2008 Honda Pilot on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Carmakers ask Trump to revisit fuel efficiency rules

Car companies operating in the US are required to meet stringent fuel efficiency standards (a fleet average of 54.5MPG) through 2025, but they're hoping to loosen things now that President Trump is in town. Leaders from Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and VW have sent a letter to Trump asking him to rethink the Obama administration's choice to lock in efficiency guidelines for the next several years. The car makers want to revisit the midterm review for the 2025 commitment in hopes of loosening the demands. They claim that the tougher requirements raise costs, don't match public buying habits and will supposedly put "as many a million" jobs up in the air. The Trump administration hasn't specifically responded to the letter, although Environmental Protection Agency nominee Scott Pruitt had said he would return to the Obama-era decision. The automakers' argument doesn't entirely hold up. While the EPA did estimate that the US would fall short of efficiency goals due to a shift toward SUVs and trucks, the job claims are questionable. Why would making more fuel efficient vehicles necessarily cost jobs instead of pushing companies to do better? As it is, even a successful attempt to loosen guidelines may only have a limited effect. All of the brands mentioned here are pushing for greater mainstream adoption of electric vehicles within the next few years -- they may meet the Obama administration's expectations just by shifting more drivers away from gas power. This article by Jon Fingas originally appeared on Engadget, your guide to this connected life. Related Video: News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images Government/Legal Green Chrysler Fiat GM Honda Hyundai Nissan Toyota Volkswagen Fuel Efficiency CAFE standards Trump

Honda recalls more than 750,000 vehicles to fix faulty seat air bag sensor

DETROIT — Honda is recalling more than three quarters of a million vehicles in the U.S. because a faulty sensor may cause the front passenger air bags to inflate when they're not supposed to. The recall covers certain Honda Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V and Odyssey models from the 2020 through 2022 model years, as well as the 2020 Fit and Civic Coupe. Also included are the 2021 and 2022 Civic hatchback, the 2021 Civic Type R and Insight, and the 2020 and 2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline and Accord Hybrid. Affected models from the Acura luxury brand include the 2020 and 2022 MDX, the 2020 through 2022 RDX and the 2020 and 2021 TLX. Documents posted Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that the front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, and fail to turn off the air bag as intended. The sensors are required to disable the air bags if children or small adults are in the seats. If that doesn't happen, it increases the risk of injury. Dealers will replace the seat sensors at no cost to owners. Owners will be notified starting March 18. Honda says in documents that it has 3,834 warranty claims but no reports of injuries or deaths from the problem between June 30, 2020 and Jan. 19 of this year. Featured Gallery 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid View 40 Photos Green Recalls Acura Honda

Sampling toys and tools in the Honda Dream Garage

I have two Hondas in my modest garage. One is a 1972 CB450 that I cherish but rarely ride, the other a 2014 HRR216 mower that my neighbors probably wish I'd use more often. Not quite dream garage material, but I like my trusty Hondas all the same. So I was pretty geeked to visit what Honda calls its Dream Garage. Spoiler alert: There was no actual garage. The various Honda products were spread out over a few acres of private land. And before you ask, no, the HondaJet wasn't in attendance. No confining garage meant I got to try a bunch of this stuff out. Honda makes such a wide variety of products, and so many of them, that it is the number one maker of engines in the world, having built 28 million in 2014. Highlights included a smattering of motorcycles, some rugged side-by-sides, the Uni-Cub assistive mobility device/powered stool, a few boats, Honda's latest cars, and snowblowers. Yep, in Southern California in July. They used damp sawdust for demonstrations, which meant I got to run a giant snowblower in a t-shirt. Watch the video above to see me ride, drive, walk behind, and be assisted by some of Honda's latest gear that isn't a car. Some of my favorites: The Grom. I've wanted to ride one since it came out a couple years back. This miniature motorcycle is hilarious and surprisingly rideable given its 125-cc single, which puts out about eight horsepower. It'll do 45 mph pretty easily, which feels fast on this baby bike. The only thing that takes getting used to is the time required to glance down at the instruments – they're way down there. Otherwise, it's a normal motorcycle with tiny wheels and a tinier engine. Riding the Uni-Cub was another dream experience of mine. It's much more intuitive than a Segway and makes you look slightly less goofy. I felt like I was in an OK Go video. It was neat. One item that didn't make the video is the NM4 you see here: crazy anime-inspired styling, a dual-clutch transmission, and then more crazy styling. The DCT means your left hand and foot get a rest. I still grabbed for the clutch every time I started the bike, though. Old habits and their hard deaths. Honda is also putting a dual-clutch transmission into one of its newest side-by-side offerings, but it was only on display and not available to pilot. I drove one with a traditional auto and another with an automated manual – and paddle shifters!