Volkswagen parks in Honda's U.S. driveway

By Christiaan Hetzner
FRANKFURT Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:51am EST

(Reuters) - Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn squeezes his bulky frame behind the wheel of the new Honda Civic and takes out a tape measure - part of a forensic, and very public, inspection of the five-door compact at last September's Frankfurt car show.

"You were a role model for us for many years once," he tells an attendant Honda official. "Really."

They were the words of a man who knows Honda (7267.T) is on the ropes in the United States, and who fervently hopes he can eat the Japanese group's lunch in its biggest market.

The United States is home to nearly one in two Honda buyers, but its sales there fell 7 percent last year while overall U.S. vehicle sales expanded at a double-digit pace.

As a result, Honda's market share has tumbled 2 percentage points in two years to 8 percent in 2011. Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is headed in the opposite direction, albeit from a low base.

Winterkorn wants to at least double the Volkswagen VW.L brand's 2.5 percent U.S. market share. Last year's sales performance was the best VW has managed there in three decades, with sales of Jettas and Passats up 44 percent and 83 percent respectively.

"The good news for Volkswagen is that brand loyalty is not what it used to be. Honda buyers started to flee to other brands like Hyundai because they wanted to express themselves and not be just one of the herd," said TrueCar analyst Jesse Toprak.

At an international level, VW has had its ups and downs since its birth in 1930s Germany, but it has come out of the 2008 crisis better than most.

While General Motors (GM.N) was pushed into a pre-packaged bankruptcy and Toyota (7203.T) endured its first ever operating loss, the Wolfsburg-based group has emerged as the world's second largest carmaker with the firepower to buy Peugeot (PEUP.PA), Fiat (FIA.MI) and Renault (RENA.PA) put together.

It made a record profit in 2011, but will need to prey on weaker rivals abroad to keep growing. That is because its core European market is set to shrink to its smallest in a decade, and carmakers are piling on costly, margin-corrosive incentives for free to compete for what remains.

VW's ultimate goal of becoming the largest, most profitable carmaker in the industry hinges on whether it can find lasting nourishment in the United States, where its pricey imports long ago forced the brand to feed off the scraps left over by others.

By shifting German car production to Tennessee and taking expensive features out of their over-engineered cars, a practice known as "de-contenting", VW has succeeded in luring customers back with affordable entry prices and sporty sedans like the Jetta - features that were once the hallmarks of Honda's Accords and Civics.

"Our biggest competitor here is Honda, since its customer base shares the same core values. We both focus on sportiness and versatility and have high demands when it comes to handling," VW's U.S. strategy chief, Rainer Michel told Reuters.

Toyota's no-frills customers do not buy a Camry to enjoy the ride, he said, while Hyundai buyers are attracted to the kind of trendy exterior designs which Honda and VW both eschew.

HUGE BULL'S-EYE
Honda, by contrast, has a pool of well-educated and more affluent U.S. car owners who tend to favour more subdued styling packaged into a fun ride.

Among its five biggest competitors, Honda boasts the lowest spending on incentives like cash rebates or free features and trim, according to auto-information website Edmunds.com.

It also abstains entirely from selling to fleets like Hertz rental agency. Fleet sales and incentives are both pressure valves many carmakers resort to when times are hard.

"We are not the flashy choice, we are the smart choice that informed customers make after weighing things like reliability, fuel economy, driving enjoyment and so on. This helps us keep a tight lid on incentives and preserve a high resale value for our owners," said American Honda spokesman Chris Martin.

"That also means that we have a huge bull's-eye painted on our back, though, since any other auto company would love to attract this kind of customer base."

But the chinks are starting to show in Honda's armour. It expects operating profit in the year to end-March 2012 to fall 65 percent to its lowest level in three years, prompting Moody's to downgrade the company's outlook to negative due partly to the tougher competition from predators like VW.

Earthquakes, tsunamis and floods in Japan and Thailand severely damaged its supply chain last year. Making matters worse, the latest Civic model has been panned by critics in the United States, forcing Honda to promise a costly facelift much earlier than planned.

"The Civic was for the longest time the torch bearer for what Honda was all about - compact cars with efficient four cylinder engines and very responsive chassis that give drivers a great feeling for the road," said Bill Visnic, an analyst and senior editor for Edmunds.com.

"That reputation has been slipping rather precipitously, though, ever since they began compromising to chase market share with cars getting bigger and the ride becoming softer."

AMERICAN HEARTLANDS
Meanwhile VW has one of the youngest customer bases - important for a brand's image - while spending even less than Honda on incentives - quick fixes that boost volumes but ultimately hurt demand over the long run as resale values fall.

As a result, the new Passat sedan spends half as long collecting dust on a dealer lot than the average U.S. vehicle.

"A lot of new VW buyers were Honda owners who no longer wanted to see 10 other exact same cars every time they came to a stop at the traffic light," said Chris Chaney, Vice President of consumer research group Strategic Vision.

According to his firm's surveys, Honda was the brand to surrender sales the most to VW last year. VW owners are more prone not just to feel better about driving their new cars but also to be more excited about them than Honda customers.

"There is no question that there are Honda owners who see Volkswagen as a step towards the prestige associated with German engineering," Chaney said.

With gasoline prices expected to climb, market researcher Art Spinella believes VW can also benefit from its strong range of fuel-efficient diesels, but warns a patchy dealer network, largely based in coastal areas, will continue to hold them back.

"Pump prices mean that car buyers will consider VW much more often, but for that to translate into actual sales they need good dealers, and here they are only strong in the slow-growth states in the Northeast," said Spinella, President of CNW.

In order to hit its sales target of 800,000 VW brand car sales by 2018, VW opened up in January a new sales office in Dallas to support the near 100 dealers spread thinly across 16 states.

Dependability may also need to improve, however, before buyers in more rural areas think about a VW.

"I think the biggest problem Volkswagen will need to address is its reliability issues, if it wants to make greater inroads into the American heartlands," said Gabriel Shenhar, Senior Auto Test Engineer & Program Manager at Consumer Reports.

In the hopes of better persuading Honda owners to defect, VW has poached marketing guru Tim Mahoney from Japanese rival Subaru of America (7270.T).

Known for his ability to hit an emotional nerve through ads like the Subaru Love campaign, he was recently voted by industry newspaper Automotive News as one of 10 managers to watch this year alongside such exalted peers as the group chief executives of Toyota, Ford and, yes, Honda.

BARKING DOGS
VW's traditional focus has been on its engineering prowess, but Mahoney favours funny skits like the "Vamonos" ad, with its clever emphasis on the fuel economy features of the VW Passat TDI.

"In a world of instant entertainment, companies can overestimate what a person can absorb in a 30 second spot that flashes over a TV screen," he told Reuters.

"But by engaging someone with ad they can relate to, you can draw people into a more complete experience offered on our website or get them to download the latest Golf racing app."

VW built on last year's Star Wars-themed "Force" commercial, voted the best ad of 2011 by industry publication Adweek, with a viral teaser spot on YouTube that featured a choir of dogs barking out the theme tune from the space saga.

Not so much as a front headlight - let alone a whole car - is ever shown, but the association with VW is unmistakable.

"People are even filming their dogs watching the spot and posting it on the internet. Humour is a big part of what we do and people like to participate," said Mahoney, a language major who studied in Vienna and Goettingen.

Honda's ad people are fighting back.

Fresh from a month of resurgent Civic sales in January, it is creating buzz with a popular ad where Matthew Broderick reprises his role from the 1980s hit "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", only this time he is behind the wheel of a CR-V crossover instead of a vintage Ferrari 250GT cabrio.

A Honda executive who worked for six years in the United States says last year marked the trough in sales for the brand, and the business there is now firmly on a path to recovery.

"It is true that Volkswagen has been expanding aggressively with success, but I believe the U.S. sales data for the new Civic in January is indicative of the new improving trend," Honda Europe President Manabu Nishimae told Reuters.

Just to make sure, though, American Honda reshuffled its management in order "to further speed decision-making and increase efficiency and competitiveness," it said last week.

Source;
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/28/uk-volkswagen-honda-idUSLNE81R01V20120228

Honda Malaysia: Facelifted Honda Insight

Honda Malaysia has introduced the facelifted Insight hybrid, in its 1.3 litre form. Aside from some external revisions, the facelift – which made its debut in Frankfurt last year – promises to deliver better fuel economy along with a string of other refinements.

Kicking things off are new front and rear bumpers, and the headlights now wear a tint of blue highlight. Additionally, the new grille design features a blue reflector underneath. The tailgate spoiler has also been slimmed, and together with a modified tail gate garnish and a reduction in the size of the wiper motor unit, results in overall increased rear visibility.


Appearance aside, the aerodynamics of the car have also been improved, reducing the running resistance and thus resulting in better fuel economy. The 1.3 litre IMA system – with 88 PS and 121 Nm from the engine and 14 PS and 78 Nm from the motor – gets some powertrain efficiency improvements.

Revisions to the CVT and mill, the latter in the form of reduced engine friction, as well as alterations to the air conditioning system, all do their bit to contribute to lower fuel consumption.
The Insight also features a quieter ride, with the inclusion of added noise insulation materials for better NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) performance. Meanwhile, the seats are now upholstered with a new fabric, and rear passengers now enjoy an extra head clearance of 15mm, following adjustments to the shape of the roof lining and the hip point of the rear seats.

Still on dual airbags, but there’s Hill Start Assist (HSA) and VSA on this one, and the wave key has been changed to a more compact jack-knife version. Four exterior colours abound, and these are Platinum Aqua Metallic, Premium White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl and Alabaster Silver Metallic.

The facelifted Insight goes for RM99,800 (on-the-road), and comes with a five-year or 140,000 km warranty on the IMA battery. The best part is that you don’t have to wait long for one, if you’ve been eyeing it – fully aware of the current demand of the new Insight, Honda Malaysia says the waiting period for an Insight is now less than two weeks. No indication as to when the 1.5 litre job will arrive.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2012/02/29/honda-insight-facelift-arrives-1-3l-variant-rm99800/

Consumer Reports Video Review of the 2012 Honda CRV

U.S. Rule Set for Cameras at Cars’ Rear

By NICK BUNKLEY

On average, two children die and about 50 are injured every week when someone accidentally backs over them in a vehicle, according to KidsAndCars.org, a nonprofit group that pushed the government to begin tracking such tragedies. And more than two-thirds of the time, a parent or other close relative is behind the wheel.

Now, auto safety regulators have decided to do something about it. Federal regulators plan to announce this week that automakers will be required to put rearview cameras in all passenger vehicles by 2014 to help drivers see what is behind them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which proposed the mandate in late 2010, is expected to send a final version of the rule to Congress on Wednesday.

Cars are filled with safety features that have been mandated by government regulators over the years, including air bags and the Liddy Light, the third brake light named for Elizabeth Dole, who made it standard as secretary of transportation in the 1980s.

But the rearview camera requirement is one of the biggest steps taken to protect people outside of a vehicle.

“We haven’t done anything else to protect pedestrians,” said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety in Washington. “This is one thing we can do and should do.”
A spokeswoman for the highway traffic safety agency declined to comment before the new rule was announced.

However, in a preliminary version circulated for public comment, regulators predicted that adding the cameras and viewing screens will cost the auto industry as much as $2.7 billion a year, or $160 to $200 a vehicle. At least some of the cost is expected to be passed on to consumers through higher prices.

But regulators say that 95 to 112 deaths and as many as 8,374 injuries could be avoided each year by eliminating the wide blind spot behind a vehicle. Government statistics indicate that 228 people of all ages — 44 percent of whom are under age 5 — die every year in backover accidents involving passenger vehicles. About 17,000 people a year are injured in such accidents.

“In terms of absolute numbers of lives saved, it certainly isn’t the highest,” Mr. Ditlow said. “But in terms of emotional tragedy, backover deaths are some of the worst imaginable. When you have a parent that kills a child in an incident that’s utterly avoidable, they don’t ever forget it.”

Automakers began offering backup cameras only about a decade ago, by using the in-dash navigation screens that had become popular on luxury models. The feature has become increasingly popular as companies found more inexpensive ways to display camera images to a driver, such as on a screen hidden in the rearview mirror.

For the 2012 model year, 45 percent of vehicles offer a rearview camera as standard equipment, according to the automotive research Web site Edmunds.com. It is an optional feature on 23 percent of models.

Safety advocates said a mandatory camera is long overdue. “We wouldn’t buy a car if we couldn’t see 30 or 40 feet going forward,” said Janette Fennell, the founder of KidsAndCars.org. “We’re taking this big lethal weapon going in reverse, and we can’t see.”

The new requirement stems from a 2008 law, the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act, named for a 2-year-old boy who died in 2002 when his pediatrician father was backing a sport utility vehicle into their driveway. The law required the N.H.T.S.A. to set standards for rear visibility, which had never been regulated.

In urging Congress to help reduce backover injuries, KidsAndCars created a public-service announcement showing that 62 children could fit behind a large S.U.V. without being visible to the driver in any of the mirrors.

Although they account for a small fraction of the deaths that result from automobile crashes, backovers are the most common cause of off-road deaths involving children and vehicles, according to KidsAndCars. The number of reported child fatalities attributed to backovers totaled 448 in the years 2006 through 2010, a sharp increase from 88 in a four-year period a decade earlier, the group said.

In many cases, the incidents involve a phenomenon that safety advocates call “bye-bye syndrome,” when a child runs outside to wave to someone driving away, without that person’s knowledge.

As vehicles have become larger and designed to better protect occupants, drivers’ ability to see any people or objects behind them has been reduced, said Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing at Edmunds.com.

“Over time, the beltlines have risen, and the glass has gotten a little smaller in the interest of safety,” Mr. Edmunds said. “There’s certainly been a lot of attention paid to safety, but visibility hasn’t necessarily been lumped in the same way.”

Edmunds now measures the size of the blind spot behind each new vehicle, based on how far back the driver can see a mannequin designed to resemble a small child. Although many backover incidents involve S.U.V.’s and trucks, Mr. Edmunds said some of the biggest blind spots are on passenger cars where the trunk has a high deck lid and the driver sits low to the ground.

For the Cadillac CTS-V coupe, Edmunds measured a blind spot 101 feet long, compared with about 40 feet for minivans from Toyota and Honda.

Automakers have generally supported the requirement, while some took issue with technical aspects of the proposal and the added cost. “We’ve had longstanding support for efforts to increase the field of view for these vehicles,” said Wade Newton, of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the 2014 mandate, automakers have been designing models with camera systems in mind. Instead of including a camera in a $2,000 navigation package, many have made it standard or a stand-alone option for a few hundred dollars.

When Honda revamped its CR-V crossover vehicle last year, it included a backup camera as standard equipment. On the 2011 model, CR-V buyers who wanted a camera had to buy the top-of-the-line EX-L trim with a navigation system, which cost $7,000 more than the base model.

Regulators studied other ways of improving rear visibility, including the beeping radar-based sensors that many vehicles already offer. But they determined that the sensors often did not detect moving people, especially children. Drivers also responded better to the camera image than the audio alerts, they said.

“Video camera-based systems are by far the most comprehensive and cost-effective currently available solution for reducing backover crashes, fatalities and injuries,” the N.H.T.S.A. said.

Source;
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/business/us-rule-set-for-cameras-at-cars-rear.html?_r=3&pagewanted=print

Introduction: Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze, often underrated tip in the lower middle class, for sale until now only offered in 2 versions : a 5-door hatchback and a 4-door notchback sedan. At the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012 celebrating the van, including Cruze station wagon, its world premiere.

Here, the European market is so important for the combined variant relatively late, almost exactly 3 years after the introduction of the Chevrolet Cruze. This shortcoming will qualify the Americans with generous space, design, efficiency and driving dynamics at all. With a total length of 4675 mm, the third version of the Cruze family shows slightly larger than Hatchback (4510 mm) and sedan (4597 mm). The load volume is (measured to the rear bottom edge) 500 liters. With the rear seat folded, the available storage space can be increased up to the car ceiling to 1,500 liters.

For all Cruze models, there will be 2012 engine update: the current range of petrol engines - consisting of the popular 1.6-liter and a 1.8-liter gasoline engine - is a new 1.4-liter Turbo petrol engine supplemented. When the diesel generators buyers now have the choice between a new 1.7-liter or refined, improved 2.0-liter diesel motor. The 1.4-liter gasoline engine and the 1.7 - and 2.0-liter diesel engines come standard with manual transmission with start-stop technology.

A number of optical changes will there be in the interior and exterior design. From the outside, the Cruze at restyled headlights and fog lights can be seen to underline the sporty appearance. In addition, there is a selection of new alloy wheels. The interior appears refreshed.

All new Cruze models feature a "keyless entry" function. Drivers can now reach key in the pocket can be as they open their car. This system also makes it possible to start the engine via a starter button or turn off.

For the higher trim levels, the Chevrolet Cruze Chevrolet models results in summer 2012 with "MyLink" a new infotainment system. With "MyLink" driver can integrate functions of their smartphones into the vehicle. It transmits content to a smartphone-colored, high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen. Once your phone is connected, can be accessed via the touchscreen infotainment system to individually create play lists, photo galleries, phone books, videos or other types of navigation apps and other data.

BMW 1 Series GT

After the BMW five Series GT are BMW three Series GT Concept at 2014 and transmitted on the new one Series. In its current issue, dares the "Auto Bild" may be a initial preview.

According to the Auto Bild is that the BMW one Series GT - a combination of minivan and station wagon - in autumn 2014 on the market.

Similar to the one Series Touring 2013 wheelbase, hood and door panels. as a result of the high roof, the wide rear hatch, the long overhang and therefore the adjustable rear seats however they need additional interior area. The model is powered by turbocharged engines equipped with 3 and 4 cylinders that send power to the front axle.

All-New 2013 Nissan Altima Unintentionally Revealed in Official Video

In a video celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Nissan Technical Center in Atsugi, the Japanese automaker accidentally showed a pre-production prototype of the 2013 Altima sedan without any camouflage.

The find was made by Mike Magrath from Insideline who was able to capture a screen shot of the car before Nissan pulled out the video replacing it with a revised version (3.44 minutes into the clip) that displays a covered up prototype of the Infiniti JX crossover in its place.

Source;
http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/02/all-new-2013-nissan-altima.html

Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Sedan

The Porsche sporty automotive variant that is termed as Panamera GTS was revealed at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. This automotive version is aimed as a high – performance automotive version that is completed with tuned 430 hp engine and changed suspension and chassi yet. because the sport automotive that may delivers 430 hp, Porsche Panamera GTS is completed with a changed version of 4.8 liter V8 engine that can also delivers 520 Nm of torque. This high-performance engine is paired with the PDK double clutch gearbox and all – wheel drive PTM transmission.

With the high – performance options and engines, Porsche Panamera sport automotive may created its sprint from 0 till 100 km / h simply in 4.5 second and reach its prime speed till 288 km / h, whereas for the 100 km distance Porsche Panamera simply want 10.9 liters of NEDS fuel. Take a glance at the subsequent pictures.

[Photos : Automild]

Porsche 918 Spyder is a Hybrid Supercar??

Porsche 918 Spyder may be a hybrid supercar variant which is able to be made in 918 units and priced 645k Euros ($845k) per unit. the primary deliveries are going to be realized a minimum of at upcoming year (2013). This supercar version options hybrid powertrain and mid-mounted 500hp V8 and a couple of – front electrical motors every engine can delivers 80 kW (109 hp). The body of the automotive is built from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque.

The great performance of Porsche 918 Spider is may reach its sprint in 3.2 second (0-100 km / h) and makes its high speed till 320 km / h. The 918 Spyder is additionally completed with high technology in order that the automotive simply desires 3 liters fuel consumption to achieve 100 km distances. to supply enough electricity for the automotive there's liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery which might be rejoiced from a standard domestic power socket, then are often used to run 25km (16 miles) with pure electrical power.

Photos (Automild)

Joining the over-40 mpg club: Overachievers that can beat EPA fuel economy ratings

Very Interesting.... A certain brand that boasts better fuel economy than the Honda isn't even listed.... Don't forget for us Canadians, this is US gallons, not Imperial.
We’ve recently showed that most fuel-efficient cars can beat their EPA highway fuel economy estimates in Consumer Reports measured fuel economy testing. But if you want to hit 40 mpg on the highway, our tests show that you have more options than you might think.

Below is a list of recently tested vehicles that returned 40 mpg or better in our 65-mph highway fuel economy testing, but were officially rated for less.

If getting that magic 40 mpg on the highway is important to you, this list provides more options.
Again, it’s important to emphasize that maximizing fuel economy depends a lot on how and where you drive.

Several years ago we measured fuel economy with a 2005 Toyota Camry four-cylinder sedan in different situations. Driving at 65 mph delivered 35 mpg; speeding up to 75 mph cut that to 30 mpg, while slowing down to 55 mph returned 40 mpg. Hard acceleration and braking reduced the Camry’s mileage by 2 to 3 mpg.

The bottom line

EPA highway fuel economy numbers provide a place to start your comparison shopping, but they’re often over-hyped as advertising claims. The full fuel picture is more complicated than that. We suggest using a variety of sources, including Consumer Reports test data, to determine if you’ll actually get the fuel economy you desire.

—Tom Mutchler

Source;

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/02/joining-the-over-40-mpg-club-overachievers-that-can-beat-epa-fuel-economy-ratings.html

No Honda City diesel sedan launch in 2012, confirms top Honda official: ICB Exclusive!

Ahead of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show that will happen very soon, there has been fresh speculation about Honda launching a diesel variant of its flagship City sedan in the Indian market, as early as this year. We got very interested in this seemingly big development and immediately got in touch with a top Honda official to confirm this story. Yet again, the Honda diesel bubble stands pricked as the Honda official clearly told us that Honda SIEL Cars India(HSCI) has no plans whatsoever of launching the diesel variant of the Honda City sedan in 2012. Therefore, the rumors of a City Diesel being launched in 2012 remain just that, mere rumors.

We also have gathered that Honda has no plans of launching any diesel engine car in India during 2012 from the HSCI official we got in touch with, consonant with the previous report we carried a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, it seems like the Civic Diesel too will take some time to arrive onto the Indian car market. Honda is the only mass market carmaker in India to not have even a single diesel engined variant in its portfolio and this hasn’t done the brand any good at the hustings, even as the Indian car market has shown a dramatic shift in preference towards diesel cars over the past few years. Honda though, does have plans of launching diesel engined cars in the future and a brand new line of diesel engines are being developed by Honda engineers.

In fact, Honda has deputed ex-Formula1 engineers on the job and the first diesel engine to emerge from this operation is the recently unveiled 1.6 Liter i-DTEC turbo diesel unit, which generates 120 Bhp of peak power and a superb peak torque output of 300 Nm. This engine will debut on the 2012 Honda Civic sedan. Honda is also said to be developing smaller, downsized variants of the 1.6 Liter i-DTEC engine which may power cars like the Jazz and Brio hatchbacks in the future. There is also some buzz about Honda unveiling another small capacity engine at the fast approaching 2012 Geneva Motor Show, which is said to be one of the most prestigious amongst auto shows. Watch this space.

Source;

http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/honda-city-diesel-sedan-launch-2012-confirms-top-honda-official-icb-exclusive-56370/

Honda Reveals Images of the European CR-V Prototype

Honda has revealed images of the European CR-V Prototype ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 6 March 2012.

This preview model highlights the exterior styling direction of the all-new fourth generation European Honda CR-V, which is set to go on sale in Autumn 2012.

Compared to the previous generation, this Prototype adopts a more aggressive stance with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia. The lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability, while the lower front bumper design now integrates more smoothly into the fascia for improved aerodynamics.

The Honda Press Conference will take place at 09.15 CET on Tuesday 6 March.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,2183-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Suzuki XA Alpha SUV

The new compact SUV prototype that is known as Suzuki XA Alpha has been revealed at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi by Maruti Suzuki. This new automobile variant is projected as production model at the 2013 and 2014. The SUV variant that is intended in four m o length is devoted to succeed in the off-road automobile market and it’s conjointly expected to switch the previous off – road Suzuki automobile Jimny 4 wheel drive model.

About the patron target, Suzuki XA Alpha is aimed to the touch the urban and young users that need the utility vehicle phase. the outside style of the vehicle has dynamic accent with the Lava Red painting and muscular wheel – arches ; completed with some off-road oriented options, for instance underbody protection on each front and rear elements. The aspect look is distinct enough, completed with massive 19-inch wheels and the descending and straight roofline that makes many reminiscences of the Kia Soul.

Grand Cherokee 2012 in Houston Auto Show

Grand Cherokee model has been expressed by the manufacturer Jeep in Houston Auto Show.

This new automotive style is prepared to be created. the outside style of the 2012 Grand Cherokee Jeep variant is decided by stealthy exterior; this style is meant for attracting a lot of customers. The new production of this Jeep version can has chrome, blacked-out and aggressive style.

The house surround the grille is coloured in black with mesh grille texture created from Platinum Chrome. This component creates distinctive component from the front finish till rear finish space. Through the car’s exterior, the blacked out is sustained by the Black liftgate light-weight – bar and black headlamp bezels likewise. the inside of 2012 Grand Cherokee is completed with snug heated front seats, leather-trimmed seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. the inside conjointly support connectivity for Mp3 player and conjointly iPod and quite fifty radical safety and security systems.

Mithos EV Concept

An automotive styleer named Tiago Inácio from Portugal has created a replacement concept of electrical automobile design that is called as Mithos EV. This automobile style project is aimed to form a practical vision which might be applied within the future electrical vehicle. the primary modeling and styling style was developed at 2006, and then at 2011 the planning of the automobile was improved. the outside style of Mithos EV is characterised with black coloring and aerodynamic nonetheless flowing silhouette and magnificence look. The chosen black color is aimed to gift trendy nonetheless magnificence read of the vehicle as a result of its projection as futuristic automobile style.

The designer commented, “My references are Tim Burton’s Batmobile automobile and several other latest cars and prototypes.”

About the Designer

Tiago Miguel Inácio could be a young automotive designer, he's thirty three years previous and graduate from Industrial style from the design college of Lisbon’s (1995-2001). functioning at 3D animation studio Endpoint from 2001.

Honda Putting No. 2 Executive in U.S. in Localization Drive

Honda plans to post its second-highest ranking global executive in the U.S. for the first time as the automaker that was Japan’s first to build cars in the market extends a three-decade localization push.

Tetsuo Iwamura, 60, Honda’s chief operating officer for North America, on April 1 adds the titles of executive vice president and executive officer, the Tokyo-based company said today in a statement. Iwamura is to also join Honda’s board in late June, pending shareholder approval, the company said.

Iwamura will continue to run operations in North America while assisting President Takanobu Ito in managing global sales, said Jun Odajima, a company spokesman. “This is the first time the top North American executive has also been the No. 2 company official,” he said.

The promotion of Iwamura and naming of Erik Berkman to lead Honda’s U.S. research and development unit, the first time that job has gone to a non-Japanese engineer, come as the company lifts production across North America, its biggest source of revenue, to counter a rising yen. Honda is increasing vehicle output at plants in the U.S. and Canada, adding a factory in Mexico to build subcompacts and preparing to make the Acura NSX supercar in Ohio by 2014.

Berkman, currently vice president of corporate planning and logistics for U.S. auto operations, is to become president of Honda R&D Americas on April 1, the company said.

Honda’s U.S. headquarters are in Torrance, California. The company’s American depositary receipts rose 1.3 percent to $37.28 at the close in New York.

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-22/honda-putting-no-2-global-manager-in-u-s-in-localization-drive.html

New Hotwheels Poster Reveals Next Gen Viper?

Source;

http://ripituc.blogspot.com/2012/02/hot-wheels-2012-poster.html

Bugatti Veyron Replica Based on Honda Civic

People will always try to drive what they can’t reach, which is why the car replica market will always have demand. However, some replicas are more hideous than others and we’re here to give you one that deserves to go straight to the scrap yard.We are talking about a Bugatti Veyron wannabe, which was built on the platform of a 1992-1995 generation Honda Civic Coupe.

The Japanese car had received an eight-piece fiberglass kit, with the result being one of the ugliest pieces of machinery we’ve ever seen.The vehicle can be found in Florida and it was recently offered for sale on Ebay, with an asking price of $4,500. As expected, there were no bids at all...

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/bugatti-veyron-replica-based-on-honda-civic-42884.html

2013 Dodge Dart

Automakers know that a lot of money to replace, especially along the line make vehicles go through a lot
of freeboard rare. In the shock and then the Mopar display, which can be done to develop the power Dart 210 Avoid tuned. We will contact you to honor Dart GTS 210 °to avoid.

2013 Dodge Dart

The efficiencies are very effective in Dart GTS jednoduché.Úroveň 2 sets of push to the large consumption of respiratory distress and low back pressure, the result Tigershark 2.4 liter engine 184-210 Multiair2 to gain power. Respond to changes in demand, you should look elsewhere.

2013 Dodge Dart

For those of you who want to show we can see from the package level 1, which falls around the black finish, front and rear spoilers, a new diffuser / exhaust dubious advantage and elegant 18-inch wheels with offset aluminum. Oh, and you can too, and cover with NACA style information.

The last Alfa Romeo to the fundamentals that have taken place in Montreal NACA CAP wonderful seventies.

2013 Dodge Dart

While Montreal was alarm, auto reliable selective zvládnutelné.Obavy avoid something like a "little more than if the power of Dart GTS 210" would have been enough to win the public expressing a great deal of speed of insanity, or the University, if it can be concluded wealth vehicle in its controversial looks red / black.

2013 Dodge Dart

 

2013 Dodge Dart

 

2013 Dodge Dart

 
 2013 Dodge Dart

Honda New Civic Smartphone App Launched

The new Honda Civic is ready to meet the European market and the carmaker has now released a smartphone app to support the launch of the car, with this aiming to connect with customers at an emotional level.The Honda Civic App was developed by Nexus/H and aims to become a part of the buying process, being included in a wider marketing plan that also includes printed catalgoues, as well as other online and offline channels.

Here are the key features of the new app:
An interactive “hot spot” to demonstrate the imaginative Honda “Magic Seats” system with a fun game that shows the variety of items that can be conveniently stored within the flexible interior and luggage area.

A dynamic 360 degree viewing facility that provides a virtual tour of the interior space and equipment that becomes even more involving with the iPhone version which uses an accelerometer.

Users can create their own “wind tunnel” experiment through the smartphone mic and discover some of the key aerodynamic and handling characteristics of the new Civic.

Ability for users to “explore models” and to create their own new Civic, choosing model, engine, grade, colour, etc., with a social media and email facility to post and share their model on Twitter or Facebook.

The Honda Civic mobile app is now offered for download in over 20 European markets, being available at the app Store and Android Market.

Source;

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-new-civic-smartphone-app-launched-42847.html

Hyundai Says No, But Kia Could Say Yes to Trucks

Hmmmm..... interesting....
Don't expect Hyundai to step into the pickup truck segment anytime soon, as company President and CEO John Krafcik is not interested in repeating the same mistakes other automotive manufactuers have made.

"Our brand resonates best with families, but that's where we have the lowest market penetration. There's tremendous upside for us in crossovers. ... More seven-passenger crossover capacity is No. 1 on our priority list for the U.S," he said.

Phelan suggests this will likely mean Hyundai won't jump into the van (minivan or other) or pickup truck segment, and that makes sense. Hyundai has done a pretty good job lately of creating some buzz for its mainstream Genesis, Elantra, Sonata and eye-catching Veloster.

"When we looked at other companies in their growth phase, this (over-expansion) was where the train came off the track," and pressure to boost production led to quality snafus, Krafcik said. Our guess he's talking specfically about Toyota's multibillion-dollar endeavor in San Antonio.

Still, with a seven-passenger, rear-wheel-drive crossover in the works, a good amount of money already dedicated to rear-drive platforms and some new hybrid powertrain technologies, it would not be a stretch for Hyundai's "downmarket" player, Kia, to make a play in the pickup truck segment. The Kia Mojove concept was floated around about 10 years ago, and that was when the company wasn't doing nearly as well or had access to nearly as many resources.

Maybe Hyundai isn't ready to step into the realm of a small- or medium-sized pickup truck, but Kia certainly could, and it could likely have some interesting design and technology options at its disposal. In 2004, Kia played with the idea of a half-ton competitor for the U.S., called the KCV-4 Mojave, but the project was officially killed in 2008 because of unstable gas prices and shrinking interest in a small pickup. At that time, the vehicle was to be based off the new Kia Sorento (concept design by Stanley Ivan pictured).

Whether or not something new could be based off another larger or smaller SUV or crossover remains to be seen. (Remember the Soulster?) Regardless, it almost certainly would require a new assembly plant or some serious modifications to an existing facility. For now, it looks like we'll have to wait and see, but they do have options.

Source;
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/02/hyundai-says-no-but-kia-could-say-yes.html

American Honda Finance Sells $1.75 Bln Deal In US Bond Market -Source

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--American Honda Finance Corp., a financing arm of Honda Motor Co. (HMC, 7267.TO), sold $1.75 billion in a two-part private placement in the U.S. credit markets Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The deal featured $1 billion of 1.45% coupon, three-year notes priced to yield 1.468%, or 103 basis points over Treasurys, and $750 million of 2.125% coupon, five-year notes priced to yield 2.126%, or 123 basis points over Treasurys. Each yield is two basis points tighter than original pricing guidance.

A banker familiar with the deal said it garnered about $4.25 billion of orders from investors, or more than two-and-a-half times the needed amount.

The notes are expected to be rated A1 by Moody's Investors Service, A-plus by Standard & Poor's, and A by Fitch Ratings.

Barclays Capital, J.P. Morgan and Royal Bank of Scotland are lead underwriters on the sale.

-By Patrick McGee, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2382; patrick.mcgee@dowjones.com

Source;
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120221-717467.html

New Honda Civic awarded 5 stars by Euro NCAP

The new Honda Civic has been awarded Euro NCAP's maximum 5-star rating, following publication of the safety body's independent crash testing results.
In addition, Euro NCAP have announced that they are extending Honda's Euro NCAP Advanced reward for its Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) technology to include the new Civic.

The rating scheme focuses on the vehicle's overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. Since the introduction of Euro NCAP's new rating scheme in February 2009, all Honda models tested have achieved 5-stars.

Euro NCAP also announced that they are extending Honda's Advanced NCAP reward for its CMBS technology to include the new Civic. The reward recognises Honda's CMBS technology as amongst the best available safety innovations, offering proven benefits. Euro NCAP Advanced is an initiative developed in response to the rapid development of new safety technologies, for which there is no independent assessment.

Honda's Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) is a radar-based autonomous emergency braking system designed to help prevent collisions with vehicles which are stationary or travelling in the same direction. The system is aimed at alerting the driver to an imminent collision both at low speeds, typical of urban driving, and at higher speeds typical of rural roads and motorways. By studying accident statistics in Germany and extending the figures to the broader European community, Honda estimates that, if all cars were fitted with CMBS, between 200,000 and 250,000 accidents could be either prevented or mitigated every year.

Honda uses its own car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D centre allows the Japanese manufacturer to analyse impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both passengers and pedestrians. The omni-directional vehicle-to-vehicle crash test facility opened in 2001 and is the world's first indoor facility of its type.

Source;
http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/Honda_news.html?id=11913

Preview: Peugeot 208 GTI 2013

The older ones among us will no doubt recall even the venerable Peugeot 205 GTI: the riot case in general. Introduced in 1984, developed the 103-hp small Frenchman a real alternative to the Golf GTI and enjoyed great popularity at style-conscious hooligans all over the country. 2013 Peugeot 208 GTI will bring with a worthy successor.

The outgoing boss Jean-Marc Gales PSA revealed resuscitate over Top Gear, the new Peugeot 208 GTI with the 2013 Spirit of the glorious tradition of Peugeot want to, the new GTI was also get high-quality, attractively drawn and precisely controlled to be. Or something crunchy way: "It will be a hard-hitting comeback on historic territory. Peugeot Peugeot will be making again. "Xavier Peugeot pushes himself into the same horn and recognizes a direct relationship between attitudes of the 205 GTI and a persistent form of weakness since 1993 of the Peugeot brand.

Under the hood, probably in 2013, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is used, which delivers 200 horsepower. At the same rumors that the French place emphasis on lightweight: the Peugeot 208 GTI is only 1.1 ton in weight. Thus armed, the small sports car is expected in less than seven seconds sprint from zero to one hundred.

We can also look forward to many interesting details: the new 208 GTI with at least two pipes should not come even if a four-pipe exhaust system. 18-inch model are de rigueur, the rear roof pillar is decorated with a GTI badge.

Based on the price structure of Citroen C3, the Citroen DS3 THP200 Racing with 200 hp and the Peugeot 208 we expect a star price from 29,000 to 30,000 euros.

The Peugeot 208 GTI will celebrate at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012 his debut as a concept car.

[Images: Theophiluschin.com]

New Audi RS4 Avant 2012

Basically, should the 1994 Audi RS2 are presented with 315 hp as the prototype of the now very popular, yet unofficial vehicle category of the so-called steam-hammer combos. Then in 1999 the first Audi RS4 came with 381 hp and 2006 was followed by the last Audi RS4 version with 420 hp. That was six years ago - a lot of time and solvent for fathers who are hungry for a new playmate family taxi. In the fall, however, comes the new generation RS4, which will be unveiled in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show. Already, Ingolstadt has first details and photos released by the new Audi RS4 Avant.

The Audi RS4 Avant uses the high-revving suckers, which includes the RS5 coupe drives. Power: 450 hp. The maximum of 430 Newton meters of torque are at 4000-6000 tours. The V8 accelerates the RS4 Avant in 4.7 seconds from zero to 100 km / h top speed is 250 km / h, possibly limited to 280 km / h.

The quattro drive distributes power between front and rear axle. Up to 70 percent can flow to the front and a maximum of 85 percent to the rear. The standard interpretation is decidedly sporty coupe with 40:60. The self-locking crown gear center differential works with torque vectoring, which accesses all four wheels. As an optional addition to providing the Audi sport differential, which distributes the active forces by two overlapping levels between the rear wheels.

The RS-voting firm that supports the body 20 millimeters lower than the Audi A4 Avant. The Audi RS4 Avant is 20 millimeters longer and 24 millimeters wider than the A4 Avant. New high-sheen 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, 10-spoke design and tires size 265/35 are standard equipment. Alternatively, Audi fitted 20-inch wheels with tires in size 265/30. Behind the wheel ventilated discs sit in the so-called wave design, the front point to 365 millimeters in diameter.

Exterior hallmarks of the Audi RS4 Avant of 2012, a frame in matt aluminum look that surrounds the hexagonal grille, his diamond mesh insert is a high-gloss anthracite. Circulate in the wedge-shaped front headlights daytime running clips in LED technology, the xenon plus units. The air flows through large, an aspiration articulated with openings that are embedded in a distinctive bumper, he wears a splinter-edge like a race car. The RS4-side view of the sharp drop of the papers sill and the flared wheel arches in the eye. An independent rear roof spoiler ensures the necessary downforce for. The striking bumper and the two oval tailpipes of the dual exhaust system dominate the rear of the new Audi RS4 Avant: they are integrated into a wide upturned diffuser. Audi offers a voluminous sounding sports exhaust system with black shutters.

The new Audi RS4 is available from autumn 2012 to a base price of € 76 600.

[Photos: Audi]