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Honda is first Japanese carmaker to be a net-exporter from US

Over the last decade or so, many foreign automakers have challenged the idea of what defines an "American car," but Honda took things a step further last year by exporting more cars out of the US than it imported in. Reuters is reporting that in 2013, a total of 108,705 Honda and Acura models were exported from the US with only 88,357 being shipped in. This gives Honda a net exporter status here, and makes it the first of such among the major Japanese automakers.
Honda's US imports have been dropping over the last five years while its exports have been steadily increasing. In 2008, the report indicates that Honda shipped 187,000 vehicles to the US and exported only 20,000, and even by 2012 Honda still favored imports with 136,000 imports and 74,000 exports. The article says that US-made Honda and Acura vehicles were exported to 50 countries with most ending up in Mexico, but the big news is that the Honda's US production set a record in 2013 with 1.3 million units built.

Recharge Wrap-up: Honda opens second CNG station, Fuels America's RFS ad for Obama

Biofuel group Fuels America is launching an ad campaign directed at President Obama regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). It depicts a choice between listening to experts in favor of the RFS and its role in helping stem climate change and supposed lies told by the oil industry about renewable fuels. The seven figure ad campaign includes a TV spot and digital ads. National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling says "slashing the amount of clean, domestic renewable fuel in our motor fuel supply would dramatically increase pollution and carbon emissions, while strengthening the RFS and building on the progress of the past 10 years would help in our efforts to combat climate change." See the ad in the video above, and read more from the National Corn Growers Association. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) sees big savings under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The bill, which the ACEEE points out was signed by President Bush and implemented by Obama, is expected to save consumers more than $2 trillion, cut CO2 emissions by 17 billion metric tons and provide major cuts to oil and energy use through vehicle, equipment and lighting standards, efficiency programs and housing policies. Learn more from the ACEEE. Honda has opened a compressed natural gas fueling station at its campus in Troy, Ohio. It is Honda's second CNG station in North America, the other having opened at its Marysville, OH manufacturing facility in August. The stations are part of Honda's "green fleet" programs, and a larger goal of cutting the company's CO2 emissions by 50 percent by 2050. In addition to serving Honda and the trucks of its suppliers, the station is also open to public customers with CNG passenger vehicles. Read more from Honda. Connecticut has set aside funding for fleet EVs and workplace charging installation for state agencies and municipalities. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will reimburse up to $15,000 per electric vehicle and $10,000 per charger (with a maximum of six per recipient). "Municipalities and state agencies can demonstrate leadership and their commitment to market development of zero emission vehicles (ZEV) through the purchase of EVs and the installation of EV charging stations for their workplace," says DEEP.

2017 Honda Ridgeline: Not a 'youth truck'

When the Ridgeline debuted back in 2006 I predicted it would be a game changer, that it would shake up and redefine the truck market, much like Honda's CB750 four-cylinder motorcycle redefined the big bike market back in 1969. Boy was I wrong. Or perhaps more accurately stated – hang on, because I still think it could happen with this new model. Maybe not to the same degree of the CB750, but I definitely think this gen-two model has the right stuff to make truck buyers give it a second look this time around. Also, the truck market has changed over the last decade. People have had a chance to see the Ridgeline in action, and many have come to the conclusion that, used as intended, it's really not so bad. ...And then look what's happened to the commercial van market: Euro-style vans – which are dramatically different from Detroit-style vans – have virtually taken over that market segment. Typically conservative truck buyers have shown that they are willing to accept new thinking – if they prove to be better mousetraps. In the last 10 years, Honda – and specifically Honda marketing – has learned a lot about what worked and what didn't work with the gen-one model. Yeah, it barely sold, but those who bought the truck absolutely loved it. So Honda was indeed on to something. The problem was not enough people knew about it. I blame Honda corporate and their marketing department squarely for that. After the initial customer reluctance, Honda gave up on it. There was virtually no money spent on advertising this truck. It literally died on the vine because it wasn't watered. Also, there were a number of factors going on here not specifically related to the Ridgeline. Honda, the corporation, was in a severe crisis. Sales were sliding, many of its products disappointed, and the styling of many of its vehicles was polarizing. Also, the Acura division was in a free-fall. In short, Honda had lost its mojo; and as such, money and efforts were re-diverted to righting the ship, and marginal models (Ridgeline) were abandoned in terms of promotion; or just abandoned, period. So here we are now in 2016. Honda has been in the process of exorcizing all the evil from it's products, and is again showing signs of life. They have a slew of new vehicles that look good and are getting good if not excellent reviews, and a new Ridgeline is soon to hit showrooms. The Honda mojo is back. This time around there is no attempt to hide its parentage.