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McLaren, Honda confirm F1 divorce, coupling with new partners

The news broke recently that McLaren F1 and its engine partner Honda would split ways after the 2017 season. Neither party commented the news initially, but there is now a confirmation from both sides. In addition, McLaren confirmed today that they will be using Renault engines for the next three F1 seasons. This will be the first time that a McLaren Renault F1 car will compete. McLaren's Executive Chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa praised Honda in his statement, while acknowledging that the 2015-2017 joint venture hasn't been successful enough: "Although our partnership has not produced the desired success, that does not diminish the great history our two companies have enjoyed together, nor our continued efforts to achieve success in Formula 1. At this point in time, it is in the best interests of both companies that we pursue our racing ambitions separately." Zak Brown, McLaren's Executive Director echoed that statement, adding that "It is certainly not for the want of effort on the part of either Honda or McLaren," and that the company hopes to see Honda get back to the top. At the moment McLaren has achieved 11 points and ninth place in the standings, with Honda power. Regarding Renault, Brown said, "Today's announcement gives us the stability we need to move ahead with our chassis and technical program for 2018 without any further hesitation." This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. As for Honda, they announced today that an agreement was reached on providing engines for Scuderia Toro Rosso for the 2018 season. As Honda's president Takahiro Hachigo said, "Toro Rosso is an experienced team with a youthful energy and history of nurturing the stars of the future. Everyone at Honda is looking forward to working with Toro Rosso." About McLaren, Hachigo said, "Honda will continue the fight together with McLaren all the way to the end of the 2017 season, and then continue its F1 racing activities in 2018 and beyond." Related Video: News Source: Honda, Formula 1Image Credit: Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images Motorsports Honda McLaren Renault Racing Vehicles F1 toro rosso renault sport scuderia toro rosso takahiro hachigo

All Honda Accord Hybrid production moving to Japan

The Honda Accord Hybrid will no longer be made in Marysville, OH. Honda has announced that the model – as well as the Accord Plug-In – will now be made in Sayama, Japan, where both have been built since 2013. With production moving so far away from the US market, the costs for these vehicles could increase, but there's no official word on that from Honda. Angie Nucci, spokesperson for Honda North America, did not discount the idea but just told AutoblogGreen that, "We don't have details on pricing to share at this point." Sales of the green-minded Accords are down so far this year. Through the end of March, the PHEV sold just 45 units, a 35-percent drop from the 69 sold in the first three months of 2014. Things weren't as bad for the non-plug Accord Hybrid, which has sold 2,585 units so far this year compared to 2,781 last year, a seven-percent drop. A year ago, Honda said that US sales were capacity constrained. Related Video:

Woman keys parking officer's car after receiving ticket

Police in Santa Ana, CA, are on the lookout for a local woman who vandalized a parking attendant's vehicle after being issued a parking ticket earlier this month. According to the Orange County Register, a Santa Ana Parking Department enforcement officer ticketed a 1988 Honda Accord for an expired meter just after 2:30pm on February 2. The suspect sat on the hood of the Honda while the officer issued the ticket. Apparently unhappy with the ticket, the woman tore it up on the spot. Then, using her car keys, she proceeded to carve a vulgar message into the hood of the parking enforcement vehicle parked next to her. When the parking officer returned to her vehicle, the unidentified suspect tapped on the enforcement vehicle's windshield, pointed at the damage to the hood, then fled in the Honda. The alleged vandal has not been identified by the Santa Ana Police Department yet since the Honda was recently sold in a lien sale and has not been registered by its new owner. The suspect, shown in surveillance footage from a local business, is described as a white female between 20 and 30 years old, just over five feet tall with a slim build and dark hair. Corporal Anthony Bertanga of the SAPD stated that the woman faces a misdemeanor charge and will probably need to reimburse the city for the cost of repairs to the parking enforcement vehicle. "Right now, it's on the taxpayers to fix the vehicle," said Cpl. Bertanga. The Police are asking Santa Ana residents to contact them with any information on the alleged vandal.