Honda: Development and Technology News
04-07-2010, 03:28 PM
#1283
Senior Moderator
04-07-2010, 05:56 PM
#1284
so his collab with Jay-z doesn't count huh
04-12-2010, 06:36 PM
#1285
I feel the need...
Honda is slipping into reverse
‘Japanese BMW’ seems to lost it’s design edge
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36424911...sinessweekcom/
Given the troubles of archrival Toyota, Honda should be cleaning up this year. It isn't working out that way. After a decade of nonstop growth in the U.S., Honda Motor fell from a 10.5 percent share in the first quarter of 2009 to 10.1 percent in the same period this year. (Rival Nissan Motor now has 9 percent, up from 7.9 percent, and Hyundai Motor is up to 4.4 percent, from 4.2 percent.) Honda "has lost its mojo with new model launches," says Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst at car shopping site Edmunds.com.
While Honda's sales are up 12.5 percent from last year's dismal first quarter, the overall market grew by 17.1 percent. The company once offered a sportier alternative to stodgy-but-reliable Toyota Motor, but Honda's cars now look pale alongside newer models from Nissan, Hyundai, Ford, and General Motors, says John Wolkonowicz, an analyst at IHS Global Insight. With its reputation for performance and handling, Honda "used to be the Japanese BMW," Wolkonowicz says. "It's not anymore."
Honda declined to make any executives available for this story. A spokesman says the company isn't concerned about market share; it is profitable and remains focused on providing reliable, safe, efficient cars. Nonetheless, Honda in March offered cheap leases to battle 0 percent financing deals from Toyota as that company sought to shore up sales in the wake of its recall problems. Honda's program boosted interest somewhat, but the market-share slide continued.....
While Honda's sales are up 12.5 percent from last year's dismal first quarter, the overall market grew by 17.1 percent. The company once offered a sportier alternative to stodgy-but-reliable Toyota Motor, but Honda's cars now look pale alongside newer models from Nissan, Hyundai, Ford, and General Motors, says John Wolkonowicz, an analyst at IHS Global Insight. With its reputation for performance and handling, Honda "used to be the Japanese BMW," Wolkonowicz says. "It's not anymore."
Honda declined to make any executives available for this story. A spokesman says the company isn't concerned about market share; it is profitable and remains focused on providing reliable, safe, efficient cars. Nonetheless, Honda in March offered cheap leases to battle 0 percent financing deals from Toyota as that company sought to shore up sales in the wake of its recall problems. Honda's program boosted interest somewhat, but the market-share slide continued.....
04-12-2010, 07:02 PM
#1286
The sizzle in the Steak
Honda trails the competition....and offers nothing to write home about.....so sad.
04-12-2010, 07:50 PM
#1287
In a way I agree with Honda for not jumping at every market or bowing out of certain markets. The 2-seater roadster market, for example.
But they need to pick up on their design. I mean you look at what VW is creating and then you see what Honda is shitting out and it's no contest. Look at that VW pickup truck vs the Ridgeline. THAT'S what the Ridgeline should've been. A cool looking midsize pick up truck. Instead you get the cool pickup truck with the trunk in the bed and the 2-way folding tailgate wearing a potato sack to the dance.
But they need to pick up on their design. I mean you look at what VW is creating and then you see what Honda is shitting out and it's no contest. Look at that VW pickup truck vs the Ridgeline. THAT'S what the Ridgeline should've been. A cool looking midsize pick up truck. Instead you get the cool pickup truck with the trunk in the bed and the 2-way folding tailgate wearing a potato sack to the dance.
04-12-2010, 09:19 PM
#1288
Senior Moderator
04-13-2010, 04:43 AM
#1289
Burning Brakes
04-13-2010, 07:45 AM
#1290
Race Director
The drivetrain and interiors are there but the exterior designs are just very bland and uniteresting. Safe, reliable and good mileage will only get you so far now that everyone else offers those features also.
04-13-2010, 10:10 AM
#1291
I wouldn't say bland and uninteresting. More like ugly and disappointing to look at. Where did Honda/Acura go so wrong? New car exterior designs are supposed to lure away current and prospective customers into showrooms to check out your new lineup, not keep them away and have them never even bother to try out a test drive. Back in 2005-2006 I can still remember, I was so excited about the prospect of being behind the wheel of a 6MT TL. The 4G can be improved a lot but it still bothers me in so many ways even with the RJ grille and body color-matched trunk trim.
Someone mentioned the Ridgeline.... that's a joke too. Its a nice truck and probably handles and rides pretty well thanks to unibody construction but its basically an ugly Honda El Camino. A truck for someone who doesn't want a truck - they just want the higher seating position and pickup bed. You can't tow or haul much with it..... why didn't you get a crossover or a wagon instead? I know somebody is going to pull the "yeah, but what other manufacturer else offers a truck like the Ridgeline?" to which my only response is, "How is the Ridgeline selling?"
The styling on some of their models is good, IMO. TSX, Civic, Accord coupe and Odyssey look good. MDX, Accord sedan, Pilot, Insight, just look okay. The rest of the lineup is highly unappealing. And whoever says the Crosstour looks better in person is on crack. I saw it several times going to, in, and coming back from LA and it looks awful. Looking at it from behind, it looks like a huge jellybean on wheels. It makes the ZDX look decent.
Someone mentioned the Ridgeline.... that's a joke too. Its a nice truck and probably handles and rides pretty well thanks to unibody construction but its basically an ugly Honda El Camino. A truck for someone who doesn't want a truck - they just want the higher seating position and pickup bed. You can't tow or haul much with it..... why didn't you get a crossover or a wagon instead? I know somebody is going to pull the "yeah, but what other manufacturer else offers a truck like the Ridgeline?" to which my only response is, "How is the Ridgeline selling?"
The styling on some of their models is good, IMO. TSX, Civic, Accord coupe and Odyssey look good. MDX, Accord sedan, Pilot, Insight, just look okay. The rest of the lineup is highly unappealing. And whoever says the Crosstour looks better in person is on crack. I saw it several times going to, in, and coming back from LA and it looks awful. Looking at it from behind, it looks like a huge jellybean on wheels. It makes the ZDX look decent.
04-13-2010, 10:37 AM
#1293
The sizzle in the Steak
They just arrived at the 6 speed auto-tranny dance last year.
Have not shown up to the dual-clutch gear-box dance yet.
Have not shown up to the direct-injection dance yet.
Diesel?
A true Hybrid system(ala Toyota)?
Turbo?....a laughable entry to the game.
Honda is way behind the curve here as well.
04-14-2010, 03:06 AM
#1294
Surprise, people on AZ aren't the only ones that hate the new Acura styling. and yes, the comments are much the same for other models like the TL too.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2...sues/#comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2...sues/#comments
04-14-2010, 06:19 AM
#1295
AZ Community Team
I wouldn't say bland and uninteresting. More like ugly and disappointing to look at. Where did Honda/Acura go so wrong? New car exterior designs are supposed to lure away current and prospective customers into showrooms to check out your new lineup, not keep them away and have them never even bother to try out a test drive. Back in 2005-2006 I can still remember, I was so excited about the prospect of being behind the wheel of a 6MT TL. The 4G can be improved a lot but it still bothers me in so many ways even with the RJ grille and body color-matched trunk trim.
Someone mentioned the Ridgeline.... that's a joke too. Its a nice truck and probably handles and rides pretty well thanks to unibody construction but its basically an ugly Honda El Camino. A truck for someone who doesn't want a truck - they just want the higher seating position and pickup bed. You can't tow or haul much with it..... why didn't you get a crossover or a wagon instead? I know somebody is going to pull the "yeah, but what other manufacturer else offers a truck like the Ridgeline?" to which my only response is, "How is the Ridgeline selling?"
The styling on some of their models is good, IMO. TSX, Civic, Accord coupe and Odyssey look good. MDX, Accord sedan, Pilot, Insight, just look okay. The rest of the lineup is highly unappealing. And whoever says the Crosstour looks better in person is on crack. I saw it several times going to, in, and coming back from LA and it looks awful. Looking at it from behind, it looks like a huge jellybean on wheels. It makes the ZDX look decent.
Someone mentioned the Ridgeline.... that's a joke too. Its a nice truck and probably handles and rides pretty well thanks to unibody construction but its basically an ugly Honda El Camino. A truck for someone who doesn't want a truck - they just want the higher seating position and pickup bed. You can't tow or haul much with it..... why didn't you get a crossover or a wagon instead? I know somebody is going to pull the "yeah, but what other manufacturer else offers a truck like the Ridgeline?" to which my only response is, "How is the Ridgeline selling?"
The styling on some of their models is good, IMO. TSX, Civic, Accord coupe and Odyssey look good. MDX, Accord sedan, Pilot, Insight, just look okay. The rest of the lineup is highly unappealing. And whoever says the Crosstour looks better in person is on crack. I saw it several times going to, in, and coming back from LA and it looks awful. Looking at it from behind, it looks like a huge jellybean on wheels. It makes the ZDX look decent.
What's keeping Honda and to a smaller extent Acura sales up is their reputation for safety, quality and dependability. Not that much different from the Bangle years at BMW but at least the Bangle designs were not as disdainful as the power plenum. BMW's engineering kept the buyers coming in, same as Honda except I'd throw the quality aspect in for the Honda/Acura buyers.
The Ridgeline is a interesting story, I read somewhere part of the Honda marketing/design team for the 2G Odyssey In Torrance worked in it. Through marketing research they found out many Accord owners had pickups which rarely went offroad and did light hauling. Oddly they also interviewed alot of construction workers so switchgear was sized for gloved hands. A early prototype un-badged Ridgeline went out for followup visits to construction sites to hone the design. I wonder if that's why it's styling was more akin to a Tonka truck?
Still with all the cute features when it finally came out it never resonated much with most pickup buyers, unlike the Titan which was a big hit.
04-14-2010, 07:14 AM
#1296
I feel the same way. Some of the Honda and many of Acura exterior stylings went in the wrong direction in the current generation. I still love looking and driving my TL.
What's keeping Honda and to a smaller extent Acura sales up is their reputation for safety, quality and dependability. Not that much different from the Bangle years at BMW but at least the Bangle designs were not as disdainful as the power plenum. BMW's engineering kept the buyers coming in, same as Honda except I'd throw the quality aspect in for the Honda/Acura buyers.
The Ridgeline is a interesting story, I read somewhere part of the Honda marketing/design team for the 2G Odyssey In Torrance worked in it. Through marketing research they found out many Accord owners had pickups which rarely went offroad and did light hauling. Oddly they also interviewed alot of construction workers so switchgear was sized for gloved hands. A early prototype un-badged Ridgeline went out for followup visits to construction sites to hone the design. I wonder if that's why it's styling was more akin to a Tonka truck?
Still with all the cute features when it finally came out it never resonated much with most pickup buyers, unlike the Titan which was a big hit.
What's keeping Honda and to a smaller extent Acura sales up is their reputation for safety, quality and dependability. Not that much different from the Bangle years at BMW but at least the Bangle designs were not as disdainful as the power plenum. BMW's engineering kept the buyers coming in, same as Honda except I'd throw the quality aspect in for the Honda/Acura buyers.
The Ridgeline is a interesting story, I read somewhere part of the Honda marketing/design team for the 2G Odyssey In Torrance worked in it. Through marketing research they found out many Accord owners had pickups which rarely went offroad and did light hauling. Oddly they also interviewed alot of construction workers so switchgear was sized for gloved hands. A early prototype un-badged Ridgeline went out for followup visits to construction sites to hone the design. I wonder if that's why it's styling was more akin to a Tonka truck?
Still with all the cute features when it finally came out it never resonated much with most pickup buyers, unlike the Titan which was a big hit.
I think if the Ridgeline came with a beefier engine to tow or haul reasonable amounts, as well as slightly toned-down styling, it would have greatly improved the appeal. Imagine if they also included something like the midgate on the Avalanche to gain even more cargo space. Maybe asking too much, but an optional V8 might have helped bolster sales.
I agree that what Hondas/Acuras are known for is what's bringing people into the showrooms. If Acura had the same perceived opinion that the average consumer has of Hyundai, then Acura sales would really be in the dumps
I hope they take a different styling approach for the next lineup of FMC vehicles, or at least integrate the power plenum better. I actually kinda like it on the TSX.
04-14-2010, 07:22 AM
#1297
Senior Moderator
The drivetrain/powertrain? The engines and transmissions are outdated.
They just arrived at the 6 speed auto-tranny dance last year.
Have not shown up to the dual-clutch gear-box dance yet.
Have not shown up to the direct-injection dance yet.
Diesel?
A true Hybrid system(ala Toyota)?
Turbo?....a laughable entry to the game.
Honda is way behind the curve here as well.
They just arrived at the 6 speed auto-tranny dance last year.
Have not shown up to the dual-clutch gear-box dance yet.
Have not shown up to the direct-injection dance yet.
Diesel?
A true Hybrid system(ala Toyota)?
Turbo?....a laughable entry to the game.
Honda is way behind the curve here as well.
on all points.
04-14-2010, 12:57 PM
#1298
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Honda: Midsize Hybrid Sports Coupe Speculation
The Honda CR-Z has not even landed in showrooms, and already we are hearing rumors about a new, bigger hybrid sports coupe in Japan. At a recent chance meeting, a Honda insider revealed that company is busy working on a next generation hybrid sports coupe that will dwarf the all-new CR-Z in performance. Details of the powerplant are still sketchy, but our source tells us that in place of a planned V-6 hybrid, engineers are leaning toward the incorporation of a cleaner, more fuel efficient 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine attached to Honda's well-known IMA hybrid system, which would lift this coupe's engine capacity by one full liter over the CR-Z. He adds that the V-6 hybrid is being considered as a main powerplant for U.S.-spec minivans and SUVs, which need more grunt.
04-14-2010, 01:02 PM
#1300
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
04-14-2010, 01:18 PM
#1301
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
sick of all these hybrid shits
04-14-2010, 03:05 PM
#1304
The sizzle in the Steak
...just stop, Honda...please.
04-14-2010, 05:36 PM
#1306
Acura Vet
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Snellville, GA
Age: 46
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Who the hell ordered this thing? 
And why do we need another Hybrid? Has the first sucktastic Hybrid CR-Z even gone on sale yet? Another boring car to look past when I go to the dealership for oil changes LOL.
And why do we need another Hybrid? Has the first sucktastic Hybrid CR-Z even gone on sale yet? Another boring car to look past when I go to the dealership for oil changes LOL.
?
04-14-2010, 05:57 PM
#1308
Senior Moderator
How about honda gets a real hybrid system before introducing crap like this.
04-14-2010, 07:03 PM
#1309
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
04-14-2010, 08:04 PM
#1310
04-14-2010, 09:22 PM
#1311
Senior Moderator
Sigh.
C'mon Honda you can do better than this. Better exterior designs please to go with those perfect interiors. As far as drivetrains, they are sticking with what works and what is reliable for them. That works for the 95% of people who are not enthusiasts. That's why Honda is profitable. I should have bought some Honda stock, in fact, at the bottom of the slump.
C'mon Honda you can do better than this. Better exterior designs please to go with those perfect interiors. As far as drivetrains, they are sticking with what works and what is reliable for them. That works for the 95% of people who are not enthusiasts. That's why Honda is profitable. I should have bought some Honda stock, in fact, at the bottom of the slump.
04-15-2010, 05:58 AM
#1312
Honda's been profitable with those drivetrains for the past decade. I think it's time they caught on with the rest of the automotive world. Surely they can invest some R&D into those if they can spare some for their forays into robotics and aviation.
04-15-2010, 08:00 AM
#1313
Intermediate
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Is Honda trying to be out of business? First the Acura beak, then the ZDX and Crosstour and then CR-Z with subpar fuel economy for a hybrid and now this? Seriously? They trying to drive away all honda loyalist?
Well .. it seem they are successful in doing that ...
Well .. it seem they are successful in doing that ...
04-15-2010, 10:48 AM
#1315
Senior Moderator
04-15-2010, 10:49 AM
#1316
Senior Moderator
May be related to this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/inlinem...=350014,152370
But, that was talking about abandoning diesel engines and the shift to develop hybrids...
But, that was talking about abandoning diesel engines and the shift to develop hybrids...
04-16-2010, 10:29 AM
#1317
Some dude
On the plus side its just an artist rendering...on the minus side Honda designers have half as much talent.
04-17-2010, 06:36 AM
#1318
04-17-2010, 01:59 PM
#1320
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
I agree.