Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Car Buying, Acura, Honda

The residual value of a car or truck can be a tricky proposition. The age, mileage, general condition and segment of of the vehicle makes a big difference in determining its value, and so does its brand. If you want a car with strong residual value, it wouldn’t hurt to buy a Honda, as the Japanese automaker has won it’s sixth consecutive Automotive Lease Guide residual award. Honda’s Acura division joined its less expensive sibling for the first time by taking the top spot for luxury vehicles, too, making it a clean sweep for team H-badge.

Toyota finished fourth overall in the voting, but the Japanese Juggernaut managed to win the most overall segment awards. Subaru has to be very pleased with its second place overall finish in residual values. Ford’s F-150 scored big with the best residuals in the light pickup truck market. Japanese automakers won 11 of the 18 overall segment awards, while U.S. automakers won or shared three segments. Hit the jump to view all the segment leaders in the ALG residuals listing.

[Source: Automotive Lease Guide]

Continue reading Big Surprise: Honda and Acura have best residual values

Big Surprise: Honda and Acura have best residual values originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, Honda, LA Auto Show

Honda joins Ford in the green dash race with its latest piece of clever technology, the Eco Assist dashboard, which the automaker has revealed here in LA and will come with the 2009 Insight hybrid. There’s an ECON button on the dash that increases fuel efficiency by changing settings on the CVT transmission and air conditioning unit and by increasing regenerative braking capabilities and a more aggressive anti-idling algorithm.

The Insight’s new dash will also change colors between shades of green and blue to tell the driver how they’re driving. There is also an an “economy scoring function” that keeps track of the way the car is driven and gives eco-scores to the pilot. Ford has taken a similar approach with its new Fusion hybrid, which will be equipped with an LCD gauge cluster called SmartGauge[TM] with EcoGuide.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading LA 2008: Honda shows off Insight’s Eco Assist dashboard

LA 2008: Honda shows off Insight’s Eco Assist dashboard originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Japan, HondaClick above to view a massive, high-res gallery of the JDM Honda OdysseyHonda’s JDM Odyssey - not to be confused with the U.S.-market people mover that shares the same name - has been hailed as one of the best handling minivans in Japan. For 2009, Honda has taken everything good about […]

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Filed under: Honda, Motorcycles

The age of the automatic motorcycle is upon us. Aprilia got the ball rolling with the 850 Mana and Honda is finally set to introduce its DN-01 in the U.S. Both of these bikes use a shift-free transmission like a scooter but have motorcycle-like controls and looks along with a riding position not found on any scooter, regardless of engine size. Still these machine blur the lines between the largest of the maxi-scooters and motorcycles even further. In any case, the DN-01 for 2009 is powered by a 680cc V-Twin engine with 61 horsepower and is available in Candy Dark Red or Black for a steep $14,599.

Big Red also has a new lightweight supermoto on hand for ‘09 called the CR230M that’s based on the successful CRF230L platform. Equipped with 17-inch wheels and grippy sportbike tires, the handling is likely to outdo the 232cc air-cooled single cylinder powerplant. That little mill, along with a wet weight of just 276 lbs, should provide for extremely good fuel economy. Get one for $4,749.

Rounding out the Honda cycle news for the new model year are the CBR sportbikes. We already looked at the technical side of the two new bikes, now featuring ABS brakes, and Honda has today released the U.S. color schemes for ‘09. Things are cool for the 1000RR, with Black, Pearl While and a Repsol Replica scheme plus an ABS-only Red model. For the 600RR, though, we’re left scratching our heads. Black, Red/Black and a patriotic Red, White and Blue are fine, but what’s with the Phoenix graphics and the Bright Green? Oh well, ABS models get either monochromatic Black or Red/Black options. See all the available U.S. CBR colors in our galleries after the break.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda releases DN-01 and CR230M in U.S. for ‘09

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Filed under: Honda, Natural Gas, Green Daily, USAWe’re suckers for a good conspiracy theory, and we’ve stumbled upon one involving getting our nations off imported oil. Perfect! After reading through it, though, we’re a little less enthusiastic. The whole thing centers around the Honda Civic GX, which is powered by natural gas as opposed to […]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossovers/CUVs, Honda

Thanks to Autoblog reader Brad, we now have proof Honda’s new corporate grille that first debuted on the 2009 Pilot will be making its way to the 2009/10 Element, as well. This brochure scan reveals the Element’s new face, which is clearly more mature and grown up than the previous year’s model. There are larger, more complex headlamps that flank the new chunky grille, and thick, body colored molding no longer dominates the more aerodynamic front end. We’re also told the next Element will offer new options like a cooling fridge, nav system and two new shades of dark and light blue. The vehicle appears to retain the same 2.4L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and available four-wheel-drive, though Honda might not offer those funky matte black body panels anymore.

[Source: Brad]

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Filed under: Etc., Chevrolet, GM, Honda, Toyota

Bloggers love environmentally friendly cars. Or so it seems, according to research performed by J.D. Power and Associates. The most commonly referenced brands in blog posts over the last six months are Toyota, Honda and General Motors. This shouldn’t come as shocking news, considering that the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Chevy Volt are all hot topics right now and are all expected to be thoroughly redesigned or first introduced within the next few years. Naturally, then, these are the brands that are getting the most publicity and are likely the ones that you are most interested in hearing about.

Not all of the blog posts were positive, though, and JDP therefore kept separate numbers for each manufacturer counting how many good things were written about their sustainability and efforts to reduce global warming. The surprising winner of that group was Nissan, though that brand only got two percent of all mentions overall. We blog, they watch, we blog. Fun!

[Source: The Car Connection]

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Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Japan, Honda

As many of you doubtless know, the Japanese Honda Odyssey isn’t the same thing we get here in the States. While we get the more jumbo-rific family escape pod with sliders and the whole shebang, the JDM Odyssey is a sleeker-looking MPV with four traditionally-hinged doors anf four-cylinder power. And now it’s time for a new one. Honda’s just put up a special site to welcome the upcoming 4th-gen JDM Odyssey, whose styling further evolves the shape that’s by now a common site in Japan, while the front end is likely to showcase Honda’s current family design theme (think Clarity, Insight, etc.). You can check out the teaser site by clicking here, and keep in mind that Honda’s reportedly thinking about sending over some of its JDM machinery. In lieu of, say, an Accord wagon, this (or the more compact Stream) might work for a lot of people — especially those of us who view the typical U.S.-style minivan as Superman does kryptonite.

[Source: Honda via NihonCar]

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Filed under: Car Buying, Honda

While most automakers have been struggling to sale their wares in the struggling US auto market, Honda has held its own — and then some. Honda’s robust selection of high volume cars has led to a 1.2% sales increase in a market that is down a disastrous 11%, and Honda expects things to continue next year, with new models like the redesigned Fit adding to already strong sales. Industry-wide, though, Honda doesn’t expect a good 2009.

Honda, much like Toyota, sees more of the same sullied sales for the rest of this year and next, predicting 2009 sales at a dismal 13.5-14 million units industry-wide due to financial struggles in the banking sector. Honda sales VP John Mendel doesn’t think credit issues will affect the Japanese automaker, due to the typical Honda customer’s better than average credit. Mendel says he has no problem with the $25 billion in loans sought by US automakers, but he would like to see some of the money go to the hundreds of suppliers that are also struggling to survive. He was quick to point out that Honda didn’t need any outside help, and he even went as far as to equate the loan with “getting in a bread line.” That won’t win him many friends in Detroit, but then again, Honda doesn’t have or need many allies in Motown anyway.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Honda, On Two Wheels, Japan

“Make hay while the sun shines ‘cuz we’re on our way and we’re bringing some serious rain,” is the message Honda and Yamaha are sending to the new electric motorcycle companies that have been springing up like daisies. Only one of the two long-established Japanese brands has shown off battery-powered concepts in the recent past and neither has offered any for sale to the public. This has allowed new start-ups like Vectrix to begin establishing a strong presence. No more. Well, in a year or two, no more. Maybe.

Honda and Yamaha have reportedly both set launch dates for electric motorcycles. YaMoCo is looking at 2010 to offer a bike with 50cc-like performance with a 100km (62 mile) range. Not too impressive, but it’s a start. HoMoCo Honda, for their part, is targeting a model for a 2011 launch that is suited for the Japanese postal service who are said to be moving their 90,000-strong bike fleet to electric power. Lithium ion seems to be their battery chemistry of choice for the Japanese firms. While not seemingly overwhelming in the performance department, we suspect the two may be able to offer their wares at very competitive prices.

[Source: Reuters]

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Filed under: Honda, Natural Gas

Since Honda started offering a natural gas-powered version of the Civic (the GX) several years ago they have also offered buyers a device called the Phill. Phill is a home natural gas compressor that hooks up to the household gas supply and fuels the car. The device is built by a Honda-owned company called FuelMaker Corp in Toronto. Honda has now sold FuelMaker to Clean Energy Fuels Corp. for $17 million. Clean Energy already sells compressed and liquefied natural gas for transportation fleets in North America and wants to use the Phill technology to expand the market for natural gas vehicles in North America and worldwide. In particular, the company sees an international market for the Phill in places like Europe and India where natural gas is more popular as a vehicle fuel.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Honda

It’s the impending debut of the all-new Prius-assaulting Insight hybrid that’s got our hearts all aflutter over Honda’s booth at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, but that’s not all the automaker will be bringing with it to the City of Lights. Along with the new dedicated hybrid we’ll see the latest version of its older and somewhat less interesting brother, the Civic Hybrid, that along with the rest of the Civic line for ‘09, gets a small bit of freshening for the new model year. We do like the looks of the new front-end, but besides that, there’s not much to see here… and so we move along to the CR-Z hybrid coupe that Honda’s been showing off since Tokyo. Big H’s other stab at saving the world runs on hydrogen, the FCX Clarity. Despite the fact that nobody in Europe will be able to buy it, it’ll be there with bells on.

Honda will also use the Paris Motor Show to introduce the Continent to its new-for-’09 Jazz, known to us Yanks as the Fit. Something else that should be of interest to the Europeans is Honda’s first automatic gearbox for its ubiquitous 2.2-liter diesel engine, dubbed the i-DTEC, which rounds out the new stuff that Honda has to show in Paris.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Honda readies refreshed Civic Hybrid and i-DTEC gearbox

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Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, UK, Paris Motor Show

The big news coming from Honda for the Paris Motor Show is the introduction of the Insight hybrid concept. We are glad that previous reports that the name would be changed were incorrect. For the rest of their booth, Honda has other things to show off as well, and we’ve pasted the official press release after the break. The next big debut is the Euro-market Honda Jazz, which is known in most of the rest of the world as the Fit. We tested the U.S. Sport version and you can read all about that here. Although everybody knows what the Jazz looks like, Honda will be trotting out the entire line, which includes 1.2, 1.4 and 1.4 i-SHIFT Automated Manual Transmission models.

Along with the Insight and Jazz, Honda will show off its newly-updated Civic hybrid for the first time. Drivers who want an automatic with their 2.2-liter diesel engine will get that option for the first time ever. Lastly, Honda will bring along its latest FCX Clarity and the CR-Z concept that we’ve all seen a million times already. Anything we left out? No? All righty then, there you have it.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda reveals its plans for Paris

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Honda’s newest hybrid car due early next year will carry the Insight nameplate. The new gas-electric vehicle will be named after the original Insight. “The name Insight was chosen to denote Honda’s ’insight’ into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers,” the company said. The new Honda Insight […]

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Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Green Daily

If there’s one vehicle that’s leading the pack for “Car of the Future, Today,” it’s the Toyota Prius. The world’s most popular hybrid will have it’s own plug-in version sooner than expected, but the competition isn’t waiting to try and take its hybrid crown. Honda’s “Prius fighter” has been talked about for what seems like ages (spy shots here) and we’re getting awfully close to seeing the real deal. We already know it’ll look something like the fuel cell-driven FCX Clarity, but details beyond that are scarce. We had been told the reveal would happen at the Paris Motor Show next month, but word from Honda is that we’ll now see it in just 48 hours when the concept version is revealed on Thursday, Sept. 4th. After that we can view the concept in person at the Paris show, and then the production version is expect to bow at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Honda will begin selling the car early next year and word is that it will be affordable. While the official MSRP is still a long way off, Honda’s UK environmental manager John Kingston told Just-Auto (sub. req’d) that it should not cost more than “traditional cars from rival manufacturers.” Hybrid premium, what hybrid premium? On the technical front, the size of the car’s revised Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system has been reduced and the lighter powerplant will help push up its MPG numbers. What those are remains a mystery, but Honda is expecting to sell around 200,000 of these puppies a year, with half of those being bought in the U.S. Sounds good, now can we just see the thing already?

[Source: Just-Auto via CarScoop]

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The new Honda City 2009 looks promising with a redesigned front exterior that is inspire by the FCX Clarity. The interiors feature a neat dash with a clean and simple instrument cluster and center stack. The new headlamps feature reflector lenses which are less expensive than projector type.
Behind the steering wheel are paddle shifters for […]

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Aiming squarely at the market-leading Toyota Prius, Honda Motor Co. will introduce a new gas-electric hybrid by April of 2009. Honda already has the most fuel-efficient lineup in the US. “We’re targeting sales of 100,000 units of this new vehicle in North America,” said Richard Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. in […]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Videos, Acura, Honda

It might look like an S2000 out there on the ‘Ring, but something’s not quite right. We’ve all ogled the spy pictures by now, but Inside Line has produced a nifty little video of what we all think is a development mule for the next Acura NSX. Just listen to that angry exhaust note - that ain’t no 4 pot. The S2000 duds are a nice blending tactic - it doesn’t draw that much attention to itself, and it gives Honda time to get it together after their body design was met with a yawn in Detroit. The grey bomber makes good use of its rumored 5.5 liter V10 and SH-AWD as it digs into corners and claws its way around the German racetrack. Unlike the original NSX, this time around, the Honda supercar platform will be front-engined, and may not be called NSX. The high points of this mule have already been covered, so click the pic and enjoy the video.

[Source: Inside Line]

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After more that two decades of development Honda finally thinks that the time is right to launch it’s much talked about hybrid fuel cell car FCX.

With the launch of this car Honda will continue to maintain its industry lead as the…

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The latest offering from Honda, the 8th generation Civic, also known as the FA/FD/FG Civic proved to the world that Honda had not lost their touch in creating sporty family cars. The 7th generation, as good and capable as it was, lacked the sporting panache that the previous generations had. The FA/FD/FG Civic brought it […]

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