Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
The NSX costs an arm and a leg in China thanks to tariffs, taxes and good old fashioned greed.
The Acura NSX has been on sale in the US for the better part of 2016. The hybrid supercar has an asking price of $156,000. When you start adding options that number jumps, but itâs still not nearly as eye-searing as the $415,000 the supercar is selling for in China. Car News China reports that the NSX just made its Chinese debut and was announced with a sticker price of 2.89 million yuan. When converted into good old fashioned USD that comes out to $415,857. So just what does all this extra cash buy you?
Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
Nothing, absolutely nothing. The NSX is so expensive to buy in China partly thanks to tariffs on foreign cars and a gas guzzler tax. Car News China says the tariff is 25% and the consumption tax is an additional 25%. Fortunately for Chinese gearheads the NSX isnât subject to the governmentâs new 10% tax on vehicles priced at over 1.3 million yuan ($1.87 million). Even when you include the cost of doing business in China Honda still stands to make a ton from each NSX sale. Itâs the same story around the world. In Japan the NSX costs a hundred grand more than in the US. Australians almost have to pay as much as the Chinese. That is if there are any for wealthy Chinese enthusiasts to purchase.
Demand could easily outstrip availability. Only one factory in the world produces the supercar after all, and it has struggled to meet pre-production delivery estimates. Chinaâs economy may be slowing down but its citizens still have cash to burn and love four-wheeled status symbols.
Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
Source: Why Does The Acura NSX Cost Almost $500,000 In China?
Over 600,000 Honda Odysseys Recalled For Multiple Safety Issues
This probably isnât the publicity Honda needed ahead of the new Odysseyâs debut at Detroit in a few weeks.
Honda is the latest automaker to issue a mass recall in response to safety concerns. In this case, the issue affects the humble Honda Odyssey minivan, which probably isnât ideal publicity for the automaker considering the next generation Odyssey will be revealed in a matter of weeks at the Detroit Auto Show.
According to Automotive News, Honda has issued a stop-sale order and recalled 641,302 Odysseys due to two glaring safety issues relating to the seats.
Over 600,000 Honda Odysseys Recalled For Multiple Safety Issues
The automaker said that the main recall relates to a mechanism that âallows the outboard second row seats to tilt and slide forward for access to the third row seating area and may not properly lock the seat into place when it is returned to its normal position.â This increases the risk of injury to passengers in the second row if an accident were to happen. The recall affects 633,753 Odysseys from model year 2011 â 2016. Honda said that the issue was discovered through warranty claims and that no crashes or injuries have been reported, so the recall comes as a precaution. To rectify the issue, dealerships will install additional brackets and springs to both outboard second row seats.
Over 600,000 Honda Odysseys Recalled For Multiple Safety Issues
However, Honda has said that the required parts wonât be available until Spring 2017 due to the large volume of parts needed. Affected Odyssey owners will be notified by Honda in mid-February, but until then the automaker advises to âslide the seat into the desired position and manually lock the seat into a fixed position by pushing down on the horizontal position adjustment bar.â Specific 2016 model Odysseys have also been issued with a noncompliance recall. This recall affects 7,549 Odysseys because the latch mechanism for the second-row center seat âmay not properly lock the seat into place when the seat adjustment handle is released, increasing the risk of injury to passengers seated in the second row.â
Over 600,000 Honda Odysseys Recalled For Multiple Safety Issues
Affected owners will be contacted in late January, and dealerships will inspect the latch mechanism and adjust it accordingly if necessary. Again, no crashes or injuries have been reported as a direct result of the issue, which was discovered during internal quality checks at Honda. While the safety of its consumers must always be a priority, the sheer quantity of recalls isnât exactly an ideal situation for the Japanese automaker.
Over 600,000 Honda Odysseys Recalled For Multiple Safety Issues
Over 600,000 Honda Odysseys Recalled For Multiple Safety Issues
Source: Over 600,000 Honda Odysseys Recalled For Multiple Safety Issues
Sorry, But The Honda S2000 Is Only For Experienced Drivers
Beginners need not apply.
Way back in 1999 Honda launched the S2000 roadster, which, despite its appearance, was not a Mazda MX-5 Miata competitor. Never was, nor did Honda ever intend for it to be. What was the S2000 then? A puristâs driving machine that didnât break the bank. The updated S2000 appeared in 2003 and Honda claimed it fixed the very few complaints owners had with the original. And so it was. The S2000 continued to be sold until 2009. There wasnât a direct successor for 2010, nor is there one at the moment. Itâs a damn shame because the S2000 remains one of our favorite sports cars. We spent some time with a 2006 S2000 and one of us came very close to buying it (unfortunately, a student loan wouldnât allow the transaction).
Sorry, But The Honda S2000 Is Only For Experienced Drivers
Powered by a naturally aspirated 2.2-liter VTEC inline-four with 240 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, power goes to the rear wheels only through a six-speed manual, the sole gearbox offered. Drivers need to have at least some performance car experience in order to fully appreciate the S2000. Beginner drivers will do just fine in an MX-5. With its 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds, the S2000 is clearly not a supercar. Instead, itâs a performance sports car thatâs made to be driven hard and will reward you for doing so. Special thanks to DGDG.com for letting us film the car.
Sorry, But The Honda S2000 Is Only For Experienced Drivers
Sorry, But The Honda S2000 Is Only For Experienced Drivers
Source: Sorry, But The Honda S2000 Is Only For Experienced Drivers
Can The Honda Civic Type R Outrun The NSX With A 5-Sec Head Start?
Whenever a hot hatch goes head to head with a supercar, the outcome is usually rather predictable.
So, can we really expect to see any type of sibling rivalry surface between the Honda Civic Type R and the NSX? Judging by their performance figures, not really.
While the ÂŁ32,300 Civic Type R packs a 310 PS (306 HP) 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, the ÂŁ143,000 NSX puts down a total of 581 PS (573 HP) to go with 686 Nm (506 lb-ft) of torque, allowing it to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in as little as 3 seconds before maxing out at 308 km/h (191 mph).
In contrast, the Type R needs 5.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph), maxing out at 269 km/h (167 mph). So, as you can see, itâs not even close, despite the Type R weight 347 kg less, the equivalent of 765 lbs.
The drag race will cover a distance of 1 km (0.62 miles), which again should really favor the NSX except that hereâs the catch: the Type R will get a 5 second head start.
Feel free to do some quick math before you press play, because either way, the result might really impress you.
VIDEO
Source: Can The Honda Civic Type R Outrun The NSX With A 5-Sec Head Start?
After hitting a selection of markets around the world including the United States, Europe and Australia, the Acura NSX has officially launched in China.
As with most other vehicles in China, the NSX costs significantly more there than in the United States. As a matter of fact, the only trim level available will set back locals 2.89 million yuan, the equivalent of $420,000, reports Car News China. That puts it in a different league to the $156,000 starting price in the United States.
For just under half a million dollars, customers of the NSX receive an American-built supercar loaded with tech. Most importantly, that includes a twin-turbocharged V6 engine mated to three electric motors and making for a total of 573 hp and 506 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the supercarâs 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and launch control system, it can rocket from a rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3 seconds before topping out at 308 km/h (191 mph).
Although the NSX certainly isnât cheap in China, its $420,000 starting price is well below the 3.38 million yuan ($530,000) commanded by the Ferrari 488 GTB.
Honda in the U.S. has recalled 641,302 Odyssey minivans and has issued a stop-sale for two separate issues.
The first recall affects 2011-2016 Honda Odysseys built between Aug. 17, 2010, and Oct. 1, 2015, according to a report from Automotive News. The recall will address a mechanism that âallows the outboard second-row seats to tilt and slide forward for access to the third-row seating area may not properly lock the seat into place when the seat is returned to its normal position,â Honda said in a statement.
The defect increases the risk of injury of people in the second row, although no injuries or crashes related to this issue have been reported. The defect was discovered through warranty claims. Honda will fix the issue by installing new brackets and springs to the second-row seats, but parts wonât be available until spring 2017. Honda will begin notifying owners in mid-February.
The second recall affects 7,549 2016 Honda Odysseys built from Sept. 23, 2016, and Oct. 24, 2016. The recall will address a latch in the second-row seats that might not lock into place properly, increasing the risk of injury to second-row passengers. No injuries related to this recall have been reported, and the issue was discovered during internal quality checks.
Honda is undertaking three recall campaigns in the United States â the largest of which affects over 600,000 of its Odyssey minivans.
Two of the recalls focus on similar issues â namely a latch securing the second row of seating. The larger of the two addresses an outboard latch on some 634,000 Odyssey minivans from the 2011-2016 model years, while the second is limited to just 7,600 units from MY2016.
In both cases, Honda will fit additional springs and brackets to remedy the issue and secure the second row of seats.
Along with the Odyssey, Honda is recalling an additional 9,200 examples of the new 2017 Ridgeline pickup â specifically those equipped with all-wheel drive. The problem here comes down to moisture seeping into a wire harness under the rear bed.
Though both issues pose a safety risk, fortunately Honda reports that no injuries or accidents have resulted from either. Still, the prospect of recalling over 650,000 vehicles canât go down easy at Hondaâs North American headquarters in Torrance, California.
As 2016 comes to a close, Honda ramped up celebrations to commemorate the production of its 100,000,000th (thatâs 100 millionth) automobile 53 years after its first production vehicle, the T360 mini-truck (top of page), rolled down the production line.
Honda S600
Honda S600
In its first year (1963) Honda also introduced the S500 sports coupe with both models sharing production facility space with Hondaâs motorcycle range.
In 1964 Honda introduced the iconic S600 roadster starting a long tradition of engaging sports cars branded with an H on the nose. The S600 was also the first of Hondaâs models to be built at a dedicated automobile production facility in Sayama City.
Honda Civic
Honda Civic
By 1969, Honda began overseas production, with assembly of the N360 kei car beginning in Taiwan, followed by Malaysia. 1972 saw the introduction of the Civic, followed by the Accord in 1976, with both nameplates remaining in production to this day, accounting for much of the brandâs success outside of Japan.
In 1978, Honda celebrated the production of five million automobiles, and in 1982 Honda began production in the United States.
Worldwide production milestones were ticked off with 10 million units by 1983, 20 million by 1990 and 30 million by 1995.
Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V
Hondaâs entry into the compact SUV market came in 1995 with the introduction of the CR-V, designed to tackle the Toyota RAV4, with Honda going even smaller with the boxy HR-V SUV in 1998.
Honda was also one of the first vehicle manufacturers to introduce a hybrid petrol-electric vehicle with the Insight in 1999, hot on the heels of the Toyota Prius. Honda has also pioneered the hydrogen fuel cell, with a series of FCX prototypes starting in 1999 culminating in its first production model, the FCX Clarity in 2008.
Honda Insight
Honda Insight
Production in the UK kicked off in 1992, while Chinese production started in 1999, the same year Honda hit 40 million units. By 2003 Honda had amassed 50 million automobiles.
As of 2016 Honda has a total of 34 automobile production facilities on five continents around the world.
Source: Honda Hits The 100 Million Production Milestone
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
Note to Honda: we may have left a keg in the rear storage compartment.
New Years is synonymous with a number of cliches. The notion that New Yearâs eve party attendees must have someone to kiss at midnight is one, but the adage that gets picked apart most is the tradition of setting a New Yearâs resolution. Gyms capitalize on the countless people that sign up for memberships in hopes of bettering themselves only to stop showing up by February. As an automaker that likes to be realistic, Honda realized that most midsize truck owners are much like those New Yearâs goal setters.
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
During a fit of inspiration, they envision their lives full of the types of activities that require a truck, but once they drive off the dealership lot, they spend 95% of their time stuck in traffic on the way to work, dropping the kids off at school, and hitting the grocery store on the weekends.
To mitigate the fact that, while they can pull these chores off, trucks arenât well suited to a life of duty in the suburbs, Honda built the Ridgeline, a pickup that uses creative alterations to the standard truck recipe to provide a vehicle with all the utility a pickup needs without the downsides. Its first generation didnât sell in absurdly high numbers, but then again, neither did its competitors. However, with the midsize truck segment heating up, Honda felt that it was justified in revamping the Ridgeline and thankfully the product planners decided to stick to the original recipe that made the first one so great.
While $29,475 will get you every crucial piece of Ridgeline equipment as standard, Honda went ahead and sent me the top trim Black Edition loaded with such niceties as Honda Sensing, the automakerâs suite of semi-autonomous driver aids, heated front seats and steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, and state of the art bed speakers that vibrate the actual bed liner to create crisp sound for any tailgate. Red stitching, black leather, and a blacked out color scheme came with the package resulting in a $43,770 sticker price. Iâll reiterate though, none of that is necessary to get the full Ridgeline experience.
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
At base price, the same 3.5-liter V6 is available supplying 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through the same six-speed automatic, affording a brisk 6.6 second rush from 0-60 mph in our AWD model. Front-wheel drive can be had, also a truck first, but it only supplies a 3,500 towing capacity and forgoes Intelligent Traction Management, Hondaâs off-road program. An extra $1,800 buys the all-wheel drive system and raises the towing capacity to 5,000 pounds. This figure is still dwarfed by the Ridgelineâs competitors but if you need to haul more than that, youâre better off with a full-size truck.
Mileage drops with the AWD system, but the 21 mpg (18 city, 25 highway) is comparable to most of its competitorsâ four-cylinder models despite the fact that we averaged 14 mpg in dense city traffic. Specâd or not, the Ridgeline gleams from the get-go because its shining quality, the single piece of hardware that alludes to its design philosophy, is available at base price. That would be the unibody chassis, an arrangement that starkly contrasts with the body-on-frame construction of literally any other pickup truck on the market. Truck lovers may decry the Ridgeline as a phony because of it, just as drag strip purists hated when the Mustang switched to an independent rear suspension, but the payoffs reach far and wide.
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The results are immediately perceptible, with the Ridgeline feeling like a large sedan on the road and delivering a ride that removes all anxiety from rush hour traffic and belies its 4,420 pound curb weight. The electric steering is direct and skews towards being a bit light, but the culmination of the package feels just like any other Honda: solid as rock, ready for whatever, and featuring no standout characteristic to dazzle the senses with. That might not bode well for the enthusiast, but in a truck, that enduring compatibility with anything that comes its way is exactly whatâs needed. Further proof of this philosophy is found in the bed liner, which is made out of a composite that is neither punctured nor dented when dropping a toolbox on it.
This time around Honda removed the awkward curved bed that appeared to merge into the C-pillars. The trade off is an indecisive design where the front end looks like a Honda Pilot thatâs had its rear end abruptly cut off and replaced by a bed, but bear in mind that utility reigns over aesthetics here. One of our favorite features was the âtrunkâ embedded in the bed. The compartment, which solves the problem truck owners have when trying to store items in the back without risking getting them stolen or wet in the rain, is afforded by the fact that Honda broke another truck rule: forgoing a solid rear axle in favor of an independent rear. This makes room for 7 cubic feet of storage space that can double as an ice chest thanks to a drain plug at the bottom.
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
Accessing it is easy since the tailgate can either drop down like on any other truck or open sideways like a car door, eliminating the need to climb into the bed to reach for objects an arms length away. Supplied with what is essentially the perfect tailgating truck, we set out to test the Ridgeline the only way we saw fit: by hosting the CarBuzz holiday party out of its bed. A Christmas tree purchase and borrowed TV later and we found ourselves dining on the finest deli foods that a grocery store could offer. The bed speakers played Christmas carols while the TV, which was plugged into the 115-400 volt bed outlet, displayed a mock fireplace intended to act as a placebo to help us feel warm.
After getting our fill and provoking countless smiles and thumbs-up from onlookers, we packed up, placing our belongings in the 1,499 pound payload capable bed and in the rear of the cab since, when the rear seats arenât supplying healthy amounts of leg room, they can be lifted to stow even more gear. It was once friends and co-workers had seen all of these clever Ridgeline features that I realized what the truckâs defining characteristic was, and no, it had nothing to do with the unibody chassis. It was the fact that everybody liked the Ridgeline, especially when it was enlisted to make a beer run for another holiday party.
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
Fun fact: the storage compartment in the center console, which, like the rest of the interior, is lifted right out of the Honda Pilot, fits a six pack perfectly while the rear storage trunk can swallow an entire keg. Coincidence? You tell us, Honda. Like nearly every other Honda, the package comes together in a manner that shows that the engineers and product planners were thinking about the city-bound truck buyer by merging crossover capability into the body of a truck. One imperfection I could note was the placement of the jack and spare tire inside the rear storage compartment, meaning those with fully loaded beds would need to unload cargo to change a flat.
Then there was the sluggish touchscreen infotainment system that lacked a physical volume knob and instead relied on a touch-sensitive slider. For those who subscribe to the ironic notion that a truck determines your manhood (since, you know, REAL men use fashion statements to identify themselves instead of being confident in who they are), then the Honda Ridgeline isnât for you. But for those that have all of their needs met by what a mid-sized truck can deliver and still need to navigate heavy traffic to get to work, then the Ridgeline is the smart buy. Even if it isnât the conventional truck, itâll spark a hint of envy at the tailgate and best of all, in typical Honda fashion, it will inspire a deep sense of satisfaction a hundred thousand miles down the line.
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
Source: The 2017 Honda Ridgeline Is So Fun We Turned Ours Into A Party Truck
The fifth generation of one of the most popular SUVâs sold in the US, the 2017 Honda CR-V can now be ordered at a starting price of $24,045.
The top-selling EX trim includes the new 1.5-liter, 190 horsepower turbocharged engine, boasting EPA fuel economy ratings of 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined, along with a comprehensive selection of premium features.
EX trim also brings standard the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, 18-inch alloy wheels (+1 in.), auto headlights, heated side mirrors, push-button start and dual-zone climate control.
Now offered as standard equipment on EX and higher trims the safety pack includes for the first time on CR-V both Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF). Additional new available driver-assistive features include Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, blind spot information System (BSI), Auto High-Beam (AHB) and all-new Driver Attention Monitor.
2017 Honda CR-V pricing and details
Honda customers have purchased nearly 4 million CR-Vs in the U.S., making it the best-selling SUV in America over the past 20 years. More than 2 million CR-Vs have been built in North America. All new CR-Vs for North America will be manufactured at Honda plants in East Liberty, Ohio; Greensburg, Indiana; and Alliston, Ontario, Canada, using local and globally sourced parts.
Honda and other important manufacturers are understanding that car sharing is a trend that will become more and more popular in the future, when owning a car will be a luxury statement.
In order to be prepared for the car sharing age and also self driving cars, Honda entered discussion with Waymo, an independent company of Alphabet, to integrate its self-driving technology with Honda vehicles.
This technical collaboration between Honda researchers and Waymoâs self-driving technology team will allow both companies to learn about the integration of fully self-driving sensors, software and computer into Honda vehicles.
As part of the discussion on technical collaboration, Honda could initially provide Waymo with vehicles modified to accommodate Waymoâs self-driving technology. These vehicles would join Waymoâs fleet, which are currently being tested across four U.S. cities.
Honda and Waymo to work on self-driving vehicles
Honda previously announced its intention to put production vehicles with automated driving capabilities on highways sometime around 2020 related to its goal of a collision-free society.
In addition to these on-going efforts, this technical collaboration with Waymo would allow Honda R&D to explore a different technological approach to bring fully self-driving technology to market.
Through these joint efforts, Waymo and Honda R&D will begin to explore the potential of a broad range of automated driving technologies.
Source: Honda and Waymo to work on self-driving vehicles
Honda is one of the oldest Japanese manufacturers and one of the most successful. No wonder the company announced it has reached the 100 million-unit milestone in cumulative global automobile production.
Honda began automobile production in 1963 with the production of the T360 mini-truck and the S500 sports car. A year later Honda employed all of the companyâs production technologies and know-how and constructed the first Honda plant dedicated to automobile production in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture. The new plant began production of a further model, the S600 roadster.
Since that time, Honda has increased its annual production volume, enhancing its line up and exporting the brand to an ever wider range of countries.
Hondaâs current line-up in the UK focuses on global models such as the Jazz small hatchback and Civic family hatchback and estate. These cars are supplemented by the HR-V and CR-V SUVs, with the latest incarnation of Hondaâs supercar, the NSX. In 2016, Honda has 34 automobile production facilities on five continents.
Honda produced 100 million cars
Takahiro Hachigo, President and CEO of Honda Motor, commented, âThanks to the support from our customers around the world, Honda was able to deliver 100 million automobiles. The passion of our company founder who wanted to help people in their daily lives and pursue the joy of driving has been inherited by Honda associates as the original starting point of Honda automobile manufacturing. Striving to meet the next 100 million customers, Honda will continue delivering increasingly attractive products.â
For 2017, Acura wants all eyes on its NSX supercar because, frankly, itâs the only new product the brand is launching for the latest model year.
That doesnât mean shoppers should avoid the showroom, though, as Acuraâs lineup is relatively youngâmost of its cars have either been updated or redesigned in the past year or two.
Beyond the NSX, other significant introductions include a revised MDX mid-size SUV that now offers a Sport Hybrid model. It features the same hybrid system found in the RLX Sport Hybrid and deriving technology from the NSX.
Hereâs a rundown of all the changes Acura is introducing for 2017:
2017 Acura ILX:
New exterior colors Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and San Marino Red.
2017 Acura TLX:
New exterior colors Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and San Marino Red.
New GT Package adds body kit and available 19-inch diamond cut wheels.
2017 Acura RLX:
Trim levels streamlined to just Technology Package and Advance Package.
2017 Acura RDX:
New colors Lunar Silver Metallic and Modern Steel Metallic.
2017 Acura MDX:
Revised looks with new Acura family grille.
MDX Sport Hybrid introduced, teams 3.0-liter V-6 with 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and three electric motors.
2017 Acura NSX:
New model added for 2017.
Combines supercar looks with hypercar technology.
Drivetrain consists of mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, three electric motors (one rear and two front) and nine-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Production handled at new Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio.
Honda Motor Co. has produced more than 100 million automobiles since 1963.
In a press release designed to get some traction over the quiet Christmas period (well done, guys), the Japanese giant announced recently that it had just surpassed the massive number.
Honda T360 (1960s)
Pictured: Honda T360
Honda began automobile production more than 53 years ago with the T360 mini-truck at the Saitama Factory, 1. In the same year Honda began production of the S500 small sports car at Hamamatsu Factory 2 in the Shizuoka Prefecture.
Before this, the brand had been focused more on motorcycles, an area where it remains the worldâs major player.
All-new 2017 Civic hatchback
 Pictured: Tenth-generation Civic
In 1964Â it constructed the first Honda plant dedicated purely to automobile production, Sayama Factory 3 in Saitama Prefecture. The new plant began with production of the S600.
In 1967 Honda began production of the N360, its first mini-vehicle model, and in 1969Â it began production of the N600 small-sized passenger car and TN360 mini-truck in Taiwan as part of a joint-venture.
1-cr-v
Honda soon entered overseas markets on its own and began production of the Accord in the US state of Ohio in 1982. This Accord became the first passenger car produced in the US by a Japanese brand.
Honda has since expanded its automobile production operations to different regions of the world including Asia, Europe, South America and China, with a current folio of 34 automobile production operations in 18 countries and territories.
integra
Of course, the company is a fair way behind the worldâs true auto giants. For one example, Ford passed 350 million units way back in 2012 (with a Thai-made Focus).
Honda Motor Co. milestonesÂ
1948 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. established
1963 Production of the T360 mini-truck started at Saitama Factory
1969 Production of N600 and TN360 by component parts sets started in Taiwan/production of N360 started in Malaysia
1975 Production of Civic and other models started in Indonesia
1978 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 5 million units
1982 Production of Accord started in the US
1983 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 10 million units
1984 Production of Accord started in Thailand
1986 Production of Accord started in Canada
1990 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 20 million units
1992 Production of Accord started in the UK
1994 Production of Civic started in Pakistan
1995 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 30 million units/production of Accord started in Mexico
1997 Production of Civic started in Brazil and Turkey/production of City started in India
1999 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 40 million units/production of Accord started in China
2003 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 50 million units
2015 Production of Accord started in Nigeria
2016 Cumulative worldwide production of automobiles reached 100 million units
2016 has seen a lot of unique and interesting two wheeler launches â right from the quirky Honda Navi to the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the Bajaj Dominar 400. Hereâs a recap of the top 10 two wheeler launches of 2016, right from the commuter space to hi-end superbikes.
1. Honda Navi
The Honda Navi has redefined the Indian two wheeler space and underlined Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India as a truly global two wheeler manufacturer. The Navi was designed, developed and manufactured completely in India, without any inputs from Hondaâs global headquarters in Japan. And itâs proved to be a commercial success as well.
honda navi
Honda Navi Also Won This Yearâs NDTV Two Wheeler Of The Year Award
Based on the Honda Activa, and even borrowing the same 110cc engine and making identical figures (8bhp power and 9Nm of torque), the Navi employs a bold new design, with quirky looks and is best described as a sort of crossover between a motorcycle and a scooter. Fun to ride, practical and with a very attractive price tag of Rs 39,500 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Honda Navi has proved to be a bestseller for HMSI. The Honda Navi is also the winner of the coveted NDTV Two Wheeler of the Year Award, winning the Two Wheeler Design of the Year as well as Mini Bike of the Year.
2. Bajaj V15
From the legacy of Indiaâs war hero and decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, the Bajaj V15 is as much a marketing success as a product which has found wide appeal in the commuter motorcycle buyer. Built from metal sourced from the scrapped aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, the V15 has quickly captured the imagination and patriotism of every Indian with Bajajâs ingenious marketing campaign around the old war horse.
bajaj v15
The Bajaj V15 Was Crowned The Viewerâs Choice Bike Of The Year
Although the amount of metal used in the bikeâs construction is more symbolic rather than the entire body being made of that metal, the V15 soon established itself as a commuter bike synonymous with strength and ruggedness. A bold new design, a little offbeat but muscular, with a long footprint and well-planted silhouette, the Bajaj V15 has become a clear favourite in the commuter motorcycle space in the short period since its launch. The Bajaj V15 is powered by a 150cc engine making around 12bhp power and 13Nm of torque. Billed as a 150cc commuter at the price point of a lower segment, the Bajaj V15 is one of the most important commuter motorcycle launches of the year.
3. Hero Splendor iSmart 110
The Hero Splendor iSmart 110 is one of the most important launches of the year, mainly because itâs the first motorcycle to be completely developed in-house by Hero MotoCorp since its split with Honda five years ago. The Splendor iSmart 110 was developed at the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT), Heroâs sprawling 250-acre R&D centre near Jaipur.
hero splendor ismart 110
The Bike is the 2nd iSmart Bike From Hero After the 100cc Splendor iSmart
In line with Heroâs brand image as manufacturers of frugal, easy to use commuter motorcycles, the Splendor iSmart 110 gets a new 110cc engine with i3S technology, the start-stop system which shuts the engine automatically after ten seconds in neutral. To restart the engine, all the rider needs to do is pull in the clutch and the motor will restart. The Hero Splendor is the largest selling motorcycle in India, and on an average sells 10 lakh units every year. Hero also leads the motorcycle market with a 52 per cent market share. Going forward, Hero will be looking to maintain its leadership position going forward.
4. TVS Victor
The Victor name is not new for TVS Motor Company. The original TVS Victor, first launched in 2001, was the flag bearer of the Hosur-based two wheeler manufacturerâs commuter motorcycle line-up. In fact, in its time the Victor was so popular that it even dented sales of market leader Hero Splendor. TVS discontinued the Victor in 2007 due to a variety of reasons â rising competition and too many products in the same segment. In 2016, TVS revived the Victor name with an all-new product, in an immensely popular 110cc segment.
tvs victor 110
The TVS Victor is the NDTV Two Wheeler Of The Year Up To 110cc
The new 110cc engine makes 9.46bhp power and 9.4Nm of torque, par for the course for 110cc bikes. New design, new engine and a bike with comfortable ride quality and good fuel economy makes the new TVS Victor a very good contender in the 100-110cc commuter motorcycle space. Itâs a well-rounded product, with an understated design and little to find fault in, and for the typical family guy looking for a 110cc commuter, the TVS Victor ticks all the right boxes, and also makes it to our list of top 10 two wheeler launches.
5. TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
Another TVS motorcycle makes it to the top 10 launches list, and itâs the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, TVS Motor Companyâs flagship motorcycle. The Apache RTR 200 4V was launched earlier this year and is available in as many as eight variants, including a carburetted version and a fuel-injected version and a variant with ABS. It was one of the most-awaited launches from TVS, and the bike certainly has lot of things going for it as an entry-level performance bike which doubles up as a daily commuter.
tvs apache 200 review
The TVS Apache 200 is the NDTV Two Wheeler Of The Year Up To 200cc
The Apache RTR 200 4V is a powered by a torquey engine which makes 20.5bhp power and 18.1Nm of torque, with a strong mid-range, making it ideal for riding in the city without requiring frequent gear changes. Sporty looks, very good build quality and with the right equipment and features, make the TVS Apache RTR 200 a great all-round commuter as well as occasional track machine for beginners. Ex-showroom prices for the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V begin from around Rs 89,000 for the base carburetted version and goes up to over Rs 1.07 lakh for the top-of-the-line fuel-injected variant with ABS.
6. Royal Enfield Himalayan
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is the first purpose-built motorcycle for adventure by any Indian two wheeler manufacturer. The bike has a simple, stripped-down design, but gets the right equipment for travelling to places where the roads end. High ground clearance, long travel suspension offer a comfortable ride as well as capability to go off-road. To top it all, the Himalayan is easy to handle in traffic and can double up as a multi-purpose bike â for the daily commute, long distance touring and off-road riding.
royal enfield himalayan cnb awards
The RE Himalayan is the NDTV Two Wheeler Of The Year Up To 500cc
Powered by a new, 411cc single-cylinder engine, and fed by a carburettor, the Himalayan makes 24bhp power and 32Nm torque. Itâs got a strong mid-range, making it ideal for operating in mountain roads. At the top of the rev range though, the noise and harshness creeps in. The Royal Enfield Himalayan has broken new ground in the Indian motorcycling scene, offering a do-it-all bike that few manufacturers can boast of. Priced at a very competitive Rs 1.55 lakh, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is the first ground-up, all new Royal Enfield to be launched in India.
7. Bajaj Dominar 400
The Bajaj Dominar 400 is one of the most-awaited bike launches from Bajaj Auto. First showcased nearly three years ago as a concept in the 2014 Auto Expo, the Dominar 400 finally makes its way to the market as Bajajâs all-new premium motorcycle promising performance for the enthusiast as well as touring ability.
bajaj dominar 400 blue
The All-New Bajaj Dominar 400 is the Most Powerful Bajaj Bike Yet
Powered by a 373cc engine derived from the KTM 390 Duke, the Dominar makes 34.5bhp power and 35Nm of torque. It gets a new frame, a 43mm telescopic fork, a new swingarm and a massive 320mm front disc as well as dual-channel ABS. It is Bajajâs most powerful motorcycle yet and with a sticker ex-showroom price starting at Rs 1.36 lakh for the non-ABS variant, the Dominar 400 promises a lot of bang for your buck.
8. Triumph Street Twin
The Triumph Street Twin is one of the first entry-level superbike launches of the year. With the new Street Twin, Triumph has completely revamped its modern classic line-up, providing equipment and technology that has not been seen in any of the Bonneville range motorcycles till date. The Street Twin is the entry-level Bonneville, with an ex-showroom price of Rs 6.9 lakh.
triumph street twin
The Triumph Street Twin is is a Stripped Down Base Version of the New Bonneville Range
The Street Twin is a stripped down base version of the new Bonneville range and gets an all-new 900cc engine, now with liquid-cooling. The engine makes around 55bhp of power and 80Nm of torque. Thatâs not all, the Street Twin also gets a new chassis and a host of rider-focussed electronic aids including ride-by-wire, ABS and even switchable traction control. Itâs the perfect bike for the beginner, yet has the performance for more experienced riders as well.
9. Triumph Bonneville T120
The Triumph Bonneville T120 is a new model addition to the upgraded Bonneville series for 2016. The looks are retained with the signature classic Bonneville design, but everything else from the design is completely new on the T120. Revised chassis, new suspension set-up and an all-new 1200cc liquid-cooled engine gives this modern classic a level of performance that is instantly likeable.
triumph bonneville t120
Triumph T120
The new 1200cc mill produces 79bhp power and 105Nm of torque and the bike also gets additional electronic like ride-by-wire (with two riding modes), ABS and switchable traction control. The new Triumph Bonneville T120 is an all-new motorcycle from the ground-up. It retains the classic looks, but has the performance to entertain even more experienced riders. At Rs 8.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the T120 is the latest Triumph modern classic with signature Bonneville looks and with all the bells and whistles of a completely modern motorcycle.
10. Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro
The Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro is the new Ducati adventure tourer with equipment which make it capable to take on the rough. The new Multistrada 1200 Enduro has impressive road presence, very good touring ability and an engine which underlines the fact that the Enduro has the heart of a superbike. The latest generation 1200cc Testastretta engine makes 160bhp of power and is one of the most sophisticated and capable ADV bikes available on sale in India.
ducati multistrada 1200 enduro
Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro
Ride-by-wire with a choice of engine maps, which automatically adjust power output, throttle response, traction control, wheelie control, ABS mode and even suspension damping and rear preload are only some of the features that make the Multistrada 1200 Enduro a completely modern, hi-tech motorcycle. It may feel a little bulky, particularly in crawling traffic, but once on the move, the Enduro feels as easy as any other bike out there. Priced at Rs 17.44 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Enduro isnât exactly your affordable ADV bike, but itâs got everything going for it and more which just makes it a great all-round motorcycle.
Is Honda Getting Ready To Enter The Autonomous Car Market?
Honda could be the latest manufacturer to join the autonomous car bandwagon.
Autonomous technology is a big talking point in the car industry right now. This week Google accelerated its Waymo project and is currently fitting its autonomous technology to a fleet of 100 Pacific minivans as part of a partnership with FiatâChrysler. Meanwhile, Michigan has legalized these self-driving cars to be tested without anyone at the wheel. Honda is the latest manufacturer to express its interest in the autonomous car market, and is about to enter talks with Waymo about integrating its self-driving technology into future Honda vehicles.
Is Honda Getting Ready To Enter The Autonomous Car Market?
While this is only at the early stages and therefore isnât a formal partnership just yet, the collaboration would allow both companies to learn about the integration of Waymoâs fully self-driving sensors, software and advanced computing platform. Just like the customized Chrysler Pacifics, Honda will be talking about the possibility of modifying some of its vehicles with the technology. These would then join Waymoâs existing fleet of self-driving cars, which are currently being tested in four US cities. If this does happen, Honda engineers from the US and Japan will work with Waymo teams in Mountain View, California and Novi, Michigan.
Is Honda Getting Ready To Enter The Autonomous Car Market?
Honda has already said in the past that it wants to have its own autonomous vehicles on the road in 2020 to achieve its goal of a âcollision-free society,â and will continue to develop its own technology independently â a partnership with Waymo would allow the manufacturer to explore different options. It has also said that it doesnât think autonomous technology will replace traditional driving, which should be reassuring to gearheads. Given that Chrysler Pacifica is currently being tested by Waymo, perhaps weâll see the new Honda Odyssey minivan fitted with the technology if a partnership is agreed.
Is Honda Getting Ready To Enter The Autonomous Car Market?
Is Honda Getting Ready To Enter The Autonomous Car Market?
Is Honda Getting Ready To Enter The Autonomous Car Market?
Source: Is Honda Getting Ready To Enter The Autonomous Car Market?
Can The Futuristic Acura NSX Beat The Old-School Audi R8?
Can modern hybrid supercar technology be a match for the traditional naturally-aspirated engine?
The Acura NSX is one of the most technologically advanced supercars available right now. Itâs the very essence of modern 21st century engineering, combining a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with three electric motors to deliver 574 horsepower. However, purists will argue that all this technology dilutes the driving experience and crave something more old-school: enter the Audi R8 V10 Plus, one of the only remaining naturally-aspirated supercars on sale today. But which is better? To find out, Carfection pitted them head-to-head. Thereâs no escaping the rise of electric technology in supercars, but the rapid acceleration of the NSX and its sublime sound suggests that there hasnât been any compromise to the core driving experience to cause concern. If this represents the future of the supercar, we need not worry, it seems.
Can The Futuristic Acura NSX Beat The Old-School Audi R8?
The long-delayed NSX was well worth the wait, and is by far the best example of a contemporary hybrid supercar weâve seen so far â certainly, it leaves its closest competitor, the more expensive BMW i8, for dust in terms of both performance and handling. And yet you still canât beat the sound and feel of a naturally-aspirated engine, which leaves Carfection rather conflicted when trying to decide which car to take home. The NSX has a more striking shape and is loaded with technology, but it still canât match the power of the 610 hp Audi R8 V10 Plus. Which do you prefer?
Can The Futuristic Acura NSX Beat The Old-School Audi R8?
Can The Futuristic Acura NSX Beat The Old-School Audi R8?
Source: Can The Futuristic Acura NSX Beat The Old-School Audi R8?
