Honda to Reduce Production in Japan by 50% Over the Next Decade

The rising yen, which hit a 10-year high against the Euro last Tuesday while also getting stronger against US dollar, has forced Honda to rethink its production strategy.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told Japanese daily Asahi that the company plans to compensate by cutting its domestic production by half in the next decade. The move is part of Honda’s plan to sell 80-90% of its vehicles produced globally in local markets so as to be less vulnerable to currency fluctuations.

Read more »

Posted on 07.25 / 0 comments / Read More

SPIED: Honda Continues Testing European Market 2012 CR-V

We've already brought pictures of prototypes, the concept version and more importantly, the official design patents of the upcoming 2012 Honda CR-V, but our persistent spy photographers just caught up with another test model of the compact SUV in Europe.

While it's only a matter of weeks before we see the final production model in North America as it is due to be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show before hitting showroom floors by the end of the year, European consumers will have to wait another year for the new CR-V to arrive in dealerships.

Read more »

Posted on 08.28 / 0 comments / Read More

2012 Honda CR-V Concept Fully Revealed in Pictures and Videos

The time is up for Honda to toss the wraps off the new 2012 CR-V Concept, which made its public debut today at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California.

The close-to-production concept previews the new looks of the 2012 CR-V that will receive its world premiere in final form at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and go on sale in the United States before the end of the year.

The JDM model will follow in December at the Tokyo Motor Show, while European buyers will have to wait until fall of 2012.

Read more »

Posted on 11.36 / 0 comments / Read More

2012 Honda CR-V: Official Designs of the Final Production Model

There's no more hiding for the next generation of the Honda CR-V as we just got our hands on the official design fillings fully revealing the shape and styling of the Japanese firm's new compact SUV well ahead of its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

As predicted, sans the smaller wheels and some body trim options such as the protection plate under the front bumper, there aren't any other noteworthy changes over the Honda CR-V study teased with a single photo back in July.

The exterior design is clearly an evolution of the current model's theme albeit with a less complicated front-end styling and a sharper looking window line.

Read more »

Posted on 06.32 / 0 comments / Read More

SCOOP: All-New 2012 Honda CR-V Shows its Face in Europe

Given that, during the unveiling of a pre-production study of the brand-new CR-V this summer, Honda said the production model will go on sale in the United States by the end of 2011; chances are we will see the compact SUV making its world premiere in about two months' time at the L.A. Auto Show in November.

But before that happens, here are some fresh spy pictures of the production CR-V snapped during testing in Europe.

While the engine lineups will differ, we don't expect any noteworthy styling changes between the North American and European market versions of the Japanese company's popular SUV.

Read more »

Posted on 19.11 / 0 comments / Read More

Honda Recalls Over 1 Million Jazz/Fit, CR-Z and CR-V Models Worldwide over Separate Issues

It's recall time for Honda that said on Monday it is calling in three of its models globally in order to repair three unrelated problems. The bulk of the recall campaign concerns the Fit/Jazz subcompact: 960,000 cars built between October 2005 and October 2009 and sold mainly in China and other Asian countries are recalled to fix malfunctioning power window switches. Read more »

Posted on 08.32 / 0 comments / Read More

Scoopsters Film 2012 Honda CR-V Prototype on the Road

Last time we wrote about the 2012 Honda CR-V, it concerned a prototype, a blogger and four-vehicle accident – not the best of news for the Japanese company. Now, thanks to the Honda-loving crew over at Temple of Vtec and scoopster Brenda Priddy, we have video footage of the next-generation CR-V crossover testing on the road.

The spied 2012 CR-Vs are wearing less camouflage than usual with only the front and parts of the rear end wrapped up in black plastic.

Read more »

Posted on 15.44 / 0 comments / Read More

European Market 2012 Civic and CR-V to be built at Honda’s UK Plant

Honda announced today that it will manufacture the new Civic hatchback and the next generation of the CR-V SUV at its Swindon plant in the UK

The five-door hatchback version of the new Honda Civic, which we previewed earlier today (see here), is designed exclusively for Europe and will only be built in Swindon. The Civic was first introduced in 1972, and is now in its ninth generation. It will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Read more »

Posted on 11.25 / 0 comments / Read More

Blogger Crashes into 2012 Honda CR-V

Car accidents, be they fender benders or more serious crashes can happen to anyone and anywhere, but what's special about this incident is that it involves a prototype of the upcoming 2012 Honda CR-V, which was recently previewed with a thinly disguised concept study.

We're not quite sure how it happened, but the collision that took place in California involved four vehicles amongst which the 2012 CR-V test mule, a Lexus RX and a Toyota Highlander.

Read more »

Posted on 14.47 / 0 comments / Read More

Official: Honda Announces 2012 CR-V Concept, on Sale in America by the End of 2011, and in Europe in Fall 2012

An online leak resulted to a photo of Honda's 2012 CR-V Concept appearing on the internet earlier today, but now the Japanese carmaker has given in and released a high-resolution image as well as initial information on the crossover model.

Honda said that the concept will make its first public outing at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California, in September 2011, and go on sale in North America by the end of the year, and in Europe in Autumn 2012. This means we will probably see the final production model at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Read more »

Posted on 11.06 / 0 comments / Read More

2012 Honda CR-V Concept: First Official Photo Leaked Onto the Web

Circulating around the internet today is an official photograph of the 2012 Honda CR-V Concept that previews the production model that is scheduled to follow by the end of the year.

In June, Honda had announced that it would present a new generation of its popular compact crossover model; however, the Japanese company had not disclosed any specific details on the vehicle other than it would sport a "new design inside and out, new features and new possibilities".

Read more »

Posted on 04.57 / 0 comments / Read More

Honda to Build More CR-Vs in the U.S., Plans to Increase the use of Parts from Low-Cost Countries

The strong yen is affecting all Japanese automakers that are exporting their locally produced cars to America. Honda is one of them, as of the 72,000 CR-Vs built last year in Japan, 35,000 made their way to North America. Japan’s third largest automaker wants to invest in its North American plants to increase the number of CR-V it builds here and reduce exports from Japan, thus minimizing losses due to exchange rates.

Read more »

Posted on 10.34 / 0 comments / Read More

Honda Recalling 2010MY Accord and CR-V Models in the States for Engine Stalling Problems

Honda has issued a new recall for certain 4-cylinder Accords and CR-Vs from the 2010 model year to check a potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector, as it may cause intermittent spark firing or the engine to stall. Read more »

Posted on 13.43 / 0 comments / Read More

Honda Germany Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Special Edition Models

Honda has launched a new series of special edition models in Germany to celebrated the company's 50th anniversary in Europe. The first Honda store in Germany opened in 1961 in the city of Hamburg. The lineup of special edition models includes the CR-Z hybrid sport hatch, the Civic, the CR-V, the Accord and the Jazz, all of which feature additional standard equipment such as larger alloy wheels and upgraded audio systems (depending on the model) without a price increase. More details on the 50th Anniversary specials can be found on Honda's German website.

Read more »

Posted on 06.54 / 0 comments / Read More

Honda Dealer Memo Says 4-Cylinder CrossTour and 2012 CR-V on their Way Along with New Civic

The Honda fan-boys over at the Temple of VTEC claim to have intercepted an internal memo with details on the firm's upcoming models, which was sent out today to dealers. The email reportedly states that Honda will be releasing a lower-priced based version of the Accord CrossTour equipped with a 4-cylinder engine, with sales to start in "mid-summer". We'll remind you that that CrossTour is currently offered exclusively with a 275HP 3.5-liter V6 and available four-wheel drive.

Read more »

Posted on 13.23 / 0 comments / Read More

Honda Expands Airbag Recall that is Linked to One Death to an Additional 437,763 Vehicles Worldwide, Most in the USA

A defective airbag that has been linked to one death and 11 injuries in the United States over the past few years is still haunting Honda as the company today announced that it is adding 437,763 cars to its existing global safety recall over the airbag inflation problem.

The expanded recall is concentrated mainly in the United States, where nearly 378,758 vehicles are affected, but the latest announcement also covers Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Australia.

The models added to the list concern certain 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V, 2002 Pilot, 2002 Acura CL and selected 2002 Acura TL vehicles.

According to the automaker, the driver's airbag inflators in these vehicles may deploy with too much pressure causing the inflator casing to rupture and send metal fragments through the airbag cushion material possibly resulting in injury or even fatality to vehicle occupants.

Honda first issued a recall on the matter on less than 4,000 model year 2001 Accord and Civic back in November 2008. After the original recall, the Japanese automaker said that two additional incidents were reported, including one fatality from a vehicle not included in that recall.

That led Honda to expand the recall in July 2009 to include approximately 440,000 model year 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic and certain 2002 Acura TL vehicles.

Posted on 07.55 / 0 comments / Read More

Facelifted 2010 Honda CR-V with More Powerful Diesel Priced in the UK

Honda has released pricing for its UK-bound CR-V facelift that goes on sale in January 2010. The subtly revised compact SUV benefits from new bumper and grille designs on the outside while the cabin has been refreshed with upgraded fabrics and plastics as well as a new audio console. The most notable change for the 2010 model is hidden under the hood and concerns the introduction of Honda's new 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine that can be combined with an automatic gearbox.

The new diesel powerplant, which debuted in the latest Accord, produces an output of 150HP at 4,000rpm (up 10HP) and torque of 350Nm at 2,000rpm (up 10Nm). It can be matted to either a either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

With the manual gearbox, the CR-V diesel sprints from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 9.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 118mph (190 km/h) while returning a combined fuel economy of 43.5mpg UK (36.2mpg US or 6.5 lt/100km).

When combined with an automatic transmission, the diesel model hits 62mph in 10.6 seconds and has a top speed of 116mph (187km/h) while fuel economy is rated at 38.2mpg UK (31.8mpg US or 7.4 lt/100km).

The facelifted CR-V is also offered with a 2.0-liter petrol engine that remains unchanged for 2010 producing 150HP at 6,200rpm and 192Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.

Manual versions of the petrol CR-V sprint to 62mph in 10.2 seconds (automatic: 12.2 sec) and reach a top speed of 118mph (automatic: 110mph) with a combined fuel economy of 34.4mpg UK (automatic: 33.6mpg UK).

Buyers can choose from three different grades with the entry-level SE now featuring newly-designed 17-inch alloy wheels as standard as well as air conditioning, auxiliary socket, cloth upholstery and power-heated door mirrors.

The ES trim gets 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, auto-dimming mirror, cruise control, double-deck cargo space, electric folding mirrors, half leather and Alcantara heated seats, headlight washers, front fog lights, leather steering wheel and gear knob, rear parking sensors, unique interior inlay trims and USB connector for an iPod.

Finally the top-spec EX models are differentiated by full body-colored bumpers and come equipped with DVD voice-activated satellite navigation with premium audio and subwoofer, full leather upholstery with front heated seats, HID Xenon headlights and auto headlight on function, panoramic roof, rain sensor, reverse tilt mirror and 8-way driver power seat in addition to the ES' standard specs.

Prices - Petrol models

• 2.0-litre SE - £20,175
  
• 2.0-litre SE auto - £21,475
  
• 2.0-litre ES - £21,675
  
• 2.0-litre ES auto - £22,975
  
• 2.0-litre EX - £25,215
  
• 2.0-litre EX auto - £26,515
  
• 2.0-litre EX with Advanced Safety Pack - £27,215
  
• 2.0-litre EX with Advanced Safety Pack auto - £28,515
  

Prices - Diesel models

• 2.2-litre SE - £22,135
  
• 2.2-litre SE auto - £23,475
  
• 2.2-litre ES - £23,635
  
• 2.2-litre ES auto - £24,975
  
• 2.2-litre EX - £27,175
  
• 2.2-litre EX auto - £28,515
  
• 2.2-litre EX with Advanced Safety Pack - £29,175
  
• 2.2-litre EX with Advanced Safety Pack (auto) - £30,515

Posted on 12.30 / 0 comments / Read More

2010 Honda CR-V Facelift: New Sporty Modulo Outfit and Mugen Accessories for JDM Model

With the market launch of the mildly refreshed 2010 CR-V in Japan (see the European version here and the U.S. model here), Honda's own Modulo brand as well as the firm's in-house tuner Mugen introduced a new line up of interior, exterior, handling and numerous cosmetic parts for the compact SUV.

These range from a full aero kit with new front and rear bumpers, different grille treatment, side skirts and a roof spoiler plus a more subtle kit with aluminum skidplates from Modulo to 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport exhaust and a tire pressure monitoring system from Mugen.

Posted on 20.36 / 0 comments / Read More