the heels of the automaker's first quarterly loss in 15 years.

HCM, likes its sister plants around North America, Europe and Japan, is undergoing a series of production slow downs that cost approximately 1,000 contract workers their positions with the company, while permanent production associates are on rotating non-production days every Friday through February, and through the traditional March Break. The cuts started in December prior to Christmas.

The automaker's cuts will be acccounted for in this current fiscal year, which ends March 31.

Source;
http://www.madhunt.com/sasamotonewpreshcm.html

Honda Cars : No Big Surprise; Toyota Cancels Upcoming Toyota Supra to focus on Hybrids | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Toyota Supra remains at the top of high-performance sports cars with the Mark I inline 6-cylinder generating 110 hp (82kW) to the twin-turbocharged Mark IV that comes with 320 hp (239kW). However, beginning 2002, Toyota moved away from the Supra image to the green vision of the Prius.

With a move further down the hybrid lane, Toyota North America has canceled its Celica/Supra revival plans. Although at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2007 Toyota’s FT-HS concept seemed to point to an interest in a Supra resurrection, its current interest are more toward the production of hybrids in the US. This move is market-directed more than anything else. Toyota wants to build something they can sell and not just something customers can adore.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/upcoming-toyota-supra-canceled-due-to-the-financial-crisis/

Honda Cars : Chrysler Bail Out Game | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

See how long you can keep Chrysler afloat.

Click on the link to play;
http://issue.imotormag.co.uk/car-reviews-car-news-car-videos/1H49996f97e7d29012.cde/page/27

Honda Cars : Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Announces New President & CEO | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Takeo Fukui, the current President & CEO (left) and Takanobu Ito (right) soon to be the seventh President & Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor effective in late June 2009.

I must say as to this news, the new guys name isn't as fun to try and pronounce as the old one....

TOKYO, Japan, February 23, 2009–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor) announced that Takanobu Ito, currently the company's Senior Managing Director, will become the seventh President & Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor effective in late June 2009. Takeo Fukui, the current President & CEO, will remain on the board and assume the post of Director and Advisor to Honda Motor. This management succession will occur following the final decision of the Honda Motor Board of Directors after the company's annual shareholders' meeting, scheduled for late June 2009.

Ito joined Honda in 1978, and began his career in its automobile research and development operations, principally as an engineer in the area of chassis design. Ito was in charge of developing the all-aluminum uni-body frame structure for the mid-engine NSX sports car that went on sale in 1990, a world's first for a production vehicle of any volume. Ito also took on responsibilities as the person-in-charge of developing a series of compact sedans for the Japanese market in the early 1990's.

From April 1998 to March 2000, Ito was stationed in the U.S. as Executive Vice President of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., where he became actively involved in the development of the Acura brand's first sport-utility vehicle, the MDX (which went on sale in the U.S. in October 2000).

In June 2000, Ito was appointed to the Board of Directors of Honda Motor, simultaneously gaining promotion to Managing Director of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (Honda R&D). He subsequently became President and Director of Honda R&D in June 2003. Ito also took on a role in the area of manufacturing as General Manager of Honda's Suzuka Factory in April 2005.

In April 2007, Ito became Honda Motor's Chief Operating Officer of Automobile Operations and a Senior Managing Director from June of the same year.

From April 2009, he will again assume the top position of President and Director of Honda R&D, a position he will continue to hold concurrently after the successful appointment as President & CEO of Honda Motor expected in late June 2009.

Takeo Fukui has served as Honda Motor's President & CEO since assuming the position in June 2003. During the six years of Fukui's leadership, Honda was able to actively evolve its global manufacturing structure, notably the establishment of a U.S. automobile plant in Indiana and the decision to set up two manufacturing facilities - the Yorii and Ogawa plants - in Saitama, Japan.

Furthermore, Fukui enabled the company to make forays into new business areas, including the establishment of both the jet engine and aircraft businesses, and making a full-scale entry into the solar cell business with Honda's original next-generation solar cell. Also under Fukui's leadership, the company continued to demonstrate its leadership in reducing CO2 emissions through both technology and product innovations. Honda's firm commitment to reduce CO2 output on a global scale was underlined in 2006, when it announced company-wide reduction targets for CO2 emitted from its product lineups as well as from its production lines. The realization of the all-new Insight as an affordable product was an outcome of Fukui's strong guidance, based on the belief that hybrid vehicles must become accessible to more people if the technology is to contribute to reductions in CO2 output.

Fukui joined Honda as an engineer in 1969, and became a member of the project team that developed the Honda CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine. Fukui also has extensive experience in the company's motorcycle development and racing operations. In 1988, he became a member of the Honda Motor Board of Directors, subsequently assuming responsibilities as General Manager of the Suzuka Factory, President of Honda of America Mfg., Inc., President and Director of Honda R&D, and most recently, President & CEO of Honda Motor, a title he has held since June 2003.

Source;

http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090223New-President-CEO/

Honda Cars : 2009 Automotive Depreciation Ratings | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

ALG is the leading source for automotive residual values and analytical data products, as well as consulting services for automotive manufacturers, finance companies, and fleet companies. If you are a consumer or lessee, we also offer tips and tools for vehicle leasing to help you calculate monthly payments, understand residual values, and gain knowledge about the automotive industry in general.

Below are the individual rankings, 5 is the best - 1 is the worst.

Source;
https://www.alg.com/DepreciationRatings

Honda Cars : Honda wins Energy Star awards from EPA | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Torrance, California - Honda has received Energy Star awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its auto plants in Ohio and Alabama. The awards are in recognition of curbing energy use during vehicle assembly.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, Honda’s average CO2 emissions per vehicle produced in North America were at their lowest levels since the company began measuring results in 2001. The EPA bases the award points on the amount of energy needed to produce an automobile, and includes factors such as vehicle size and production volume.

In Ohio, the plants in Marysville and East Liberty both earned top energy performance scores of 100 points. Honda has focused most of its activities on efficient use of lighting, chiller systems, motors, metering, heating, compressed air and air conditioning to reduce the use of electricity and natural gas. The Marysville plant produces the Honda Accord sedan and coupe, and Acura TL and RDX, while the East Liberty plant produces the Honda CR-V and Element.

Honda’s plant in Alabama, which produces the Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline, also earned the energy Star award. Initiatives include monitoring the use of equipment between shifts, during lunch and breaks, and on weekends, which helped reduce electricity use on the paint line by 10 million kilowatt hours, the equivalent of about 15 million pounds of CO2.

Both plants are implementing a unique “intelligent paint booth” technology that reduces energy consumption and related CO2 emissions from painting operations by as much as 25 per cent. Developed by Honda in Ohio and Ohio State University, the system uses a predictive control mechanism to keep temperature and humidity within specifications in the paint booth, even as weather conditions change.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/19/honda-wins-energy-star-awards-from-epa.htm

Honda Cars : 2010 Acura RDX to get Corporate Grill | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Looks like the 2010 Acura RDX is about to get the Corporate Shield. I think it looks a little nicer than the existing one, but all in all, not much needed to change. Not sure how real this pic is but it's a good shop if it isn't.


Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/02/2010-acura-rdx.html

Honda Cars : Detroit 3 health crucial for Japan carmakers-lobby | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

TOKYO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - A healthy U.S. auto industry is vital for a sound U.S. economy and by extension for Japanese carmakers, a Tokyo-based auto lobby said, giving a tacit nod to the latest request for federal aid from ailing rivals in Detroit.

General Motors Corp and Chrysler this week sought nearly $22 billion in additional U.S. government loans on top of the $17.4 billion in loans they have so far received to survive as car sales plummet around the world.

"The auto industry -- the Big Three -- plays an important role in the U.S. economy," Satoshi Aoki, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, told a news conference.
"The latest (aid request) is quite substantial but we hope it will lead to the health of the U.S. auto industry," he said.

The United States is the single-biggest and traditionally most profitable market for Japan's top three automakers, Toyota Motor Corp, Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co.

Aoki, also chairman of Honda, said the U.S. market appeared headed for a weaker year than the sales of 12.5 million vehicles he had forecast for 2009 at the end of last year.

"We are still anticipating an improvement in the latter half of the year driven by economic stimulus steps under the new Obama administration, and we hope total demand will come in just below 12 million units."

Most industry forecasts are lower, with 11.5 million at the higher end. The U.S. market totalled 13.2 million vehicles in 2008, down 18 percent from 2007.

Many governments have announced various forms of aid to the struggling auto industry, which has been hit by a simultaneous slide in demand globally. Among them, France has pledged loans of 3 billion euros ($3.77 billion) each to its two local carmakers while Britain has said it would guarantee up to 2.3 billion pounds ($3.28 billion) of loans to the industry.

Japan has been conspicuously absent from that growing list. Aoki said the auto lobby has made no request for specific aid even as many members brace for their worst annual financial results in years.
"The auto industry requires a lot of capital for research and development of advanced safety and environmental technologies, but basically it's up to each company to raise funds in the market or use its own cash reserves," Aoki said.

"But right now market conditions are tough and abnormal, and we only hope that the government will take steps to bring the market closer to normal levels," he said.

Responding to such concerns, the Bank of Japan on Thursday extended its commercial paper buying scheme and pledged to boost supply of low-cost funds as it battles a credit crunch that is pushing the world's second-biggest economy deeper into recession. ($1=.7949 Euro; $1=.7007 Pound) (Editing by Michael Watson)

Source;
http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKT867220090219?sp=true

Honda Cars : GM disbands high-performance division | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Detroit, Michigan - General Motors has disbanded its High Performance Vehicle Operations unit, according to Automotive News, and said that all high-performance projects are on “indefinite hold.”

The unit is based in the company’s technical centre in Detroit. The engineers have been sent to other divisions.

The unit created low-volume performance versions of GM vehicles, including the Cadillac V cars, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, HHR SS and a V8-powered Chevrolet Colorado.

The company said that if General Motors regains its financial health, the unit could be reinstated.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/18/gm-disbands-high-performance-division.htm

Honda Cars : Saturn targeted for extinction in GM's plan for survival | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Sad times for Saturn dealers, my heart goes out to the families of those working there.
Jim Mateja
February 19, 2009

Roger Smith's dream is officially a nightmare.

The General Motors chairman came up with an idea in the mid-'80s to create a division called Saturn to compete directly with Japanese imports by selling small, low-priced, high-mileage cars.
The first Saturn, the SL, bowed with a 1991 model.

Smith spent $3 billion to develop Saturn. And it did create a halo with no-haggle sales and the flower left on the driver's seat after the car was serviced. It did well early on as evidenced by a 17-day supply of cars at some dealerships in an industry where 60 days is considered normal. It beat expectations by posting a profit by 1993.

But Saturn never realized its potential.

There are those who would attribute that to a lack of love—too few models updated too infrequently.

Saturn also may have suffered from the fact that Smith served as GM chairman when the automaker's market share fell to 30 percent from 40 percent, opening the door wider to Toyota and Honda with their small cars first and leading to their successful luxury divisions.

Smith retired in mid-1990 before the first Saturn came out. No small wonder that GM now plans to sell or fold the division by 2011, ironically after it finally has a strong product mix.

Thank Bob Lutz, who joined GM in 2001, for Saturn's lineup: a high-mileage compact Astra, a nifty Sky roadster, the Outlook crossover with the crucial three rows of seats, the Vue sport-utility vehicle in gas or hybrid flavors, and the Aura sedan, which beat out the Toyota Camry for 2006 North American Car of the Year.

When Lutz announced plans this month to retire at year-end, he said he wanted the division to live long and prosper. But he told Automotive News, a trade publication, that he held out little hope.

"We spent a huge bundle of money in giving Saturn an absolutely no-excuses product lineup top to bottom, [but] the sales just never materialized," he said of a division whose sales slipped nearly 22 percent last year, to about 188,000 units.

Even Lutz professes to be stumped by why Saturn hasn't done well, but he says it's obvious why it no longer has a future with GM.

"We don't have the time or the resources to take 10 years to figure it out and turn it around," he said.

The ailing automaker, which has received $13.4 billion in government loans and is seeking $16.6 billion more, plans to phase out Saturn unless a deal is reached to spin off its distribution network.

With a franchise agreement that sets dealers up as an independent distribution network, it will be easier and cheaper to drop Saturn than the $1 billion it cost GM to kill Oldsmobile in 2004.

There's still talk that the franchise agreement would make the distribution network attractive to a buyer.

"With the rest of the world in a precarious economic state, unless someone from China takes a look, no one is going to be standing in line," said Joe Phillippi, principal of AutoTrends. Jim Hossack, vice president of AutoPacific, is even more realistic.

"Saturn gets its engines, transmission and body stampings from GM, and is so intertwined with GM it couldn't be sold because no one would buy it. Either it gets spun off or it dies of old age like Plymouth did at Chrysler.

"Old age at 18? Well, yes, especially when your only cheerleader is retiring."

Source;
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/autocorner/chi-thu-saturn-mateja-0219-feb19,0,4757890,print.column

Honda Cars : Honda takes top spot again in annual green vehicle ranking | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda has once again topped the list in the annual environmental ratings for 2009 models published by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEE).
Despite tough times in the global car industry, manufacturers continue to make progress by fine-tuning their engines and transmissions and adding emissions control technologies to comply with forthcoming federal fuel economy standards.

ACEE’s Green Book® Online once again placed Honda’s natural gas-powered Civic GX in pole position - a title it has held for the past five years - with the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrids following close behind.

Top ten rankings also went to the Smart Fortwo Convertible, the Toyota Yaris and the Nissan Altima hybrid.

US domestic car maker, Chevrolet managed a top ten spot with its Cobalt/Pontiac G5 twins, marking the improving performance of US domestic vehicles in the rankings.

Volkswagen’s Jetta and Jetta Sportswagon diesels just missed out on the top spots, but highlighted the progress made in ‘clean diesel’ technology – meeting emissions standards in 50 states – a target previously not met by diesel-powered vehicles.

Now in its 12th year, the ACEE Green Book Online guide to cars and trucks highlights 2009’s ‘Greenest’, ‘Meanest’ and ‘Greener Choices’, as well as advice on how to ‘buy green’.

Below are the ratings highlights for GREENEST Vehicles;
Below are the ratings for the MEANEST vehicles;

Source;
http://www.aceee.org/

Honda Cars : Honda (HMC) may outrun the recession | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

No large car company is going to do well as the global recession deepens. But the one best positioned to move through the tough period is Honda (NYSE: HMC). It did not go through the global factory expansion that has stretched Toyota's (NYSE: TM) resources. It builds small, quality, fuel-efficient cars that have gained more and more market share in almost ever major country.

Results out of China say something about Honda's relative success. According toThe Wall Street Journal, "Chery Automobile Co., China's most successful independent producer and marketer of cars without a foreign partner, said January sales rose, and forecast a sales increase this year, while Honda Motor Co. said January car sales in China increased 17% from a year earlier." Total car sales dropped almost 8% in the world's most populous nation last month.

Based on data from 2008, most foreign car companies selling vehicles in China had drops in sales year-over-year. That makes Honda's performance all the more impressive. China is now the second largest car market in the world, after the U.S. The penetration of cars per household is obviously much lower than in America. In an economic recovery China vehicle sales ought to move back to double-digit growth. The Big Three may not have the financial resources to take full advantage of that, which makes Honda's position even better.

Which car company's shares are likely to do best over the next year? It would not be smart to bet against Honda.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 24/7 Wall St.

Source;
http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/18/honda-hmc-may-outrun-the-recession/

Honda Cars : Honda Insight handily outselling projections in Japan | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

So far, all indications are that Honda has got a hit on its corporate hands in the form of its new Insight hybrid hatchback. The automaker had been hoping to get 5,000 orders per month in its home market of Japan for the new Insight, but that sales target was eclipsed after just over a week on the market. According to Honda, there were already 5,000 advance requests for the car before it was even available to order.

This early sales success may bode well for Honda, which will be launching the new Insight in Europe in March and in the United States in April. When it finally does reach dealerships, the Insight will cost well under $20K, undercutting its primary competitor, the Toyota Prius, by a few thousand dollars.

It's no secret that we're in a tough market and it could have been a case of very bad timing to launch a brand new global vehicle line. Fortunately for Honda, this seems like the right car at the right time. It will certainly be interesting to watch Toyota roll out its new 2010 Prius hybrid later this year.

Source;
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/02/17/honda-insight-handily-outselling-projections-in-japan/

Honda Cars : Honda / Acura Navigation Update Sites | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

For those of you that have an older Honda or Acura with Navigation, here are the sites needed to at least inquire about prices, etc.

Acura;
https://store.alpine-usa.com/Acuradvdsales/naviorder.php

Honda;
https://store.alpine-usa.com/Hondadvdsales/naviorder.php

Honda Cars : Honda ready for a world beyond gas | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Honda FC Sport design study model makes its Canadian public debut today at the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

The oddly configured three-seat sports-car concept is designed to show the flexibility and potential of Honda's V Flow fuel-cell technology -- already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan.

"The Honda FC Sport explores new ways to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice-president of Honda Canada.

"People who enjoy sports cars will not be forgotten by Honda in a hydrogen-powered future."
The high-output powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle's performance potential. The majority of vehicle mass is distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars.

Source;
http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/driving/story.html?id=cf75dbc8-d52e-44b4-b423-050a5c7ee697

Honda Cars : Honda's New Hybrid Information Site; Honda Words | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The site details the storied history of Honda's gas-electric vehicles including the original Insight which was the first hybrid mass produced for the U.S. market. The "Words of Hybrid" are all connected, but they float around whimsically as you move your cursor through the page.

The new Insight takes center stage on the page with numerous photos and specs. There are tabs for the future CR-Z and Jazz (which U.S. readers would call the "Fit") hybrids, but little information is provided about either model. Regardless, the new site is worth a visit.

Source;
http://world.honda.com/HybridWorld/index.html

Via;
http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1018649_hondas-self-loving-new-website--words-of-hybrid

Honda Cars : Demand for Honda hybrid car soars | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda said that demand for hybrid vehicle Insight is soaring in Japan with orders topping its monthly target of 5,000 in just over a week.

The Insight gas-electric hybrid, which starts only at 1.89 million yen (£14,000), hit showrooms across Japan on February 6.

The launch of the cheapest hybrid vehicle came amid a devastating slump in the global car market.

But Honda said demand for the Insight has been so brisk that the company has received more than 5,000 orders, easily beating its monthly target.

"This is so much better than expected. The Insight is priced below 2 million yen, and is energy efficient. We believe consumers like these aspects," said Honda spokeswoman Natsuno Asanuma.

Even before the launch, Honda had received about 5,000 orders for the Insight, Asanuma said. The Insight goes on sale in April in the US, and in March for Europe.

Honda's Insight is cheaper than Toyota's Prius, the most popular hybrid.

Hybrids tend to be more expensive than regular cars because they come packed with both a petrol engine and an electric motor. Switching between the systems, depending on speed, boosts mileage.

Toyota sold 285,700 Prius cars worldwide last year, and will introduce a remodelled Prius in May.

The new Prius is bigger and has a more powerful engine than the current one, and is likely to be more expensive.

Source;
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jwpwz6PMYht5k3MjrhXeBK7YKU0g

Honda Cars : Forbes; 2009's Safest Vehicles | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Midsize sedans, wagons and small SUVs dominate our list of the safest vehicles of the year.

To generate our list of the Safest Vehicles of 2009, we used crash-test and rollover data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each vehicle on our list received the highest possible overall scores from IIHS (IIHS crash ratings are more severe than federal standards), and at least four out of five stars from the NHTSA.
We awarded points based on those scores and itemized crash-test scores that evaluated head, chest, leg and pelvis injuries to crash dummies, as well as the effectiveness of torso restraints and the safety cage. We awarded bonus points to any vehicle mentioned as a "second-tier" recommendation by Consumer Reports.

The distinction is given to vehicles that perform well in Consumer Reports' crash tests and also have average or better reliability; are included in the front-offset and side-crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; and provide very good or excellent overall crash protection. The vehicles cannot have tipped in federal rollover tests or, if not tested, they must offer electronic stability control.

Here's the list of Safest Cars of 2009 without having to go through the slide show;

-Acura MDX

-Acura RL

-Acura TL

-Honda Accord

-Honda CRV

-Honda Odyssey

-Honda Pilot

-Honda Ridgeline

-Mercedes Benz M-Class (SUV)

-Nissan Rogue

-Saab 9-3

-Subaru Impreza

-Subaru Legacy

-Subaru Tribeca

-Toyota Highlander

***Where are the Volvo's and VW's?!?!? Wow.

Source w/more information on each vehcile listed;

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/11/safest-cars-2009-lifestyle-vehicles_0211_safest_cars_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=15000

Honda Cars : Forbes; 2009's Most Dangerous Cars | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

These cars and trucks scored the worst in crash test and rollover ratings for the model year.

To compile our list of the most dangerous vehicles of 2009, we used crash results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and rollover ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA awards up to five stars for rollover safety, while IIHS uses a scale of "good," "acceptable," "marginal" and "poor."

After each IIHS crash, the test dummies are checked for trauma in 28 regions for front crashes and 37 regions for side crashes, with each region earning a rating based on specific parameters for trauma. A "poor" rating means severe and possibly fatal trauma happened to drivers and/or passengers during the crash, while a "good" rating means little to no trauma occurred.

We awarded point values for each NHTSA and IIHS rating, with more points awarded for better results. The 16 cars on our list scored the lowest number of total points.

Among the lowest-scoring are the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV, the Kia Rio small sedan and the Ford Ranger pickup.

Here's the List Without having to go through the Slideshow (alphabetical);

-Chevrolet Aveo

-Chevrolet Colorado

-Chevrolet Trailblazer

-Chrysler PT Cruiser

-Dodge Nitro

-Ford Ranger

-GMC Canyon

-GMC Envoy

-Hummer H3

-Hyundai Accent

-Jeep Liberty

-Jeep Wrangler

-Kia Rio

-Mazda B Series (Ford Ranger Clone)

-Nissan Frontier

-Suzuki Equator

Source w/more info on each individual car/truck/suv;

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/06/most-dangerous-vehicles-lifestyle-vehicles_0206_dangerous_vehicles_slide_2.html?thisspeed=25000

Honda Cars : Sport Compact Car; 2005 Honda NSX Type-R - The Ultimate Honda? | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Picking Apart Spoon Sports' 420bHP NSX Type-R GT
By Jay Chen
Photography by Steve Demmitt

The noise begins as a slight echo, cutting through the quiet silence of the still air. It soon crescendos into the distinctly hollow wail of an NSX exhaust note and Spoon Sports' white rocket suddenly appears over a nearby hill. The mid-engine Honda rides the curb, on the edge of adhesion, and devours the short straight ahead. By the time it's disappeared from view, the tingles have barely left my spine. I'm standing on the outside of Turn 2 at Infineon Raceway and in front of me is one of the greatest things that one could ever wish for - an empty racetrack.

As you may have noticed, this is no normal turbocharged NSX. For this test we've dispensed with the pedestrian and instead have lined up what can only be described as a Honda nerd's Internet bench racing fantasy. Yes, we've signed up the ultimate enigma, otherwise known as the Spoon Sports NSX Type-R GT.

To Honda fans, Spoon Sports needs no introduction. Founded more than 20 years ago by Tatsuru Ichishima, himself an amateur racer, Spoon is one of the most famous Honda tuning companies in existence. Spoon's distinctive yellow and blue paint scheme has appeared on numerous company racecars, campaigned in such events as the 25 Hours of Thunderhill and the Super Taikyu race series. Their philosophy has been built on optimization rather than re-invention, with a parts line-up that consists mostly of naturally aspirated engine assembly, exhausts, suspension kits, stronger drivetrain pieces, and cooling upgrades.

Spoon built its reputation and success through a history of race-derived parts that sought to improve upon, rather than completely replace, Honda's original engineering. For example, Spoon's infamous monoblock brake calipers are designed to function with stock brake rotors and engine balancing is more common than sleeving. Up until now, there wasn't a forced induction kit in sight and the Spoon catalog had a larger selection of mufflers and throttle bodies than high lift camshafts.

This NSX changes all that. From the outside this Honda appears to be an NSX Type-R GT, fit with a set of 17-inch Prodrive wheels. But it's not really that simple. The NSX Type-R GT is a mythical fable in the Honda world, modified beyond the standard 2nd-generation NSX Type-R with the use of carbon bumpers, larger side scoops, and that distinctive roof scoop. Five examples were built solely to homologate the car so that the Super GT (then JGTC) racecars could make use of the scoops and body dimensions. On the street legal GTs, the non-functional roof scoop terminates right onto the rear hatch glass.

The price of entry for a Type-R GT was nearly $500,000 when the car was announced. It's the rarest of all Hondas and some H-badge fans even cling to the belief that the five GTs were never built, with Honda having pulled an elaborate ruse on everyone the world over.

This Spoon NSX is, parts and build-wise, an NSX Type-R GT, but it isn't actually one of the original five. This Honda began life as a standard 2005 Honda NSX Type-R before it was disassembled by Spoon Sports. With years of partnerships and connections, Ichishima has built up a relationship with Honda of Japan that surpasses any dealings aftermarket tuners have with Honda here in the US. Through Honda of Japan, Spoon was able to source the OEM NSX Type-R GT parts necessary for a conversion, such as the bumpers and scoops.

But Spoon wasn't done there. This NSX was designed to be a complete Spoon-built car, not too unlike the wares available from Saleen or Ruf. Thus, a stiffer Spoon suspension was added along with more rigid Spoon monoblock front brake calipers. And you must have noticed by now that this NSX isn't wearing the distinctive yellow and blue Spoon colors that have become synonymous with their name. The reason is simple - only the racecars wear the yellow and blue paint. This NSX is even packing the original stereo system, which was a factory option on JDM Type-R models.

And because this is a true street car, it would need more power. The kind of big, honking, tire smoking power that blows the doors off anything else on the road. For that, Spoon would have to step into uncharted territory. A turbocharger kit was fabricated for the V6 engine using a single HKS 3037 turbo. With a tight engine bay making packaging difficult, the turbo is low mounted within the chassis, mere inches above the ground. The air-to-air intercooler is also low-mounted, with the compressor outlet nearly feeding directly into it. Scoops and ducting on the underside funnel air through the core and a custom Spoon oil pan and oil cooler kit help keep temps in check. Power output is now a claimed 420bhp, up from the factory rating of 280bhp. The turbocharger was chosen for response and low-end power, with boost coming on quickly and, unfortunately, tapering off as the RPMs reach redline.

We brought the Spoon NSX Type-R GT out to Infineon Raceway for our testing, which features elevation changes, blind crests, the quick downhill left Carousel turn, and the treacherous car-eating Turn 10. As well as this NSX drove, with empty pavement and curbing in front of us, we couldn't help but wish that we also had on hand Spoon's other NSX Type-R GT, the full race version. Prepared for the upcoming 55th Macau Grand Prix (which will have passed by the time you read this), the yellow and blue Spoon NSX Type-R GT racecar features an even stiffer suspension, stickier tires, and full safety prep.

Beyond its performance, perhaps one of the most interesting elements of this car is its availability. Spoon Sports will soon begin selling copies of this car to the general public, with early estimates for pricing hovering in the $135,000 range. An official announcement will be made at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. We've received images from Spoon's Tokyo headquarters of readied GT bumpers and carbon-kevlar Recaro seats resting in storage after delivery from Honda. Spoon is even planning on providing this treatment to left-hand drive US-model NSXs, which should help owners step around tricky US importation laws governing ownership of Japanese-market vehicles.

This is a huge article, so here's the rest of the link, excellent read;
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/sccp_0902_2005_honda_nsx_type_r/gt_body.html