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Honda worker dies in forklift accident at Ohio R&D complex

Ghouse Gulam, a contract worker at the Honda R&D Americas complex in Raymond, OH, died January 4 after being hit by a forklift and suffering a skull fracture. Union County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Michael Justice tells Autoblog that this is still an open investigation, but there are no pending charges. He said it could be about three months for the authorities to make a final determination until the coroner's report is complete. According to Automotive News, the accident happened between two buildings on the site's campus, and the forklift was carrying an empty trash bin when it struck Gulam. A media release (as a PDF) from the Union County Sheriff's Office showed that police responded at 6:01 AM. Justice would not reveal the name of the driver, but said that the person had retained legal council. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration also opened an investigation, according to AN. In a statement (in full below), Honda expressed sympathy to Gulam's family. "Associates of Honda R&D Americas are deeply saddened and extend heartfelt sympathy and condolences to family members, friends and colleagues." On Monday, January 4, 2016, at approximately 6:00 a.m. Ghouse Gulam, a contract worker at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Raymond, Ohio, was injured in an accident involving a forklift driven by another contract worker. On-site emergency personnel responded immediately to the incident, followed by emergency responders from the Raymond, Ohio based Liberty Township Fire Department. Mr. Gulam was transported by Liberty Township Fire to Memorial Hospital of Union County where he later passed away. Mr. Gulam, 61, was a resident of Livonia, Michigan. Local law enforcement officials were notified of the incident. With respect for the privacy of Mr. Gulam and his family, no additional details will be provided. Associates of Honda R&D Americas are deeply saddened and extend heartfelt sympathy and condolences to family members, friends and colleagues.

How new car shortages may impact your buying experience

If you want further proof that the auto industry is bouncing back, look no further than the empty lots and forecourts of your local dealership. According to a story by The Wall Street Journal, continued high demand for mainstream cars is overtaxing automakers' ability to produce enough models. Several dealers interviewed for the story are reporting two-week supplies as opposed to the typical two-month allocations.
With sales expected to hit 1.4 million units when August numbers arrive shortly and incentive spending down to its lowest amount since January, these limited supplies are pushing prices even higher. For example, according to the WSJ, the average price of a Ford Fusion is up past $26,000. Unfortunately, it's difficult for manufacturers to increase production quickly. If it invests in its facilities, as many manufacturers have done, it risks wasting cash if growth suddenly slows. At the same time, the momentum gained over the past several years could be short lived if vehicle supplies continue to dwindle. "Manufacturers are in a precarious situation," notes Karl Brauer, a senior director at Kelley Blue Book.
Low interest rates and a wealth of desirable features are also allowing customers to purchase more expensive vehicles while justifying their higher overall price tags, a situation that is compounding supply shortages. Even now, during the annual end-of-summer clearance season, deals on new vehicles are remarkably difficult to come by. According to the report, the Toyota Corolla is in a self-inflicted state of shortage, as Toyota clears out inventory in anticipation of the new 2014 generation arriving in dealers. Ford's supplies should rebound as Fusion production comes on line at its Flat Rock, Michigan factory. The Chevrolet Impala, Honda Odyssey, Civic, and Accord and Subaru Forester are also facing shortages.

Custom Honda motorcycles perfect for evading zombies in The Walking Dead

With characters constantly being killed off, the zombie-infested world of AMC's The Walking Dead definitely isn't one of the more lighthearted shows on TV. Still, getting to be an actor on the show looks like one of the best jobs around, especially with a recent two-wheeled addition of a zombie-hunting Honda for one character. Early in the series, Norman Reedus' character Daryl Dixon rode a motorcycle but lost it over the course of the series' tumultuous stories. When talking with producers about future stories, he said that he wanted to be on a bike again, and they agreed. Reedus suggested Classified Moto to the producers because the company had already built a custom cycle for him. The builders there came up with a pair of custom Hondas that are made to look beat-up and utilitarian in the show's post-apocalyptic world. There's even a mounting point on the back for Daryl's trademark crossbow. The bikes also had to be reliable in the real world for filming. According to Classified Moto, it chose the Hondas as a base because the company had experience building customs on them and parts were easy to get. While Classified Moto now gets its bikes on TV this week, this isn't its first brush with celebrity. The company previously built Battlestar Galactica star Katee Sackhoff a highly modified Honda, as well.