1993 Honda Prelude on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Honda finance to pay $24M for discriminatory lending practices

Honda has found itself in hot water in the United States over allegations of discriminatory lending practices. However the Japanese automaker's American subsidiaries are taking actions to not only alter its practices, but compensate the victims of such past discrimination. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, some Honda dealers were found to have offered less preferential loans to customers of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander ethnicities than they have offered to white customers, irrespective of their individual financial situations. The American Honda Finance Corporation has allowed dealers to mark up individual loans by two percent or more, depending on the length of the loan's contract, thereby opening the door for dealers to set interest rates at their discretion. And that discretion, according to the CFPB and the Department of Justice, has been applied in a discriminatory fashion, in violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Honda, for its part, refutes the allegations and maintains that its practices have not been racially or ethnically discriminatory. The company is nevertheless taking measures to address the charges. For one thing, Honda's US financial arm is reducing the amount of wiggle-room it gives its dealers to only 1.25 percent above the buy rate for short-term loans (5 years or less), and one percent for longer-term loans. It has also set up a $24-million fund to compensate victims of the alleged discrimination, coordinating with the CFPB on the dispersal of said funds. The CFPB reports that "because of Honda's responsible conduct," it is not seeking penalties to be levied against the company for the alleged discrimination. STATEMENT BY AMERICAN HONDA FINANCE CORPORATION RE: Settlement with the Department of Justice and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Jul 14, 2015 -- American Honda Finance Corporation (AHFC) has reached an agreement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) that shows our commitment to work together to be part of the solution and to establish the path forward that best supports our Honda and Acura customers and dealers with clear and convenient financing options. AHFC strongly opposes any form of discrimination, and we expect our dealers to uphold this principle as well. We firmly believe that our lending practices have been fair and transparent.

22,000 Honda Shadow 750 motorcycles recalled [UPDATE]

Update: Honda's statement on the recall is now embedded below. The Basics: Honda will recall 22,142 examples of its 2010-2016 VT750 Shadow motorcycles, including the 2012-2014 VT750CA, VT750C2 and VT750C2F; 2011-2016 VT750C; 2013-2016 VT750CS; 2010-2016 VT750C2B; and 2013-2014 VT750C2S. The Problem: Engine vibration can cause a wire for the bank angle sensor to rub against the joint connector on the wire harness. This can eventually cause a loss of the signal, and the engine could stall. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The Fix: Dealers will replace the bank angle sensor and move the joint connector. If You Own One: Honda expects the recall to begin February 19. More Information: Documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (as a PDF) report Honda received five warranty claims and five field reports about this issue as of December 14, 2015. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Engine Stall from Loss of Sensor Signal Report Receipt Date: DEC 23, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V874000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 22,142 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) HONDA VT750 2010-2016 Details Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) SUMMARY: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VT750CA, VT750C2 and VT750C2F, 2011-2016 VT750C, 2013-2016 VT750CS, 2010-2016 VT750C2B and 2013-2014 VT750C2S motorcycles. Engine vibration may cause the bank angle sensor wire to rub on the wire harness joint connector, resulting in a loss of the sensor signal. CONSEQUENCE: Without the bank angle sensor signal, the engine may stall while riding, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the joint connector and replace the bank angle sensor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JW7. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. American Honda Statement on VT750 Recall Honda has issued a Safety Recall of some 2010-2016 model-year VT750 motorcycles. It is possible that long term exposure to engine vibrations may cause the bank angle sensor wiring to break, or be damaged, which could cause the engine to stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Honda takes us through 50 years of automobiles in 60 seconds

Honda's wonderfully simple, fun ads are not in short supply right now. We showed you Hands, the followup to 2003's The Cog, last week. If you haven't had a chance to look at those two great videos, we strongly encourage you to head over that way and give them a watch.
The latest minute-long commercial is a bit more dear, though. And while it may be in Japanese, it's still a cool look back at Honda and its car-building history.
This is also a great video if you're a fan of odd, vintage Japanese vehicles. Honda's T360 and a few old Civics are featured heavily, although we can't help but notice that a few very big names are missing. Where's the NSX or the S2000? How about the original Insight, a car so revolutionary it still has a cult following today? Honda has made some great cars, we just wish it'd show off more of them. Check out the video below.