Mazda, Mitsubishi and Honda post record 2007 profit
While Ford is being praised for posting its surprise $100 million first quarter profit, its Mazda subsidiary has shocked just as many analysts with a record profit of $1.55 billion for 2007 – up 2% on 2006’s record level. The jump in profit was on the back of a 7% jump in revenues and a 5% increase in sales 1,363,000 units worldwide. The carmaker is so confident that it’s predicting an even better sales result in 2008 despite rising fuel prices, unfavorable exchange rates, and shrinking demand for...

In The Autoblog Garage: 2008 Honda Accord Coupe
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Honda Accord CoupeHonda's Accord has grown at every redo since the model's inception, and this latest version is no different. We've already tried out the sedan, so we borrowed the two-door version to sample the Coupé lifestyle, wherein you actually pronounce those acute accents. Our first impression is that the Accord Coupe is the best Monte Carlo never made, while retaining a fundamental core of Hondaness. Accords have always been half cool, half...

Honda could boost U.S. car prices in response to climbing materials costs
Earlier this month Toyota announced it would be raising prices across its U.S. line-up, and now it seems Honda may be following suit. The cause is a confluence of factors, with a weak U.S. dollar, high raw materials costs and the global downturn in sales conspiring to make the price rises inevitable. North America may not be alone in feeling the pinch of higher prices, either. Speaking during an interview in Tokyo Honda Chief Operating Officer Yoichi Hojo said that prices in Japan and North America may...

Honda quarterly profit slumps, cuts annual target | detnews.com | The Detroit News
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co.'s net profit tumbled 90 percent in the October-December quarter from a year earlier, hit by the global economic slump. Japan's No. 2 automaker also cut its net profit forecast for the current fiscal year through March by 57 percent, to 80 billion yen $888.9 million from 180 billion yen. Honda released its quarterly earnings Friday, which showed its net profit was 20.24 billion yen during the latest quarter, versus 200 billion a year earlier. Like other carmakers, Honda is...

Honda open to F1 test for Danica Patrick
The chief executive of Honda’s F1 team, Nick Fry, has offered to open talks with Danica Patrick about a test drive in the near future. The 26-year-old American said late last month she was “dead set” on eventually joining the grand prix circus, following her recent breakthrough win in the IndyCar series. “We haven’t instigated anything, but if Danica wanted to be test driver then we’d be more than happy to talk about it,” Fry is quoted as saying in the British...

Honda develops walking assist device to aid elderly/disabled
Click on the image to see more pics of Honda's Walking Assist Device var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/hardware/Who_needs_legs_Honda_develops_walk_assist_technology'; While Honda is known primarily for its cars and motorcycles, the company's engineering prowess extends into many other areas, as well. You may be aware that Honda also makes a jet and the ridiculously advanced robot known as Asimo. It appears that after reliably getting Asimo to walk on its own, Honda is phasing some of its robotics...

Honda reduces its yearly operating profit estimate by 67%
On Wednesday Honda reduced its yearly operating profit estimate by 67 percent, its third profit caution this year, as a deepening financial emergency continues to hit international vehicle demand and making the yen soar. The second-biggest carmaker of Japan now anticipates operating profit for the fiscal year to March 31 at 180 billion yen or $2 billion, about 81 percent fall from the previous year. It had earlier forecast 550 billion yen.[source]

Honda to supply IndyCar engines at least 5 more years
Honda is now in its third season as the sole supplier of engines for the IndyCar series, and it has decided to re-up for another five years. Honda originally jumped into IndyCar from the now-departed Champ Cars in 2003, and at that time, the H was still competing with Toyota and General Motors. The other two manufacturers eventually dropped out, leaving Honda to supply the whole field. Honda's new committment isn't an exclusive deal. The Indy Racing League is holding a roundtable summit in Indianapolis...

Honda to cut global output amid slowing demand | The Detroit News | detnews.com
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Corp. said Friday it will cut production in Japan and Europe by 61,000 vehicles, as it continues to grapple with slowing global demand. The latest cut means Japan's second-largest automaker will reduce annual production by more than 140,000 vehicles worldwide. Honda said production at its Saitama plant, near Tokyo, will be halted through to the end of this month followed by lower daily output, shaving output by 40,000 vehicles. A cut of 21,000 will be made at Honda's Wiltshire plant...

Honda to cut jobs in Britain, Japan amid global slump | The Detroit News | detnews.com
TOKYO -- Honda is cutting jobs in Great Britain and Japan because of plunging auto demand, Japan's second-biggest automaker said Thursday. Honda Motor Co. has offered an early retirement package for workers at its Britain plant, although the number of workers to be cut has not been disclosed. Honda is also reducing 760 temporary workers, or nearly 18 percent of its Japan temporary work force of 4,300, at four plants, including one motorcycle plant, this month and next month in response to nose-diving...