Date: November 14, 2007 06:09
Submitted by:
danielgr
Source:
Honda EU PR
Credibility Rating:
N/A
1. Honda Sets All-Time Record for Worldwide
Automobile Production for the First Half of a Fiscal Year
Honda has experienced a year-on-year increase in worldwide
automobile production for the 26th consecutive month (since August 2005) with a
total of 1,911,182 units produced, an increase of 6.6% compared with the same
period last year. Honda has also achieved an all-time record for the month
of September for production in regions outside of Japan and production in
Europe.
European production was particularly strong with a total
figure for the first half of the fiscal year at 113,073 units; an increase of
23.8% compared the same period last year. Results for the month of
September also show a remarkable growth of 27.5% to 21,627 units compared with
September 2006. The production in Asia and China also marked an all-time
record for any month.
Link@HondaWorld
2. Honda Racing F1 Team Wins at 2007 Green Awards
The Honda Racing F1 Team won two prestigious awards at the
2007 Green Awards, recently held in London. The team's environmental
myearthdreamTM initiative won its nominated category of Best PR Campaign with a
budget of over £100k. The campaign went on to compete against the other 18
winners of the night for the Grand Prix award for the best overall campaign.
The Honda Racing F1 Team was triumphant and the campaign was described as the
one that best exemplified an outstanding environmental message as well as having
the greatest capacity to raise awareness amongst the general public.
Link@HondaWorld
3. Honda Announces 2008 Motorcycle Models for Europe
Honda has unveiled its new 2008 motorcycle models for the
European market at the Paris International Motorcycle Show. The CBR1000RR super
sports bike, popular for its high performance and stylish design, has undergone
a full model change, featuring the latest in advanced technologies honed in
Honda's MotoGP (FIM* Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix) machines. The
XL700V Transalp has also received a makeover; the engine has been increased from
650cc to 700cc for improved acceleration and the headlight redesigned for a more
aggressive look. The performance of the CBF600 sports model has been boosted by
a more compact lightweight engine with an enhanced output and, for the first
time, it will feature Honda's CBS (Combined Brake System), which works with ABS
(Anti-lock Braking System) to offer a safer, more stable ride.
*Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
Link@HondaWorld
TOV_Note: Honda has actually
released four other production 2008 models for Europe in Milano Motor Show,
including the
CB1000R
and Lead
world premiere as well as the
DN-01 and
new 250cc Forza seen previously in Tokyo. There are no reports yet of possible
exports of the CB1000R to other countries.
Link@HondaUK
4. Honda Develops HFT, a New Automatic Transmission
System for Motorcycles
Honda has developed the Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT), a
new automatic transmission system for motorcycles using Honda's own infinitely
variable hydraulic mechanical transmission. The HFT creates a relaxed and
comfortable riding experience, with direct response and excellent transmission
efficiency. The HFT will be installed on the DN-01, a new motorcycle introduced
at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show.
The basic configuration of the system consists of an oil pump
for converting engine power into hydraulic pressure, and an oil motor for
converting the hydraulic pressure back into power for output. Both are made up
of multiple pistons, a distributor valve and a swash plate for piston operation,
while the cylinders are integrated into the output shaft. The HFT also features
the world's first* lockup mechanism for an infinitely variable hydraulic
mechanical transmission. When cruising, this lockup mechanism minimizes
transmission efficiency losses, contributing to an improved fuel economy.
* Based on Honda research
Link@HondaWorld
5. ASIMO to Assist European Academics in the Pursuit
of Intelligence Technologies
Honda Research Institute Europe (HRI-EU) and the newly
founded Institute for Cognition and Robotics (CoR-Lab) at Bielefeld University,
have signed a landmark cooperative agreement. As part of the collaboration,
Honda has provided two ASIMOs to the CoR-Lab, equipped with "whole body
movement" software developed at HRI-EU. Using an interdisciplinary approach
which integrates the natural, engineering and social sciences, researchers will
apply an understanding of how the brain works, its underlying architecture and
mechanisms, to develop intelligent systems with similar capabilities. Honda is
also contributing support for the CoR-Lab's graduate school to educate up to 15
PhD students and young scientists in joint research projects. It is the first
time that a European university will have access to ASIMO as a research
platform. Bielefeld University is one of Europe's leading establishments in the
field of cognition and robotics intelligence.
Link@HondaWorld
EUROPEAN CAR SALES - Sept07
COUNTRY
|
Sep 07
|
Sep 06
|
07/06%
|
Jan-Sep 07
|
Jan-Sep 2006
|
07/06%
|
Austria
|
270
|
306
|
-11.8%
|
3,472
|
3,258
|
6.6%
|
Belgium (inc.Lxbg)
|
422
|
481
|
-12.3%
|
4,599
|
4,409
|
4.3%
|
Denmark
|
244
|
469
|
-48.0%
|
3,114
|
2,257
|
38.0%
|
Finland
|
556
|
486
|
14.4%
|
5,857
|
4,787
|
22.4%
|
France
|
1,410
|
1,080
|
30.6%
|
11,834
|
8,918
|
32.7%
|
Germany
|
3,737
|
4,217
|
-11.4%
|
32,984
|
35,016
|
-5.8%
|
Greece
|
495
|
324
|
52.8%
|
5,067
|
3,835
|
32.1%
|
Ireland
|
202
|
219
|
-7.8%
|
3,857
|
3,450
|
11.8%
|
Italy
|
2,014
|
2,031
|
-0.8%
|
21,109
|
18,642
|
13.2%
|
Netherlands
|
418
|
461
|
-9.3%
|
4,937
|
3,731
|
32.3%
|
Portugal
|
361
|
432
|
-16.4%
|
4,775
|
3,971
|
20.2%
|
Spain
|
2,321
|
1,724
|
34.6%
|
18,222
|
13,472
|
35.3%
|
Sweden
|
393
|
377
|
4.2%
|
4,826
|
3,038
|
58.9%
|
UK
|
20,625
|
17,850
|
15.5%
|
87,587
|
81,034
|
8.1%
|
EU - 15
|
33,468
|
30,457
|
9.9%
|
212,240
|
189,818
|
11.8%
|
Iceland
|
79
|
65
|
21.5%
|
841
|
780
|
7.8%
|
Norway
|
358
|
267
|
34.1%
|
3,833
|
2,481
|
54.5%
|
Switzerland
|
882
|
706
|
24.9%
|
6,895
|
6,596
|
4.5%
|
EFTA
|
1,319
|
1,038
|
27.1%
|
11,569
|
9,857
|
17.4%
|
EU - 15 + EFTA
|
34,787
|
31,495
|
10.5%
|
223,809
|
199,675
|
12.1%
|
Bulgaria
|
18
|
19
|
-5.3%
|
297
|
192
|
54.7%
|
Cyprus
|
275
|
178
|
54.5%
|
2,034
|
1,931
|
5.3%
|
Czech Rep
|
219
|
186
|
17.7%
|
2,293
|
1,847
|
24.1%
|
Estonia
|
312
|
187
|
66.8%
|
2,872
|
1,602
|
79.3%
|
Hungary
|
447
|
354
|
26.3%
|
3,687
|
2,931
|
25.8%
|
Latvia
|
213
|
124
|
71.8%
|
2,128
|
999
|
113.0%
|
Lithuania
|
94
|
78
|
20.5%
|
953
|
549
|
73.6%
|
Malta
|
22
|
17
|
29.4%
|
173
|
138
|
25.4%
|
Poland
|
1,018
|
797
|
27.7%
|
9,781
|
6,997
|
39.8%
|
Romania
|
185
|
32
|
478.1%
|
1,340
|
349
|
284.0%
|
Slovakia
|
120
|
125
|
-4.0%
|
1,219
|
1,094
|
11.4%
|
Slovenia
|
160
|
102
|
56.9%
|
1,046
|
906
|
15.5%
|
EU 10 New Members
|
3,083
|
2,199
|
40.2%
|
27,823
|
19,535
|
42.4%
|
European Union
|
36,551
|
32,656
|
11.9%
|
240,063
|
209,353
|
14.7%
|
Total EU(EU+EFTA)
|
37,870
|
33,694
|
12.4%
|
251,632
|
219,210
|
14.8%
|
Belarus
|
26
|
5
|
420.0%
|
226
|
77
|
193.5%
|
Croatia
|
116
|
77
|
50.6%
|
1,043
|
732
|
42.5%
|
Gibraltar
|
34
|
25
|
36.0%
|
271
|
227
|
19.4%
|
Israel
|
797
|
332
|
140.1%
|
6,991
|
3,914
|
78.6%
|
FYR Macedonia
|
20
|
16
|
25.0%
|
152
|
143
|
6.3%
|
Russia
|
4,072
|
1,619
|
151.5%
|
23,842
|
11,098
|
114.8%
|
Serbia
|
150
|
60
|
150.0%
|
676
|
395
|
71.1%
|
Turkey
|
1,629
|
1,789
|
-8.9%
|
14,337
|
12,823
|
11.8%
|
Ukraine
|
651
|
327
|
99.1%
|
4,782
|
2,200
|
117.4%
|
Others
|
127
|
99
|
28.3%
|
1,160
|
768
|
51.0%
|
Total EU Others
|
7,622
|
4,349
|
75.3%
|
53,480
|
32,377
|
65.2%
|
TOTAL EUROPE
|
45,492
|
38,043
|
19.6%
|
305,112
|
251,587
|
21.3%
|
MODEL
|
Sep 07
|
Sep 06
|
07/06%
|
Jan-Sep 07
|
Jan-Sep 06
|
07/06%
|
Jazz
|
9,847
|
11,775
|
-16.4%
|
59,986
|
68,632
|
-12.6%
|
Civic - All Models
|
19,207
|
13,102
|
46.6%
|
120,035
|
85,287
|
40.7%
|
Diesel
|
4,792
|
3,484
|
37.5%
|
26,243
|
23,933
|
9.7%
|
Hybrid
|
1,164
|
217
|
436.4%
|
7,962
|
2,645
|
201.0%
|
Accord - All Models
|
5,233
|
4,937
|
6.0%
|
37,309
|
34,966
|
6.7%
|
Diesel
|
1,738
|
2,266
|
-23.3%
|
12,214
|
13,472
|
-9.3%
|
CR-V
|
8,687
|
4,825
|
80.0%
|
68,009
|
37,091
|
83.4%
|
Diesel
|
4,362
|
2,571
|
69.7%
|
34,272
|
19,150
|
79.0%
|
FR-V
|
1,815
|
2,135
|
-15.0%
|
12,026
|
14,941
|
-19.5%
|
Diesel
|
839
|
1,296
|
-35.3%
|
5,542
|
8,082
|
-31.4%
|
S2000
|
154
|
200
|
-23.0%
|
1,002
|
1,291
|
-22.4%
|
City
|
371
|
521
|
-28.8%
|
4,957
|
7,090
|
-30.1%
|
Legend
|
178
|
481
|
-63.0%
|
1,474
|
829
|
77.8%
|
Other models
|
0
|
67
|
+++
|
314
|
1,460
|
-78.5%
|
TOTAL EUROPE
|
45,492
|
38,043
|
19.6%
|
305,112
|
251,587
|
21.3%
|
Diesel
|
11,731
|
9,617
|
22.0%
|
78,271
|
64,637
|
21.1%
|
Diesel Ratio
|
25.8%
|
25.3%
|
|
25.7%
|
25.7%
|
|
EU produced
|
24,830
|
17,848
|
39.1%
|
170,166
|
120,932
|
40.7%
|
EU Ratio
|
54.6%
|
46.9%
|
|
55.8%
|
48.1
|
|
NB: Source Honda
Last edited by JeffX on
November 15, 2007 10:37
|