2003 Honda Accord Ex Sedan 4-door 2.4l on 2040-cars

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Honda to reveal production Civic Type R in Geneva

Honda has been working on its new Civic Type R for some time now. We drove a prototype over a year ago, and have since seen the Japanese hot hatch as a pre-production concept twice now – once in Geneva last year, and again in Paris. But at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March, the Japanese automaker will finally present the production version. Previewed in the teaser video above, the new Civic Type R promises to be among the kings of the hot hatchdom, packing a new 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine and extreme styling. Unfortunately this version won't be coming to the US, but according to recent reports, another version will. Alongside the production pocket rocket, Honda will mark the European debuts of the NSX, Jazz (known to us as the Fit) and the new HR-V subcompact crossover at the Swiss expo, where it will also showcase its new McLaren-Honda F1 racer and the FCV concept. 28.01.2015 Civic Type R and NSX Supercar Lead Host of Premieres From Honda at 2015 Geneva Motor Show - Honda to unveil flagship performance models with world premiere of production Civic Type R and European premiere of NSX - Production models of all-new Jazz and HR-V to be unveiled, as well as first showing in Europe of FCV Concept fuel cell vehicle - 2015 McLaren-Honda F1 racer showcased ahead of season opener Signalling a new era for the Honda brand in Europe, every model in the range will be new or refreshed in 2015, with many being unveiled in production guise for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Performance cars for road and track, family cars and a fuel cell concept will all feature on the Honda stand. The return of two performance legends Geneva will see the global premiere of the Honda Civic Type R production car. The 'race car for the road' will be the most extreme Type R ever built, with blistering performance and thrilling dynamics that set new standards in the segment. A world-first application of Honda's new 2.0 litre VTEC Turbo engine, aggressive function-led styling and pioneering new chassis technologies combine to deliver one of the most immersive and rewarding driving experiences available in any sector. For fans keenly anticipating the launch of Honda's latest hot hatch icon, a dedicated Type R microsite goes live on 28 January.

Honda's slate for Tokyo Auto Salon includes S2000 revival, many Mugens

Honda has pulled back the covers on what we can expect to see at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon, including what looks to be an S2000 refresh some four years after the convertible left production. The S2000 Modulo Climax is an "exhibition model" based on the old roadster, but features updated front and rear fascias as well as an interior trimmed out in black and burgundy. Beyond that, details are scarce as hen's teeth.
Honda will also show off a number of vehicles based on the N-One mini, including the N-One Modulo Style, Mugen Racing N-One Concept and an N-One worked up by the Japan Nailist Association. That last creation features plenty of rhinestone decoration. (We wish we were joking.) Mugen will also display a tarted-up CR-V Design Study as well as the CR-Z Mugen RZ: a 300-unit specialty vehicle.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer's motorcycle arm will show off the Goldwing F6B, previously seen at EICMA 2012 as well as the CB1300 Super Four Special Edition and the NC700X. The automaker will also pepper its stand with a few of its racing machines for the public to enjoy. Check out the full press release below.

Foreign automakers pay from $38 to $65 per hour to non-union workers

As leaders for the United Auto Workers gather in Detroit for their Special Convention on Collective Bargaining to work out the negotiating stance for this year's new labor agreements with the Detroit 3 automakers, what they most want to do is figure out how to eliminate the two-tier wage scale. However, the lower Tier 2 wage has allowed the domestic automakers to reduce their labor costs, hire more workers, and compete better with their import competition. As it stands, per-hour labor rates including benefits are $58 at General Motors, $57 at Ford, and $48 at Fiat-Chrysler – a reflection of FCA's much greater number of Tier 2 workers. The Center for Automotive Research released a study of labor rates (including benefits) that put numbers to what the imports pay: Mercedes-Benz pays the most, at an average of $65 per hour, Volkswagen pays the least, at $38 per hour, and BMW is just a hair above that at $39 per hour. Among the Detroit competitors, Honda workers earn an average of $49 per hour, at Toyota it's $48 per hour, Nissan is $42 per hour, and Hyundai-Kia pays $41 per hour. The lower import wages are aided by their greater use of temporary workers compared to the domestics. Automotive News says the ten-dollar gap between those foreign camakers and the domestics turns out to about an extra $250 per car in labor, which adds up quickly when you're pumping out many millions of cars. That $250-per-car number is one that, come negotiating time, the Detroit 3 will want to reduce, as the UAW is trying to raise both Tier 1 and Tier 2 wages. Another wrinkle is that the domestic carmakers are considering the wide adoption of a third wage level lower than Tier 2. Some workers who do minor tasks like assembling parts trays kits and battery packs already make less than Tier 2, but the UAW will be quite wary about cementing yet another wage scale at the bottom of the system while it's trying to fight a bigger battle at the top. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req., BloombergImage Credit: AP Photo/Erik Schelzig Earnings/Financials UAW/Unions BMW Chevrolet Fiat Ford GM Honda Hyundai Kia Mercedes-Benz Nissan Toyota Volkswagen labor wages collective bargaining labor costs