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Honda Odyssey Hybrid greens up your minivan

Almost neglected completely at the Honda press presentation at the Tokyo Motor Show today was what could be a true game changer. Lots of people drive minivans. Lots of people like hybrids. There are even some hybrid minivans for sale in Japan. But Honda has never offered its popular Odyssey premium minivan with a gas-electric powertrain. That's about to change. Too bad this fact was not mentioned at all during the press conference. The hybrid Odyssey was on the show floor, though, and a press pack distributed by Honda says that the minivan will have an updated dual-motor Sport Hybrid i-MMD powertrain "for outstanding environmental performance and powerful acceleration." Honda also says that this is the first time is has put the IPU (the Intelligent Power Unit, made up of the battery and Power Control Unit) under the front row seats. Overall, the powertrain update offers a, "new hybrid driving experience," Honda says, and that now, "the Odyssey Hybrid makes minivan travel more enjoyable than ever." The van also seems to be of a high specification, with plush seats, dark micro-fiber decorating the dash and forward areas, and captains chairs that look primed for napping. Hauling your family the green way comes with some creature comforts, it seems. Honda isn't any details about the environmental benefits of putting a hybrid powertrain into the Odyssey, but when the rumor of this vehicle first appeared, there was talk of a 50-percent reduction in fuel use. For a number of reasons - most important being that the American and Japanese Odysseys are very different vehicles – it's unlikely that a hybrid Odyssey will be available in the US any time soon. Featuring updated SPORT HYBRID i-MMD for outstanding environmental performance and powerful acceleration The most comfortable environment possible for transporting a large number of people. In fulfillment of this concept, the Odyssey premium minivan brings together a generously roomy cabin, distinctive styling, and an exhilarating yet steady driving experience. And now the Odyssey will also be available as a hybrid vehicle. Featur- ing a new power control unit with a compact and concentrated structure for outstanding power density, the innovative dual-motor SPORT HYBRID i-MMD hybrid system offers both outstanding environmental performance and the powerful acceleration of an electric motor.

Takata airbag victim urges consumers to head to the dealership

A man who lost an eye in a low speed collision due to faulty Takata airbags is urging the owners of cars with recalled parts to take their vehicles into a dealership, before it's too late. The public service announcement comes from ConsumerWatch.com. In a video, the consumer rights website gives factual information about the recall, and adds a personal plea from Corey Burdick. The Florida man lost an eye due to shrapnel from an exploding Takata airbag. The Orlando Sentinel reported that Burdick was traveling just 15 mph in his Honda Civic when he collided with another car. There were no other injuries caused by the crash, except for the loss of Burdick's eye. He filed a lawsuit against Honda and Takata this year. "I lost my eye because of a defective airbag. Take your car in today so this doesn't happen to you," Burdick said. ConsumerWatch.com told Honda and Acura owners not to drive their vehicles until the faulty airbags were replaced. Good advice, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also recently advised owners of 2001-03 Hondas and Acuras to get their airbags replaced immediately. NHTSA says airbag inflators in those vehicles have up to a 50 percent chance of exploding in an accident. But replacing the airbags isn't as easy as simply going into the dealership. Many owners who take their cars in for replacement are finding out that new parts are in short supply as manufacturers grapple with the largest automotive recall in US history. Takata may not have enough replacements until 2019, CNN reported earlier this year. The problem is so pervasive that some brand new cars were found to be sitting on dealer lots with faulty airbags still in place months after the initial recall. Some cars have received replacements that were also faulty and now will require a second trip to the dealer. However, waiting is not an option for many owners. At least 13 people have been killed and over 100 injuries have been blamed on the airbags. Related Video: News Source: consumerwatch.com, Orlando Sentinel, CNN Government/Legal Recalls Acura Honda Driving Ownership Safety consumer airbag Takata airbag recall

Honda and Acura EVs will officially adopt the Tesla NACS port in 2025

Honda and Acura are the next manufacturers to jump on the NACS bandwagon, and while we heard the first official rumblings in Monterey, today is Honda’s (and AcuraÂ’s) official announcement. The first EV that Honda will launch with the NACS port will be in 2025. Just like every other automaker making the switch, Honda says it reached an agreement with Tesla to adopt the charging port. After that first Honda with the NACS port launches, every new Honda and Acura EV model in North America will have the same port. However, just like many others, Honda and Acura will have EVs on sale prior to 2025 that will ship with the current Combined Charging System (CCS) port. These models will be designed to be compatible with NACS use via a charging adapter, so youÂ’ll ultimately be able to charge them via Tesla Superchargers one day. Outside of this Tesla NACS agreement, Honda says the news today doesnÂ’t change its joint venture with seven other automakers to build an EV charging network and expand the number of charging stations available for all. Related video: What's new for the 2023 Honda Accord