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Honda concept dials M for minivan [w/video]

Yes, it looks a bit, uh, toothy, but what you see here is a concept that previews a brand new small MPV specifically designed for the Chinese market. Called the Concept M, the swoopy Honda was designed in Japan and the automaker is currently aiming to launch a production version in China sometime in 2014.
Honda hasn't released many details about its small van concept, simply saying that it "offers the attributes of a passenger car while adding new value through the realization of a comfortable and spacious cabin space made possible by Honda's packaging technologies, and the fun of driving." Doesn't sound too bad to us.
Have a glance at the Concept M in the gallery above (full disclosure: we don't have live shots of this one), and take a look below for the official press blast direct from the MPV's Shanghai debut, as well as a promotional video showing the new concept from all angles. Oh, and be sure to turn your volume down before pushing the play button.

US Congress lets $8,000 hydrogen vehicle tax credit expire

When Toyota introduced the 2016 Mirai last month in preparation for a launch late next year, it said that the hydrogen car will have a $57,500 MSRP and that there will be a federal tax credit available worth up to $8,000. The problem, as we noted at the time, is that that federal credit was set to expire at the end of 2014. The technical language of the current rule says that someone who buys a fuel cell vehicle, "may claim a credit for the certified amount for a fuel cell vehicle if it is placed in service by the taxpayer after Dec. 31, 2005, and is purchased on or before Dec. 31, 2014." With the 113th Congress now finished up for the year and legislators headed home for the holidays, we know one thing for certain: the federal tax credit for hydrogen vehicles was not updated and will end as we're all singing Auld Lang Syne next week. All of this isn't to say that Mirai buyers won't be able to take $8,000 off the price of the car 12 months from now. For proof of that, we only need to look at other alternative fuel tax incentives and realize that this Congress simply isn't moving fast enough to deal with things that are expiring right now. One of the last things that the 113th Congress did in December was to take up the tax credits that expired at the end of 2013 and renew some of them. Jay Friedland, Plug In America's senior policy advisor, told AutoblogGreen that PIA and other likeminded organizations worked with Congress to extended the electronic vehicle charging station (technically: EVSE) tax credit that was part of the Alternative Refueling Tax Credit in IRS Section 30(C) through the end of 2014. "Individuals can deduct 30 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing an EVSE up to $1,000; businesses, 30 percent up to $30,000," he said. "This tax credit is applied to any system placed into service by 12/31/14 and is retroactive to the beginning of the year. So go out and buy your favorite EV driver an EVSE for the holidays," he said. An electric motorcycle credit was killed at the last minute as Congress was getting ready to leave, but H.R. 5771 did extend the Alternative Fuels Excise Tax Credits for liquefied hydrogen and other alternative fuels. These sorts of tax credit battles happen all year long. In July, Blumenthal introduced the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Infrastructure Act of 2014, which never got out of the Finance Committee. Back to the hydrogen vehicle situation.

Honda goes big for bikes: Concept CB, Super Cub [w/video]

Unlike similar many major automobile shows around the world, the Tokyo includes a significant number of motorcycles in addition to the new, four-wheeled vehicles on display. Showing its standing as a major player in the two-wheeled world, Honda has quite of slate of intriguing concept bikes at the show this year. With its futuristic, razor-sharp styling, the Neowing concept wouldn't look too out of place in a sci-fi anime. However, the bike's layout lets it lean into turns, while still offering riders three-wheeled stability. Power comes from a flat-four engine with hybrid assistance. Honda also takes its little Grom 50 motorcycle and adds some dirt bike aesthetics. The Scrambler Concept-One does that with vintage-inspired details like the pads on the tank and holes in the muffler guard. Meanwhile, the Scrambler Concept-Two goes for a more modern look and some military-inspired green paint. For another retro look, the company also imagines two new versions of the classic Cub. The EV-Cub Concept replaces the engine with an electric motor for short-distance commuting. Alternatively, the blue Super Cub Concept sticks with gasoline for fuel but tries to get the best economy possible for longer rides. Finally, the CB Concept updates the already classically inspired CB1100. Up front, the headlight now uses an LED, and the air-cooled inline-four gets a new, two-chamber exhaust to replace the current three-chamber design. As the photos above show, the chrome trim really makes the bike pop on stage. Check out the videos below for a closer look at the Grom 50 and Cub concepts. Honda Announces Overview of Exhibit for the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 - Exhibiting Original Honda Mobility Products Under the Concept of "The Power of Dreams" - TOKYO, Japan, September 30, 2015 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its lineup of production and concept-model automobiles and motorcycles as well as other highlights for its exhibit at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight. (Press days: October 28-29, 2015, Public days: October 30 - November 8, 2015). Using its global brand slogan - The Power of Dreams - as the booth concept, Honda will exhibit a broad range of items including innovative mobility products that are useful in people's daily lives as well as a lineup of mobility products topped by racing machines that pursue excellence in driving performance.