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CB77
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(Mr. Iwamura recently held a town hall meeting for the Torrance employees...here are excerpts from his comments)
"Over the past few years, we have faced our share of challenges including difficult economic conditions and a major loss of production due to two natural disasters. But thanks to your efforts, we have achieved a speedy recovery. Now, with a continued focus on our relationship with the customer we are ready to move from "battle back" to "counterattack."
Leading the way, is the all-new Honda Accord. The reaction of the news media has been great. This week, we won the Car and Driver magazine comparison test against all the competition. I can't make any announcements today, but we are optimistic that Accord will make the 10Best list for the 27th time this year. Our dealers are excited. And in the first two weeks of sales, it looks like our customers agree that Accord is the best mid-size car in America. But we aren't stopping with the new Accord.
Later this fall, we will bring out a significant minor model change of Civic. Civic is already the best-selling compact car in America. With the exterior and interior styling changes we have made, we will take Civic from "best-selling" to simply the "best." We also will introduce a minor model change of the Crosstour, with many of the same new technologies that make the new Accord so good.
For the Acura brand we have already introduced two all-new models this year in the RDX and ILX. Plus, the NSX Concept that will arrive in about two years. Next month, we will add some more excitement at the LA Auto Show, when we introduce the 2014 Acura RLX. It is important for the Acura brand to have a true flagship sedan. With a luxurious cabin and new technologies that deliver advanced performance and fuel economy the new RLX will help define the Acura brand.
The motorcycle division also has big plans. We have some exciting and affordable new 2-wheel products just over the horizon. This includes a new touring model that will make its world debut in the U.S. next year. However, our major focus is on the expansion of our side-by-side and ATV business. The development of these vehicles has shifted to our U.S. R&D team. And we are putting greater focus on our South Carolina production facility. In this way, we will expand our lineup with greater speed, and gain a larger market share.
I know that our associates in Alpharetta, Georgia are watching today and our power equipment division is also building momentum. Later this month, we will debut a new lineup of Honda lawn mowers at a major trade show and we will support it with a new marketing campaign. We also have an all-new generator coming next spring. And by changing to a new global production location for generators we will increase the efficiency and profitability of our lineup.
Our strong momentum includes the solid foundation of our production and product development operations in North America. This will be a key factor in helping us combat the impact of economic factors like the strong yen. In just two years, our auto production capacity in North America will grow from 1.63 million units to 1.92 million units. This includes the new plant under construction in Mexico that will produce Fit and other sub-compact vehicles. As we announced for the first time two weeks ago, the Fit series will include an all-new derivative model, a sub-compact vehicle in a new segment where we do not currently compete.
We also announced a new hybrid strategy to include one-, two-, and three-motor hybrid systems as part of our new Earth Dreams technologies that will help us achieve industry-leading fuel economy.
In the area of product development, Honda will pursue a new "concurrent" development concept that will make our U.S. R&D operations even more important in our global plans. As one example, as part of a global team, Honda R&D Americas will lead development of the next generation Civic for the North American market.
So, our U.S. operations have never been more important to global Honda. All of you have never been more important to global Honda. And now, as we enter the business planning cycle, I want you to think about what we can do differently and better. Please don't just update your existing activities. Think about what Honda can do to set us apart from the competition, and what each of you can do to create a strong plan of action. It starts with you.
We have great power and momentum. Together, we are ready to evolve again in a big way. So, don't hold anything back we need your best efforts and your best ideas. This is our time. Let's work together to make it so."
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xBeastx
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Seems quite hopeful.
"...the Fit series will include an all-new derivative model, a sub-compact vehicle in a new segment where we do not currently compete."
Hmmmmmmmm
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P54
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Honda, here is the new Fit:
Fit for two. (Compare to Smart for two).
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NealX
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"...we introduce the 2014 Acura RLX. It is important for the Acura brand to have a true flagship sedan."
We shall see, then.
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xBeastx
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Neal wrote:
"...we introduce the 2014 Acura RLX. It is important for the Acura brand to have a true flagship sedan."
We shall see, then.
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Yes, it's very important to have a true flagship sedan that sells 10 every month.
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danielgr
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as usual, thanks for sharing
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NealX
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xAbSoLuTexZeRo wrote:
Neal wrote:
"...we introduce the 2014 Acura RLX. It is important for the Acura brand to have a true flagship sedan."
We shall see, then.
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Yes, it's very important to have a true flagship sedan that sells 10 every month.
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I mean, I hope it does well and all, but as shown, I just don't believe it has the "right look" for what they are positioning it as.
And I think that's pretty unfortunate for a 2014.
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NealX
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Mechanic
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Neal wrote: . . . I hope it does well and all, but as shown, I just don't believe it has the "right look" for what they are positioning it as.
And I think that's pretty unfortunate for a 2014.
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QED.
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DavidJ
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xAbSoLuTexZeRo wrote:
Seems quite hopeful.
"...the Fit series will include an all-new derivative model, a sub-compact vehicle in a new segment where we do not currently compete."
Hmmmmmmmm
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Might this be referring to the Honda City sedan?
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TonyEX
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xAbSoLuTexZeRo wrote:
Seems quite hopeful.
"...the Fit series will include an all-new derivative model, a sub-compact vehicle in a new segment where we do not currently compete."
Hmmmmmmmm
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Honda Freed EXV (*) with an R18, 6AT, IRS and IMA-II? 160bhp peak?
I'm like in line for that...
Or... of course, a Fit SiV with an R18 tuned for 160 bhp, 6MA, IMAII, IRS, four wheel disc brakes etc.. 180 bhp peak.. would also fit the bill.
(*) Hence forth I decree that all Honda Hybrids should add the V trim... for the great Alessandra Volta, the father of the physics of electromagnetism. Without him James Maxwell would been a mechanical engineer and Nikolas Tesla would have been but a marketing guy. Edison was a hack, anyhow, _every_ physicist knows Edison was just an engineer. :-P
;-)
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TonyEX
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I dunno, until they differentiate the size of the TL and RL...
-or, the battle was won within HMC/AHM, yes, but the end result was a ..... victory....
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Power Of Dreams
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DavidJ wrote:
xAbSoLuTexZeRo wrote:
Seems quite hopeful.
"...the Fit series will include an all-new derivative model, a sub-compact vehicle in a new segment where we do not currently compete."
Hmmmmmmmm
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Might this be referring to the Honda City sedan?
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The Honda City is a damn sexy car. I've been in one in Asia and I like it better than the current Civic.
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