Honda has said that it will recall about 165,000 2005-06 model year vehicles in the United States to fix a potential engine problem. The vehicles being recalled include 2005 models of the Acura RL, TL and TSX sedans, 2005 Honda Accord coupes, sedans and hybrids, 2005 Odyssey minivans and 2006 Ridgeline trucks.

The U.S. receal is part of a global recall due to an defect thatcan cause sealer material to leak onto a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay. The wire can become brittle and snap, and could led to stalls or a failure to start.

Honda has received “multiple complaints,” but there have been no injuries or crashes linked to the defect.

## Source: Detroit News ##

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When Honda’s new assembly plant in Greensburg, Indiana, begins production in 2009, the first product rolling off the line will be the Civic, according to a company source. Initially, the plant is expected to only build Civic models, but other models will be added later. The Civic is currently built in North America at Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio and Alliston, Ontario, No. 1 plants, and will soon be added to the Alliston No. 2 plant.

Honda will break ground on the new assembly plant on Monday, March 19. The Greensburg plant will be able to build about 200,000 units annually, and will employee about 2,000 workers.

Company spokesman David Iida declined to comment.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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Honda announced that it will debut a new “club racer-inspired” version of its S2000 roadster at the New York Auto Show in April. Called the S2000 CR, Honda says the new specification S2000 will take the car’s “track-worthy performance to an entirely new level.”

The “aggressively-tuned” S2000 CR (current model shown) will be available as a new trim level that goes on sale this fall.

## Source: Honda ##

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Honda is currently working on a successor to the long-gone and much-loved CRX, according to the folks over at Winding Road. The new CRX would be based on the platform of the next Fit. While it is still early in the process, “a serious design proposal is under way” and an decision whether to continue development could come within the next few months.

While Honda has toyed with the idea of a new CRX several times over the last 15 years, none of the attempts got very far. However, with the success of other premium small sporty cars like the MINI Cooper, Honda may finally be ready to bring back the little hatch back, much to the delight of CRX fans everywhere.

## Source: Winding Road ##

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During a recent press drive of the European Civic Type R, Winding Road’s European editor Matt Davis appears to have unofficial confirmation that Honda will be offering a Civic Type R in the U.S. in 2010.

Citing an assistant chief engineer, Davis says that the Type R for the States is unlikely to be based on the European Civiv hatch, but will likely be based on the Japanese Domestic Market Civic Type R four-door sedan. Since Honda sells a four-door Civic in the States, it will be easier to federalize the Type R.

Last year, Honda previewed its JDM Civic Type R (shown), which uses a 2.0L four-cylinder developing nearly 220-hp. The JDM prototype featured an upgraded suspension and the typical body kit. The Civic Si is a nice performer, but it is seriously outclassed by cars like the Mazdaspeed3 and Subaru WRX.

## Source: Winding Road ##

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Honda’s recently-launched Japanese market Crossroad won’t be coming to the States. The Honda Crossroad has three rows of seats, and a little smaller than the Toyota RAV4, which means it’s too small for a three-row vehicle in the U.S.

“We have no need” to sell it abroad, said Motoatsu Shiraishi, president of Honda’s product development arm, Honda R&D Co. Shiraishi said that Honda already has the CR-V in the U.S. Despite not being available with a third row of seats, Honda President Takeo Fukui also says the CR-V can take on the RAV4.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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We came across the classic Honda “COG” commercial on YouTube. While it surprise you, there were no animated tricks used in its production, everything that you see is a real-time creation that took seven months of preparation, Every complex event took place in a single, uninterrupted two-minute sequence, which means it took 606 video takes.

The result is a mesmerizing chain reaction that will leave you scratching your head.

Video after the jump.

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Back in December, we wondered what this car was, and then once we know we wondered by Honda brought a JDM car and a film crew to the States.

Thanks to Carscoop, we have the promotional video that Honda shot when it was in L.A. This is likely the last time we will talk about the Crossroad, unless rumors of a U.S. version of the Crossroad to replace the Element come true.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Carscoop ##

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Honda today officially announced the return of the Crossroad name with a new small CUV, which combines the size a car with three row seating. The Crossroad is targeted at youthful buyers that need the functionality of a minivan, but don’t want a minivan. Honda used the Crossroad in the early 1990s for its Honda-branded Land Rover Discovery.

The new Crossroad is available will 1.8L and 2.0L i-VTEC engines, which deliver 140-hp and 150-hp respectively, mated to a 5-speed automatic. The new Honda CUV comes standard with front-wheel drive, but can be ordered with all-wheel drive.

The Crossroad features a boxy, utilitarian exterior, which features thick pillars and a big fender flares. The Honda Crossroad goes on sale in Japan on Friday, February 23. Given how similar this is to the smaller Element, don’t expect to see this in the States

Full press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Honda ##

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Honda has announced that it is beginning hiring for the new $550 million assembly plant it is building near Greensburg, Ind. Honda will be hiring a limited number of non-production positions. For now, Honda looking to fill Automotive Engineering, Purchasing, Information Technology and Administration position. Honda is planning to begin the hiring process for production associates until late this year.

Honda hasn’t identified the vehicle that will be built at the new plant, but has said that the vehicle powered by fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines. Honda is scheduled to begin production of the 2009-model year vehicle in fall 2008.

## Source: Honda ##

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Honda will recall 43,335 Civic hybrids worldwide to fix a possible voltage converter problem. The defect could cause a short circuit that would stop the engine and prevent it from being able to restart. The affected vehicles were manufactured between September 2005 and September 2006.

Most of the recalls will be in the U.S., and Honda will notify owners mail. There have been no reported accidents as a result of this problem.

## Source: BusinessWeek ##

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Yutaka Technologies, a Honda subsidiary began construction on a transmission component factory in Cullman, Ala, last month. The plant the 168,000-square-foot plant will manufacture torque converters and exhaust-system parts for Honda’s factory in Lincoln, Ala. The new factory will employ about 200 people, with production expected to begin in November.

The Lincoln plant has a capacity of 300,000 vehicles a year, and currently builds the Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV. Honda is shifting more Pilot production to the Alabama plant from its Ontario facility.

## Source: Honda ##

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Honda announced that it will unveil the “Small Hybrid Sports Concept” at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Following Toyota’s recent debut of the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Honda’s concept also merges a hybrid engine and a fun-to-drive, but in a smaller package.

“Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept represents Honda’s proposal for a future hybrid model. The Concept demonstrates a unique fusion of advanced hybrid technology and fun-to-drive sports car characteristics,” Honda said in a statement. “The Small Hybrid Sports Concept, which has been designed by Honda R&D Europe based in Offenbach, Germany explores the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact yet still deliver all the driving enjoyment expected of a compact sports car.”

There were no details about what hybrid powerplant would be used.

Honda will show its fully driveable FCX fuel-cell vehicle for the first time in Europe. Honda will also unveil a new clean diesel engine, which uses ammonia generated within the catalytic converter, instead of external urea injection, to meet stringent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II/Bin 5 requirements.

Full press release and larger image after the jump.

## Source: Honda ##

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The California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced that it is no longer accepting applications for carpool stickers from owners of the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic or Honda Insight hybrids. A state law allowed the DMV to issue 85,000 stickers, which allowed these hybrids to access the carpool lanes without the require number of passengers. The stickers were available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A DMV spokesman said today that they are 700 applications over the limit.

“We have no more stickers available to issue and any applications sent to DMV will likely not be successfully processed,” spokesman Steve Haskins said. “Any unprocessed applications and checks will be returned as soon as the last of the stickers are mailed to customers.”

“It looks like we have reached the end of this program.” he added.

The stickers remain with these hybrids when the cars are sold, which likely means that used hybrids with the stickers will go for a premium over the same vehicle without the sticker.

## Source: San Jose Mercury News ##

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Honda will unveil a new hybrid concept, previewing a dedicated hybrid model that will enter production in 2008. The new hybrid will be the automaker’s second dedicated hybrid, and will replace the company’s Insight. The Insight coupe wasthe world’s first series production hybrid car.

Honda’s new hybrid will about the size of the Civic and is expected to be cheaper than the larger Toyota Prius. The concept version will appear at the Geneva Motor Show this March.

## Source: Autocar ##

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