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Honda CEO: electric vehicles are a 'core technology'

The production version of Honda's hydrogen-powered FCEV concept remains on target for release in Japan by March 2016, and it's going to be followed by at least two more vehicles that have some form of electric powertrain. Probably more than two, but we can't be more specific than that. This is what we learned today from a speech by the new president and CEO of Honda Motor Company, Takahiro Hachigo. Speaking about the two main themes he sees for the future of the automaker (the six-region global operation structure and "continuous development of challenging products unique to Honda"), Hachigo once again confirmed an on-sale date for the production version of the FCEV concept that Honda has been trotting out at auto shows for a few years now as happening, "before the end of the current fiscal year" which ends March 31, 2016. He also said something broader about the company's vision for electric cars: "As the next-generation of mobility products, Honda will evolve products that use electricity as a core technology," he said. While we don't yet know what the electric vehicle products are, Hachigo's statements echo those of Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda, from when the FCEV concept was unveiled: "The Honda FCEV Concept not only sets our direction for our next generation fuel-cell vehicle in 2015, but for future improvements in electric drive technology." Honda previously promised new all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2018, and today's comments signal that that plan is still in place. Things may change though, since Honda's original release date for the FCEV was 2015. Related Video: Summary of CEO Speech on July 6, 2015 TOKYO, Japan, July 6, 2015 - The new President & CEO of Honda Motor Co., Takahiro Hachigo, unveiled his future vision for the company. He highlighted two themes that the new "Team Honda" will pursue: I want to create a new Honda under two themes. < Two themes to be pursued for the new Honda > 1. Advancement of the six-region global operation structure 2. Continuous development of challenging products unique to Honda and delivering them to our customers around the world Let me talk about my vision for the future of Honda which will be established as we pursue these themes. The key word is "Team Honda." < Future of Honda – My thoughts based on personal experiences "at the spot"> Honda's strength is that team/project members share one goal and take on challenges and attain high targets.

Does the 2017 Honda Ridgeline have street cred?

From a sales standpoint, the gen-one Ridgeline was an utter failure. It had a very narrow appeal, that being the suburban Harry Homeowner crowd. Traditional truckers hated it; no, make that HATED it! They hated it as much for what it was as for what it represented. It was assumed to be soft, a mommy truck; and to their eyes, it was ugly as sin. "Real" truckers would not accept the independent rear suspension, yet seemed ignorant about the fact that our military has been using IRS on severe-duty trucks for years. If IRS is good enough for the combat conditions, using it on a light-duty civilian pickup truck should be a piece of cake, no? I think there's also another issue at play here: classism. I suspect that many truckers didn't like those who were buying these trucks. Ridgeline buyers tend to be college-educated, suburban, and earn enough to have a decent if not better-than-average lifestyle. Many were schoolteachers, accountants, doctors, and lawyers – professionals. In short they weren't blue-collar, hard working, struggling-to-make-a-living truck guys. That didn't sit well with many. It was like their "space" was being invaded, maybe even their lifestyle was being threatened. I can't tell you how many derogatory comments I've read from traditional truckers over the last decade directed against Ridgeline owners. Many centered around a lack of masculinity of Ridgeline owners, or that that they were bought by people who didn't "need" a truck, that a minivan would have been a better choice. Many were owners of big diesel pickups who felt compelled to compare their heavy-duty trucks to this smaller mid-size truck. You get the picture. So here we are with the gen-two Ridgeline. Has Honda rectified its image as a truck maker? Yes and no. Yes in that the truck has shed its polarizing looks. In fact I think it's quite handsome, and will have a vastly broader appeal as such. Yes in the fact that it's been brought up to date mechanically, and the technology is vastly superior to the old model. Yes in fact that it should prove to be more economical than the old truck. Yes in the fact that it's more powerful, and that the AWD is vastly superior to what was offered before. Yes in the fact that it should function better, both as a truck and as a family vehicle. No in the fact that it will still be viewed as a "girlie truck" by many. No in the fact that there is no "macho" trim level available.

Honda Fit, Vezel Hybrids recalled in Japan; US vehicles not affected

Honda has announced a good-sized recall of two popular Japanese-market hybrids: the Fit Hybrid and the Vezel Hybrid are both headed back into the garage. The problem this time around lies in the software program that controls the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) that could "cause a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all." In total, 81,353 units are affected (70,929 Fit Hybrids and 10,424 Vezel Hybrids) and all were made in Japan between July 2013 and February 2014. There were two previous recalls for the new Fit Hybrid's DCT, and you can find the details of them below. Jessica Fini, assistant manager of PR for Honda North America, told AutoblogGreen that this recall will not have any impact on US Honda vehicles. For one thing, the US Fit has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) instead of a DCT, so the upcoming launch of the new Fit here (the US doesn't get the Fit Hybrid) will not be delayed. Honda's upcoming small SUV in the US (based on the Vezel, but will arrive with a different name) isn't going to launch here until the end of the year, so there is time to fix any problems before launch. She also said that the Acura RLX, despite being a DCT, does not use the same transmission as the Fit Hybrid does, since the Fit transmission is specific to the one-motor hybrid system and the RLX uses three electric motors. Recall of All-New Fit Hybrid and Vezel Hybrid ref. # C14-009 TOKYO -- February 10, 2014 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a voluntary recall of the all-new Fit Hybrid and Vezel Hybrid produced in Japan from July 2013 through February 2014 due to a problem with the software program controlling the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which could cause a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all. Honda today notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the recall with a total recall population of 81,353 units. Honda conducted two recalls in October and December 2013 due to a defect with the software program controlling the 7-speed DCT which could have caused a delay in the ability to drive the vehicle or the inability to drive. This will be the third recall related to the defect of the 7-speed DCT.