Autoblog

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don't want green cars

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:16:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, China, Honda, Shanghai Motor Show

According to The Wall Street Journal, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito believes that China's nascent car-buying demographic isn't all that interested in hybrid cars - at least not yet. The emissions story doesn't resonate with them, and certainly not for the higher purchase premium such models usually carry. What they really want, Ito believes, is reliable, affordable cars that fit their needs. When it comes to Honda sales, the numbers would appear to jibe with his thoughts: Honda sold 598,577 vehicles in China last year through its two joint ventures, yet just 542 of them were hybrids - not even a tenth of a percent. However, Toyota sold 840,500 cars in China last year, and two percent of that total, 17,300 units, were hybrids, which is closer to the still-piddling three-percent ratio of sales that Toyota posted in the US last year.

Honda offers the Insight, Fit Hybrid and CR-Z in China and plans to make components for its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system there from next year, the hope being it will reduce the cost of hybrid cars for local buyers. That was one part of the plan Honda laid out last year to popularize its IMA system in China. Other initiatives include the introduction of a new hybrid system for mid-sized and large vehicles and a plug-in hybrid. Among the four new vehicles Honda showed during this weekend's press day for the Shanghai Motor Show (including the Concept M minivan pictured above) there was not a single hybrid among them.

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don't want green cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda overhauls North American operations with eye towards more autonomy

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Japan, Honda

The increasing sales success of Honda North America (HNA) has led to Honda brass in Japan reorganizing regional operations here. The management shuffling here and in Japan is intended to both streamline and confer more responsibility on HNA "as the region assumes a larger role in shaping Honda's global business," and as Honda builds more facilities that serve several roles in the product development pipeline.

Honda's executive vice president and president of HNA Tetsuo Iwamura was named COO of automotive operations, taking over a position that had been handled by company president Takanobu Ito. Iwamura's new role puts him in charge of anything Honda makes that has four wheels, which Automotive News says equates to 78 percent of the company's global revenue.

The current company CFO, Fumihiko Ike, will fill the now-vacant role of company chairman and Kohei Takeuchi will take his place. Takeuchi is presently the operating officer, general manager of the accounting division. The executive swaps take effect April 1, 2013.

Beyond that, a company called Honda North America Services (HNAS) will integrate IT systems, human resources and other responsibilities and streamline operations such as purchasing and manufacturing. It will pluck 50 employees from Honda's offices in Torrance, California, the new company being based in Honda's offices in Marysville, Ohio.

Honda wants to "deliver high quality products to the consumer more quickly and efficiently," and HNA is also expected to have more input into product development. Honda won't confirm it, but that could mean that the next Honda Accord is developed here. Read more in the press release below.

Continue reading Honda overhauls North American operations with eye towards more autonomy

Honda overhauls North American operations with eye towards more autonomy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automotive News names its industry All-Stars

George Kennedy — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, China, Europe, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Fiat

Automotive News has announced its annual list of Industry All-Stars. This year, the theme is apparently "success in the face of economic uncertainty," or something of that liking. The list points to executives who have led their respective brands and automakers to positive sales in spite of the European financial crisis and slowing sales in China. See the list below, and you'll understand why:

Industry Leader of the Year and CEO, Europe - Martin Winterkorn, CEO, Volkswagen Group (above): The VW boss started with the German automaker in 2007, overseeing a staggering 12 brands. Under his leadership, sales of Volkswagens have gained in both China and America. VW has also expanded production to America and grown its operations in Brazil. Winterkorn is a very hands-on executive, traveling to America six times to test and tweak the American-built current-generation Passat. Volkswagen is aiming to be the largest and most profitable automaker in the wold by 2018, and Winterkorn will stay on through that time, making him accountable for those goals.
CEO, North America - Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Chrysler Group: How does 31 straight months of positive year-over-year sales sound? The Fiat and Chrysler chief has bestowed dealers with a wealth of new product, and the American automaker is expected to post $1.5 billion in profits this year, in spite of economic turmoil in Europe.
CEO, Asia - Takanobu Ito, President, Honda Motor Co.: In addition to leading the Japanese automaker through the aftermath and destruction of a tsunami, Takanobu Ito has overseen the revival of the NSX sportscar and the emergency facelift of the Honda Civic. He has also stated the company is looking to grow to six million in global sales in the next four years. Big plans, but he has also delivered up to this point.
US Exec, Asian Automaker - Jim Lentz, CEO Toyota Motor Sales USA: Lentz has endured as Toyota's US boss through the 2010 unintended acceleration issue, and the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Through all of this, the Toyota Camry is still America's best-selling car, and profits are on the rise. Success in the face of crisis, indeed.
US Exec, European Automaker - Jonathan Browning, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America: The 53-year-old Englishman came over to head up Volkswagen of America two years ago. Since then, VW sales have increased here at a rapid pace, and the brand has opened the Chattanooga plant to build the Passat. The plant is expected to expand to produce a mid-sized crossover (Tiguan perhaps?) for the US market.

To see the rest of the AN All-Stars, as well as previous year's winners, click through to the link below.

Automotive News names its industry All-Stars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:29:00 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 "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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Honda CEO takes responsibility for poor reception of redesigned Civic

Zach Bowman — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Etc., Japan, Honda, Design/Style

There are plenty of ways to know an automaker has made a misstep. Diminished sales and high inventory are typical markers of a lackluster model, as is a paucity of critical acclaim. All three factors are currently weighting on the 2012 Honda Civic. And while stopping short of an actual apology, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has reportedly stepped in to take responsibility for the model's reception. At a Tokyo Motor Show roundtable, Ito told media members that he takes full responsibility for the vehicle's meager performance in the United States and remarked that Honda takes input from world markets very seriously. The CEO also said that his company is working to discern the best course of action moving forward, acknowledging talk of an earlier-than-normal refresh to address the car's criticisms.

The redesigned Honda Civic hasn't found many fans since it debuted in April. Consumer Reports refused to recommend the vehicle for the first time in the car's history, and Dan Neil of The Wall Street Journal said that the new car "feels like a betrayal from Honda."

Ouch.

Not surprisingly, Automotive News reports that Civic sales have dropped by 15 percent while the rest of the automotive market has seen an increase of 10 percent compared to last year. While some of that fall may be due to supply issues brought about first by earthquake and tsunami activity in Japan and later by floods in Thailand, the reality is that the bread-and-butter compact simply isn't meeting expectations.

Honda CEO takes responsibility for poor reception of redesigned Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to cut Japanese production in half over next decade

Chris Shunk — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Last year, 34 percent of all Honda vehicles sold around the globe were produced in Japan, but that number could change drastically over the next decade. Reuters reports that Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told Japan's Asahi newspaper that the automaker will drop its exports to 10-20 percent over the next 10 years.

The reason for the switch has everything to do with the ill effects of currency swings. To prevent this from continuing to hurt Honda's bottom line, executives reportedly plan to make 80-90 percent of its vehicles in the main markets where they are sold. But just because Honda plans to export fewer vehicles from Japan doesn't mean that the automaker will board up some of its home plants. Instead, Honda plans to keep production at about one million units, in part by bumping production of its popular 660cc kei cars.

Honda's decision to build more vehicles in-market comes as the yen hit a 10-year high against the euro. In fact, Reuters points out that the dollar is now worth only 77 yen, which is down from 85 yen in April.

Honda to cut Japanese production in half over next decade originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda confirms NSX, again, again

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Acura, Honda

The original Acura NSX was an enthusiast's dream car come true. It had supercar looks, a lightweight aluminum chassis and a big chunk of Honda engineering soul. Unfortunately, the original NSX went through life without many adjustments, and Honda's supercar dream died quietly in 2005.

To be more accurate, the dream may only have been deferred, since Honda announced in 2008 that a next-generation NSX would arrive with a pavement-punishing V10 nestled under the hood of a far more contemporary shape. But just as we started to get our hopes up, the market for new premium sports coupes collapsed, and the NSX was shelved when it was reportedly very close to production-ready.

Rumors have persisted that the NSX was still under consideration for future production, and Autocar now claims that Honda President and CEO Takanobu Ito confirmed the speculation. Ito reportedly pointed out that the forthcoming NSX would focus on power-to-weight performance, adding "we don't want to copy Ferrari for power, but to also chase efficiency as well."

If a new NSX does see the light of day, we're guessing Honda would need to improve upon the original's 290 horsepower, but a 500-horsepower V10 is probably out of the picture, as are looks like the 2007 Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept shown here. Assuming that's the case, we'd happily take a lower sticker price and curb weight in exchange.

Honda confirms NSX, again, again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda NSX development soldiers on

Zach Bowman — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Honda, Rumormill

Automotive News reports that the long-dead NSX is back under development after its spiritual successor was sent to the round file in 2008. We've heard an increasing chorus of rumors that the project has been taken off the shelf, but this is the first time we can recall reading direct quotes from higher-ups within Honda confirming its existence. Takanobu Ito, Honda's President, reportedly disclosed that his company is currently working on a successor that will be both entertaining to drive and efficient, which likely means buyers can expect to be met with a hybrid drivetrain when the supercar launches. When will that be? Ito didn't give specific details on when the new-generation NSX will land, though he did say that the racer will be the brawnier bigger brother of the company's CR-Z hybrid.

That means that we can kiss the luscious V10 mounted in the old HSV-010 goodbye. That vehicle was intended to be the most recent take on the NSX, but was scrapped after the auto market at large began circling the drain back in 2008. While fans of the Japanese supercar were up in arms over the fact that the HSV-010 abandoned the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive finesse of the original NSX for an all-wheel drive platform, we have to imagine many NSX loyalists might not have kind words for a hybridized version of the bruiser.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Honda NSX development soldiers on originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CEO Takanobu Ito used CB1000 motorcycle to tour quake area

Chris Shunk — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Honda, Motorcycle

The March 11th earthquake and tsunami in Japan hit Honda hard, as production was down for weeks and the automaker's research and development center was badly damaged. In fact, the quake damaged the Tochigi facility so badly that one employee died and 17 others were injured after a cafeteria wall collapsed.

Due to the fact that many roads were closed or badly damaged, getting to the facility was a challenge. But that didn't stop Honda CEO Takanobu Ito from visiting the site in person to assess the damage. The Wall Street Journal reports that Ito hopped on his stripped-down, 1,100cc Honda CB1100 and headed to the site only two days after the incident. The 57-year-old CEO and his trusty bike were able travel where few autos could go, and he made it all the way to the Tochigi facility to witness the damage for himself.

The Tochigi facilities are very important to Honda as they are the company's main research and development centers. The automaker was forced to relocate 1,000 of its engineers to other facilities, but the damaged buildings still house another 500 workers. Ito adds that the automaker will rebuild at the site because it "is a place where all Honda's brains are gathered."

The fact that Ito risked his own safety to check on the welfare of his engineers has no doubt boosted his credibility among Honda employees. And it likely doesn't hurt that he got there on the back of a Honda sport bike. Nicely done, sir.

[Source: Wall Street Journal | Image: Kazuhiro Nogi/Getty]

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito used CB1000 motorcycle to tour quake area originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Five questions we're asking auto execs at the start of 2011. What are yours?

David Kiley — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., BMW, Honda, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen

The Detroit Auto Show is coming up. After that, we go to the Chicago Auto Show. Then New York and maybe Geneva. We are going to hob-knob with most of the auto industry titans: CEOs, Design Chiefs, Product Development Bosses.

We will be at dinners, group interviews, one-on-one interviews and members of the media will have time "on the sidelines" with these decision makers, sometimes without their pubic relations handlers listening in, trying to keep their bosses from making a headline.

I have a handful of questions for companies and executives I plan to ask. And the rest of the Autoblog staff is jotting up their notebooks with interview appointments and questions they want to ask. But how about you, dear readers, chiming in with yours? We'll do our best to get them answered.

My Questions:

1. For Volkswagen AG CEO Martin Winterkorn: Why all the rhetoric on sales goals? You want one million VWs and Audis sold in North America by 2018. Why? How about getting quality ratings going in the right direction first? VW quality scores have actually fallen in the last two years. Shouldn't quality be "Job One," to quote an old Ford ad slogan? Making it so much about sales seems like a recipe for driving the entire organization toward the wrong goal. Take care of quality and pricing, and sales will take care of themselves.

2. For Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito: When is Honda going to re-assert leadership in powertrains? I can still feel what a CVCC engine was like to drive. I can close my eyes and remember the beautiful gearbox on the manual transmission. We just aren't seeing this sort of leadership from Honda anymore, at least not in the U.S.

Are you serious about hybrids or not? The Accord Hybrid was a "non-starter." And the new Insight is a yawn, even for a hybrid. Are you serious about EVS, or not? You said you were going to bring a diesel engine - your wonderful diesel sold in Europe - to the States, only to kill the idea. I would suggest that there is no sound business case to be made for General Motors bringing out the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric. But the fact that it did shows that the company is seizing a leadership position trying to change the story about how we drive.

And your design department? Have you looked around a Honda showroom lately? The Ridgeline is a bust. The Element was close to a bust. The CR-Z is a puzzle whose early sales suggest it's a bust, too. I can't find any reason to tell someone they should put it on their list. The Accord Crosstour is not awful, but that's the best I can say. Yes, you own the subcompact crossover market with the CR-V. The Accord is the Accord. The Civic remains strong, but we want a five-door variant back in the showroom. The Odyssey is a pleasure among minivans. But there some big misses here for every hit you turn out.

But most of all, we want something from Honda we can get psyched about. What do you have to say?

Click through to the jump for more questions.

Continue reading Five questions we're asking auto execs at the start of 2011. What are yours?

Five questions we're asking auto execs at the start of 2011. What are yours? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announces that Acura will add a hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Acura

During the unveiling of the CR-Z at the Detroit Auto Show, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announced that Acura will be adding a hybrid drivetrain to its models. Ito gave no further insights as to timing or which vehicles would get the systems, but it's safe to speculate that the TSX and TL sedans would be the first recipients of the new system. However, when we spoke to Ito last fall in Japan, he did say that Honda was developing a hybrid system suitable for larger vehicles. It's not clear how much it will differ from the architecture of the current IMA mild hybrid system used in the Civic, Insight and CR-Z, but we do expect the system to come equipped with lithium ion batteries from Honda's new partners at GS Yuasa. Make the jump for a copy of Ito's comments.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announces that Acura will add a hybrid

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito announces that Acura will add a hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CEO: We will build affordable and green sports cars, not like the Lexus LF-A

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda

Following our time visiting this week's Tokyo Motor Show, we had the opportunity to sit down for a small group interview at Honda's world headquarters with freshly-minted CEO Takanobu Ito, who took over the reigns at Honda from Takeo Fukui just this past June. Among the questions posed to Ito-san was "When will Americans see another performance car from Honda?" Honda has a tradition of performance vehicles and motorsports participation that goes back to the earliest days of the company. Ito himself was the chief body engineer on the original NSX and was pivotal in the development of its lightweight aluminum structure and body.

Given his role in one of the more unique aspects of the NSX, it was interesting that Ito acknowledged that he personally made the decision to pull the plug last year on the new car that was being developed as a successor to the NSX. Ito actually sounded as though he was channeling Colin Chapman in explaining the philosophy of using low mass to achieve a good power to weight ratio on the NSX. That approach allowed Honda to create a car that was "easy to drive, good performance and at the same time it enjoyed very good fuel economy."

However, reaching those goals required a significant investment in new manufacturing technology.

Ito went on to say that there were two challenges that must be overcome in order for a new sports car from Honda to become a reality. Read on after the jump.

Continue reading Honda CEO: We will build affordable and green sports cars, not like the Lexus LF-A

Honda CEO: We will build affordable and green sports cars, not like the Lexus LF-A originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Honda likely to build Fit in the U.S.

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:33:00 EST

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

Honda Fit Sport - click above image for hi-res gallery

What goes up, must come down. And in this situation, Japan's yen has gone up when compared to our dollar -- about eight percent since August. And with the yen's rise in value, the profitability of low margin cars like the Honda Fit goes down. Built in Japan, with the yen up, the strong-selling Fit isn't making Honda any money. That's bad.

What if, like 80 percent of all other Hondas sold in the US, the Fit was manufactured right here? Well, that would certainly bring costs down and move Fit-related profits right back up. This switch could happen sooner than later, as Honda sales are down 25 percent over the first nine months of 2009, while Fit sales are only down 12%.

Honda president Takanobu Ito said the change from Japanese to American production a "highly likely possibility." Ito noted that Honda likes the current manufacturing ratio of 80 percent US/20 percent Japan, but says that more hghi tech models (such as hybrids, maybe even sports cars) should come from Japan while the more basic, Fit-like stuff gets built here. Makes economic sense, no?

Gallery: Review: 2009 Honda Fit Sport

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Honda likely to build Fit in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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