Honda's new Home Power Generation

The New Honda: Cars, Bikes and …. Home Power Generation

Posted by Stephen On Friday, July 15th, 2011

The idea of what they are calling “co-generation” doe not get as much publicity as the latest Honda bike or car launch, but on July 14th Honda’s Yamada made it clear that company leaders want to see electricity co-generation technology products become a third pillar for Honda’s business, on par with their car and bike retail divisions.

So the first thing you are probably wondering is, well, what on earth is this “co-generation” thing they are talking about anyway? Well, to put it in a nutshell, it refers to domestic electricity generation using a combination of a gas engine and solar panels. Interest has focused on this type of technology in the wake of the earthquake that left so many homes without power, as well as the on-going crisis at the Fukushima nuclear reactor and Prime Minister Kan’s recent call for a nuclear-free Japan. Analysts are expecting this market to boom.

Now, while it is true that Toyota also has other seemingly-unrelated businesses, such as home builder Toyota Home, within its corporate group, Toyota’s primary focus is quite clearly on producing automobiles. So for Honda to be considering such a radical change of corporate strategy as putting this new business on par with their automobile and bike businesses is a very bold move.

So why do it? From Honda’s point of view, this technology also neatly dovetails with their future plans for alternatively powered vehicles. After all, if fuel cells and batteries in EVs or plug-in hybrids require a power source. What better than if you could generate your own power at home for both your household appliances and your vehicles? And once a system is in place to sell power back to the grid, it will give businesses and private individuals a way of participating in the energy generation business and thus paying down the cost of their investment and their own power usage quicker.

Source;

http://integrityexports.com/2011/07/15/new-honda-cars-bikes-and-home-power-generation/

MotorTrend: First Drive: Honda Fit Shuttle Hybrid

Not for our market....yet?....
Super-Sized Honda Is a Better Fit for Families
July 21, 2011
By Peter Lyon
Photography by Holiday Auto Magazine

Like much of Japan's industry, Honda's operations were massively disrupted after the March earthquake and tsunami, and new model launches were delayed. The super-sized Fit's debut was knocked back three months, and production temporarily relocated from the earthquake-damaged Saitama plant near Tokyo to Honda's Suzuka plant some 250 miles to the west. Now that things are back on track, we had a chance to take the Shuttle for a spin.

Based on the current model Fit's platform, with its superb center tank layout and low, flat floor, the Fit Shuttle is basically a Fit with a bigger, heavier body. It also inherits the 1.3-liter hybrid and 1.5-liter gas engines. In Japan at least, all models come with Honda's continuously variable transmission.

Some 20 inches longer than the current Fit, roughly 0.6 inches taller, and 154 pounds heavier, the Fit Shuttle employs the bolder, more substantial-looking nose from the U.S.-spec Fit. As you'd expect, the new Shuttle offers more head and legroom, and significantly more luggage space. While the increased space is its main reason for existence, the new Shuttle also delivers a better interior with higher-quality materials and trim, especially in the area of dashboard plastics. Honda is targeting customers downsizing from sedans, but still looking for acceptable ride quality and better quality and comfort levels than most small minivans. On those points the Shuttle delivers.


It delivers on the road, too, thanks to its proven hybrid IMA 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine, which generates 88 hp at 5800 rpm and 88 lb-ft of torque at 4500, while the electric motor produces 13 hp. Surprisingly, Honda engineers have managed to achieve mpg numbers that should match or beat the U.S.-spec Insight's roughly 40/43 city/highway (the same as its smaller, lighter Fit brother) by employing strategic aerodynamic revisions and friction reduction measures. These modifications make the Shuttle feel adequate but not quick, with a 0-60 mph time in the 10-second range. One aspect that impressed was the Shuttle's newfound quietness. Specially developed pile carpet, including synthetic inserts into the wheel wells and underbody, has significantly lowered the amount of noise and vibration reaching the cabin. You can hardly hear the engine laboring when pushed, or the CVT revving high to get the car up to speed.

Since the Shuttle went on sale last month in Japan, some 80 percent of customers have opted for the hybrid, which makes a lot of sense considering the post-earthquake mood here and the desire to save energy after the ensuing power cuts. However, Honda also offers a 1.5-liter gasoline model that delivers 117 hp and 106 lb-ft. For those looking for a Fit that has the get-up-and-go to propel five adults and their luggage, we'd recommend gas-powered Shuttle. That's not to say the hybrid doesn't cut the mustard. It does -- just not as well. The 1.5 jumps from 0-60 mph in around 8.5 seconds and delivers strong torque from as low as 2000 rpm. This for us was the pick of the crop, and it still delivers roughly 30 mpg combined.


On the road, the Shuttle has the Fit's sporty feel and handy road manners, combined with a more stable level of ride comfort. Its steering response is not quite as direct as the base Fit, but it still delivers good weight and channels ample feedback to the driver. Our only real gripe with the car was with its air conditioner, which periodically turned the compressor off to save fuel, then blowed hot air whenever it flicked into fuel efficiency mode at idle.

One Honda source we talked with suggested the Shuttle is being considered for export by mid-2012, with the U.S. as a long shot. A more likely scenario, however, would be for Honda to wait until the next-generation Fit lineup rolls out in 3-4 years before deciding on any U.S.-market launch. "We cannot send a soon-to-be-obsolete Fit, even if it's a bigger, more practical car," the Honda official told us. Stay tuned.

Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1107_honda_fit_shuttle_hybrid_firist_drive/index.html

Post-quake Honda says it now has lots of Fits, Insights for dealers

Honda offered a terrific sign this week that it is finally getting back on its feet in the U.S. after the March earthquake and tsunami that drastically slashed production.

It is now telling dealers that they can resume ordering two of the most in-demand models -- the small Honda Fit and the hybrid Insight, Automotive News reports.

The two models, both made in Japan, have been among the most in-demand as gas rose to an average of nearly $4 a gallon. The Fit is the smallest car that Honda sells in the U.S. and comes recommended by Consumer Reports. The Insight is the brand's underrated hybrid, a competitor to Toyota's Prius.

"Honda's manufacturing operations in Japan are returning to nearly normalized levels by the end of summer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's U.S. sales operation in a memo to Honda dealers. Adding back Fit and Insight "represents a major improvement from the recovery timetable we provided you last month."

Honda stopped orders on the models after the earthquake. Honda didn't incur major damange to its factories in Japan, but it has been badly impacted by the shortage of parts that has hampered other automakers, including those in the U.S.

In fact, Mendel is downright bullish. Noting that other models like the Pilot SUV, Odyssey minivan and CR-V small crossover are coming back to normal production levels, he implored dealers, "it is imperative that you keep your foot on the sales pedal."

It won't be easy: Sales fell 22% in May compared with a year ago, the News notes.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/post-quake-honda-says-now-lots-of-fits-insights-for-dealers/1

Honda plans to bring its Japanese assembly plants back to normal output by summer

Honda Motor Co. is seeking to recover from the Japan disaster months earlier than forecasted. It expects that its assembly plants in Japan will be able to resume normal production by summer. Spokesman Keitaro Yamamoto said Honda’s factories in Sayama and Suzuka factories, the car’s only assembly plants in Japan, are expected to get back to pre-earthquake production levels by August. Honda had previously announced that global production will be restored by the end of the year. Honda had been significantly affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan that had resulted to disruptions in the supply chain and to idled plants.

But it’s likely that the global operations will normalize earlier with the progress in the country’s recovery, according to Autonews. Honda anticipates that the r&d center’s engineers, who were out of work after the disaster struck, will go back to the facility by the middle of June. The earthquake claimed one death and led to several injuries when it caused the ceiling at Honda’s body design facility to crash down. Last March, Honda put a thousand of its r&d workers (about 10% of the center’s total workforce) to continue their work at its other buildings in the site or at its other facilities in Japan while repairs are ongoing.

Yamamoto said that suppliers are exceeding expectations and are restoring output earlier. That is why automakers are also able to resume normal production earlier too. Honda’s improved outlook was revealed only days after it said that U.S. production will go back to normal this August for its entire lineup except the recently redesigned Civic. Honda has announced that a second shift will be put up later in 2011 at its Civic plant in Indiana to help make up for the production losses.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-plans-to-bring-its-japanese-assembly-plants-back-to-normal-output-by/

Honda to revive HR-V in 2014,To be upsize and slot below CR-V

Older news but news none the less.... not expecting this for the North American market....
The current Honda HR-V is small SUV at the size of Suzuki SX4.The fist car will arrive in 1998 and second generation was debute in 2007.

Unfortunately the car is not success and discontinued in 2010.

Dua to recent boom of small crossover, Honda is plan to revive the car in by August 2014.

Mag-x of Japan have photoshop the car.

Size of the new HR-V will slighly increase and will be upmarket to compet with the like of Nissan Qashqai and Mitsubishi ASX where its place between Compact and Sub compact SUV.

Size is speculate at 4350 mm Long X 1745 mm wide X 1640 mm high.

Under the hood will be 2.0 liter 4-cylinder petrol and 2.2 liter diesel is also on card for European market.

Autoten also received news that Honda is working on smaller 1.5 liter diesel engine to fit in Jazz/Fit.

We not sure if this power will under new HR-V hood but it have strong possibility.

Honda claims that this car will be UV-utility vehicle.

So,we have to wait and see what they are going to bring some new innovative or difference from conventional SUV.

Source;
http://autoten.com/2011/05/31/honda-to-revive-hr-v-in-2014to-be-upsize-and-slot-below-cr-v/

Policies say a lot about Honda

It is very good news that Honda expects all its North American operations to be back to full speed by August and that includes its Lincoln plant where three of its most popular vehicles are assembled.

The March earthquake and tsunami in Japan severely hampered Honda’s supply chain and ended up costing the giant automaker months of production as it faced difficult and at times insurmountable obstacles to getting supplies from Japan to North America.

Without those supplies, cars could not be built.

As time passed, the supply chain opened up a bit, and then a little more. But not too long ago Honda officials (along with other Japanese automakers) were expecting a late fall date for full production to resume.

Last week, however, the company announced it wouldn’t take that long.“Honda will increase production volume at its North America automobile plants to a rate of 100 percent original production plan in August,” a company press release announced.

Honda’s employees in Lincoln met the news with enthusiasm.

“Today we announced to our associates in plant-wide meetings that we are planning to accelerate recovery of our production. …” said Mark Morrison, a company spokesman. “When we announced that the Odyssey and Pilot would reach 100 percent of their original production plan in August, our associates greeted the news with great applause,” he said.

That kind of reaction is what you would expect from Honda employees. The 4,000 people who work in the local plant are intensely loyal and, based on the plant’s expansion since opening, also are very productive.

That loyalty and productivity have been rewarded with a unique approach to the forced slowdown in production. Rather than lay off workers, Honda allowed them to work on maintenance chores, or to take earned vacation time to keep their paychecks coming. And after the April 27 tornadoes ripped through our area, Honda allowed its employees to take two days per week to volunteer at cleanup activities while getting paid as though they were at work.

Those policies say a lot about Honda and the kind of company it is. And they say a lot about Honda’s employees and the kind of people they are.

Honda made it through this parts crisis without laying off a single employee in their North American plants, the company said. Now that they are ready to ramp up production again, those employees are available and their morale should be high, since no one had to do with a reduced paycheck during the difficult times.

The Japanese automaker obviously enjoys great economic strength to be able to weather such a crisis without cutting employee paychecks. We commend Honda for its approach, we continue to wish the company a long and prosperous future in Lincoln and the rest of its North America plants.

Source: The Daily Home - Policies say a lot about Honda

Honda’s Mugen Euro wants to do high-performance Fit

Honda’s UK-based performance tuning division Mugen Euro has admitted to wanting to develop a high-performance version of the Jazz/Fit. The brand, which is responsible for the upcoming supercharged CR-Z hybrid said they’ve been yearning to do a hot version of the Fit.

Currently, Mugen offers styling packages for the Jazz in Japan, where the car is known as the Fit. However, performance increases are small.

Mugen Euro’s management says that to achieve a nice performance gain, it could tap into the CR-Z’s supercharged hybrid powerplant – or a normally aspirated 2.0L VTEC unit used in the last Civic Type R.

“Always in the back of our mind as a car that we’d like to do is the Jazz,” said Mugen Euro’s general manager Colin Whittamore.

- By: Omar Rana
Source: AutoCar
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/05/26/hondas-mugen-euro-wants-to-do-high-performance-fit/

Honda project aims to fight global warming

The city of Saitama in Japan is teaming up with one of the country’s leading car manufacturers in a bid to fight global warming and realise a sustainable, low carbon society with electric vehicles.

Honda has joined forces with the city on the E-KIZUNA project, which will test the use of urban electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric scooters with Honda also planning to test its Honda Smart Home System in the city next year – a comprehensive energy management system.

The Honda Smart Home System provides heat and electricity for the home and produces power for electric mobility. Honda also hopes to explore the system’s potential to produce electricity for the household in the event of a disaster.

It's overall aim is to reduce household CO2 emissions to half of 2000 levels by 2015. In particular it will focus on: creating a disaster-resistant city of the future through a variety of energy supplies and electric mobility; constructing an electric charging safety net; simulating demand and applying incentives such as promoting the shared use of electric scooters for commercial use; and tailoring education initiatives to local needs.

In addition, Honda has announced that it will begin sales of an all-new household micro combined heat and power gas engine cogeneration unit through gas utilities across Japan, this month. It will serve as the core unit of a household cogeneration system and burn natural or liquid propane gas to generate electricity and heat water.

Source;
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/05/24/honda-project-aims-to-fight-global-warming/

Is Honda Nuts? Its Japan-Only Fit Wagon Would be a U.S. Hit

By Jim Motavalli May 24, 2011

Honda’s management has just made half of a good decision. Taking a page from Toyota’s playbook, it is enlarging the “family” of the popular subcompact Fit hatchback. The new Fit Shuttle, to officially debut next March, stretches the 31-mpg combined base car into a minivan/wagon, which is basically what Toyota did with the larger Prius V. But Toyota is selling the hybrid V in the U.S. and so far Honda has no such plans for the Shuttle. Are they crazy? It’s a perfect car for the American market.

Outdated thinking?
Honda’s thinking on withholding the Shuttle is probably historical, but it’s also probably outdated. What you might call mini-minivans are huge hits in Honda’s domestic market and in Europe, but have often flopped in the U.S. The Kia Rondo, discontinued after the 2010 model year, comes to mind. But the Rondo — which touted three rows of seats in a mini wheelbase, was trying to do too many things at once. It started out strong with 28,000 sold in 2008, but sales fell to half that in 2009.

Kia’s sales drop also make sense when you realize that larger SUV sales rebounded in 2009 when the $4 gas of 2008 went away. The Rondo was cramped, especially that third row. But now gas is up again and the roomy, five-passenger Shuttle could slot nicely into Honda’s lineup, especially if more weight doesn’t hurt fuel economy too much. According to Jack Nerad, an executive analyst at Kelley Blue Book:

In the present climate, the Shuttle could do very well. But it will depend on whether high gas prices turn out to be an era, or just a blip. If it’s an era, then in all likelihood the car could sell in significant numbers.

Trying to track future gas prices is like grabbing o to an eel, but if I were in Honda’s management suites I wouldn’t be banking on a sustained return to $2.50 or $3 gas — though there could be some decline during the summer.

The number one seller in Japan
The Fit is a huge deal in Japan, where with the hybrid version (also not available here) it has been the number one seller for 20 months (having dethroned the hybrid Prius, and offering similar fuel economy). And it’s no slouch in the U.S., either — on the strength of high gas prices, April sales (8,116) of the subcompact were up 72.7 percent in the U.S. compared to the same month in 2010.

Another Fit would be a welcome addition to the American lineup. The base car has found a market because it offers a C-segment interior in a B-segment body, with 50.7 cubic feet of storage space if you tuck the back seat under the fronts (one of five possible configurations).

There’s a new website up for the Shuttle (in Japanese), but it doesn’t say much beyond that the new car will have “a roomy interior and ample luggage space.” Given the exterior photos, the revised interior layout probably adds a bit of both.

Too many hybrids
For Japan, Honda will also make a hybrid Shuttle, and there things get a bit trickier. As Nerad points out, Honda has struggled finding a coherent hybrid strategy. The Insight lacks distinctiveness compared to the much better-selling Prius. The perennial also-ran and somewhat bland Civic Hybrid has been completely redesigned for 2012 as part of a much-needed overhaul of the Civic family. So throwing the Shuttle into that mix might mean too many hybrid offerings for the company’s American dealers.

Honda isn’t talking about its Shuttle intentions. According to spokesman Chris Naughton:

We don’t discuss future product, but we’re always looking at our international markets to determine what might be a good fit for the U.S.

A good fit, Chris, is more Fits! But we are, in fact, getting the Fit EV, a 100-mile electric, in calendar year 2012. Details of that program are lacking, though a small number of cars are going into California test fleets at Google, Stanford University and the City of Torrance. Honda needs to get more high-profile with this program if it wants to ensure success. It should be talking to charging partners, discussing markets, and more. The company seems to be more enthused about its FCX Clarity fuel-cell car, which goes into production in 2015.

I wouldn’t suggest that Honda should be seeing a goldmine in either hybrid or electric Fits, but the Shuttle is a gas price-driven home run for American showrooms. Fuel economy + utility = hit in 2011.

Source;
http://www.bnet.com/blog/electric-cars/is-honda-nuts-its-japan-only-fit-wagon-would-be-a-us-hit/4281

Honda says parts supply recovery picking up speed

May 17 (Reuters) - Honda Motor is seeing a speeding up in the recovery of parts supplies, which will be key to bringing forward its timing for a return to normal production after a March earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan disrupted supply chains, the automaker's chief financial officer said on Tuesday.

Honda Chief Financial Officer Fumihiko Ike also told a small group of reporters that the company plans to announce its earnings forecast for the current fiscal year before its shareholders' meeting, which is scheduled for June 23. (Reporting by Kentaro Sugiyama; Writing by Junko Fujita; Editing by Edmund Klamann)

Source;
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/17/honda-production-idUST9E7GA01I20110517

Hybrid War Heats Up in Japan

Honda's new Insight went on sale in hits homeland about a week ago, and already it's under attack. Before it hit the market, there were rumors that it would be much cheaper than the Toyota Prius. Toyota, however, has other ideas. The Insight is 1.89 million yen ($18,853 USD) in Japan, which is the same price as the current Prius. Toyota then priced the coming third generation Prius at 2.05 million yen ($20,437 USD) to keep it close to the Insight. Then Toyota said it would keep the second-generation Prius on sale in Japan, and there have been rumors that Toyota is also working on a cheaper Prius costing around 30% less than the current one. That would pit three Prius models against one Insight, all similarly priced.

In response, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui said Honda will not lower the price of the Insight. Said Fukui, "I think that is something we can't do right now. We have to carefully examine the new Prius to know whether it is necessary for us to take certain measures. We have to think about the balance between cost and effectiveness." If Toyota does come out with three Japan-market Priuses, Honda will be thinking long and hard about those issues.

Unlike Toyota, though, Honda does have the CR-Z hybrid coming, which could give Honda some sporting hybrid credentials that Toyota doesn't yet have. Honda also said it is expanding its research and hybrid push into large sedans instead of counting on clean diesels for its bigger cars. Fukui feels that clean diesels are too expensive to develop be practical.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/honda-ceo-says-insight-price-wont-be-reduced-further/

Japan; Honda's Insight hatchback makes lightning fast entry into top-10 list

Kyodo News

Honda Motor Co.'s Insight hybrid hatchback, which only made its showroom debut Feb. 6, made the top-10 sales list for February with monthly sales of 4,906 units, an industry body said Thursday.

The Japan Automobile Dealers Association attributed the five-door, gasoline-electric hybrid's entry to the list to its high fuel-economy and affordable sticker price.
The main customer groups of the Insight were middle-aged and senior drivers, as well as people with families, it said.

In contrast, Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid hatchback fell to 12th from January's fifth place with sales of 4,524 units, down 22.2 percent, according to data released by the association.
The drop in demand for the Prius was due to competition from the Insight, as well as to the economy's overall deterioration, which has weighed heavily on the auto market, according to association officials.

The basic Insight model retails for ¥1.890 million, compared with ¥2.331 million for the basic Prius.

Orders for the Insight topped 15,000 units by the end of February, triple Honda's monthly sales goal.

Saitama green deal

Honda Motor Co. said Thursday it has agreed with the Saitama Prefectural Government to strengthen their cooperation to preserve the environment, including by increasing the use of fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly cars.

Under the agreement, signed by Honda President Takeo Fukui and Saitama Gov. Kiyoshi Ueda, the two parties will also cooperate in the promotion of environmental education, with Honda dispatching instructors to programs for teaching fuel-efficient driving.

Honda's announcement came a day after Nissan Motor Co. announced a five-year joint project with Yokohama to realize a sustainable zero-emission transportation system in the city.

Source;
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20090306a4.html

Edmunds.com: Japan: Honda's New Life

TOKYO — Honda has rolled out a fully redesigned Life in Japan, bringing a fresh look to the long-serving 660cc minicar that has been on the market here since 1971.

Honda last revamped the Life back in 2003 and this all-new version is another tiny, funky five-door mini with a three-cylinder engine and a bargain price starting from just $9,519.

The new Life comes in three distinct forms. The Life G is the practical, plain and simple edition. The Life Diva, aimed at the substantial female market, is set up to be "perky and sporty." The third is the "refined, elegant and fashionable" Life Pastel.

Each has its own front-end style, but all have slim pillars and large windows and have been designed to be comfortable and user-friendly Honda's even developed new buzz phrase for this: "daily smile technology."

The new Life is the first mini in Japan to feature an audio system with standard back-up camera (except on the base model). Honda says the Life is the first to feature a driver-side i-SRS airbag system with continually staged inflation.

Under the hood, there's a choice of two carryover i-DSI engines: normally aspirated (51 horsepower) and turbo (63 hp).

Like all minis in Japan, the 134-inch-long Life is strictly regulated on size, power and top speed in return for lower taxes and a break on Japan's formidably expensive parking fees.

The first Life, launched in 1971 when company founder Soichiro Honda was still at the helm, boasted an extraordinary two-cylinder, 360cc engine that produced all of 30 hp yet revved to 8,000 rpm. (Awesome)

Monthly sales target in Japan for the new version is 13,000 units.

Inside Line says: This new Life should give new life to Honda's domestic sales. — Peter Nunn, Correspondent

Source;
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=135409#2

Honda Soltec Begins Sales of Thin-Film Solar Cells for Public and Industrial Use

Japan, October 23, 2008– Honda's wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary Honda Soltec Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto; President and CEO: Akio Kazusa) will begin sales throughout Japan of thin-film solar cells for public and industrial use on October 24, 2008. Having sold solar cells for home use since October 2007, Honda intends to expand its customer base by manufacturing and selling solar cells capable of the high-capacity electrical generation required by public and industrial facilities.

Using a thin film of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) to convert solar energy into electricity, the Honda-developed cells are environmentally responsible both in their manufacturing process and in use. With increased awareness of environmental issues, Honda is seeing growth in demand not only for private- but also public- and industrial-use solar cells and continues to strengthen its business foundation by expanding product line.

In addition, Honda's extensive experience in large-scale solar cell installations has prepared the company for the expansion of the product line to public and industrial uses. The following are examples of completed projects:


Honda Cars Automobile Dealership
A 9 kW solar cell system was installed as part of the upgrading and reopening of the Honda Cars Mito, Katsuta North automobile dealership in Ibaraki Prefecture. The system powers the showroom and office of the facility.

For the rest of the News Release;
http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c081023Thin-Film-Solar-Cells/

Japan's New Odyssey gets the MUGEN Treatment

So the reveal on the new JDM-only Honda Odyssey happened earlier today, but already those pseudo in-house tuners at Mugen are dropping body kits for a speedier-looking minivan. Available in two flavors, the kits offer revised nose styling, side skirts, rear spoilers, an exhaust kit, new brake pads, apparently new floor mats and snazzier aluminum wheels. We think the US minivan market needs some of this action, don't you? We can just picture the second vannin' craze sweeping grocery store parking lots and day cares across the country.

Source;

http://jalopnik.com/5065087/mugen-kits-already-out-for-jdm-honda-odyssey

Honda Announces the All-New Japanese Odyssey

Above is the 1st generation Honda Odyssey that we recieved here in North America from 1995-1998.
TOKYO, Japan, October 16, 2008– Honda announced that sales in Japan of the all-new Odyssey will begin October 17, 2008. The fully remodeled Odyssey features a low-floor and low center-of-gravity package that enables a low profile roofline and performance beyond ordinary minivans together with a spacious cabin. The new Odyssey is also equipped with advanced safety technologies, including the new Multi-view Camera System. A special mobility-assistive version equipped with a lift-up front passenger seat will go on sale November 13, 2008.

Designed around the concept of emotive quality that will move all who experience it, the new fourth generation Odyssey provides an advanced fusion of the human/machine interface, a liberated feeling for all occupants, and a distinctive presence. So, the all-new Odyssey was developed with the goal of generating strong feelings in every circumstance: riding in it, driving it, and looking at it.

To fulfill customer expectations for excellent fuel economy related to growing awareness of environmental issues, the all-new Odyssey is equipped with a 2.4l DOHC i-VTEC engine and torque converter-equipped CVT*1, a combination that enables the vehicle to achieve both superior performance and class leading*2 fuel economy of 13.2km/l*3. Moreover, the all-new Odyssey features DBW (drive-by-wire) control and an ECON mode which improves fuel economy by applying collaborative control of the CVT and air conditioner to reduce engine load.


-New 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine delivers nimble, lively performance
-Low center-of-gravity and advanced chassis balancing ensures luxurious ride comfort and handling that complieswith the driver’s intentions
-Also available is the Odyssey Absolute, a sporty model with further refined performance characteristics


-More slender front pillars secure a wide, clear field of view for the driver, for a greater sense of security
-Advanced instrument panel design offers instant recognition and intuitive operation that enhances driving pleasure
-The three rows of seats are positioned in a V-shaped layout to allow all occupants to enjoy the forward view

-Distinctive one-motion form is lower and sleeker, providing a sensation of speed and functional beauty
-Resolute expression and contoured front styling emphasize power and vitality

Key Features of the New Odyssey

·The exterior is designed around a concept of sensual dynamism, with richly contoured surfaces to express both dynamism and solidity for conveying elegance and power.

·The front view features sharp graphics, with headlights flowing out from the chromed bumper center portion and a sculpted V-line extending up over the hood from the front grill to impart a sense of speed and power. The narrow headlights add an intrepid feel.

·The side view features a fluid silhouette with a one-motion line from front nose to roof end. This combines with the strongly contoured surface in an expression of sleekness and power.

·For the rear view, the cabin has been strongly tapered and the rear window rounded to impart a compact feel for the cabin. Horizontally oriented rear combination lights add a feeling of breadth.

·The voluptuous body contours are further highlighted with a super platinum coating.

·Six color variations are available, including two new colors.

For the rest of the News Release, follow the link;
http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4081016All-New-Odyssey/

More Pic's of Japan's 2009 Honda Odyssey, This Time with George Clooney

Here is the original Teaser pic of the JDM 2009 Honda Odyssey.

Well, this beats the teaser pic that Honda has released. This is a gorgeous van, I think it would do very well here in North America, oh, and by the way, it's not this one that is expected to make the jump to North America, it's the Honda Latitude - also a very nice car.

Source;

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/BXoga-S5FsK/George+Clooney+Set+Honda+Commercial/z8nAfbVtp6R

Japans Honda Odyssey Teaser Pic

Here's a 'teaser' pic of the upcoming 2009 JDM Honda Odyssey. Looks a lot like the old 1995-1998 Honda Odyssey that we had here (I still love the 4 door van).

This new Odyssey seems to go for a sleeker, more expressive look than the current edition with the D-panel glass getting some curvature and the fenders getting a bit of flair.

I do not expect this van to make its way here in North America.

Japanese Civic Type R Updated for 2009

FD2 Civic Type R Updated
Honda has given the JDM-only Civic Type R a mild refresh for 2009, with a few subtle revisions being made to take the most hardcore small sedan ever created into the new year.

Don't get too excited though: the changes are only cosmetic and the power output, suspension setup and trim levels are exactly the same as the outgoing model. Not a bad thing, that's for sure, but a few more horses would've been nice...

Still, it's easy to forgive Honda for leaving the mechanical package unchanged when you feast your eyes on the 2009 FD2 CTR in its new-for-09 Premium Purple Pearl paint scheme. If that doesn't tickle your fancy though, there's a very sophisticated Crystal Black Pearl and a classy Premium White Pearl hue to choose from too, in addition to the five other standard CTR colours.

The rear lamp clusters have also been revised, with the circular lenses of the old model being flicked in favour of a more angular semi-octagonal design. Recommended retail price for the 2009 Civic Type R is ¥2,835,000, for those of you lucky enough to be Japanese residents.

Oh yes, Honda also said something about power retractable mirrors now being standard-issue and apparently something in the interior has been changed, but whatever it is, it's virtually imperceptible from Honda's press shots.

Like we said, the changes are pretty low-key.

Source;
http://jpcnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/fd2-civic-type-r-updated-for-2009.html

Even More Pic's of the 2009 Honda City (again, not for north america)

Just some more pic's of basically a Fit sedan with the FCX front end. Looks really nice, but with how well the Civic and the Fit sell here in North America, I think that there'd be alot of 'self-cannabalization' within the lineup.

Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2008/08/honda-city.html