Author: Parks McCants

Today on Honda-Torque News

 

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The first load of manufactured in Mexico Honda Fits come off the truck in Eugene, Oregon.

So what’s going on with Honda Fit sales? Granted, 2015 Honda Fit sales approach the 50,000 unit mark in North America as of November. But that’s far below what I’d predicted on the release of the redesigned Fit back in late 2014.

American Honda Motors had Fit penciled in for 75,000 units sold, or more, per year. I predicted that Fit sales would eventually outpace Civic. Boy was I wrong! And then came the introduction of the Fit platformed HR-V crossover, and – cheap, plentiful gasoline.

Anyone that’s experienced the present generation 1.5 liter Earth Dreams powered CVT Fit knows that it’s the most versatile subcompact to come out of the halls of Honda in the better part of a decade. Fun to drive, easy to park and ever so versatile with its “Magic Seat” and near flat-deck cargo platform, we find 2016 Fit sales off by no less than 50% when compared to November 2014.

What’s up Honda?

I look to the coupe-like styling of the Fit platformed CR-V crossover, and the cheap price of gasoline for an answer or two.

An unprecedented week for American Honda Motors

The HondaJet returns from a night-time function and reliability test at Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta.
The HondaJet returns from a night-time function and reliability test at Cobb County International Airport in Atlanta.

We’ll take 3!

For the 2nd week in December American Honda Motors was honored by finalist  consideration of 2016 Honda Civic and 2016 Honda Pilot for the prestigious “North American Car and Truck of the Year” honors.

I’ve had the privilege of experiencing some extended pre-production quality seat time in both vehicles, with a follow up extended drive and review of the all new 2016 Pilot.

Find my latest article from Honda-Torque News here

In other news, U.S. based Honda Aircraft Company was awarded “Type Certification” from the Federal Aviation Administration for the designed and built in the U.S.A. Hondajet. 3 decades in the making, Hondajet is the quickest and most fuel efficient 6-place corporate jet in its segment.

My congratulations go to American Honda Motors. Well done!

Parks.

We congratulate Honda Aircraft Company

 

 

A production HondaJet on display at Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas during the 2015 National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition.
A production HondaJet on display at Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas during the 2015 National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition.

Today, the F.A.A. granted Honda Aircraft Company “Type Certification” for the Hondajet, a project that’s been in development for the better part of a decade. What this means for Carolina based Honda Aviation and the handful of corporate buyers waiting for delivery of the most fuel efficient, fastest and highest flying personal jet in its segment, they can take delivery.

I first reported on the development of Honda’s segment busting personal conveyance back in May 2014, and had the pleasure of speaking with Honda as to development plans of what is arguably the most powerful and quickest Honda in the company’s history.

*The FAA presented the type certificate to Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino in front of more than 2,000 people, including FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, government representatives, community leaders, HondaJet dealers, suppliers, and Honda Aircraft associates.

As eloquently stated by Honda

“Achieving FAA type certification for the HondaJet is a monumental milestone for Honda,” said Fujino. “We established Honda Aircraft as a new aerospace company and introduced our first product — an advanced light jet with technologies developed from serious research activities. We designed, tested, and have now certified this clean-sheet design aircraft – an unprecedented challenge for Honda.”

Personally, I hope to take a ride on Hondajet in 2016.

My congratulations to Honda Aircraft Company of Greensboro, North Carolina, well done!

  • Honda Aircraft Company 2015.

Welcome to MYHONDANEWS.COM

The world of Honda is ever changing. Honda has aptly titled 2015 “The Year of Honda,” and has done so without braggadocio. Great accomplishments in research and product development justify the mantra with what is shaping up to be the reinvention of the entire Honda and Acura automotive lineup.

Honda is well on the road  to becoming the (mostly) manufactured in North America sales leader for the compact and mid sized car and light truck segment.

With the all new Fit based HR-V hatchback taking the lead in the subcompact crossover segment, 2016 Pilot currently breaking all sales records in the near-premium 3 row SUV segment, and 2016 CR-V, despite reports of a persistent intermittent vibration, retaining its #1 sales position in the compact SUV segment,

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2016 Civic rolls of the production line increasing Civic sales by 9% in it’s first 2 weeks on the showroom floor, with Civic Coupe and Hatchback variants scheduled for spring 2016.

I report Honda news and development, frankly, because I’ve met the people behind the scenes that make American Honda Motors what it is today.

When Honda company heads, engineers, and trouble shooters, sit down at the table with you, truly acknowledging your concerns, suggestions for product improvement, or simply take the time to engage in car-talk with you, it puts a true personal spin on automotive development and manufacturing.

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That’s Honda’s style. They absolutely, without reservation, from assembly line worker to top executive, put the consumer’s satisfaction and physical well being before company profit.

So enough for the introduction. MYHONDANEWS.COM  is just that, “Your Honda News.”  Rather a seasoned Honda Fan Boy, first time buyer, vintage Honda Tuner, or a mother with three children wishing to learn a bit more about the mechanical workings of the family Odyssey, this is your Honda home on the world-wide-web

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This is not a place for “Trolls” political discussion or unjustified product downgrade. It is a civil forum reserved for everything Honda, and I welcome your thought provoking comment, photo, video and Honda related event schedule.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Parks R. McCants  Publisher