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Ford F-150 bumps Camry from top of Cars.com American Made Index

With July 4th just around the corner, what better time could there be for Cars.com to announce that the Ford F-150 is the Most American car of 2013? This may be especially true since it was the Toyota Camry, a car produced by a company based in Japan, that had held the top spot from 2009 to 2012.
Cars.com compiles its Most American list by considering the amount of parts each vehicle uses that come from America, where it's final assembly takes place and how many units per year are sold. "While the assembly point and domestic parts content of the F-150 didn't change from 2012-2013, vehicle sales are responsible for bumping the F-150 to the top spot," according to Patrick Olsen, Editor-in-Chief of Cars.com.
As far as automakers go (as opposed to individual models), Toyota retains the top spot it held in 2012, with General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and Honda (in that order) rounding out the list. The motivation behind this list each year, according to Olsen, is "to help car shoppers understand that 'American-Made' extends beyond just the Detroit three" and because "a study we conducted in 2012 indicated that 25 percent of shoppers surveyed preferred to buy American."

Don't drive some 2001-03 Hondas and Acuras with Takata airbags, feds say

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday warned owners of certain 2001-03 Honda and Acura models to stop driving their vehicles immediately due greater risks posed by their defective Takata airbags. NHTSA says the airbag inflators have up to a 50-percent chance of exploding in an accident. Dangerous ruptures are more likely to occur in vehicles that spend a significant amount of time in high humidity. About 313,000 vehicles are affected. They are: The 2001 to 2002 Honda Accord and Civic, the 2002 to 2003 Acura TL, 2002 Honda CR-V and Odyssey, 2003 Acura CL, and 2003 Honda Pilot. All of these vehicles were recalled from 2008 to 2011 for being equipped with Takata inflators, but the feds are urging immediate action due to the elevated risk. The inflators in this group of cars have a manufacturing defect that "greatly increases the potential for dangerous rupture when a crash causes the airbag to deploy," NHTSA said. "The air bag inflators in this particular group of vehicles pose a grave danger to drivers and passengers that must be fixed right away," NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said in a statement. Related video: News Source: NHTSA, Automotive News Auto News Honda Minivan/Van SUV Sedan airbag

Honda launches new JDM Odyssey, Mugen chips in [w/video]

Honda has just released its new Odyssey minivan for the Japanese Domestic Market, and it has plenty of style and room for up to eight people. Honda factory tuning company Mugen will also offer performance and styling parts for the fifth-generation minivan.
The Odyssey is offered in B and G trim with a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter I-VTEC four-cylinder mated to a continuously variable transmission with optional paddle shifters and seven 'speeds.' The more upscale Odyssey Absolute features sportier styling, and but all models are available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The interior follows a "modern suite" design concept inspired by luxury hotels, with wood trim and comfortable-looking seats. Additionally, customers can choose between models with a lift-up second-row seat or a lift-up front passenger seat. Honda highlights the Odyssey's low floor height and high ceiling, which accentuates the spacious interior. The low floor also endows the minivan with a step height of 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) at the rear sliding door to afford easy entry.