Look out For Honda in 2007
In October 1946, Soichiro Honda established the Honda
Technical Research Institute in Hamamatsu, Japan, to develop and produce
small 2-cycle motorbike engines. Two years later, Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
was born, and in 1959 Honda opened its first storefront in Los Angeles with
six industrious employees. This was the humble beginning of what is one of
the leading automobile manufacturing companies in the world today.
Honda Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
have succeeded in blending eastern and western attitudes and behavior to
build a unique success story that began years ago in Japan and 11 years
later in the United States. Honda was already the world's largest motorcycle
manufacturer when it tackled the American market in 1959. Within five years,
American Honda became the largest motorcycle distributor in the world.
Honda moved into truck and automobile sales in 1962. By then they controlled
65% of the Japanese motorcycle market. In 1963, Honda released its first
car, the S500, in Japan, and in 1964, the company makes its debut in Formula
One Auto racing. The automobile effort, spurred by the fuel crisis in the
1970s, found the American public willing to consider an economy car (the new
Civic) that offered 40 mpg while drawing rave reviews from the magazines.
Honda became the first automobile-maker to comply with the U.S. Clean Air
Act of 1975. The revolutionary CVCC engine attracted much media attention.
When challenged by scoffers, Honda proved the CVCC would pass the EPA test
on Detroit eight-cylinder engines as well. On October 11th, 1977 Honda
publicly signaled its increasing commitment to American enterprise and
community involvement. The company became the first Japanese motorcycle
manufacturer to move a portion of the process to the United States. A new
corporation, Honda of America Manufacturing, would assemble and manufacture
products in America at a facility to be built in Marysville, Ohio.
On the automotive side, Honda became the first manufacturer to finish first,
second and third in the Motor Trend Import Cars of the Year selections. The
Civic S Hatchback, Prelude, and Civic CRX garnered the honors.
Now, let’s take a look at the new generation Honda…
2007 Honda Accord
The changes to the seventh-generation Accord will be most noticeable at
night, when the multiple LEDs in the tail lights and center high-mounted
stop light (CHMSL) are readily apparent. The CHMSL has been moved from the
rear window to the rear edge of the trunk, where it acts as a small spoiler.
The rear fenders are changed slightly from earlier models, as has the grille
and front bumper. Improvements to intake and exhaust airflow have enabled
Honda to find a few more horsepower in both Accord engines. The silky-smooth
3.0-liter single overhead camshaft, 24-valve V6 is up four horsepower, for
244 at 6250 rpm, with maximum torque 211 lb-ft at 5000 rpm. Honda's VTEC
variable valve lift and timing system ensures optimum performance at all
engine speeds, and there is a very healthy midrange surge of torque that is
best taken advantage of by the six-speed gearbox.
2007 Honda Element
The 2007 Element is available in two versions, the LX and the EX. Both the
Element LX and EX come equipped with the same 166-horsepower 2.4-liter
four-cylinder engine and new Drive-by-Wire electronic throttle control
system, as well as a handy Maintenance Minder organizer whose name speaks
for itself. With this seventh generation version, Honda will deliver a
face-lifted SUV that features additional 10 horsepower, new five-speed
automatic and a new set of standard safety equipment.
2007 Honda Fit
The 2007 Honda Fit is a triumph of creativity, proof that good ideas don't
have to be expensive. Both trim levels for this front-drive, five-door
hatchback (the Fit is offered in base and Sport trim) feature a 1.5-liter,
109-horsepower VTEC four-cylinder engine. Delivering 105 lb ft of torque at
4,800 rpm, it posted a 9.3-second, 0-60-mph sprint. As if anticipating
safety concerns from U.S. buyers, Honda has provided two key features
standard on both the base and Sport models. Both trim levels come with
four-wheel antilock brakes and side curtain airbags.
2007 Honda Ridgeline
Honda's pickup truck is a compact, five-passenger 4-dr crew cab with a
5-ft-long cargo bed and standard all-wheel drive. Ridgeline has several
design features unusual to pickups, including independent rear suspension
and unibody construction. The tailgate drops down or swings out. The sole
powertrain is a 255-hp V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission. ABS and
traction/antiskid control are standard. So are front side airbags and
curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows and include rollover
deployment. All models have front bucket seats and a 60/40 split rear bench
with cushions that flip up to increase in-cab storage.
Soichiro Honda's saga qualifies for the rags-to-riches hall of fame. He had
a dream and by literally building dreams, created the world's most
successful motorcycling manufacturing venture. His story and the chapter
assigned his largest distributor, American Honda, trigger memories of times
when the American Dream contained more far-sighted substance and less
short-term sizzle. |
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