Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Motor Trend releases annual industry Power List]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/motor-trend-releases-annual-industry-power-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/motor-trend-releases-annual-industry-power-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/motor-trend-releases-annual-industry-power-list/#commentsFiled under:



A lot has changed for automakers in the last year, not the least of which would be General Motors. Just last year, GM CEO Rick Wagoner managed to grab the top spot on Motor Trend's list of most powerful people in the automotive world. As you might imagine, it's tough at the top and a bankruptcy that was barely avoided thanks to a set of last-minute, low-interest loans from the Feds has, not surprisingly, prompted MT to move Wagoner down from his perch as numero uno. In fact, Wagoner has fallen completely out of the top 25 and been lapped by Ford's Alan Mulally and even Bob Lutz, Ed Welburn and Tom Stephens - all men who report up to Wagoner. Ouch. Chrysler execs are also conspicuously absent from MT's latest Power List of People Who Matter. Wondering who managed to make the cut? There are the usual suspects, such as Carlos Ghosn and Takeo Fukui, along with a few others that you might not expect to see. We don't want to spoil it all for you, though, so click here to see the whole shebang.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Motor Trend releases annual industry Power List originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>motor trendmotor trend power listMotorTrendMotorTrendPowerListtakeo fukuitakeo fukui hondaTakeoFukuiTakeoFukuiHondaTue, 30 Dec 2008 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1413444/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/30/motor-trend-releases-annual-industry-power-list/1413444/article-detail.xml 1413444 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/unlimited-power_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/unlimited-power_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Automobile names Takeo Fukui MOTY]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/automobile-names-takeo-fukui-moty/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/automobile-names-takeo-fukui-moty/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/automobile-names-takeo-fukui-moty/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Honda is one of the few automakers that's demonstrated studied restraint during the recent SUV boom. There is the Pilot, which is a big ol' thing, but it's also as efficient as something that size can be, with unit-body construction, and an engine that shuts off three of its six cylinders whenever possible. The company also has a long history of making small cars that aren't penalty boxes, and amazingly clever engineering. It should be little surprise, then, that the man at the helm is an engineer by trade, deftly maneuvering the automaker into whatever endeavors hold promise, popular fashion be damned. Takeo Fukui worked on the company's CVCC engines early on in his tenure, and his respect for the vision of Soichiro Honda has netted him the title of Man Of The Year from Automobile magazine. The new focus on fuel efficiency (though today, oil is under $50/barrel for the first time in three years) has made Honda seem oddly prescient for its steadfast manner. Cheers!

[Source: Automobile]

Automobile names Takeo Fukui MOTY originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automobile man of the yearAutomobileManOfTheYearhondaman of the yearManOfTheYeartakeo fukuitakeo fukui hondatakeo fukui man of the yearTakeoFukuiTakeoFukuiHondaTakeoFukuiManOfTheYearSat, 22 Nov 2008 11:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1378958/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/11/22/automobile-names-takeo-fukui-moty/1378958/article-detail.xml 1378958 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/fukui_shot_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/fukui_shot.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan GT-R named Car of the Year by Automobile Mag]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/nissan-gt-r-named-car-of-the-year-by-automobile-mag/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/nissan-gt-r-named-car-of-the-year-by-automobile-mag/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/nissan-gt-r-named-car-of-the-year-by-automobile-mag/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R

Nissan has hit a major home run with its latest Skyline, known as the GT-R here in the States. In fact, the car was knocked so far out of the park that it seems an obvious choice for anyone's Car of the Year. Nissan's latest supercar boasts enough performance to take on the best from the rest of the world regardless of price, making it an amazing value despite costing upwards of $80,000. As such, the new GT-R has been awarded the Car of the Year trophy from Automobile Mag. Who are we to argue?

Other winners of Automobile's year-end awards include Audi's stunning A5 coupe, which takes the award for Design of the Year, though it seems it feels like the A5's already been around for more than a year. Man of the Year goes to Honda's CEO, Takeo Fuki, who's company is now reaping the rewards for staying true to its initial vision of rational, fuel efficient designs after all these years. It's pretty hard to take exception with these choices, though 2009, which is right around the corner, is shaping up to be the year of fuel efficiency. Follow the jump for Automobile Mag's official press release, which has a few extra award winners we didn't mention.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R


[Source: Automobile]

Continue reading Nissan GT-R named Car of the Year by Automobile Mag

Nissan GT-R named Car of the Year by Automobile Mag originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi a5AudiA5automobileautomobile car of the yearautomobile magazineAutomobileCarOfTheYearAutomobileMagazinecar of the yearcar of the year 2008CarOfTheYearCarOfTheYear2008design of the yearDesignOfTheYearman of the yearManOfTheYearnissan gt-rNissanGt-rtakeo fukuiTakeoFukuiTue, 11 Nov 2008 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1368755/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/11/11/nissan-gt-r-named-car-of-the-year-by-automobile-mag/1368755/article-detail.xml 1368755 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/gtrpriceincrease_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/gtrpriceincrease.jpg <![CDATA[Honda CEO demands NSX be faster around 'Ring than GT-R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/honda-ceo-demands-nsx-be-faster-around-ring-than-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/honda-ceo-demands-nsx-be-faster-around-ring-than-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/honda-ceo-demands-nsx-be-faster-around-ring-than-gt-r/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



By now we've all seen the spy shots showing Acura's NSX revival bombing around the Nürburgring in Germany. There's a reason those drivers are pushing their prototype hard enough to get air through the turns. Inside Line is reporting the Honda CEO Takeo Fukui wants his NSX to toast both the Nissan GT-R and the Lexus LF-A around the Green Hell. Considering that the GT-R has posted lap times on the 'Ring that utterly defy what it should be able to do on paper, and that the LF-A is still a moving target that's trying to best the GT-R too, Honda engineers have some serious work to do developing the NSX over the next two years. IL suspects the next NSX will get a 5.5L V10 producing 550 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque that's derived from a V8 that's slated for the next-gen, rear-wheel-drive Acura RL. They also surmise that it will use an 8-speed auto with paddle shifters, feature an advanced version of Honda's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system and use lots of aluminum in its construction to keep weight down. Unfortunately, by the time the NSX arrives, the GT-R V-Spec will have moved the bar again.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Acura NSX


[Source: Inside Line]

Honda CEO demands NSX be faster around 'Ring than GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acura nsxAcuraNsxgt-rlexus lf-aLexusLf-alf-anissan gt-rNissanGt-rnsxnsx nurburgringNsxNurburgringnurburgringringtakeo fukuiTakeoFukuiWed, 18 Jun 2008 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1229240/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/06/18/honda-ceo-demands-nsx-be-faster-around-ring-than-gt-r/1229240/article-detail.xml 1229240 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/timetobeat_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/timetobeat_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Honda takes shot at Chevy Volt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/24/honda-takes-shot-at-chevy-volt/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/24/honda-takes-shot-at-chevy-volt/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/24/honda-takes-shot-at-chevy-volt/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Man, what's with everyone harshing on the Chevy Volt? First it was Toyota, which took a shot at Chevy's series hybrid on its Open Road blog and then attempted to defend its comments in a future posting. Now Honda has jumped into the fray, swinging wildly away at the Great Hybrid Hope from the bow tie brand. This past Tuesday, Honda's chief exec Takeo Fukui told journalists that "so-called" plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles didn't do enough for the environment, so his company isn't going to pursue them. Not satisfied at leaving it at that, he noted the Chevy Volt specifically and said it made little sense. Fukui said Honda is working on high-performing lithium batteries, and if they succeed a pure battery-powered electric vehicle is in its future.

What bothers us about Toyota and Honda going after General Motors and its plans for the Chevy Volt is simply the fact that they're bothering to address the Volt at all. Stop worrying about what the other guy's doing and get to work on your own plan for saving the Earth from the evil of the internal combustion engine. We get it, you both aren't down with doing a plug-in series hybrid like the Volt. Then what are you going to do and where is it? Rather than claiming consumers aren't going to respond well to a hybrid that has to be plugged in everyday (yeah, who wants to get their fuel from the outlet in their garage rather than driving down the street for it?), quit yer yappin' and show us a better solution!

We're not claiming the Volt will be a silver bullet for saving the environment. In fact, it's likely an even shorter stop gap between the cars we drive today and pure electric vehicles that sacrifice nothing in terms of range and durability than the common parallel hybrids we drive today. Battery technology, however, isn't there yet, and if the Volt can provide consumers super high fuel economy in the meantime, is that a bad thing? Perhaps for Toyota and Honda it is.

[Source: Wall Street Journal - sub. req'd, photo by Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty]

Honda takes shot at Chevy Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>honda chevy voltHondaChevyVoltTakeo FukuiTakeo Fukui chevy voltTakeo Fukui hondaTakeoFukuiTakeoFukuiChevyVoltTakeoFukuiHondaWed, 24 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1021087/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/10/24/honda-takes-shot-at-chevy-volt/1021087/article-detail.xml 1021087 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/77452131_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/77452131.jpg <![CDATA[Honda will have a fuel-cell car for sale by 2018]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/honda-will-have-a-fuel-cell-car-for-sale-by-2018/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/honda-will-have-a-fuel-cell-car-for-sale-by-2018/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/30/honda-will-have-a-fuel-cell-car-for-sale-by-2018/#commentsFiled under: ,



In a recent interview, Honda President Takeo Fukui said that he fully expects to offer a fuel-cell Honda by 2018. Nissan has already gone on record as saying they plan to have a fuel-cell vehicle on the road by the early 2010s. So that might seem like a long way off, especially considering the FCX Concept that AB Green drove will be doing real world testing by 2008, but production and storage of hydrogen are still huge obstacles to making fuel-cell vehicles practical. The Kyodo News agency also said Fukui implied that Honda's research showed that the price would have to be less than about 10 million yen ($84,000) to make it palatable to buyers. Well, we'd have to agree with that, but might add that it would have to be WAY less than that figure.

[Source: Detroit News]

Honda will have a fuel-cell car for sale by 2018 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreenFCX ConceptFcxConceptfuel cellFuelCellKyodo News agencyKyodoNewsAgencyTakeo FukuiTakeoFukuiSat, 30 Dec 2006 08:09:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/726369/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/12/30/honda-will-have-a-fuel-cell-car-for-sale-by-2018/726369/article-detail.xml 726369 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/hondafuelcell1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/hondafuelcell1.jpg <![CDATA[Honda may outfit Ridgeline and others with V6 diesel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/honda-may-outfit-ridgeline-and-others-with-v6-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/honda-may-outfit-ridgeline-and-others-with-v6-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/honda-may-outfit-ridgeline-and-others-with-v6-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In an interview with Automotive News, Honda's CEO, Takeo Fukui said that the automaker's newly developed diesel technology will find its way into their light truck offerings of the future.

The vehicles identified by Fukui as being the likely recipients of a V6 diesel are the Ridgeline pickup, Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan, with Acura's MDX also being a candidate for oil-burning power.

The V6 engine is currently under development and will likely debut sometime after Honda introduces their 2.2-liter diesel in 2009.

Another interesting tidbit from Fukui's interview with AN was his comment about the possibility of future Honda vehicles receiving turbocharged mills. He indicated that the introduction of the turbo'd Acura RDX did not mean that only the high-end automaker would benefit from the glories of forced induction. We'd like to see a factory-blown version of the Honda Remix come out by the end of the decade, but we're not going to start saving up yet.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Honda may outfit Ridgeline and others with V6 diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In an apparent sharp contrast to Auto News James B. Treece's opinion that Honda Motors is in trouble, the automaker has announced it is considering expanding its U.S. plants and even adding a new one. In particular, demand for its award-winning new Civic is also forcing the company to consider importing models from its Japanese and U.K. facilities until a decision is made.

Said Takeo Fukui, CEO of Honda, "In the short term we are looking at raising imports from Japan and the U.K. to meet demand. On a medium- or long-term basis, we should look to increase production in North America and we are making a plan for that at the moment.''

[Source: AIADA via Bloomberg via The Auto Channel]

Honda looks to expand U.S. capacity to feed high demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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