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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.

Leno checks out '64 Honda S600 hot rod

Among the hundreds of cars and motorcycles Jay Leno has in his own enviable collection, he's got a classic 1964 Honda S600. It's a cherry example that he's been restoring and it was recently featured in an episode of his popular video series. But this new video shows a different take on the little beast altogether. Rather than go for preservation, this vintage Japanese roadster has undergone the full hot-rod treatment. Or more like a rat rod, we should say, given its heavily patinated appearance. But don't let looks deceive you: this weathered little roadster is packing quite a punch, from the worked-over mechanical bits and motorcycle components to the nitrous tank in the trunk. Turn up the speakers to hear it shriek and check it out in the video above.

2023 Japan Mobility Show Mega Photo Gallery: All the highlights and reveals from Tokyo

The 2023 Japan Mobility Show managed to serve up a surprise heap of exciting and futuristic designs and production reveals. Our staff was on the ground in Tokyo for this year's show, where we captured not just all of the latest automotive trends, but some genuinely weird and fascinating stuff.  Browse: Some Delightful Oddities of the 2023 Japan Mobility Show But on to the cars. This year's show featured introductions from Daihatsu, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota. Some are weird; some are wild; most are probably destined to change significantly before production or merely fade into the void with the rest of the industry's vaporware, but if even a few of these make it to showrooms, we'll consider it a win. Scroll on down for our live galleries of each of the show's major debuts (and cars we're only now seeing in person for the first time). Enjoy!   BMW X2 and iX2 BMW X2 View 6 Photos   Daihatsu me:MO Concept Daihatsu me:MO concept View 14 Photos   Daihatsu Vision Copen Concept Daihatsu Vision Copen View 7 Photos   Daihatsu Osanpo Concept Daihatsu Osanpo View 6 Photos   Daihatsu Uniform Concept Daihatsu Uniform concept View 6 Photos   Honda Prelude Concept Honda Prelude concept View 5 Photos   Honda Sustania-C and Pocket Concepts Honda Sustania-C and Pocket Concept View 8 Photos   Honda CI-MEV Concept Honda CI-MEV View 3 Photos   Infiniti Vision Qe Concept Infiniti Qe concept View 14 Photos   Lexus LF-ZC Lexus LF-ZC View 8 Photos   Lexus LF-ZL Lexus LF-ZL View 10 Photos   Mazda Iconic SP Mazda Iconic SP concept View 8 Photos   Mitsubishi D:X Concept Mitsubishi D:X Concept View 8 Photos   Nissan Hyper Force Concept Nissan Hyper Force concept View 11 Photos   Nissan Hyper Tourer Concept Nissan Hyper Tourer concept View 6 Photos   Nissan Hyper Punk Concept IMG_6533 copy View 8 Photos   Subaru Sport Mobility Concept Subaru Sport Mobility Concept View 7 Photos   Suzuki Swift Suzuki Swift View 5 Photos   Suzuki eWX Suzuki eWX Concept View 3 Photos   Suzuki eVX Suzuki eVX concept View 4 Photos   Toyota Land Cruiser Se Concept Toyota Land Cruiser Se concept View 4 Photos   Toyota FT-3e Concept Toyota FT-3e View 6 Photos   Toyota FT-Se Concept Toyota FT-Se View 7 Photos     Tokyo Motor Show Honda Infiniti Lexus Mazda Mitsubishi Nissan Subaru Suzuki Toyota