Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Honda Compact SUV Concept Model "URBAN SUV CONCEPT"


All-New Honda Compact SUV Concept Model "URBAN SUV CONCEPT," Makes World Debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show

DETROIT, Michigan, U.S.A., January 14, 2013 - Honda today exhibited the world premiere of an all-new compact SUV concept model, the "URBAN SUV CONCEPT," at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan (Press days: January 14-15 / Public days: January 19-27).
"URBAN
URBAN SUV CONCEPT
The URBAN SUV CONCEPT is a concept vehicle for a global model. This model features sporty and dynamic design unique to an SUV, while also offering a spacious cabin realized by the Honda-original center-tank layout with high functionality. The exterior design was developed featuring the sharp and sporty character lines of a coupe while maintaining the dynamism of a crossover model to express an emotional and sensual design.

The all-new compact SUV model based on this concept will go on sale in Japan by the end of 2013, followed by sequential introductions in other countries around the world. In North America, Honda plans to begin production of the compact SUV at the new plant in Mexico, which will become operational in spring 2014, and begin sales in the U.S. before the end of 2014.

Featuring Earth Dreams Technology, Honda's next generation powertrain series that greatly enhances both driving performance and fuel efficiency at a high level, the all-new compact SUV will be available with three types of powertrains - gasoline, hybrid and diesel - evolving a product lineup which accommodates the unique characteristics of each region on a global basis.

Honda plans to sell more than 1.5 million units annually of the three "Global Compact Series" models, namely the Fit, the City and the all-new compact SUV, which utilize the Honda-original center-tank layout, by the end of 2016. Starting with the Global Compact Series, Honda will pursue a transformation of its global operations to promptly respond to the needs of customers around the world and evolve models with the best specifications for each region at affordable prices.

Honda Exhibits World Premiere of the "Concept M"


Honda Exhibits World Premiere of the "Concept M" a New-Value MPV Concept Model at Auto Shanghai 2013

SHANGHAI, China, April 20, 2013 - Honda today exhibited the world premiere of the Concept M, a concept model of a mass-production vehicle to go on sale next year, at Auto Shanghai 2013 (the 15th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, press day: April 20, public days: April 23 - 29).

•Introducing the "Concept M" new-value MPV concept model

The Concept M is a concept vehicle for the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) segment developed mainly for Chinese market. Currently, commercial vehicles account for the majority of the MPV market in China. To such an MPV market, Honda will introduce a new-value vehicle that offers the attributes of a passenger car while adding new value through the realization of a comfortable and spacious cabin space made possible by Honda's packaging technologies, and the fun of driving. The Concept M was designed by the design studio at the Automobile R&D Center of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. in Japan. Honda is making progress in the development of a mass-production vehicle based on this concept model aiming for market introduction next year.
Concept Mzoom
Concept M

•Introducing a new model "CRIDER" (Chinese name: CRIDER)

Honda introduced the CRIDER, a mass-production vehicle based on the Concept C (a concept model for a middle-class sedan developed for the Chinese market), which was introduced at the Beijing Motor Show last year. Developed under a design concept based on an image of a dragon, the CRIDER features top-class vehicle size*, an energetic exterior design and dynamic performance that exceeds other vehicles in its class. The CRIDER is a middle-class sedan developed for Chinese customers mainly by Honda's Chinese associates.
The CRIDER is scheduled to go on sale from Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. in June of this year.
*
Based on the Honda internal research (as of April 2013)
CRIDERzoom
CRIDER

•Introducing a new model "JADE" (Chinese name: JADE)

Honda introduced the JADE, a mass-production vehicle based on the Concept S (a global concept model for a new-value passenger mover developed primarily for the Chinese market to go on sale first in China), which was also introduced at the Beijing Motor Show last year. Featuring an innovative design developed based on an image of jade stone with a beautiful exterior look and noble sense of quality within, the JADE will satisfy diverse customer needs from everyday use to holiday driving. The JADE was designed to match the tastes of Chinese customers born in 1980s who are energetic and known for pursuing their dreams.
The JADE is scheduled to go on sale from Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. in September of this year.
JADEzoom
JADE

•Announcing new "Li Nian S1", original brand vehicle in China

Honda announced a minor model change of Li Nian S1, an original brand vehicle of Guangqi Honda. The Li Nian S1 has been well received by a large number of Chinese customers ever since its market introduction in April 2011 as the first mass-production model of Li Nian (Everus), the first original brand of an automobile joint venture company in China. Featuring renewed exterior and interior designs and Honda's advanced technologies, the new Li Nian S1 will go on sale in May of this year. Guangqi Honda will strive to further increase sales of this vehicle by focusing more on customers in inland areas of China.

•Comment by Seiji Kuraishi, president of Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

"Honda will continue proposing automobiles that offer new value to our customers in China. At the same time, Honda, Guangqi Honda and Dongfeng Honda will work closely together to further localize the development, procurement and production of Honda products in China. Honda's role in the continuously growing Chinese automobile market is represented by our brand slogan, '.' We believe that our role is to initiate actions to create new things and carve out a new and fun future together with our customers."

Honda to Become First Automaker in Brazil to Undertake Wind Power Generation


Honda to Become First Automaker in Brazil to Undertake Wind Power Generation -Generating Renewable Energy to Cover Entire Electricity Needs for Local Automobile Production-

SÃO PAULO, Brazil, April 25, 2013 - Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda. (HAB), the Honda automobile production and sales subsidiary in Brazil, today announced plans to invest in wind power generation to be more proactive in using renewable energy to minimize the environmental footprint of its business activities. HAB will be the first automobile manufacturer in Brazil to invest in wind power generation.
With a goal to begin the operation in September 2014, Honda will build a wind farm in the city of Xangri-lá in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil (approximately 1,000 km south of HAB's automobile production plant in Sumaré, São Paulo). Equipped with nine wind power turbine units, the wind farm is expected to generate approximately 85,000 MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to HAB's annual electricity needs for automobile production. By generating renewable energy to cover the entire electricity needs of the plant, HAB is expecting to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately more than 2,200 t annually. The total investment in this wind farm is expected to be approximately 100 million Brazilian reais (approximately 4.6 billion yen*).
In order to evolve wind power generation business in Brazil, HAB established a new subsidiary, Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda., specialized in wind power generation business. Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda. will be responsible for the management and operation of all areas related to Honda's wind power generation business in Brazil.

About Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda.

Establishment: March 21, 2013
Capital Investment:1,000 reais (approximately 46,000 yen*)
Capitalization Ratio:99.99% Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda.
0.01% Others
Representative:Carlos Eigi, President
Number of wind turbines:9 units (1 unit: maximum output of 3MW)
Generation capacity:Maximum output of 27MW (9 units total)

Comment by Carlos Eigi, president of Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda.

"Ever since Honda began local production in Brazil in 1976, Honda has been cooperating with the local community and striving to minimize the environmental footprint of our production activities. Wind power generation has proven to be very effective in reducing CO2 emissions. Through the utilization of renewable energy, Honda will continue to be proactive in pursuing environmental conservation activities in Brazil."
Honda has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions from its global products by 30 percent by the end of 2020 compared to year 2000 levels. Striving to attain this goal, Honda has been strengthening its initiatives on a global basis to reduce CO2 emissions from all business activities, including production and the supply chain.
*
Calculated based on the exchange rate of 1 Brazilian real = 46 yen