Honda to share platforms, facilities with Proton

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Honda and Malaysia's Proton have signed an agreement to work together, but before we go and start dreaming about a Lotus-derived Honda S2000 successor, Automotive News Europe breaks down what the deal could mean for both automakers. Proton (parent company of Lotus) has been trying to build a relationship with bigger automakers (including Volkswagen) since being acquired by DRB-Hicom back in January, but this agreement with Honda could be a great opportunity for the rebuilding automaker to grow.

According to the article, it is likely that the two companies could share production facilities and even vehicle platforms, and it also says that the deal could help Proton boost its export capability. Since Honda already has a plant in Malaysia, which is currently being expanded to build the new Jazz Hybrid, it isn't clear how the Japanese automaker will benefit from the deal. That said, DRB-Hicom is already involved in many areas of the automobile industry and builds Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki and Volkswagen cars in Malaysia.

Honda to share platforms, facilities with Proton originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda drops full details about incredibly adorable N-One

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Japan has dropped all of the savory details about its new Kei car, the cute 'n cuddly N-One.

The N-One builds on the JDM-only N line for the automaker, which already produces an N Box and N Box+ for Japanese consumers. The boxy Kei car will offer two powerplants displacing 660cc each, one naturally aspirated and one turbocharged, as well as both front- and all-wheel- drive configurations. All N-One models rely on a continuously variable transmission. Honda isn't giving up the goods in terms of output figures for the N-One engines, save to say that the turbo will have performance "equivalent to a vehicle in the 1.3L class."

We are, of course, super jealous of all Kei car experiences, but that's particularly true here, as the N-One's pert, rounded-box looks bring Honda's N360/N600 styling cues up to date, and the city car's funky interior treatment make us positively green with envy. Take a closer look at our extensive gallery of images, and don't miss all the full details in the press release below.

Continue reading Honda drops full details about incredibly adorable N-One

Honda drops full details about incredibly adorable N-One originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HondaJet production underway

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

During a press conference at the National Business Aviation Association's annual convention in Orlando, Florida, Honda announced that production has begun of its HondaJet line. Honda considers this a major milestone in the development of the business jet. The Japanese company has stated that its next milestones are FAA approval and delivery of its first model.

According to Michimasa Fujino, CEO and President of Honda Aircraft, "An assembly line for HondaJet production is in place, major aircraft components including the fuselage and wing have been produced, and we have started assembly of the first customer aircraft."

Included in the announcement is an explanation of one of Honda's production processes. The Automatic Guided Cart, Known as AGC, it is described as a "mobile robot ... designed to pick up and deliver parts to the production facility's unique assembly areas." (That is, of course, until it becomes self aware, and the reign of our machine overlords begins.)

According to Fujino, "Our commitment to deliver the best possible product that will bring new value to the aviation remains. We have taken the necessary time and effort with the HondaJet program to do it right and give our customers the finest product with the best ownership experience." Honda calls the HondaJet the "most advanced light business jet aircraft." The very first HondaJet is in final assembly now, with testing scheduled for early 2013. Check out more on the HondaJet in the press release below.

Continue reading HondaJet production underway

HondaJet production underway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda marks 30 years with $200 million upgrade, 200 new jobs in Ohio

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Honda says it will invest $200 million in its Ohio facilities and hire an additional 200 workers there. The announcement coincides with the company's 30 year anniversary of producing cars in the US, with a 1983 Accord rolling off the Marysville, Ohio production line on Nov. 1, 1982.

The money will go toward expansion of Honda's Anna engine plant and its Russels Point transmission facility. Honda's statement says the investment is part of a larger, $1.2 billion spending program to improve and expand its US manufacturing network.

Honda began the program two years ago and has since spent $400 million at its Lincoln, AL plant creating 190 new jobs there; $299 million at the Anna engine plant which created 200 new jobs; $40 million at its Greensburg, IN, creating 300 new jobs; $166 million to expand its East Liberty, OH, plant; $175 million at the Russels Point plant for a 195,000 square foot expansion and an additional 100 jobs. Other investments made at various locations around the country make up the remainder.

Read Honda's official press release below.

Continue reading Honda marks 30 years with $200 million upgrade, 200 new jobs in Ohio

Honda marks 30 years with $200 million upgrade, 200 new jobs in Ohio originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Accord Coupe

2013 Honda Accord Coupe

Honda Automobiles: American Honda Reports October Sales: Double-Digit Accord Gains Fueled by All-New Model; Acura RDX Sets Record, Up 62 Percent

American Honda today reported October 2012 U.S. sales of 106,973 units, an increase of 8.8 percent compared with October 2011. The Honda Division posted October 2012 sales of 94,810 units, an increase of 8.7 percent compared with October 2011. Acura U.S. October sales of 12,163 units increased 9.4 percent compared with October 2011.

Honda
- Accord leads all Honda vehicles in October with sales of 28,349 units, posting a 25-percent gain compared to the year prior, as production of all-new 2013 Accord has ramped up

- Civic gains 27 percent compared with October 2011 with sales of 20,687 units

- CR-V, Crosstour, Ridgeline and Fit all post October sales gains

"The strong momentum of Honda sales continues despite the end-of-month timing of Hurricane Sandy, but our chief concern right now is with those who have been impacted by this devastating natural disaster," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of Sales. "With sales of the all-new Accord building each month, we look forward to Honda's solid end-of-year finish."

Acura
- RDX sets its sixth-consecutive monthly sales record with 2,659 units, up 62 percent compared with October 2011 and is on track for an all-time annual sales mark

- MDX and RDX combine to set new October light-truck sales record of 6,476 units, up 18 percent from October 2011

"Acura's one-two punch of luxury performance SUVs is obviously resonating with consumers, with new October records set for both RDX and our truck lineup," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura Sales. "With our sedan lineup growing stronger via the new ILX and the upcoming debut of the all-new Acura RLX, Acura continues to gain momentum."

The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 26 days for October 2012 and 26 days for October 2011. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 256 days for 2012 and 255 days for 2011. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.automobiles.honda.com. For media inquiries please visit www.hondanews.com. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries please visit www.acuranews.com.

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Infographic: 30 years of American-built Honda Accord

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Are we allowed to say that this infographic celebrating the 2013 Honda Accord might be - so far - the most interesting thing about the car? Breaking down thirty years and eight generations of Accord production at Honda's Marysville, Ohio plant, it's a detailed chart of how the Accord went from a 75-horsepower sedan that got 28 mpg, took 12.9 seconds to reach 60 mph in 1982 and boasted a digital clock, to a 185-hp (the four-cylinder model) sedan that gets 35 mpg, takes seven seconds to get to 60 mph and boasts the kinds of features you'd also find in a Mercedes-Benz.

The factory numbers are just as interesting, the Marysville plant taking six years to build its first million cars, then taking just two years to add another one million during the third-generation Accord, repeating the feat again twice during the fifth and sixth generations. The latest sedan and coupe carry the hopes of those nine million others that came before it, each generation of which made Car and Driver's 10-Best list. Let the games begin - after you check out the infographic, which you can click on to enlarge.

Infographic: 30 years of American-built Honda Accord originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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