2012 Honda Freed Hybrid

2012 Honda Freed Hybrid on sale in Japan. Honda Freed 2012 Hybrid still offers relief cabin and cargo space like his brother the Honda Freed.

Freed Hybrid gasoline engine mated 1.5 liter i-VTEC with IMA (Integrated Motor Assist). Consumption of fuel oil (BBM) Hybrid Freed claimed 21.6 to 24 km / liter.

ECON Mode and the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) became the standard. Both help the driver build and maintain a fuel-efficient driving style.

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) contribute stability during driving and reduce the burden on the driver. Hill Start Assist feature also become standar.Freed Hybrid 6-seater and 7-seater, now, has two seats in the third row seat, to ensure enough space for both passengers. CVT transmission minivan sold from the price of ¥ 2.149 million.

Honda May Push for an Early Facelift for its North American 2012 Civic to Address Criticism

To say that the reception for the North American market 2012 Honda Civic was cold would probably be the understatement of the year. Pundits were very harsh on their comments for the New York Motor Show-revealed sedan and coupe models, making negative remarks about its stale styling and its cheap interior plastics.

Consumer Reports gave it the final blow: in a recent report, the publication described the 2012 model as “insubstantial” and with an interior that “feels cheap, a letdown from previous Civics”.

As a result, the 2012 Civic ranked second to last in CR’s report and lost its “recommended” tag for the first time in, well, as long as we can remember.

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Thai Floods Force Honda to Halve Production at U.S. and Canadian Plants, New 2012 CR-V to be Delayed

After Toyota, Honda is the next Japanese carmaker to announce significant production cuts at its North American plants due to component shortages caused by three months of disastrous flooding in Thailand.

And is the case with Toyota, the production cuts for Honda come just as the company was recovering from the effects of the March earthquake and tsunami.

Honda said that as the flooding in Thailand continues, a number of its suppliers in Asia are currently unable to maintain parts production to its assembly plants in the U.S. and Canada.

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All-New 2012 Honda CR-V: First Official Photos of Production Model

Over the past few months we've brought you pictures of camouflaged prototypes, the loosely disguised concept and even the patent designs of the next 2012 Honda CR-V, but today, thanks to our tipster Andy Ye, we bring you the first official images of the final production model.

Not surprisingly, the styling changes over the concept CR-V we saw this summer are restricted to the matte finish of the plastic cladding on the body, the smaller wheels and the clear graphics on the headlamps and tail lamps.

Honda has previously said that its new SUV will be "more sophisticated and dynamic" than its predecessor while also offering improved interior space and versatility as well as a suit of new technologies.

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Honda to Debut Production Versions of Pure-Electric Fit and 2012 CR-V in Los Angeles

[2010 Honda Fit EV Study pictured above]

The 2012 CR-V won't be the only brand-new production model from Honda to make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16th as the Japanese automaker announced that the 2013 Fit EV will also be displayed in final form.

Honda had presented a thinly disguised concept of the Fit EV exactly a year ago at the 2010 edition of the LA Show. The production variant of the pure-electric Fit will be closely modeled after last year's study and is expected to keep its lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor.

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1990 Honda Accord Owner in Ohio Tops 1 Million Miles [Video]

Many people drive old cars. Whether it is out of necessity or choice, it makes no difference: as the cars age the owners have to deal with minor or major problems and, at some point, get rid of them.

Well, except for 53-year old Joe LoCicero who owns a 1990 Honda Accord. What makes Mr. LoCicero's car special is that its odometer surpassed the 1 million mile mark 20 years after it was rolled off the assembly line in Honda’s Marysville, Ohio plant. That’s equal to driving the circumference of the Earth about 40 times…

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SEMA Preview: Turbocharged 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe by Fox Marketing

While we are getting ready to cover next week's SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas, Fox Marketing decided to give us a sneak peek of its highly modified 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe.

The tuning firm says that the main focus of the build is to demonstrate the "reliability, and performance capability from Honda's new K24Z7 power plant" with an intercooled turbo kit that along with numerous other improvements, pushes the four-cylinder unit's output to over 450-horses.

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Weak USD Makes Small Car Imports Expensive, American Buyers Turn to Domestic Brands

Is a weak dollar a good thing? If you’re asking the U.S. car industry, it most definitely is. Imported car prices have reached their highest point in the last 12 years, thus driving some of their prospective buyers away.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, in August the average price of an imported car reached a record high of $31,536. That makes the price difference between a comparable domestic-made car $7,614, which is the largest since December 1999.

Add to that the severe supply issues faced by the Japanese manufacturers, who are only now starting to recover from the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake, and it’s easy to see why more and more American car buyers are choosing domestic brands instead.

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Tjin…the Thursday Edition: 2012 Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze SEMA Show Tunes

The 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November is gearing up to be a busy event for the crew over at Tjin Edition.

Only two days after announcing their partnership with Ford for the customization of a 2012 Explorer SUV and a Mustang 5.0 GT, Tjin Edition revealed that it has also partnered up with Honda for the development of a bespoke 2012 Civic Si and GM for the creation of a decked out Chevy Cruze sedan.

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2012 Honda Insight

The 2012 Honda Insight Hybrid comes with new style on exterior, updated interior, additional features and an EPA fuel economy improvement. The new exterior styling includes a more distinctive grille design with a thin, blue accent bar. Restyled front and rear bumpers along with changes under the car, delivers to a 2% increase in aerodynamic performance.
The 2012 Honda Insight also offers new design for the headlight and brake light internal reflectors. Honda Insight and Insight LX models have new 15-inch wheel covers and the Insight EX has newly styled 15-inch alloy wheels. Slightly wider 185/60R15 tires, up from 175/65R15 tires on the previous model.

Inside, the interior enhancements for 2012 Honda Insight include a reconfigured rear seat area for better leg and head room; a redesigned gauge cluster background with a more technically sophisticated appearance; reshaped center-console beverage holders that accommodate larger drinks; and a more supportive front armrest (Honda Insight LX and EX).
Powering the Honda Inside is an Integrated Motor Assist system comprised of a 1.3-liter i-VTEC gasoline four-cylinder engine and a 10-kw electric motor delivers 98 hp at 5800 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 1000-1700 rpm.
The 2012 Honda Insight is offered in three distinct models. The base model, simply designated as “Insight,” is well equipped with a 160-watt, two-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, power windows, remote entry and more.

The Honda Insight LX adds a four-speaker audio system, USB audio interface, armrest console, floor mats and a security system. New for 2012, the LX has map lights and steering wheel audio controls.
The Honda Insight EX adds alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an audio system with six speakers, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and much more. For 2012, the EX gains Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®3, automatic headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Insight EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and rearview camera. New exterior colors include Frosted Silver Metallic and Truffle Pearl, which replace Clear Sky Blue and Crimson Pearl.

 2012 Honda Insight MSRP
Insight: $18,350
Insight LX: $20,125
Insight EX: $21,815
Insight EX with Navigation: $23,540

Honda Introduces 2012 Insight Hybrid with Slightly Improved Fuel Economy in the States

At the recent 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda unveiled the subtly revised for the 2012MY Insight Hybrid, and now it's time for its introduction in the States.

Available to order now, the 2012 Insight debuts some minor cosmetic changes inside and out, additional equipment features on certain models, and a 1mpg fuel economy improvement across the range.

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Honda Shows off 2012 Civic Hatchback's Safety Credentials

All car manufactures boast about the high level of safety offered by their vehicles. But we usually don’t find out whether their claims are accurate until they are subjected to crash tests from the likes of Euro NCAP or the IIHS.

Since five stars have become the norm for almost all new models above the city-car level, car manufacturers are trying to outdo each other by achieving new records in each category measured by the independent safety organization(s).

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Rumors: New Honda / Acura NSX Could be Unveiled as Early as the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

[2003 Honda HSC Concept pictured above]

Finally, Honda has stopped beating around the bush and has come out in the open about the successor to the NSX, revealing more details about its forthcoming sports car.

The bottom line is that: the new NSX is coming; it will be a real sports car in the vein of the original (that is, lightweight and easy to drive); it will probably use next-generation hybrid technology; its unveiling is imminent and it could go on sale much sooner than anyone suspected.

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Payback Time: Middle East Honda Accord Drifter Crashes, Police Steps in…

Who needs to sit and watch any of the five installments of the Fast and Furious franchise when you can enjoy all the excitement in a minute-or so-long Youtube clip?

While there's nothing new about videos showing Middle-Eastern drivers drifting or trying to drift Japanese sedans with or without shooting their guns, nor about some of them crashing their cars, what is new about the clip you're about to watch after the break is that the police got involved.

And we're not talking about a single police car but a swarm of cops who appear to be chasing the driver and/or the passengers of the white Honda Accord sedan that had previously smacked a rock on the side of the road while drifting.

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Japanese Carmakers' Production Back on Track, But it May not be Enough

For the first time after the March 11 earthquake and Tsunami, Japanese automakers have returned to their normal production levels. In fact, they are superseding last year’s numbers in an effort to make up for the lost time.

Toyota and Nissan, Japan’s two biggest car manufacturers are leading the pack, reporting increased production for the first time since March, with Mazda, Suzuki, Honda, Subaru and Mitsubishi following their lead.

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Toyota Warns Suppliers to Lower their Prices, or Else…

The strong yen is harming the profitability of Japanese carmakers. After Honda, which plans to halve its domestic production over the next decade, Toyota, Japan’s number one automaker, told its parts suppliers to severely reduce their prices or risk being replaced by overseas manufacturers. Read more »

2012 Honda Pilot Commercial Taps on Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train Song

The Honda Pilot is not exactly the kind of vehicle you would associate with a rock icon like Ozzy Osbourne, nevertheless, the Japanese automaker has used of one his most well-known songs in a commercial for the mildly updated crossover.

The "Road Trip" ad for the 2012MY Pilot shows two grownups at the front and six kids at the back attempting to sing Ozzy Osbourne's 1980 debut solo single, "Crazy Train", a capella.

We're not sure the ad works but you can check it out for yourself after the break and tell us what you think.

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Honda to Reduce Production in Japan by 50% Over the Next Decade

The rising yen, which hit a 10-year high against the Euro last Tuesday while also getting stronger against US dollar, has forced Honda to rethink its production strategy.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told Japanese daily Asahi that the company plans to compensate by cutting its domestic production by half in the next decade. The move is part of Honda’s plan to sell 80-90% of its vehicles produced globally in local markets so as to be less vulnerable to currency fluctuations.

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Bob Lutz Says General Motors, Volkswagen and Hyundai are the World's New Big Three

It's fall again, time for Bob Lutz to make headlines. Less than a month after "Maximum Bob" made his official comeback to General Motors as a consultant, the semi-retired car executive and onetime Marine pilot gave an in-depth interview to German monthly Manager Magazin.

Lutz was questioned about a variety of subjects that mainly concentrated on Opel and its relationship with General Motors, but he was also asked about the future of the industry in general, and whom he sees as being the major players.

According to Captain Lutz, the new big three in the automotive industry are General Motors, the Volkswagen Group and –wait for it- the Hyundai Group. And what about Toyota and the rest of the Japanese carmakers like Honda? According to the GM exec, Japanese automakers have lost it… Follow the jump for his (translated) response as well as the original Q&A.

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New 2012 Honda Civic Hatchback Priced from £16,495 in the UK

Honda has released UK pricing and equipment levels for the new Civic, which made its world premiere at the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt earlier this month. Buyers can order their car now with first deliveries set to take place in January.

In Britain, the ninth-generation Civic will be available with three engines and a choice of four trim levels. Prices for the five-door hatchback start at £16,495 for the entry-level 1.4-liter petrol model and top out at £26,595 for a fully equipped 2.2-liter diesel.

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