Ask the Car People.SM


Can Honda get its mojo back?

510 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 7:27 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Automotive News

Messages Page 48 of 52

#469 of 510 Honda to benefit most from Hyundai mpg debacle? by steve_ HOST

Nov 16, 2012 (6:27 am)

The earthquake may not be a damaging as Hyundai and Kia shooting themselves in the foot by messing up their EPA mpg testing.
 
“People bought into the whole program: cool-looking cars that also offered great value, including high fuel economy,” Caldwell said. “Now it turns out that one part of that formula wasn’t true.”
 
Hyundai and Kia’s growth came as Honda struggled with poor reviews for models including its 2012 Civic and worked to restore assembly operations in 2011 following natural disasters in Asia that cut parts supplies.
 
“The timing is beautiful for Honda,” said Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, in a phone interview. “They’d been seen as falling behind in fuel efficiency, not keeping up with Hyundai and others.’”
 
Hyundai Fuel-Economy Flap Seen as Turned Tables for Honda (BusinessWeek)
 
Other automakers will benefit but none so much as Honda.

#470 of 510 Civic out in front by anythngbutgm

Dec 04, 2012 (12:31 pm)

Civic taking a commanding lead for November by almost 7500 units
 
Also looks like the Civic was #3 for monthly sales of everything, only missing the Silverado by about 600 units!
 
Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicles in November 2012

#471 of 510 Honda mojo by benjaminh

Dec 20, 2012 (4:19 am)

IIHS Ratings
Rated good:
-- Honda Accord, four-door
-- Suzuki Kizashi
 
Rated acceptable:
-- Ford Fusion
-- Honda Accord, two-door
-- Kia Optima
-- Nissan Altima, four-door
-- Nissan Maxima
-- Subaru Legacy
-- Subaru Outback
-- Dodge Avenger
-- Chrysler 200, four-door
-- Mazda 6
-- Volkswagen Passat
 
Rated marginal:
-- Hyundai Sonata
-- Chevrolet Malibu
-- Volkswagen Jetta sedan
 
Rated poor:
-- Toyota Camry
-- Toyota Prius v
 
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20121220/OEM11/121219849#ixzz2FacNoTlN

#472 of 510 IIHS Gives Accord top rating by benjaminh

Dec 20, 2012 (4:20 am)

Video and full story at link:
 
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr122012.html
 
"The Accord sedan shows how safety belts and airbags work together to provide exemplary protection. The dummy stayed engaged with the Accord's front airbag, and the steering wheel remained relatively stable because there was only moderate intrusion into the occupant compartment. That meant that the driver airbag was in the right position to cushion the dummy's head and chest. The side curtain airbag extended far enough forward to prevent the dummy's head from hitting interior components."
 
"Toyota falls short
 
Shoppers looking for a midprice family car will recognize some perennial bestsellers on the TOP
SAFETY PICK+ winners' list, including the Accord, Altima and Fusion.
 
One nameplate they won't find is Toyota. The Camry, which is the top-selling midsize car in the United States, and the Prius v, a 4-door hybrid wagon, earn poor ratings for small overlap protection and are the worst performers of the midsize group. The Camry was redesigned for 2012, and the Prius v was an all-new model for 2012.
 
The Camry and Prius v illustrate what can go wrong in a small overlap crash...
 
In the Camry, the force of the impact shoved the front wheel back into the footwell, bending the windshield pillar and pushing the parking brake pedal and the left outer edge of the instrument panel rearward into the driver's survival space. Likewise, there was significant intrusion in the Prius v, along with high forces on the dummy's legs and feet. The Prius v is the only car in the midsize test group to earn a poor rating for hip and thigh protection.
 
The Camry's driver airbag and side curtain airbag deployed, but the steering wheel moved so far to the right that the dummy's head made only minimal contact with the front airbag. The side curtain airbag didn't extend far enough forward to help prevent the dummy's head from hitting the instrument panel. In the Prius v, the side curtain airbag deployed too late in the crash to offer protection.
 
"Toyota engineers have a lot of work to do to match the performance of their competitors," Lund says.

#473 of 510 Consumer Reports by benjaminh

Dec 20, 2012 (4:24 am)

names the Accord their best rated midsize sedan. A few quotes:
  
"....The new Accord is roomy, nice to drive, well equipped, and very fuel efficient.
  
Its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, when matched with the smooth continuously variable transmission, squeezes out an excellent 30 mpg overall and 40 on the highway. That’s as good as a tiny Honda Fit and better than most compact cars. The 3.5-liter  V6 is super-smooth and quite powerful, snapping off a 6.3-second 0-to-60 mph time that is competitive with some sports cars. And its 26 mpg overall is among the best in its class.
  
Inside, you are treated to one of the best driving positions available, comfortable seats, and terrific visibility. All Accords have a standard backup camera, rare among family sedans. Uplevel models include advanced safety features seldom found in this category, including forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, and Honda’s new Lane Watch blind-spot camera system....
  
In the final tally, the four-cylinder Accord jumped 10 points in our Ratings to take over the top spot among entry-level sedans...
  
Based on its history, we expect above-average reliability for the Accord.
  
The Accord is one of the more agile family sedans, with subdued body lean and decent steering feedback....
  
Honda has finally solved the Accord’s longtime problem with road noise; road and wind noise are nicely muted....
  
The CVT is smooth, quick, and unobtrusive, marking a new benchmark for that type of transmission. You’d be hard pressed to tell that it isn’t a conventional automatic, high praise indeed....
  
Drivers will find plenty of space in the cabin. The cloth front seats are wide and supportive, although the LX model lacks power seats and lumbar adjustment. The powered leather seats provide better support and more adjustments and have two-position seat memory, a unique feature in this class. The rear has a supportive bench that’s comfortable for two adults but tight for three.
  
Fit and finish is generally very good....
  
The Accord’s gauges are a model of clarity, and most controls are easy to use....
  
All Accords come with standard dual-zone automatic climate control, a nice touch....
  
The trunk is large and nicely trimmed...."

#474 of 510 most likely they have by stickguy

Dec 20, 2012 (8:19 am)

based on all the glowing reports on the new Accord, and how well received the refreshed Civic is (and based on sales) I would say they are doing just fine. And the CRV sells like hotcakes too. Even the Odyssey, as ugly as it is, moves units.
 
That is a solid base of core vehicles, though they could use some freshening with the niche ones (like the Fit).
 
I surprised myself by replacing a Honda with an Acura (Odyssey to RDX) recently. I thought as my fleet turned over, I would be done with the brand (I did replace my Accord with a Volvo for my daughter to use). I did buy an older Integra last week as a spare runabout car, but I don't think that revisiting 2000 counts as getting Mojo back.
 
actually though, it is a glimpse into what Honda/Acura used to be. Relatively simple, incredibly well made, light and nimble. And the quality of the interior materials blows away a new model.

#475 of 510 Re: most likely they have [stickguy] by nippononly

Dec 20, 2012 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Dec 20, 2012 8:19 am)
I hear the Fit gets its update next year. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they introduced an SI trim line for the Fit? THAT would bring back a little of the mojo for me....

#476 of 510 2013 Civic LX by sandman_6472

Dec 30, 2012 (3:32 pm)

Just saw the back end of what appears to be a 2013 Civic LX and all I can say is wow! I thought it was a Lexus until I focused on the word Civic. With the new Accord and now this, I think Honda has finally found it's way back. Very impressive looking!!
 
The Sandman

#477 of 510 Honda sales for 2012 by anythngbutgm

Jan 03, 2013 (2:13 pm)

Looks like Honda's goal of making up the lost sales from the tsunami was successful to say the least.
 
Up 24%, for the year, an additional 275k units over last year. Even Acura managed to capture another 32 thousand units this year over last. With a new MDX coming, things look good for 2013.
 
We'll see how the RLX does...

#478 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [anythngbutgm] by fintail

Jan 03, 2013 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 03, 2013 2:13 pm)
For the RLX, I predict at least 500% more than the 2 per month that have sold in the past year

Messages Page 48 of 52

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement