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Honda reports $1.9 billion profit in first quarter despite sales lag at home

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have been living in a world of sunshine and buttercups after their April-through-June financials hit the newswire, and Toyota is doing pretty good as well. Honda? Not so much.
While Japan's third-largest manufacturer saw $1.9 billion in profits, the 5.1-percent jump was lower than expected thanks to a drop in its home-market sales. US sales also took a sting, as Honda hasn't been able to match the SUV and truck demand that are currently permeating the American market, despite an uptick in Accord sales.
Honda's initial forecasts targeted a take of 209.3 billion yen ($2.1 billion at today's rates), and while a $200 million shortfall is nothing to sniff at, we'd hardly take this as Honda being in trouble. And even with the dip, Honda hasn't adjusted its forecast for the fiscal year, which remains at 780 billion yen ($7.9 billion).

Honda previews new BR-V three-row crossover for Indonesia

Honda is planning to roll out a new seven-seat crossover in Indonesia. But before it does, it's giving the public a taste of what's to come with a concept to be unveiled in Tangerang, previewed in the pair of teaser renderings you see here. Dubbed the BR-V prototype (for Bold Runabout Vehicle), the Honda concept calls for a three-row crossover with room for seven passengers – just like the Pilot we get over here. But if the design sketches are anything to go by, it'll look better. We'll reserve final judgement on the styling until the actual thing is unveiled in the metal, though. Full technical specifications are likely still a ways off from being announced. However the Japanese automaker and its Indonesian importer have confirmed that the BR-V will be powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine of unspecified output, mated to a choice of two transmission options. We don't know whether one of those might include all-wheel drive or not, but Honda has indicated that it's built high ground clearance into the BR-V – which ought to keep it from being confused with the low-riding Subaru BRZ, to say nothing Honda's other similarly named crossovers like the CR-V or HR-V. That's about all we know for the time being, but the BR-V promises "to address various customer needs" with "a tough and solid exterior design" combined with a "comfortable and spacious cabin." Locals can start anticipating its unveiling at the Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show in Tangerang this August, when P.T. Honda Prospect Motor will already open up the order books. Related Video: All-New Honda BR-V Prototype to Make World Premiere at Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show JAKARTA, Indonesia 29 June 2015 – P.T. Honda Prospect Motor released the first official sketches of the all-new Honda BR-V Prototype which will make its world premiere at the upcoming Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show 2015, scheduled for 20 - 30 August 2015, in Tangerang, Indonesia. The new BR-V was jointly developed for the Asian market by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd., in Thailand, and P.T. Honda R&D Indonesia. This model will be introduced to the Indonesian market as Honda's new generation crossover utility vehicle to address various customer needs. The new BR-V features tough and solid exterior design with high ground clearance, big and stylish alloy wheels and sleek roof rails. The model also offers a comfortable and spacious cabin with seven seats in a 3-row configuration.

Car and Driver lists 10Best for 2013, same as it ever was

Forgive us for having the distinct feeling of déjà vu, but it certainly feels like we've been here before. By that we are referring Car and Driver and the announcement of its annual 10Best vehicles for 2013. To be sure, it's an impressive selection of cars that combine heart-pounding performance and frugal sensibilities, but it also represents something of a broken record on the part of C/D. We're not so sure that's a flaw, though, as the resulting list is tough to argue with.
Vehicles like the Ford Mustang, Porsche Boxster, and BMW 3 Series have maintained their high-horsepower spots on this list for several years now. Even on the more practical and nimble end, the Honda Accord, Honda Fit and Mazda Miata have not budged. These continued spots are even in light of redesigns for some vehicles such as the Accord, Boxster and 3 Series.
In fact, the only newcomer to the 10Best list this year are the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins, which knocked out the Cadillac CTS-V. We think it would have been a huge misstep to have excluded the FR-S/BRZ, even in light of the supercharged Caddy's lamentable departure from 10Best.