Honda + Acura news

[Motor]

2009 Will Be Final Model Year of Production for Honda S2000

The 2009 Honda S2000 will be the final model year produced of the award-winning roadster, Honda announced today. First introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the S2000 helped define its segment with class-leading handling, engine technology and value. Originally envisioned as a limited-edition tribute to Honda's 50th anniversary, S2000 production was extended in response to customer demand and critical acclaim.

"The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it's already considered a classic by many Honda fans."

As a true sports car that can serve as a practical and fun daily driver yet feel equally at home on a racetrack, this concept further evolved with a club racer-inspired S2000 CR trim, first offered in the 2008 model year. The S2000 has been honored with multiple awards through the years, including four appearances on Car and Driver Magazine's coveted "10-Best" list.

The S2000 is sold in 64 countries around the world with cumulative world-wide sales of over 110,000 since its introduction in 1999. Over 65,000 S2000s have been sold in the United States since 1999.

So long.

[Motor]

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Announces New President & CEO
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor) today announced that Takanobu Ito, currently the company's Senior Managing Director, will become the seventh President & Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor effective in late June 2009. Takeo Fukui, the current President & CEO, will remain on the board and assume the post of Director and Advisor to Honda Motor. This management succession will occur following the final decision of the Honda Motor Board of Directors after the company's annual shareholders' meeting, scheduled for late June 2009.

Ito joined Honda in 1978, and began his career in its automobile research and development operations, principally as an engineer in the area of chassis design. Ito was in charge of developing the all-aluminum uni-body frame structure for the mid-engine NSX sports car that went on sale in 1990, a world's first for a production vehicle of any volume. Ito also took on responsibilities as the person-in-charge of developing a series of compact sedans for the Japanese market in the early 1990's.

From April 1998 to March 2000, Ito was stationed in the U.S. as Executive Vice President of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., where he became actively involved in the development of the Acura brand's first sport-utility vehicle, the MDX (which went on sale in the U.S. in October 2000).

In June 2000, Ito was appointed to the Board of Directors of Honda Motor, simultaneously gaining promotion to Managing Director of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (Honda R&D). He subsequently became President and Director of Honda R&D in June 2003. Ito also took on a role in the area of manufacturing as General Manager of Honda's Suzuka Factory in April 2005.

In April 2007, Ito became Honda Motor's Chief Operating Officer of Automobile Operations and a Senior Managing Director from June of the same year.

From April 2009, he will again assume the top position of President and Director of Honda R&D, a position he will continue to hold concurrently after the successful appointment as President & CEO of Honda Motor expected in late June 2009.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/honda-pres-takanobu-ito.jpg

[Carbonized_GT]

Impressive resume.

[Motor]

Honda May Apply for Japanese Government Loans
complete article (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aAE5Ndf7gEkY&refer=asia)
Honda Motor Co., suffering from a 38 percent plunge in U.S. auto sales in February, may ask to borrow money from Japan’s government to lend to U.S. car buyers.

Honda and Mazda would follow Toyota Motor Corp., Japan’s biggest carmaker, in seeking loans from the government as the global recession hammers auto demand. U.S. auto sales in February slid to the lowest rate since December 1981, led by a 53 percent plunge for General Motors Corp.

“Things look pretty grim at present,” said Edwin Merner, president of Atlantis Investment Research Corp. in Tokyo, which manages $3.1 billion. “By the end of the year, the year-on-year figures should start improving unless the world economy gets much worse.”

Among Honda’s models, only its Fit small car and Acura TSX sport sedan, posted U.S. sales gains last month. The company may request at least 10 billion yen ($102 million) from the government, the Nikkei newspaper said today, without citing sources.

Is Nissan next?

[Motor]

Honda develops technology to control robots using the mind
full story (http://www.motorauthority.com/honda-develops-technology-to-control-robots-using-the-mind.html)
The technology works by processing electrical currents given off by the brain when it is thinking - thus developing the right tools to measure and analyze these electrical currents, or 'thoughts', is the only barrier to using the mind for controlling things. The EEG part of the technology measures electrical potential on the scalp, while the NIRS measures changes in blood flow in the brain, allowing the system to process these electrical currents accurately.

To use the device, EEG and NIRS sensors are placed on the head of the user. In order to 'calibrate' the system, you pick four body parts and then imagine moving that body part - this allows the machine to figure out what thoughts you are using to move each different body part. As soon as the system knows what the different thoughts are for each part, it can replicate these movements in Honda's famous ASIMO robot.
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/h/o/honda_bmi_main_630-0331-630x360.jpg

Maybe one day drive with only our mind?

[Motor]

Honda President says no need for RWD V8 sedans
FULL STORY (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/new-honda-president-says-we-dont-need-v8s-rear-wheel-drive/)
"It would be meaningless to emulate what other companies have been doing for more than five decades," Ito said of a front-engine, rear-drive car, according to an Automotive News report.

Honda's new president went on to say that, "We are considering incorporating new engines, motors, transmissions and chassis into mid- to large-sized hybrid vehicles," and confirmed that his predecessor's plan to create a V8 and a new rear-wheel drive architecture have been killed after Honda reassessed its priorities amidst the tanking economy. Instead, expect Honda's future premium offerings – primarily those from Acura – to adopt fuel-efficient inline-four and V6 engines, equipped with hybrid motors, and all-wheel drive.

I thought Acura's goal was to be a Tier 1 brand? Not happening.