Honda system warns motorists of crime hotspots, steers clear of Detroit
Honda's launching the next step in navigation system evolution that will automatically warn drivers to be on guard when traveling through areas of high crime. The system is launching in Japan on Tuesday, but we haven't heard of any plans to bring it to the United States. It's probably for the best, as there'd be wide swaths of the country that this navi would recommend you avoid. Places like Washington DC, where crime is apparently legal and perpetrated by criminals with offices and staffs. Detroit...

Honda taps research expert as CEO | detnews.com | The Detroit News
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. named Takanobu Ito, head of core automaking operations, as its new chief executive Monday, in an effort to provide fresh leadership to battle a global crisis in the auto industry. Ito, a 55-year-old research and development expert with U.S. experience, replaces Takeo Fukui, 64, as chief executive officer and president. Fukui will remain on the board as adviser, Japan's No. 2 automaker said in a statement Both Fukui and Ito said the change at the helm is a message of its...

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...

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 using Smart ForTwo to boost its scooter sales
There has been an ad of a new Honda scooter going around these days, and it’s pretty smart, comparing the diminutive Smart ForTwo to the even smaller 50cc Metropolitan scooter. Certainly, the two-wheeler by Honda practically outdoes its much larger 4-wheeled relative, more than doubling the fortwo’s EPA mileage figures. Again, it’s always difficult to contrast the attributes of a scooter with those of a car. It takes a lot of commitment to opt for open-air riding on the back of a little scooter in...

Honda V8 coming... in 2015
"You've got to have the right tool for the job." "You can't bring a knife to a gun-fight." Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. We've heard it all before. Honda makes some excellent engines, there's no doubt about that, from small displacement four-pots that rev through the roof to gloriously smooth and reliable V6 units. Unfortunately, the fun stops there, as the Japanese automaker has steadfastly stuck to its guns, not building an eight-cylinder engine when it can do just as well with fewer pistons...

Honda working on Accord based crossover to rival Toyota Venza
What you’re looking at are the first spy shots of a an Accord-based Crossover that Honda is working on as a rival to the new Toyota Venza. Insiders say the crossover is based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon but will be heavily influenced by the U.S. market Accord’s design.Power for the crossover could from the same 2.4L 4-cylinder and the 3.5L V6 from the current Accord along with Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system.What’s surprising to us is that the prototype is hardly wearing any...

Honda Zeppelin Concept
 The Honda Zeppelin Concept created by Myung Jin Jung was designed to be a luxury sedan. Getting its inspiration from airships, the exterior combines conventional styling of luxury sedans with the styling of airships. A very distinctive design feature is a line that runs all the way from the hood, to the roofline, and finally till the rear. Interior combines the luxury of sedans with the finesse of first class air travel. The front seats can swivel 180 degrees to face the rear seats when the car...

Honda's econo brand to rival Toyota's Scion
Honda has given us the first taste of its new budget brand with the unveiling of an unnamed hatchback concept at this weekend’s Beijing Motor Show. The new brand is designed along the lines of Toyota’s Scion sub-brand and will be testing the waters in emerging markets such as China and India before launching in more established markets.Honda is yet to pick an official name of the new brand but it’s currently carrying the title ‘Li Nian’ Chinese for ‘subject’. [source]