Autoblog

Analysts say Honda's growing woes in Europe not just the economy

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

There is no denying that the European auto market is taking its lumps right now - just ask Peugeot - but Honda might be taking this downturn on the chin a little harder than some of the other Japanese automakers doing business on the continent. Automotive News Europe is reporting that things have gotten so bad for Honda that it will be cutting 800 workers from Swindon, England plant that builds the CR-V, Civic and Jazz (a.k.a. Fit). This will be the first time Honda has made such cuts in more than 20 years.

Despite an increase in output last year over 2011 (165,607 units compared to 97,459), the Swindon plant is still running well below its full capacity (250,000/year), and its 66 percent capacity is less than the expected breakeven point of industry analysts (75 to 80 percent). Unlike in the US, however, Honda's new CR-V and Civic aren't selling well, and the similarly sized Nissan Qashqai is outselling the CR-V at a rate of more than five to one. Slow CR-V sales are blamed on a relatively high price and the crossover's conservative styling. On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, the report notes that Nissan continues to experience growth at its UK operations, leading analysts to suggest that Honda can't blame the sour economy for much of its woes.

Analysts say Honda's growing woes in Europe not just the economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:30:00 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 "envious" of Nissan's Qashqai, ponders rival

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Nissan, UK

Honda hasn't been profitable in Europe since 2007, and would like to break the two-percent market-share barrier in the EU and Russia. To do that, it is looking at a rival to Nissan's Qashqai. Nissan's compact CUV alone outsold the entire Honda lineup in Europe in the first nine months of this year, and by no small margin: 153,079 to 105,918.

Those kinds of numbers have Honda justifiably envious of Nissan's little crossover, as apparently offering the CR-V in Europe hasn't generated the same sort of consumer response. Even so Honda's CEO, Takanobu Ito, will say nothing more than that "we are thinking about doing something like that" - a decision could still be a ways off, to say nothing of an actual production vehicle.

Nissan also has city cars like the Pixo and Micra spreading the gospel in the A-segment, and it's likely turning some of those drivers into Qashqai graduates. Likely with that in mind, the company head said they are also considering expanding the Jazz/Fit line, but a true A-segment fighter looks a long way off, with Ito saying, "maybe there will come a time when we will consider A-segment cars for Europe."

Honda "envious" of Nissan's Qashqai, ponders rival originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Honda releases a boatload on the 2012 Euro Civic [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style

As is generally the case, we once again find ourselves swooning over the European Honda Civic hatchback that made its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new-for-2012 North American-spec Civic hasn't exactly resonated well with us (or the rest of the media), and while we haven't had the chance to drive the new Euro Civic, our thought is that it simply must be better than the milquetoast slab of economy car that we've been served here in the United States.

We've always liked the Euro Civic's five-door shape, with its rear door handles integrated into the C-pillar. But as for the rest of the 2012 model's design elements, there's a bit of overall weirdness, especially around its rump. Nevertheless, it'll likely do well in Europe, where bold designs are more widely accepted (just look at anything by Peugeot or Citroën).

Powering the Civic are a range of three different engines - two fueled by gasoline, one by diesel. The top-end diesel powerplant is Honda's 2.2-liter engine with 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and below that, the two gasoline engines measure in at 1.4 and 1.8 liters, putting out 99 hp and 140 hp, respectively.

Take some time to scroll through our giant high-res gallery of the 2012 Euro Civic. After that, follow the jump to watch a promo video for the new car and check out Honda's indulgently long press release.

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Honda releases a boatload on the 2012 Euro Civic [w/video]

Pics Aplenty: Honda releases a boatload on the 2012 Euro Civic [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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