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CB77
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(From today's HondaWeb. Well, he is saying the right things in this interview. Based on the products released over the next 6-24 months, we will soon see if he is doing the right things. Here is the text of the interview.)
The Road Ahead--Honda Motor CEO Talks Change
JUN. 15 - Takanobu Ito took the helm of a teetering Honda Motor Co. in June 2009 with a curious mixture of pride and angst.
The global financial storm was bearing down hard. And his predecessor, Takeo Fukui, was ruthlessly slashing costs and gutting some of Honda's most promising programs, including the V-8 Acura and NSX sports car, to keep the company in the black.
"Feeling honored was 47 percent of my reaction," President Ito recalled of being tapped for the top job. "Thinking 'this is going to be very tough' was about 53 percent."
Indeed, for most of his tenure, Ito has struggled to right the ship. But now, after three years in office, the blunt-talking executive who joined Honda because he wanted to work on motorcycles and airplanes is ready to put his recovery plan into action. Sweeping revival plans that he has quietly been slipping into place are taking hold.
The overhauls encompass everything from product planning and design to technology. Ito hopes they will not only recoup lost momentum but deliver record growth.
Little did he know in 2009 how tough the turnaround would be. The yen's climb to record-high, profit-eating exchange rates and then last year's double-punch of natural disasters hammered Honda hard.
And, worse, a company long praised for fleet-footed innovation was flat-footed on new product. Customers and critics snubbed nameplates such as the Honda Insight and CR-Z -- even the once-bulletproof Civic small car. Signs of big-company disease crept in; Honda was chasing numbers but had a tin ear for the market -- something even company leaders admit.
Honda had lost its mojo, and Ito knew it.
"I understand when people say that Honda had not been doing very much for two-and-a-half, three years," Ito, 58, said in a recent interview. "When people looked at it from the outside, they found it difficult to understand what was happening."
Yet behind the public facade of inaction, Ito was busy building a comeback strategy.
Hallmarks of his handiwork:
-- An overhaul of the company's entire drivetrain technology.
-- Global restructuring of product development.
-- New blood in design.
-- Streamlined management aimed at faster decision making.
This fall's high-stakes launch of the redesigned Honda Accord sedan -- marking the U.S. debut of the new powertrain -- will test Ito's efforts.
More changes will follow, including a next-generation Honda Fit small car arriving next year. The Fit will be produced through the company's radically new regionalized product development process. Also in the works is a new design language aimed at spicing up traditionally staid styling.
Ito took the helm at age 55, relatively young for a Japanese CEO.
He was tapped by Fukui, then 64, as a hard-charging, think-outside-the-box upstart from a fresh generation. When asked to describe Ito during a press conference at the handover, Fukui said, "In a word, I would say 'tough.'"
A hands-on type known to commute to work on his Honda CB1100 motorbike, Ito likes to be in charge.
When becoming president, he famously took on another role as head of Honda's development subsidiary, Honda R&D Co. He has since given up that duty, but it was his second time in that post, speaking to his penchant for being in control.
But Honda has a hard climb ahead. It will take several years for the changes to appear in the entire lineup and trickle through the whole company. Meanwhile, rivals have capitalized on Honda's slump to steal U.S. sales and market share, leaving Honda in catch-up mode.
'Losing the brilliance'
"Honda was getting this reputation that we were losing the brilliance we used to have. And that's something we were starting to feel ourselves," says Toshinobu Minami, the new global head of exterior design appointed by Ito in September.
"The company has gotten so large, we were only pursuing efficiency. And probably during that time, we came to lose the uniqueness that the market came to expect from us," he says. "We probably started just thinking, 'Oh, this should do,' and stopped setting high targets or goals for ourselves."
Indeed, Honda's obsession with size manifested itself in the company's monthly sales and production reports. They invariably were headlined: "Honda sets all-time record for auto production."
Chasing record output was a key internal benchmark. So was maintaining healthy profits despite repeated financial blows.
Honda has never suffered a full-year loss, operating or net. But extreme cost-cutting was needed to stay in the black. That led Honda to kill the NSX, quit Formula One racing, cut jobs at home and abroad, drop plans for a minicar factory in Japan and go no-frills on interior design.
New global interior design chief Yoshinori Asahi linked the financial crisis to compromises in the "sense of quality or perceived quality" on Honda vehicles.
"That's what took shape in those criticisms from Consumers Reports," he says, referring to the influential U.S. magazine's decision last year to leave the Civic off its list of "recommended" vehicles for the first time in more than a decade.
Tech quest
Yet despite tight purse strings, Ito re-invested in new technology -- especially drivetrain technologies -- to compensate for Honda's lackluster hybrid system and to match the cutting-edge fuel-injection engines offered by rivals.
"We had to improve the fuel economy of our cars," Ito said. "I immediately began laying the preparations necessary to achieve this. We tried to innovate our engines and transmissions while also coming out with a fuller lineup of hybrid models."
What ensued was a suite of six new engines, three transmissions and two hybrid systems known collectively as Earth Dreams. The common thread is the addition of fuel-injection technology and continuously variable transmissions. A 1.6-liter diesel engine is also part of the mix, though there are no plans to bring that to the United States. The goal: to achieve industry-topping fuel efficiency in every vehicle class in three years.
Honda CFO Fumihiko Ike recalled that dropping Formula One racing was a key move in developing the Earth Dreams powertrains: "Previously we allocated between 600 to 800 people for Formula One racing. All those people are now involved with regular r&d."
Ito unveiled the technologies before last year's Tokyo Motor Show. The first U.S. car with the new powertrain, a direct-injection engine mated to a newly developed continuously variable transmission, will be the redesigned Accord.
Ito compares the impact of Earth Dreams to that of the famed CVCC engine project from the 1970s that cemented Honda's image as an engine company first and foremost.
"In talking about the impact on our business, it is as important as CVCC," Ito said. "This is very, very big."
R&D rethink
Yet Earth Dreams is only one piece of the plan.
Ito also blew up the company's traditional Japan-led product development strategy. The new approach empowers regional engineers to tailor cars to local tastes and local procurement.
Global nameplates will be developed in parallel at r&d centers in six operational regions -- Japan, North America, China, Asia-Pacific, South America and Europe. The cars will share certain main components such as engines and bodies, but other parts will differ according to local specifications and regional procurement possibilities.
The first car getting this treatment is the third-generation Fit due next year.
To speed localization, Ito in February named Erik Berkman head of Honda R&D Americas, leading design and product development. He is the first non-Japanese executive in the post.
Ito also entrusted the United States with the production and some development responsibilities for the Acura NSX sports car. Ito, who worked on the original all-aluminum NSX that went on sale in 1990, resurrected the car to inject more excitement into the brand. He picked Ohio as the production site because North America is expected to be its biggest market.
Design do-over
Ito turned next to design, a nagging sore spot. The Acura brand had yet to latch on to an inspiring look, and the interior of the latest Civic was panned as plasticky.
Last September, Ito moved aside Nobuki Ebisawa, 58, after seven years as global design chief to inject younger blood.
Enter Minami, 44, and new interior design chief Asahi, who quickly shook things up.
Work that had previously been handled solely by Ebisawa was split in three. Minami handles exterior design; Asahi, now 48, gets the interior -- and both are freed from matters of budgets, personnel and materials. An administrator now does that.
"The idea is to have an emphasis on speed so we can make quick decisions and reactions," Minami says.
Another big change: No more design evaluation meetings.
The new design chiefs banned them. Instead, Minami and Asahi patrol the studios and make executive decisions on the fly about which sketches should be kicked upstairs to Ito.
"We just said, 'OK, evaluation meetings and report presentation meetings are prohibited,'" Asahi recalls. "You have to prepare so much presentation materials. It was a waste of time."
The two are now working on more expressive design language for Honda and Acura that will debut in full for the 2016 model year. Hints of the more edgy look can be seen in the NSX concept shown at January's Detroit auto show and the sleek Honda AC-X hybrid sedan concept shown at last year's Tokyo show.
Less red tape, more sales?
Outside design, Ito has also tried to cut red tape.
In April 2011, he eliminated a management layer between him and the division chiefs. Now Ito himself is in direct control of Honda's automobile division as its COO, with direct reports from only three unit heads, instead of five.
Ito's overhaul is still a work in progress. The first Earth Dreams technologies reach the market this year only in some models, and the new design language will debut even later.
Despite the benefits of the Earth Dreams drivetrains, the fuel injection and CVT systems are less a leapfrog ahead of the competition than a move to keep pace.
It is also unclear how either will be received. In the past, Honda trumpeted the integrated motor-assist mild hybrid system used in the Insight, CR-Z and Civic hybrids as a game-changer, only to lose the first round of the hybrid battle to Toyota and its Prius.
But Honda has key strengths, too.
It was the first Japanese automaker producing cars in the United States -- at its Marysville, Ohio, factory in 1982. Honda has relatively low exposure to auto exports from Japan. Exports account for only 9 percent of Honda's global sales, far less than at Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda or Mitsubishi.
As a pioneer in localization, Honda has a deep bench of overseas engineering talent from which to draw.
And it is buoyed by solid earnings in its motorcycle business.
Ito's revival plan was delayed by a year; Honda lost most of 2011 rebuilding from the devastating earthquake in Japan and the massive flooding in Thailand.
Now, Ito vows that 2012 is the turning point.
Indeed, despite the unflattering reviews of the latest Civic, the car has been selling well in the United States, racking up its best May sales since 2008. It was the No. 2 selling U.S. car in May and is the third-best seller for the first five months of 2012.
What's more, Honda ranked No. 1 in perceived quality among volume brands in the spring quality survey by ALG, the TrueCar Inc. subsidiary that sets residual values for the auto industry. It has held that spot since 2010.
Insiders say Ito also may unveil a midterm business plan, Honda's first since 2010. Confident that his fixes are taking hold, Ito is forecasting a return to sustainable growth with record global sales of 4.3 million units this fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2013.
"At Honda we need to grow and want to grow," Ito said. "Honda has never recorded global automobile sales exceeding 4 million units. But in the next fiscal year, we definitely want to do that and expand from there."
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CB77
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I'm not sure I agree with his assertion that the new Earth Dreams series of engines will be as important to Honda as the CVCC engine was. It NEEDS to be, but will it?
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sadlerau
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CB77 wrote:
I'm not sure I agree with his assertion that the new Earth Dreams series of engines will be as important to Honda as the CVCC engine was. It NEEDS to be, but will it?
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The proof of the pudding will be in the eating of it :)
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TonyEX
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CB77 wrote:
I'm not sure I agree with his assertion that the new Earth Dreams series of engines will be as important to Honda as the CVCC engine was. It NEEDS to be, but will it?
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Well, it sounds interesting... Atkinson cycle at the low end for higher volumetric efficiency (read torquier), direct fuel injection for higher efficiency and real VTEC on the top end for power.
And the CVTs are quite the gamble. With a CVT you never disconnect the engine from the drivetrain, hence you CAN get smoother shifts and with a proper computer you can operate in many modes (SMG, RubberBand, AT) and everything in between.
CVCC was all about pollution controls. ED sounds like it but still with power.
ED? Hey, I got some VeaTgraEC for you! :-D
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HONDA AFVM
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TonyE wrote:
CB77 wrote:
I'm not sure I agree with his assertion that the new Earth Dreams series of engines will be as important to Honda as the CVCC engine was. It NEEDS to be, but will it?
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Well, it sounds interesting... Atkinson cycle at the low end for higher volumetric efficiency (read torquier), direct fuel injection for higher efficiency and real VTEC on the top end for power.
And the CVTs are quite the gamble. With a CVT you never disconnect the engine from the drivetrain, hence you CAN get smoother shifts and with a proper computer you can operate in many modes (SMG, RubberBand, AT) and everything in between.
CVCC was all about pollution controls. ED sounds like it but still with power.
ED? Hey, I got some VeaTgraEC for you! :-D
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I knew it was a matter of time before the "ED" and Viagra name would end up in the same post, and for some reason, I knew it would be from you Tony............LOL!
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Frogger
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sadlerau wrote:
CB77 wrote:
I'm not sure I agree with his assertion that the new Earth Dreams series of engines will be as important to Honda as the CVCC engine was. It NEEDS to be, but will it?
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The proof of the pudding will be in the eating of it :)
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Is it safe to say the landscape is different today... in the CVCC age, other automakers were sitting on their laurels.
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xBeastx
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Well, if we got anything from this, we now know that the new Fit will come next year. Lucky for me, it seems like to perfect car for me: versatile, new (i-MID and stuff), and an Earth Dreams powertrain.
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S600=Dream
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I remember saying a few moons ago that Fukui was the impetus of all the pooey coming from brand H in the past half decade. I stand by that.
It's been fascinating to me to see a number of fairly thoughtful and intelligent seeming people on TOV basically crucifying Ito for Fukui's mistakes and HIS vision for the company.
Reminder: It takes 3 years minimum to get something from drawing board/board room to showroom. ANYTHING. The gears were already in motion for the blah-ze product on the market right now when Ito took office. The ZDX, Crosstour, Insight, 9g Civic, CR-Z, axing of F1, the Plenum...were ALL done on Fukui's watch.
Ito just had to eat crow for it.
I said from the get-go that I thought he was the guy for the job, and I still think so, and I think we're going to see a good few years in front of us.
(Unfortunately, the next CEO will get all the credit because Ito will be the one that gets the ball rolling now, and the good stuff will be on sale when he steps down. That's how things go in corporate structure.)
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DCR
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I do not think your facts are all in line.
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S600=Dream
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Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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Chocs
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S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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Chocs
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A Candid Talk with Honda CEO Takanobu Ito about Their Disastrous Year and Their Hopeful FutureQ: There has been a lot of criticism of the 2012 U.S. Honda Civic’s interior in relation to the one found in the European Civic. How do you explain this blunder and are there plans to fix it?
Takanobu Ito: I am fully aware of the criticisms levied against the 2012 Honda Civic and the responsibility lies solely with me. Right now we are working hard at the best response to the problem to keep customers happy. |
Not sure if he's saying it's his fault, or if it's up to him to fix it. Either way I do agree that he doesn't deserve a lot of the blame he gets, while on the other hand, there are some mishaps too.
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danielgr
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Chocs wrote:
S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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You know, I've never seen any Japanese boss failing to take responsibility for anything under his/her umbrella. The few that do, really throw themselves into an absolute disgrace as far as other people are concerned. That is how things go over here, both in times of war and peace.
Ito is Honda's CEO, so basically in Japanese terms he is ultimately responsible for anything that happens at Honda Motor Co. when looking from outside the company. You can bet though that intermediate bosses take responsibility internally, one by one as you keep escalating the power chain. That's how it goes, and IMHO ain't a bad thing, but you still have to be aware of it to fully understand what he means.
The same words in the mouth of different people can mean very different things...
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Chocs
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danielgr wrote:
Chocs wrote:
S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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You know, I've never seen any Japanese boss failing to take responsibility for anything under his/her umbrella. The few that do, really throw themselves into an absolute disgrace as far as other people are concerned. That is how things go over here, both in times of war and peace.
Ito is Honda's CEO, so basically in Japanese terms he is ultimately responsible for anything that happens at Honda Motor Co. when looking from outside the company. You can bet though that intermediate bosses take responsibility internally, one by one as you keep escalating the power chain. That's how it goes, and IMHO ain't a bad thing, but you still have to be aware of it to fully understand what he means.
The same words in the mouth of different people can mean very different things...
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Yeah, I wholly understand. Context is difficult to grasp when you're a third-party sitting behind the monitor, and I am leaning towards Ito having took "responsibility" as the head of Honda.
But we can't discount the rumour that the Civic has been changed mid development. Regardless, I'm keeping an open mind about it. Appreciating your insight on how the Japanese take responsibility.
One thing for sure-- the new Accord should be the car that will display his true capability, and I'm excited for it.
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Mr. Taggart
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danielgr wrote:
Chocs wrote:
S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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You know, I've never seen any Japanese boss failing to take responsibility for anything under his/her umbrella. The few that do, really throw themselves into an absolute disgrace as far as other people are concerned. That is how things go over here, both in times of war and peace.
Ito is Honda's CEO, so basically in Japanese terms he is ultimately responsible for anything that happens at Honda Motor Co. when looking from outside the company. You can bet though that intermediate bosses take responsibility internally, one by one as you keep escalating the power chain. That's how it goes, and IMHO ain't a bad thing, but you still have to be aware of it to fully understand what he means.
The same words in the mouth of different people can mean very different things...
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I don't remember the Emperor ever taking blame for WWII or the millions of Chinese or Koreans slaughtered during the war. Same for the milliions of POW's tortured, killed, or starved to death. Ever hear of the Bataan death march? How about the millions of women forced into service as 'comfort' women?
I never heard the CEO of Sony take responsibility for drivinig the company into the ground after taking it from the premier cosumer electronics company in the world into a has been.
Where is the apologies to the Japanese people for hiding the nuclear meltdowns and the taking of responsibility? How about apologizing for being one of the pioneering companies in robotics but not having any robotic equipment to enter contaminated nuclear facilities because they never thought it possible? Who as accepted responsibility for that.
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WongKN
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To be 'bluntly honest'...
Firstly, I do have a number of japanese friends and I respect them and the japanese people in general a lot.
But let's not put our head too far into the clouds. My good friend's wife for e.g. worked in a japanese firm for many many years before she left to help her husband in his business. She says there are aspects of japanese behaviour in business that is far from being honourable.
Similarly, my japanese language teacher also explained to me aspect of japanese people's thinking that contradict with the more 'romantic' views held in general.
And I myself have seen, and heard things told to me from ex-employees about behaviours in 'you know where' that are far from even being respectable, as in it would be considered harassment and abusive if it is done in a local company (I am not even talking about the sexual kind).
Nevertheless, the japanese people in general are very much a greatly respectable people and I DO respect them a lot. But then again, my parents are from the generation that suffered from WW2 and some of the stories I have been told can make one's blood boil.
In the end, people in asia in general have let bygones be bygones, though keeping a wary eye out for 'just in case'. And of course, as in anything and everything, the truth sometimes DO hurt a bit.
Just my humble 2 cents (if in US cents is worth a little bit more than the local currency :P ).
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The Legend
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CB77 wrote:
More changes will follow, including a next-generation Honda Fit small car arriving next year. The Fit will be produced through the company's radically new regionalized product development process.
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Now that FIT is going to be regionalized... Honda should do the following to make this FIT "FIT" for North American market:
- increase sound deading where needed for high speed cruising
- make all wheel disk brakes standard
- add a 6th gear overdrive for freeway cruising
* optional, but it would be nice if the suspension were made all wheel double wishbone, so other cars that use the same FIT chassis like the CRZ can have more credible sporty intentions.
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danielgr
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Mr. Taggart wrote:
danielgr wrote:
Chocs wrote:
S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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You know, I've never seen any Japanese boss failing to take responsibility for anything under his/her umbrella. The few that do, really throw themselves into an absolute disgrace as far as other people are concerned. That is how things go over here, both in times of war and peace.
Ito is Honda's CEO, so basically in Japanese terms he is ultimately responsible for anything that happens at Honda Motor Co. when looking from outside the company. You can bet though that intermediate bosses take responsibility internally, one by one as you keep escalating the power chain. That's how it goes, and IMHO ain't a bad thing, but you still have to be aware of it to fully understand what he means.
The same words in the mouth of different people can mean very different things...
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I don't remember the Emperor ever taking blame for WWII or the millions of Chinese or Koreans slaughtered during the war. Same for the milliions of POW's tortured, killed, or starved to death. Ever hear of the Bataan death march? How about the millions of women forced into service as 'comfort' women?
I never heard the CEO of Sony take responsibility for drivinig the company into the ground after taking it from the premier cosumer electronics company in the world into a has been.
Where is the apologies to the Japanese people for hiding the nuclear meltdowns and the taking of responsibility? How about apologizing for being one of the pioneering companies in robotics but not having any robotic equipment to enter contaminated nuclear facilities because they never thought it possible? Who as accepted responsibility for that.
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Not that I agree with what you said, but I simply don't think such discussion would benefit you nor me in any way.
PS: If you'd like to discuss this things use the Political lounge, it was made for it.
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Chocs
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The Legend wrote:
- add a 6th gear overdrive for freeway cruising
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I'm certain the next Fit will be supplied with 4 cyl Earth Dreams engine......... which means, CVT.
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danielgr
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The Legend wrote:
CB77 wrote:
More changes will follow, including a next-generation Honda Fit small car arriving next year. The Fit will be produced through the company's radically new regionalized product development process.
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- increase sound deading where needed for high speed cruising
- make all wheel disk brakes standard
- add a 6th gear overdrive for freeway cruising
* optional, but it would be nice if the suspension were made all wheel double wishbone, so other cars that use the same FIT chassis like the CRZ can have more credible sporty intentions.
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What one can reasonably expect is for personalized products to reach different markets much faster, because Honda won't wait to start the personalization until the respective JP model is nearly done, but much earlier in the process. Hopefully that means Europe won't need to wait over a year to get cars like the new Fit / CR-V, for example.
PS: IMHO what you are asking might be intune with the TOV community, but certainly not with mainstream NA needs. It is my understanding that the place in the world where people value rear-brakes, 6MTs, and sound deadening in small cars is Europe, nor NA. Again, it is my understanding that in the US most people drive automatics, few can handle a stick, and all compact cars (including Civic-class contenders) start with rear drums. Sure, I may be wrong, but I don't think regular Fit buyers (Honda's bottom of the line) are so concerned about that stuff over there... (I'm not talking about a possible hot-Fit, but the regular models).
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HONDA AFVM
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danielgr wrote:
The Legend wrote:
CB77 wrote:
More changes will follow, including a next-generation Honda Fit small car arriving next year. The Fit will be produced through the company's radically new regionalized product development process.
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- increase sound deading where needed for high speed cruising
- make all wheel disk brakes standard
- add a 6th gear overdrive for freeway cruising
* optional, but it would be nice if the suspension were made all wheel double wishbone, so other cars that use the same FIT chassis like the CRZ can have more credible sporty intentions.
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What one can reasonably expect is for personalized products to reach different markets much faster, because Honda won't wait to start the personalization until the respective JP model is nearly done, but much earlier in the process. Hopefully that means Europe won't need to wait over a year to get cars like the new Fit / CR-V, for example.
PS: IMHO what you are asking might be intune with the TOV community, but certainly not with mainstream NA needs. It is my understanding that the place in the world where people value rear-brakes, 6MTs, and sound deadening in small cars is Europe, nor NA. Again, it is my understanding that in the US most people drive automatics, few can handle a stick, and all compact cars (including Civic-class contenders) start with rear drums. Sure, I may be wrong, but I don't think regular Fit buyers (Honda's bottom of the line) are so concerned about that stuff over there... (I'm not talking about a possible hot-Fit, but the regular models).
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The FIT is the Manual KING of Honda. Compared to other models, civic, accord, the FIT sells manuals 5 to 1.........People do care about the ride and sound.......but most of all, right now, fuel economy and the FIT has low numbers in that class.......Although it is best in class in every way, it's aging quick. Only it's versatility is keeping it alive.........
It needs a 6 speed or some drastic evaluation to increase the FE above 40MPG.......it needs a smoother ride, but it has to keep its nimble DNA and most of all, it is noisy and needs a bit more weight feel........
My X mother in law is looking at it and she is sold on it, but when she drives other cars in its class, she feels the harsh ride the FIT has over the KIA......but sees the value in the seating and cargo........the FIT has over the others.......
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Mr. Taggart
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danielgr wrote:
Mr. Taggart wrote:
danielgr wrote:
Chocs wrote:
S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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You know, I've never seen any Japanese boss failing to take responsibility for anything under his/her umbrella. The few that do, really throw themselves into an absolute disgrace as far as other people are concerned. That is how things go over here, both in times of war and peace.
Ito is Honda's CEO, so basically in Japanese terms he is ultimately responsible for anything that happens at Honda Motor Co. when looking from outside the company. You can bet though that intermediate bosses take responsibility internally, one by one as you keep escalating the power chain. That's how it goes, and IMHO ain't a bad thing, but you still have to be aware of it to fully understand what he means.
The same words in the mouth of different people can mean very different things...
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I don't remember the Emperor ever taking blame for WWII or the millions of Chinese or Koreans slaughtered during the war. Same for the milliions of POW's tortured, killed, or starved to death. Ever hear of the Bataan death march? How about the millions of women forced into service as 'comfort' women?
I never heard the CEO of Sony take responsibility for drivinig the company into the ground after taking it from the premier cosumer electronics company in the world into a has been.
Where is the apologies to the Japanese people for hiding the nuclear meltdowns and the taking of responsibility? How about apologizing for being one of the pioneering companies in robotics but not having any robotic equipment to enter contaminated nuclear facilities because they never thought it possible? Who as accepted responsibility for that.
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Not that I agree with what you said, but I simply don't think such discussion would benefit you nor me in any way.
PS: If you'd like to discuss this things use the Political lounge, it was made for it.
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As usual Daniel when you make a blanket statement about something and are rightly called on it instead of posting a factual rebuttal you try to deflect and end th conversation. If this kind of discussion belongs in the political lounge then that is when you should post your broad poliical statements in the first place. I was merely pointing out how easy it was to poke holes in you argument using some rather widely known examples of how you are blind to what is around you or that you are pushing some jingoistic Japanese agenda of greatness.
(The funny thing is though as that you will always be considered a Gaijin or Bata-kusai due to Japan's closed society from people not of pure Japanese descent.)
I think it is the latter because your posts definately have a tone that tries to post an air of superiority or that maybe just fit your worldview. For instance when the discussion of hybrids come about you are always eager to point out how many more hybrids are sold in Japan then in the US or other coutnries. Maybe because it supports your belief in the fallacy known as global warming, sorry global climate change now that temperatures are not rising.
Japanese companies are no better or worse than any other companies. For years they operated in a closed system that did not allow for foreign compeittion, and for the most part still face little competition in their home market. But as the global economy begin to grow and the Japanese population began to decline more and more Japanese companies began to search for business elsewhere where they have faced stiffer competition.
Sony is only one example of companies that have not apologized for sinking the ship. Sure they apologized for security errors but only because they were forced to after originally denying the breach was that big. When did any managment at Sony apologize for taking the company from a market leader to has been? Did Howard Stringer do that? How about the guy before him or after him?
We can also look at Pioneer and Panasonic as well. Where were the apologies for destroying their television businesses?
How about Mazda? Where are the apologies for partnerning with Ford, who used them like a cheap hooker, and then left them on the street corner? How much longer can Mazda survive on their own? They cannot survive on the Japanese market, which is continuing to shrink, as they don't have the capital to invest and continually rack up foreign exchange losses. Where is the apology for that?
Now on to Japan's impact on China, given YOU stated they took responsibility during war and peace. From Japan Today
"Nonetheless, the Chinese are still rightly concerned about the failure of Japanese leaders to adequately apologize for World War II. They always “regret” the pain and suffering they caused in East Asia, but never say exactly what they are so sorry over. Nanjing? The years of colonial rule? Comfort women? The government shies away from reciting past crimes, as if they can conveniently be buried along with those who remember the war. This deliberate silence will always give East Asian neighbors further ammunition for Japan-bashing."
So who is taking responsibility for this?
Once again how about after the earthquakes. You live there. When did someone come out and take responsiblity for all of the lies told to the citizens about released gasses not being radioactive? It is one thing to immediately take responsibility and another to due so after evidence to the contrary comes to light.
Or do you mean that Japanese managment takes responsibility like most American companies in that the CEO 'takes responsibility' publicly but doesn't lose his job nor does any of his cronies? If he were to 'take responsibility' in the sense of true owership of the problem then he would step down in discrace.
An example of this actuall happening (taking responsibility) is after the JAL 123 crash into Mount Fuji. A JAL maintenance supervisor later committed suicide, while the president of the airline resigned, accepting full, formal responsibility for the crash and visiting victims’ families to offer a personal apology.
Which brings us back to the Bataan death march. The emperor never apologized for this before his death, so that blows your theory as well.
Dont' get me wrong it is good that you post news on Honda and Acura that only come out in Japan and because of your understanding of the language can interprate them and to what meaning is trying to be conveyed, but it doesn't give you to make factually incorrect blanket statements about leadership in Japan without being called on it.
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danielgr
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HONDA AFVM wrote:
danielgr wrote:
The Legend wrote:
CB77 wrote:
More changes will follow, including a next-generation Honda Fit small car arriving next year. The Fit will be produced through the company's radically new regionalized product development process.
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- increase sound deading where needed for high speed cruising
- make all wheel disk brakes standard
- add a 6th gear overdrive for freeway cruising
* optional, but it would be nice if the suspension were made all wheel double wishbone, so other cars that use the same FIT chassis like the CRZ can have more credible sporty intentions.
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What one can reasonably expect is for personalized products to reach different markets much faster, because Honda won't wait to start the personalization until the respective JP model is nearly done, but much earlier in the process. Hopefully that means Europe won't need to wait over a year to get cars like the new Fit / CR-V, for example.
PS: IMHO what you are asking might be intune with the TOV community, but certainly not with mainstream NA needs. It is my understanding that the place in the world where people value rear-brakes, 6MTs, and sound deadening in small cars is Europe, nor NA. Again, it is my understanding that in the US most people drive automatics, few can handle a stick, and all compact cars (including Civic-class contenders) start with rear drums. Sure, I may be wrong, but I don't think regular Fit buyers (Honda's bottom of the line) are so concerned about that stuff over there... (I'm not talking about a possible hot-Fit, but the regular models).
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The FIT is the Manual KING of Honda. Compared to other models, civic, accord, the FIT sells manuals 5 to 1.........People do care about the ride and sound.......but most of all, right now, fuel economy and the FIT has low numbers in that class.......Although it is best in class in every way, it's aging quick. Only it's versatility is keeping it alive.........
It needs a 6 speed or some drastic evaluation to increase the FE above 40MPG.......it needs a smoother ride, but it has to keep its nimble DNA and most of all, it is noisy and needs a bit more weight feel........
My X mother in law is looking at it and she is sold on it, but when she drives other cars in its class, she feels the harsh ride the FIT has over the KIA......but sees the value in the seating and cargo........the FIT has over the others.......
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With a 1.5L NA engine there would be nearly no power available for overtaking or going uphill if you drop in a tall final gear. In Europe most people can live with constant downshifts (many actually enjoy it like myself), but it is my understanding that most people in the US do not like to bother with that, which may be the reason why traditionally they've loved large torquey engines, as well as automatic transmissions. Buyers may at first love to see an amazing HW figure on the EPA sticker, but then get disappointed to get a car which is totally unresponsive when cruising, requires constant work with the stick to feel alive. Engineers must find a balance, we'll see which one comes out from the Honda guys...
Either way, I sure hope Honda brings an amazing 3rd gen Fit, I'm just not sure that list is really something a US product leader will come up with after studying the market for such a car.
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danielgr
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Mr. Taggart wrote:
danielgr wrote:
Mr. Taggart wrote:
danielgr wrote:
Chocs wrote:
S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
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You know, I've never seen any Japanese boss failing to take responsibility for anything under his/her umbrella. The few that do, really throw themselves into an absolute disgrace as far as other people are concerned. That is how things go over here, both in times of war and peace.
Ito is Honda's CEO, so basically in Japanese terms he is ultimately responsible for anything that happens at Honda Motor Co. when looking from outside the company. You can bet though that intermediate bosses take responsibility internally, one by one as you keep escalating the power chain. That's how it goes, and IMHO ain't a bad thing, but you still have to be aware of it to fully understand what he means.
The same words in the mouth of different people can mean very different things...
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I don't remember the Emperor ever taking blame for WWII or the millions of Chinese or Koreans slaughtered during the war. Same for the milliions of POW's tortured, killed, or starved to death. Ever hear of the Bataan death march? How about the millions of women forced into service as 'comfort' women?
I never heard the CEO of Sony take responsibility for drivinig the company into the ground after taking it from the premier cosumer electronics company in the world into a has been.
Where is the apologies to the Japanese people for hiding the nuclear meltdowns and the taking of responsibility? How about apologizing for being one of the pioneering companies in robotics but not having any robotic equipment to enter contaminated nuclear facilities because they never thought it possible? Who as accepted responsibility for that.
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Not that I agree with what you said, but I simply don't think such discussion would benefit you nor me in any way.
PS: If you'd like to discuss this things use the Political lounge, it was made for it.
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[...]
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Feel free to enjoy the pride of wining a TOV board discussion, I just rather use my time where I feel it can be of help to someone. I give my opinions and share what I know based on my personal experience whenever I believe it may be beneficial to someone, like I just did. Do not expect everyone to agree, nor do I feel the need to spend countless hours trying to convince everyone. And yes, that makes me an arrogant prick for some, but obviously I see it otherwise.
After over a decade here I personally consider I've given enough of my time and passion. I still think some of my opinions/insights may be useful, but I'm sure not ready to spend my time battling for nothing, I'm not that young anymore, now get though ROI analysis before investing my time. So I give for those that feel like receiving, have not much left for the rest. In your case, in this particular theme, I really have nothing for you, so enjoy your board, enjoy your arguments preeminence and hopefully you have a great self-fulfilling day !!!
See you around on the next decade !
PS: I was talking about Ito and Honda, nor about WWII or any nuclear accident. About which I could spend hours talking, but sure not here in TOV.
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WongKN
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I too thinks 6 gears would not be suitable for the Fit/Jazz as the 1.5l engine might be 'too small'. The Fit RS Hybrid would do fine though, having driven the CR-Z, the IMA assist overcomes the weak low end of the 'small' 1.5l engine. The manual City and Jazz over here (sold mainly in Thailand only) comes with a 5MT.
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Mr. Taggart
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danielgr wrote:
Mr. Taggart wrote:
danielgr wrote:
Mr. Taggart wrote:
danielgr wrote:
Chocs wrote:
S600=Dream wrote:
Ehhh, probably not perfectly.
What would you disagree with?
|
|
You know, I've never seen any Japanese boss failing to take responsibility for anything under his/her umbrella. The few that do, really throw themselves into an absolute disgrace as far as other people are concerned. That is how things go over here, both in times of war and peace.
Ito is Honda's CEO, so basically in Japanese terms he is ultimately responsible for anything that happens at Honda Motor Co. when looking from outside the company. You can bet though that intermediate bosses take responsibility internally, one by one as you keep escalating the power chain. That's how it goes, and IMHO ain't a bad thing, but you still have to be aware of it to fully understand what he means.
The same words in the mouth of different people can mean very different things...
|
I don't remember the Emperor ever taking blame for WWII or the millions of Chinese or Koreans slaughtered during the war. Same for the milliions of POW's tortured, killed, or starved to death. Ever hear of the Bataan death march? How about the millions of women forced into service as 'comfort' women?
I never heard the CEO of Sony take responsibility for drivinig the company into the ground after taking it from the premier cosumer electronics company in the world into a has been.
Where is the apologies to the Japanese people for hiding the nuclear meltdowns and the taking of responsibility? How about apologizing for being one of the pioneering companies in robotics but not having any robotic equipment to enter contaminated nuclear facilities because they never thought it possible? Who as accepted responsibility for that.
|
Not that I agree with what you said, but I simply don't think such discussion would benefit you nor me in any way.
PS: If you'd like to discuss this things use the Political lounge, it was made for it.
|
[...]
|
Feel free to enjoy the pride of wining a TOV board discussion, I just rather use my time where I feel it can be of help to someone. I give my opinions and share what I know based on my personal experience whenever I believe it may be beneficial to someone, like I just did. Do not expect everyone to agree, nor do I feel the need to spend countless hours trying to convince everyone. And yes, that makes me an arrogant prick for some, but obviously I see it otherwise.
After over a decade here I personally consider I've given enough of my time and passion. I still think some of my opinions/insights may be useful, but I'm sure not ready to spend my time battling for nothing, I'm not that young anymore, now get though ROI analysis before investing my time. So I give for those that feel like receiving, have not much left for the rest. In your case, in this particular theme, I really have nothing for you, so enjoy your board, enjoy your arguments preeminence and hopefully you have a great self-fulfilling day !!!
See you around on the next decade !
PS: I was talking about Ito and Honda, nor about WWII or any nuclear accident. About which I could spend hours talking, but sure not here in TOV.
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You sound like the old crotechy guy in the mail room. "I was here before you were a gleam in your mommas eye." It doesn't matter how long you have been here or even if you invented the interenet.
You are right I haven't been here that long posting, but lurked around for a while. I didn't feel the need to start posting until it was clear Honda and Acura had clearly lost thier way, and this being a sight for Honda enthusists it was a place that I felt I could express my thoughts with some other like minded people in an exchange of the good, bad, and ugly of Honda's past present and future.
You didn't restrict what you said to Ito and you don't llike being called on it, plain and simple. YOU painted a rather broad brush about Japanese companies in general hence your use of the words "I'VE NEVER SEEN" and "THAT IS HOW THINGS GO OVER HERE". Those are really pretty broad statements. I guess that seeing you've been here since you invented the internetwhat you say must be gospel and cannot be challenged? What is pointless is to make such broad generalizations and expect not to be called on for it, which I did because your are so full of shit the birds wouldn't eat you.
What you expect is for people to listen to some of your drivel and not respond because you are entitled to do so. Sure its great that you live in Japan know the language, and are able to read and hear some things spoken or published only in Japanese, but are arrogant because anytime someone challenges anything you say to be a "pointless" conversation.
And you know what no one person is that important to anything as you make yourself out to be on this forums. Why don't you just nail yourself to the cross for being the lilfeblood of TOV. Your 'help' consists of trying to get people to listen to your opinions and then kiss your ass because you made them. This is not the first time you have portrayed yourself in this way, as if you were hoping that people would say "Daniel, please don't go, we can't go on without you." Talk about self-fulfiling braggardocio nonsense, that would be you.
P.S. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out....
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duncan
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As a Canadian owner of an '09 5MT Fit Sport, I would be first in line to get a 3G Fit if it comes with a 6MT, better sound deadening material & a softer ride. As my daily driver, the short gears of the 5MT is a chore to row in stop-n-go rush hour traffic. When I do hit open road, then the loud road & engine noise plus the harsh ride are extremely hard on my ears and rear end. The go-cart like handling and fun-to-drive factor of the Fit are appreciated, but I primarily love my Fit for its superior utility and decent fuel economy, so I would gladly trade fun for a more comfortable and relaxing commute.
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WongKN
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But Duncan, apparently a lot of the go-kart like handling is due to the hard-ish suspension. I have tested the original 1.3/1.4l i-DSI which has a more comfortable ride and it loses out quite significantly to the 1.5 VTEC in terms of handling, though it is not bad already by others standards.
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FiSH-Chan
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WongKN wrote:
I too thinks 6 gears would not be suitable for the Fit/Jazz as the 1.5l engine might be 'too small'. The Fit RS Hybrid would do fine though, having driven the CR-Z, the IMA assist overcomes the weak low end of the 'small' 1.5l engine. The manual City and Jazz over here (sold mainly in Thailand only) comes with a 5MT.
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Actually, wouldn't the 6 speed be perfect for the 'small' engine. Would be better with the IMA of course, but still I can't see how it would not be suitable except not many people would want it (I wouldn't want a 5 speed manual, a 6 speed would be perfect.)
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WongKN
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In theory, yes because then 6th gear would be geared taller so that the engine can be running at, e.g. a leisurely 2000rpm (for e.g.) and the car cruising at 100kph or more. Only problem is the L15A might not be able to generate enough torque for portions of the journey involving uphill or for overtaking within a reasonable amount of time. It is OK if it is level road but when the journey involves real life roads, then very quickly lots of shifting is needed. Take for e.g. the fallacy many people often have - that to increase a car's top speed, one simply needs to make the top gear ratio tall enough, or add one more gear. People forget that we need the proper amount of power is needed to increase top speed. And in this case low-end torque is needed to support a very tall gear ratio. With a 5AT, how much we need to work the throttle pedal and how often the 5AT kicks down now, will tell us how suitable a 6MT will be. I am afraid, like what Daniel suggests, the little L15A is simply not strong enough to exploit a 6MT. IMA is of course a different story.
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