2014 Honda Cr-v Ex-l on 2040-cars

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Honda CEO says we shouldn't expect any new sports cars

It wasn't so long ago that Honda was known for its sporty two-door models, with models ranging from the Civic del Sol to the Prelude and from the Acura Integra and RSX to the Honda S2000. But look at its range today and all you'll see are the Civic and Accord coupes. Honda has essentially let competitors like the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ and Nissan 370Z take the place it once claimed as its own. But if you were hoping Honda would fight back with a new coupe or convertible of its own, we're afraid you're going to have to downgrade those hopes to pipe dreams.
While in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, Autoblog had a chance to sit down with American Honda CEO Tetsuo Iwamura (pictured at right). When we asked about the potential for a new sports coupe or convertible in the Honda or Acura lineup, he pointed to the current Civic and Accord coupes - not to mention the upcoming new NSX - but said that Honda has no replacement for any of the aforementioned models (or a rival for the FR-S or 370Z) in the pipeline, saying only that the company is monitoring potential demand.
What Iwamura-san did note was that he's a personal fan of the new S660 roadster (pictured above) set to be unveiled tomorrow, and he is pushing (or at least hoping) that it will come to North America. Given that he's head of both Honda's American office and its global automobile operations, one might think that the only person he would have to persuade is himself (well... himself, and potential buyers), but the sporty droptop looks to be about kei-sized, which sadly suggests that it may be too small for American tastes and perhaps not designed with US crash-test standards in mind anyway.

Honda recalls small number of 2016 CR-V models for airbags

Thought you'd heard the last bit of news regarding exploding airbags from Takata? Think again. Honda has issued a recall for the 2016 CR-V to replace driver-side front airbag modules. Fortunately, only 515 vehicles are covered by this recall, and only 30 affected models were actually in the hands of consumers. And, if you own a 2016 CR-V and haven't gotten a phone call from Honda, you're apparently in the clear. On October 10, 2015, an airbag inflator made by Takata ruptured in Monclova, Mexico, while being tested. Two days later, Takata notified Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, prompting this recall. According to Honda's official announcement, though, this faulty inflator is not believed to be the same issue that caused automakers around the globe to recall 19.2 million (and counting) vehicles to replace defective airbag modules that were also made by Takata. Whether that's comforting or not, we'll let you decide. We've included both the official recall notice from NHTSA and the statement from Honda below. Here's hoping the faulty inflator that caused this recall was nothing more than a single defective part. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Driver Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture Report Receipt Date: OCT 29, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V714000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) SUMMARY: American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CR-V vehicles manufactured October 12, 2015, to October 19, 2015. The metal housing surrounding the driver's air bag inflator in these vehicles may have been manufactured incorrectly. CONSEQUENCE: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. REMEDY: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda'a number for this recall is JV9. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Statement by American Honda Regarding Driver Front Airbag Module Recall: 2016 Honda CR-V Oct 30, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif.

Honda invests $470 million for new transmission plant in Mexico

Honda has announced that it has made an initial investment of $470 million to build a brand new transmission plant in Ceyala, Mexico. For those keeping track, this is the same city that will also house Honda's new automobile manufacturing facility, which will begin production of the Fit compact beginning in the spring of 2014.
This new transmission plant is expected to come online in the second half of 2015, with an annual production capacity of 350,000 units, though that number is expected to double in the years following the plant's opening. With a 700,000-unit production capacity, Honda says a full 1,500 new associates will be hired at the Mexican plant.
Honda will specifically use this new transmission plant for the production of CVTs for automobiles built in Mexico, as well as for cars produced in facilities around the world. It stands to reason, then, that since the next-generation Honda Fit will be built right around the corner from these new CVTs, the small hatchback - which is expected to grow into a full family of vehicles - could be fitted with continuously variable units in the future.