Autoblog

On 11/15, we reported about the expensive flights on Ford's corporate jet that Mark Fields was taking every weekend from Detroit to his home in Florida. Today, Mr. Fields announced to the workers at Ford that he would forgo the perk, guaranteed to him as a part of his compensation package, and make the weekend flights home on a commercial airline.

Fields has been asked to relocate several times throughout his career at Ford Motor Company, and felt that this arrangement would avoid yet another disruption in the life of his family. He uses the time at home with his family to relax from the brutal schedule he keeps during the week as one of the significant players in the revitalization at Ford. Fields will continue to fly home to Florida on the weekends, but felt that the issue was becoming a distraction to the team and made the decision on his own, with the company's full support. See you on Southwest, Mark!

[Source: Detroit News via Jalopnik]

Not exactly an auto, but Honda is one of the world's leading automakers so we thought you might be interested in hearing how its foray into aviation is going. Since we first mentioned this effort back in July, it seems things are going quite well, actually. At a convention in Orlando, Florida this week, Honda announced it has already written more than 100 orders for its $3.65 million HondaJet. Sales of its jet just began on October 17 so demand is obviously high, much higher than Honda had expected for three days of sales.

"We are extremely pleased with the early customer response to HondaJet. In addition to the strong demand we have experienced from individuals, we are negotiating with a number of fleet customers as well," said Michimasa Fujino, president & CEO of Honda Aircraft Co., Inc. "Due to this overwhelming response, we are now considering an increase in our production plan to meet the needs of our customers."

Honda Aircraft Company will produce the HondaJet at a facility in the United States, and has submitted its application for type certification of the HondaJet with the Federal Aviation Administration. The HondaJet uses a bunch of revolutionary new technologies, including the over-the-wing engine mount (OTWEM) configuration that allows increased room in the cabin and cargo hold, while reducing aerodynamic drag increasing performance and fuel efficiency. HondaJet should be good for a cruising speed of 420 knots with a range of up to 1180 nautical miles, all while returning 30-35 percent better fuel economy versus other jets of comparable performance. More information about HondaJet including complete specifications is available at www.hondajet.com.

[Source: The Auto Channel]