Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic sales, and export results for the calendar year 2009 as well as for the month of December 2009.

<Production>
Calendar Year of 2009
Production in Japan experienced a year-on-year decrease for the third consecutive year (since 2007).

Production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year decrease for the first time in 13 years (since 1996).

Worldwide production also experienced a year-on-year decrease for the first time in 13 years (since 1996).

Honda sets all-time record for calendar year production in Asia and China.

December 2009
Production in Japan experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 14th consecutive month (since November 2008).

Production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year increase for the second consecutive month (since November 2009), including record production in Asia and China for the month of December.

Worldwide production experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in 14 months (since October 2008).

<Japan Domestic Market Sales>
Calendar Year of 2009
Due mainly to strong sales of Fit and Insight, total domestic auto sales in calendar year 2009 experienced a year-on-year increase for the second consecutive year (since 2008).

New vehicle registrations experienced a year-on-year increase for the second consecutive year (since 2008).

Sales of mini-vehicles experienced a year-on-year decrease for the third consecutive year (since 2007).

<Vehicle registrations - excluding mini-vehicles>
Fit was the industry’s second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for calendar year 2009 with sales of 157,324 units. Insight was the industry’s fifth best-selling car with sales of 93,283 units. Freed was the industry’s seventh best-selling car with sales of 79,525 units.

<Mini-vehicles - under 660cc>
Life was the industry’s sixth best-selling car among mini-vehicles for calendar year 2009, with sales of 75,749 units. Zest was the industry’s ninth best-selling car with sales of 43,661 units.

December 2009
Total domestic sales for the month of December 2009 experienced a year-on-year increase for the sixth consecutive month (since July 2009).

New vehicle registrations in December experienced a year-on-year increase for the ninth consecutive month (since April 2009).

Sales of mini-vehicles in December experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 13th consecutive month (since December 2008).

<Vehicle registrations - excluding mini-vehicles>
Fit was the industry’s second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of December 2009, with sales of 13,942 units. Insight was the industry’s third best-selling car with sales of 11,967 units. Freed was the industry’s fifth best-selling car with sales of 7,927 units. Step WGN was the industry’s seventh best-selling car with sales of 7,075 units.

<Mini-vehicles - under 660cc>
Life was the industry’s seventh best-selling car among mini-vehicles for the month of December 2009, with sales of 6,749 units. Zest was the industry’s ninth best-selling car with sales of 4,462 units.

<Exports from Japan>
Calendar Year of 2009
Total exports experienced a year-on-year decrease for the second consecutive year (since 2008).

December 2009
Total exports from Japan in December 2009 experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 15th consecutive month (since October 2008).PRODUCTION, SALES and EXPORTS

Worldwide Production

Production Outside of Japan

Japan Domestic Market Sales

Export from Japan

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2010/c100125Automobile-Sales/

Japanese Used Honda Car for Sale

As part of the “DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE” Documentary Series, today Honda debuted its sixth short-film documentary, “Living with Robots,”.

“The Sundance Film Festival is the ideal place to explore new and diverse ideas at the intersection of art, technology and mobility,” said Barbara Ponce, manager of corporate advertising for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda’s new film takes a fresh look at mobility through stories on one of Honda’s most challenging dream projects - ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot.”

Directed by Joe Berlinger with producers @radical.media, “Living with Robots” investigates humankind’s keen interest in robots and how robots can challenge the impossible by saving lives while also holding the promise to become more integrated and helpful in daily life. The film highlights Honda’s ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, and the company’s commitment to researching and developing bipedal mobility and how the research improves technologies across the company. “Star Trek” and “Transformers” screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, academics, philosophers and several Honda associates and engineers are featured in the film.

“Our new film, ‘Living with Robots,’ features some of the most interesting subject matter we’ve ever covered in the ‘DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE’ Documentary Series. Acclaimed director Joe Berlinger really brought to life the fascinating story of the role of robotics in society. Many people are aware that Honda is researching robotics with the ASIMO project, but this film gives us a thoughtful and artistic glimpse of ASIMO and the future of robots that we’ve never seen before,” said Curt Johnson, creative director at RPA.

“Living with Robots” will be screened as part of special appearances by ASIMO for three days only at the Festival’s Village at the Yard. These demonstrations will highlight the advanced technology behind ASIMO and how a robot like ASIMO will someday help people. Screenings and demonstrations begin on Fri., Jan. 22 and continue through Sun., Jan. 24.

Within the Festival hub off Main Street at the Honda display tent, attendees can experience the Honda brand and Honda’s advanced products, by viewing “Living with Robots” and getting a sneak-peek at the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, while also checking out the zero-emissions hydrogen-powered Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell electric.

To generate momentum and interest beyond the Sundance Film Festival, “Living with Robots” will be supported on cable and online. “Living with Robots” will be promoted throughout and 15-seond trailers will run on the Sundance Channel video-on-demand. The 90-second “Living with Robots” trailer will appear nationally in-theater in January.

A sponsorship of TNT’s limited-commercial-interruption movies includes custom-produced tune-ins co-promoting upcoming TNT movies and “DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE” films and placements of 90-second and 2-minute trailers of the films.

Honda will continue to showcase all of its documentary series trailers during ESPN’s “30 for 30″ film series a weekly documentary series to celebrate ESPN’s 30th anniversary and features 30 films from some of today’s finest storytellers.

Syndicated online media will drive traffic to and will aid in creating buzz among consumers. “Living with Robots” units will run on relevant Web sites that appeal to the target, including technology, news and entertainment. The 90-second trailer will run on ABC.com and Hulu full episode players.

Launched in January 2009, the “DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE” Documentary Series is intended to speak to both the hearts and minds of consumers by revealing stories of Honda’s corporate philosophy at work through an intimate multimedia, interactive Web site. The campaign strategy was developed by RPA, Honda’s longstanding agency of record.

The campaign targets 25- to 49-year-old adults with a youthful spirit, who are comfortable with technology, who value authenticity, and who are drawn to brands they can relate to, connect with, or admire.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5363

Japanese Used Honda Car for Sale

Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., an automobile production and sales joint venture of Honda in China, announced plans to build a second automobile production plant in order to meet continued growing demand in the Chinese market.

To build the second plant, the company is planning to acquire one million square meters of land, approximately four kilometer northeast of the existing plant, within the Wuhan, Hubei Province, Economic and Technological Development Area where the first plant is based. The new plant is scheduled to become operational in the latter half of 2012 with annual production capacity of 60,000 units. The company envisions the future expansion of production capacity to 240,000 units. The initial investment will be approximately 1.15 billion R.M.B. (approximately 15.4 billion yen*).

Dongfeng Honda’s new plant will accommodate production processes including welding, painting and assembly and is expected to be an advanced plant utilizing production technologies refined at the existing plant, as well as adopting new environmental technologies. In fact, this plant will be the first Honda production plant to generate a portion of the electricity used for production processes from solar panels, which is expected to lead to a reduction of CO2 emissions by approximately 500 tons a year. In addition, the new plant will strive to achieve a significant reduction of CO2 through other measures such as utilization of natural light and waste heat.

Prior to building the second plant, Dongfeng Honda is planning to expand annual production capacity of its existing plant from the current 200,000 units to 240,000 units in early 2010. When the second plant begins production, Dongfeng Honda will have a combined annual production capacity of 300,000 units. In addition, flexible production between the two plants will enable Dongfeng Honda to better fulfill the ever diversifying needs of customers in China.

Dongfeng Honda has been producing the CR-V since April 2004, the Civic since 2006 and the Spirior since August 2009. The company’s sales results have continued strong, with 2009 sales of 211,000 units, up 28.2% compared to 2008, achieving a record high for a fifth consecutive year.

When Dongfeng Honda’s second plant begins production, Honda’s overall annual automobile production capacity in China will reach 710,000 units — 300,000 units at Dongfeng Honda; 360,000 units at Guangzhou Honda; and 50,000 units at Honda Automobile (China), an export automobile production joint venture.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2010/c100120Dongfeng-Honda/

Japanese Used Honda Car for Sale

Honda today announced a donation to the Red Cross of more than $300,000, as well as portable generators, water pumps, and other Honda products for use during humanitarian relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.

The donation represents the collective contribution of the Honda family of companies in North America, which consists of sales, manufacturing, finance and research and development operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with employment of more than 31,000 associates.

“We want to help address the dire human need that Haiti is experiencing as a result of this disaster,” said Tetsuo Iwamura, president & chief executive officer of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and chief operating officer of Honda’s North American region. “Honda has a longstanding relationship with the Red Cross, and we will work continuously with them to assist with the effort to provide much-needed relief.”

The Red Cross has emphasized that the greatest current need is funding to support on-site emergency response teams. Honda has also been in close communication with the Red Cross regarding its need for material and equipment such as generators and water pumps on site, and Honda will continue to work with the Red Cross to determine its need for such support in Haiti.

The Honda donation consists of more than $300,000 in cash. This pledge will be augmented by a company matching gift available at various Honda companies, with funds designated to the Red Cross.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5360

Japanese Used Honda Car for Sale

In addition to its ongoing efforts to improve the environmental performance of its automobile, motorcycle and power equipment products, Honda is working to reduce the environmental impact of its factories and other work facilities through its “Green Factories” and “Green Buildings” initiatives. This includes increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste and enhancing recycling activities. Through its “Green Purchasing” program, Honda also encourages and supports activities by its more than 600 North American OEM parts suppliers to adopt green factory programs.

NORTH AMERICAN GREEN FACTORY INITIATIVES

• Through Honda’s Green Factory initiatives, every Honda facility works to reduce the environmental footprint of our manufacturing operations, including emissions reduction, energy efficiency improvement, and recycling of manufacturing byproducts.
  • Thirteen of Honda’s fourteen North American manufacturing plants have earned third-party ISO 14001 certification for environmental management systems. Honda Precision Parts of Georgia completed their ISO 14001 certification audit on November 20, 2009 and was recommended for certification. Honda of Canada Mfg. Engine Plant, which began operation in August, 2008, was incorporated into the Honda of Canada Mfg. site-wide ISO 14001 certification during their March 2009 audit. Honda Manufacturing of Indiana LLC, which began operations in September, 2008, is targeting achieving ISO 14001 certification no later than 2014.
  • Energy use per automobile in Honda’s North American automobile production facilities increased 8.7 percent from the previous fiscal year, primarily due to a significant reduction in production levels. Because manufacturing systems remain in operation whenever production is taking place, reduced unit production negatively affects per-unit measures of energy use, CO2 emissions, waste and water use.
  • Energy efficiency initiatives included the use of more energy-efficient light fixtures, increased use of variable speed drives and efficiency improvements in compressed air systems, chiller systems and HVAC systems. Honda initiated implementation of a new paint booth air conditioning control technology, “Intelligent Paint Booth,” which reduces paint booth natural gas consumption and related CO2 emissions by as much as 25%.
  • Honda has eight “zero waste to landfill” plants in North America - the Alabama auto plant, North Carolina power equipment plant, the Mexico auto plant and motorcycle plant, the two Canadian auto plants and the Canadian engine plant and Indiana auto plant. The Alabama auto plant and the Indiana auto plant started up as zero landfill plants. Overall, Honda reduced waste to landfill by 18.4 percent in FY 2009 from the previous fiscal year.
  • As a result of this success, Honda has set a new target to achieve “nearly zero” landfill waste (less than 1% waste to landfill) at all its North American plants by FY2012.

GREEN PURCHASING

• Honda encourages its suppliers to reduce packaging waste, adopt more energy-efficient processes and obtain third-party ISO 14001 certification.
• Eighty-eight percent of Honda’s total North American OEM supply chain is ISO14001 certified.

NORTH AMERICAN GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVES

• Honda has been building green since 1999 when the company built its first LEED certified building in Gresham, Oregon.
• Honda is only automaker to achieve a LEED-Platinum certified existing building.
• Six Honda facilities are certified by the U.S. Green Building Council
  • One LEED-Platinum - recertification of existing Gold-certified building
    • American Honda’s Northwest Regional Center in Gresham, Oregon
  • Five LEED-Gold
    • Acura Design Studio in Torrance, Calif.
    • American Honda’s Midwestern Consolidation Center in Troy, Ohio
    • Central Plant facility at Honda R&D Americas Ohio Center in Raymond, Ohio
    • American Honda’s Northwest Regional Center in Gresham, Oregon
    • Honda Aircraft Company’s world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina
  • One LEED-Silver - first automaker to achieve a LEED Version 2.2 Silver-certified data center in the country
    • American Honda’s Data Center in Longmont, Colo.
• Additional new Honda facilities are currently being designed to achieve LEED certification in the future including the Honda R&D’s Marine Engine facility in Grant-Valkaria, Fl.; Honda Manufacturing of Indiana’s welcome center building; the Honda Engineering expansion at the engine plant in Anna, Ohio; and, Honda Canada’s head office in Markham, Ontario.
• Among many site-specific efficiencies and innovations, these facilities share common sustainable features such as:
  • Energy Star highly reflective roof and dual-paned windows with low-emissivity glass to reduce solar heat gain
  • Extensive use of recycled and recyclable materials in the building envelope and interior
  • Use of U.S. steel, guaranteed to contain at minimum 25 percent, and often as much as 90 percent, recycled content
  • Energy-efficient light fixtures with motion sensors
  • Diversion of construction waste from landfills to recycling centers
  • Selection of suppliers based on the high level of recycled content of their products and their proximity to the job site.
• A few of the unique features at Honda’s certified buildings include:
  • Acura Design Studio’s high-efficiency displacement ventilation system that moves cool air from rooftop air conditioning units to large, floor-level grills, where it displaces heat from the human body.
  • The 547,000 square-foot Midwestern Consolidation Center has a mezzanine made from wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as having come from sustainably-managed forest lands.
  • Honda R&D’s Central Plant uses an ice chiller system that reduces peak energy demand from air conditioning by as much as half.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=4056

Japanese Used Honda Bikes for Sale

And hot off its world debut Jan. 11 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Sundance Film Festival attendees also will get a sneak-peek at the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, months before it goes on sale in late-summer 2010. The CR-Z is designed to balance style and fun with efficiency and fuel economy. In addition, attendees can view the zero-emissions hydrogen-powered Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle – the first and only production fuel cell electric vehicle in the hands of individual customers today.

A supporter of Sundance Institute and Presenting Sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival, Honda is the Official vehicle of the 2010 Festival, bringing nearly 50 low-emissions vehicles, including the all-new Accord Crosstour, to transport filmmakers, talent and other special guests to Festival events. In addition, Honda is providing two super quiet and efficient EU6500iSA generators and two easy-to-use HS928WA snowblowers for use by Festival staff during the event.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5359

Japanese Used Honda Car for Sale

TOKYO, Japan, January 13, 2010 - Honda Access Corporation*1, manufacturer of genuine Honda aftermarket parts and accessories, announced that it will feature a new Modulo*2concept vehicle and new styling study models in its exhibition at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 with NAPAC*3, to be held from Friday, January 15, to Sunday, January 17, 2010, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

Insight Sports Modulo Concept

Leveraging the Insight hybrid vehicle’s advanced aerodynamic performance and fun, comfortable driving, the Insight Sports Modulo Concept expresses the joy of driving with the theme of “Exciting Eco.” With its advanced styling featuring chiseled lines, the Modulo concept vehicle demonstrates the new value that Sports Modulo customization has to offer a next-generation hybrid.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2010/4100113Tokyo-Auto-Salon-2010/

Japanese Used Honda for Sale

The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, making its U.S. production debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, introduces sleek styling and sporty handling to the hybrid segment, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

“The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for people with a spirit of adventure and an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “It’s the first hybrid designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to efficiency and economy.”

Set to go on sale late summer in the U.S., the CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda’s compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. The two-passenger CR-Z introduces a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes.

The exterior’s distinctive “one-motion” wedge form originates from its low-slung hood to form a broad forward stance. A side profile with a deeply inset beltline conveys a dynamic tension, while the short wheelbase and large, wide front grille accents the vehicle’s athletic presence.

The futuristically styled interior offers a high-tech appearance and ergonomically intuitive controls. Instrument panel meters illuminate with a three-dimensional, vibrant blue color theme resulting in a multi-layered appearance. Set against a motif of textured black materials and aluminum-style trim accents, the upper portion of the dashboard extends toward the driver to provide a wrap-around cockpit environment. The passenger zone offers an open, comfortable space. Premium sport-oriented cloth seats are designed to provide excellent lateral support along with everyday driving comfort. A mid-ship console behind the front seats optimizes cargo space. A hard-shell separator can be closed to create additional hidden storage.

The two trim levels include the well-equipped CR-Z and the feature-rich CR-Z EX. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available. Standard features on the CR-Z include Vehicle Stability Assist, an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, and more. The CR-Z EX adds, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights with Auto-On/Off, fog lights, a 360-Watt AM/FM/CD premium audio system with seven speakers including subwoofer, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System1with voice recognition.

The CR-Z represents the sixth unique version of Honda’s original IMA technology since the launch of the 2000 Insight, the first hybrid vehicle available in North America in December 1999. The foundation of the CR-Z’s hybrid powertrain is a 4-cylinder, 16-valve, single overhead cam engine with “intelligent” Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) that receives additional power from the IMA system’s DC brushless electric motor. The i-VTEC system controls the opening and closing of one intake valve per cylinder to enhance combustion at low RPMs. The 10-kilowatt electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to improve efficiency.

The system delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower2 at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft. of torque2 at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm (123 lb-ft on CVT-equipped models). Preliminary fuel economy estimates are anticipated to result in a rating of 36 city/38 highway miles per gallon3 on CVT-equipped models. Manual transmission models are anticipated to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 31 city/37 highway miles per gallon3. The CR-Z is rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) in states that adhere to California Air Resource Board (CARB) ZEV standards (EPA Tier 2, Bin 2 in all states).

The standard six-speed manual transmission is engineered for optimal acceleration performance in gears one through five and for optimal fuel economy in sixth gear. When starting on steep inclines from a stop, hill start assist temporarily prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards during the moment between releasing the brake, depressing the throttle and releasing the clutch (for a duration of approximately 1.5 seconds). The available CVT provides the convenience of an automatic transmission with a seamless transition between minimum and maximum ratios, while also keeping the engine within an optimal RPM range for overall efficiency. To increase the performance potential of the CVT, paddle shifters located on the steering wheel allow the driver to manually simulate the stepped holding pattern. In Sport mode, the paddle shifters will hold and maintain a selected ratio.

The CR-Z’s three-mode drive system allows the driver to select between individual modes of performance for Sport, Normal and Economy driving styles. The system is activated via three backlit buttons to the left of the steering wheel.

The Sport mode enhances multiple vehicle systems for performance including the engine throttle responsiveness, electric power steering effort and the electric motor power assist. The inner ring of the tachometer illuminates red when the vehicle is in Sport mode.

During Econ mode operation, the engine’s responsiveness is tuned for optimal economy, the electric motor assist gives priority to fuel efficiency and the air conditioning system can reduce its overall load on the engine. The inner ring of the tachometer transitions between blue and green when the vehicle is in Econ mode, with the green representing more ecological driving.

Normal mode provides standard settings for steering, engine response, motor assist and air conditioning. Similar to Econ mode, the tachometer ring transitions between blue and green when the vehicle is in normal mode, with the green representing more ecological driving. Like the Honda Insight, the CR-Z offers an Eco Guide and Eco scoring feature to help drivers track progress of efficient driving styles.

The front MacPherson strut suspension and rear H-shaped torsion beam suspension settings are tuned to provide a sporty, solid and dynamic driving experience. All models are equipped with 16×6-inch aluminum wheels with 195/55 R16 86V tires. Accessory 17×7 alloy wheels with 205/45R17 84V tires with are available. The standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) uses ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. The low vehicle height and placement of the battery and other hybrid components beneath the rear cargo area further contribute to a low center of gravity, which is key to the new CR-Z’s responsive, sporty handling. Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering enhances steering performance and improves efficiency.

In addition to being environmentally responsible, the CR-Z demonstrates a commitment to safety in its design and construction. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure helps protect vehicle occupants in a frontal collision. Additional safety technologies include standard dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; standard front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbags, active head restraints; an anti-lock braking system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5355

Japanese Used Honda for Sale