Autoblog

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #312 LIVE!

Dan Roth — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Honda, Jeep

We record Autoblog Podcast #312 tonight, and you can drop us your questions and comments regarding the rest of the week's news via our Q&A module below. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #312 LIVE! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CEO expects Fit sales to increase fourfold to 200,000

Zach Bowman — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Honda

Automotive News reports Honda expects the popularity of its Fit subcompact to grow significantly over the next four years. President Takanobu Ito says he expects the model and its variations to sell around 200,000 units per year in North America by 2016. That's up from 64,177 units in 2011. The goal is part of a larger strategy to step up sales on this continent by 18 percent, and from the sounds of things, Ito expects the Fit to lead that charge. The tiny hatchback is slated for a redesign next year, and Honda will begin manufacturing the Fit in Mexico by 2014, which could help the automaker lower its MSRP or add content to attract more sales.

In addition, Honda has also made it clear buyers will be able to take home more bodystyles in the near future. While the automaker hasn't commented on exactly what that means, it has said we can expect to see a crossover spawned from the hatchback as well as a hybrid, but neither model has been publicly confirmed for North American consumption.

Honda CEO expects Fit sales to increase fourfold to 200,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CEO confirms return of Civic Type R, announces new Fit-based CUV and super sports bike

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:44:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Motorcycle

With a goal of earning 39 million global customers across its power equipment, automobile and motorcycle line of products by 2017, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announced a handful of exciting new models for the latter two that range from high performance to fuel efficient. While the U.S. news was essentially limited to the confirmation that the Acura RLX will be debuting in production form at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show, Honda fans in Europe have a lot more to look forward to.

After a five-year hiatus, Ito confirmed that the Honda Civic Type-R (pictured above) would be returning to Europe in 2015. No details were revealed about this high-output Civic, but Ito did mention that Honda's goal is to make the new Type-R the "fastest front-wheel-drive vehicle on the Nürburgring" where we've already seen the car testing. The Euro-spec Civic Type-R went out of production in 2010 due to stricter European emissions standards. No word as to whether the new Civic Type-R would eventually be offered in the U.S., but don't hold your breath.

Also headed to the European market is the upcoming subcompact crossover based on the next-generation Honda Fit/Jazz. The new Honda Fit will debut next year, and Honda says the crossover version will go on sale within two years. Both of these products will be built at Honda's all-new assembly plant near Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico.

In addition to Europe and the U.S., Automotive News reports that Honda is also looking to expand its lineup in China and India with up to 10 new or updated models in China by 2016 and a new diesel model for India in 2014.

Ito didn't just limit the news to future cars, either, as he announced that the motorcycle division of Honda will be introducing a new super sports bike based on the Honda's MotoGP racing bike. No additional information was available about this motorcycle, but Ito did say that it would be similar to the VFR750R homologation bike that was made in limited numbers from 1987 through 1990.

Continue reading Honda CEO confirms return of Civic Type R, announces new Fit-based CUV and super sports bike

Honda CEO confirms return of Civic Type R, announces new Fit-based CUV and super sports bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda may build CUV based on next Fit

Dan Roth — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

While some automakers are streamlining platforms and models globally, Honda is going the other way, with more locally developed variants of models. There is a new Honda Fit on the way for the 2013-2014 timeframe, says Automotive News, and Honda is reportedly hoping the platform will sell more than one million vehicles. Honda thinks the way to hit that volume is by basing a new crossover vehicle off the next-generation Fit.

Buyers in the U.S. and Eurpean markets have a substantial appetite for truckish anti-wagons, and Honda already manages to sell 800,000 Fit and Fit-based vehicles, including the eight-seat JDM Freed, but that's probably not what Honda means when talking about a small crossover. If a Fit-ute takes off, it will help Honda get a quicker return on its investment in a new plant in Mexico that's expected to open in 2014 and is already lined up to build the Fit hatch.

A smaller CR-V could be automotive hotcakes for Honda, though the Fit's 1.5-liter engine might need to hit the gym if it's going to keep pace.

Honda may build CUV based on next Fit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda announces Fit production moving to Mexico

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Honda

The strength of the Yen is forcing many Japanese automakers to consider building cars for export markets outside their home country. Honda is no different, and has confirmed that it will build the Fit hatchback at its new plant in Mexico starting in the spring of 2014.

The plant in Mexico is not the only location where Honda will build the Fit, but it will be used to supply the small hatchback to the large United States, Mexican and Canadian markets. Honda expects to build up to 200,000 subcompact vehicles per year at its plant near Celaya, Guanajuato.

Honda already builds a huge number of vehicles in North America. In fact, as pointed out in the press release after the break, more than 85 percent of the Honda and Acura models sold in America were built in the United States, Canada or Mexico. What's more, the addition of the Fit to the Accord, Civic, and CR-V means that all four of Honda's global nameplates will be produced in North America.

Continue reading Honda announces Fit production moving to Mexico

Honda announces Fit production moving to Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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