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2017 Honda Accord Hybrid launches with best-in-class fuel economy

After a one-year hiatus, the Accord Hybrid is back. Billed as a 2017 model, it goes on sale this spring. Honda has not detailed pricing for the new version, but American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel says it will be similar to the 2015 model. The big items are 212 horsepower, an increase of 16, and EPA fuel economy ratings of 49 city, 47 highway, and 48 combined miles per gallon. All of those numbers are class-leading for midsize hybrid sedans. On paper the city figure is lower than the previous Accord Hybrid, rated at 50 mpg, but there's a reason. In 2017 the EPA is revising the fuel economy numbers downward to bring them more in line with real-world results. A similar adjustment happened in 2008. The new Accord Hybrid is certified for 2017, while competitors like the Chevrolet Malibu (47 city/46 hwy/46 combined) and Toyota Camry (43/31/39) use the current rules. Honda says the improvement is about four percent, so if the new car carried a 2016 sticker, the highway figure would be as high as 52 mpg. View 19 Photos Honda's reveal is light on other details about the new Accord Hybrid. The company stated only that the fuel economy gains come from a total re-engineering of the powertrain that includes new electric motors and a revised 2.0-liter Atkinson-cyline gasonline engine. A lithium-ion battery pack in the trunk eats up about two cubic feet of cargo space. The physical layout of the hybrid drive is the same as in the previous Accord, with two motors and a single-speed transmission for the gas engine. An explanation of the three drive modes is below. Honda engineers clarified that while the generator motor near the engine usually charges the battery it will also assist the drive motor in sending power to the front wheels at high speeds or loads. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Honda Sensing, the brand's name for its suite of autonomous and electronic safety system, is standard in the Accord Hybrid. That includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. You can't tell that the Accord Hybrid has an aluminum hood by looking, but sharp eyes will pick up the unique wheel and blue accents to the headlights and taillights. Otherwise the 2017 Accord Hybrid looks and feel exactly like a conventional Accord, save for the "EV Mode" button on the right side of the center console.

Made in America | These cars top the most-American list

The car with the most American/Canadian content for 2022 is ... cue the drumroll ... the Lincoln Corsair, in both standard gasoline-fueled and plug-in hybrid guise. Both versions of Lincoln's compact luxury crossover earned a score of 86 — due to 72% of its parts coming from one of the two aforementioned countries — in the American University Kogod Business School's annual "Made in America Auto Index." Last year's leader, the 2021 Ford Mustang GT (when equipped with a manual transmission) fell all the way to 22nd place with a 50% rating due to a switch in transmissions sourced from Mexico. In case you're interested, that puts Ford's red-blooded American ponycar below vehicles like the Kia Sorento, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV and Lexus ES. If you're wondering how an American car that's assembled within the borders of the United States could rank below a model from a Korean, German or Japanese automaker, well, we'll let Kogod explain: "The components of the index are based on research performed by the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor Michigan regarding the economic value of different components of auto manufacturing. For example, the highest ranked cars are made by U.S.-based manufacturers using American engines and transmissions, and with a high AALA percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts." There are 25 total vehicles listed in the Top 10 (there are lots of ties this year). Here's the full list: (1) Lincoln Corsair: 86 (1) Lincoln Corsair PHEV: 86 (2) Tesla Model 3 Long Range: 82.5 (3) Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray: 81 (4) Chevrolet Colorado: 80.5 (5) Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4x4: 80 (5) Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk: 80 (5) Tesla Model 3 Performance: 80 (5) Tesla Model Y: 80 (6) Dodge Durango Citadel: 79.5 (6) Dodge Durango Blacktop AWD: 79.5 (7) Honda Passport Trailsport: 78.5 (8) Ford F-150 2.7L, 3.3L, 5.0L: 77.5 (8) Ford Ranger: 77.5 (8) Ford Bronco automatic: 77.5 (8) Tesla Model S: 77.5 (8) Tesla Model X: 77.5 (9) Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6L: 77 (9) Jeep Grand Cherokee L LTD: 77 (9) Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.6L: 77 (9) Chevrolet Camaro automatic: 77 (10) Honda Odyssey: 76 (10) Honda Ridgeline: 76 (10) Honda Pilot: 76 There's a whole long list of reasons for the above scores, with seven criteria that include factory location, headquarters location and where its various bits and pieces come from.

Toyota raises Japanese base wages for first time since 2008

Toyota is on track for record profits, and in return, its Japanese workers are receiving their first increase in base wages since 2008, plus higher pay based on seniority and a larger bonus for 2014. The Japanese automaker predicts the average laborer will net a 2.9 percent income gain.
The average Toyota employee will earn 2,700 yen ($26.28) more each month, a 0.8 percent increase from last year. Workers will also receive about 7,300 yen ($71.09) more monthly based on seniority and promotions. Finally, the company's union pushed through a median bonus of 2.44 million yen ($23,768) for 2014, the highest in 6 years.
The pay boost comes as Toyota forecasts a record 1.9-trillion yen ($18.5 billion) profit for the fiscal year ending on March 31, according to Bloomberg. It has been helped by the Japanese government's efforts to weaken the yen on international markets and expand inflation. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been asking businesses to increase compensation to end years of deflation and offset upcoming higher sales taxes. Honda and Nissan have also raised their wages there in recent months.