Nord Sud Honda News

Celebrate Over 40 Years of Honda Racing Heritage during the Grand Prix of Canada in Montreal
 
Honda's racing heritage runs deep. For over 20 years, Honda has been on the leading edge of Formula 1 racing. Join the Honda winning spirit at the 2006 Grand Prix of Canada in Montreal June 23, 24, and 25.
 
Catch the breath taking action of world-class F1 racing and the Honda Racing F1 Team featuring renowned drivers Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button, and Takuma Sato.
 
Also visit the 'Honda Zone' at the Crescent Street Festival. Located between Ste-Catherine St. and De Maisonneuve St, open to the public from June 22 to June 24, it will feature innovative and entertaining Honda events and interactive competitions.
 
In the words of founder Soichiro Honda "we can use the Formula 1 car as a laboratory on wheels for our production cars. Racing is the fastest way to learn how to make cars fast and safe."
 
Every Honda vehicle is designed and crafted with precision, is safe and reliable, and delivers on the emotional satisfaction for each driver, each and every time they get behind the wheel.
 
For more information on our F1 team, visit http://www.hondaracingf1.com/.
 
Check back often for more exciting event details and news!

TORONTO (April 17, 2006) - The completely redesigned 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid has won the World Car of the Year Award for "greenest car." A jury of 46 international automotive journalists, including three from Canada, selected the 2006 Civic Hybrid, which achieves an estimated fuel economy rating of 4.7 L/100km (city) and 4.3 L/100km (highway), as the winner of the 2006 World Green Car.
 
"Honda continues to be a leader in producing environmentally responsible vehicles that set the standard for fuel economy and low emissions," said Jim Miller, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. "The award-winning 2006 Civic Hybrid is the latest embodiment of Honda's long-term commitment to the development of environmentally friendly technologies that are also fun to drive."
 
Equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as standard equipment for 2006, the Civic Hybrid can now deactivate all four of its cylinders and operate using only the electric motor in certain steady-state cruising situations. Compared to the 2006 Civic Sedan with an automatic transmission, the Civic Hybrid provides a city fuel economy increase of approximately 63 percent and a highway fuel economy increase of 27 per cent.
 
Standard features on all 2006 Civic Hybrids include:
. Advanced Compatibility Engineering(tm) (ACE(tm)) Body Structure for enhanced safety
. 1.3-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 20 horsepower electric motor (combined 110-horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 123 lb.-ft. torque @1000-2500 rpm)
. New lighter, more powerful and efficient Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system with greatly enhanced energy regeneration capability and electric-only operation
. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) as standard equipment
. 4.7/4.3 L/100km city/highway
. Exclusive interior styling includes IMA instrument panel meters and two-tone seating surfaces
 
Honda first introduced North American consumers to hybrid technology with the Insight in 1999. It launched its second hybrid vehicle - the Civic Hybrid - in 2002, followed by the first-ever V6-powered hybrid, the Accord Hybrid, in 2004. Adding to its long history of advanced green technologies, Honda's latest hybrid powertrain in the 2006 Civic Hybrid offers improved power, efficiency and capabilities. Horsepower increases by 18 per cent and estimated combined fuel economy increases by about 5 per cent, versus a similarly equipped 2005 Civic Hybrid.
 
Across its entire portfolio of products, Honda Canada provides Canadians with dependable vehicles, motorcycles, power equipment and marine engines. With 124 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda now attracts nearly 20 million customers annually. Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Ridgeline, Pilot, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan and Civic Si Coupe, and the Acura CSX and MDX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario.

Honda Element SC Prototype Emphasizes Style and Performance Production version to go on sale this fall
 
TORONTO (April 13, 2006) - An all-new, urban-oriented counterpart to the Honda Element will launch this fall with an exclusive sport suspension, larger wheels and tires, unique styling and special features such as a carpeted interior and a center console.

With performance more than skin deep, the Element SC prototype rides about 76 millimeters (3") lower than stock with a sport suspension that delivers sports car-like handling. A front-to-rear aerodynamic body kit further lowers the vehicle's stance, supplementing the new vehicle's performance direction with a ground-hugging presence.
 
High on sophistication, the Element SC stands out with exclusive features such as fully painted exterior panels and trim pieces, projector-beam headlights and an aero-enhanced black grille. The interior further complements the city performance demeanor with a driver-oriented center console, copper hue instrument panel lighting backlit with LEDs, piano black trim and a carpeted floor.
 
"The Element SC prototype is designed to portray a city-dwelling, style-conscious brother of the original Element," said Jim Miller, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. "Instead of emphasizing features that accommodate outdoor sports and similar activities, the Element SC injects a new dimension of urban sophistication that can best be characterized as a 'night performer'."
 
The exterior styling expresses a sophisticated, performance-oriented attitude with SC-exclusive features that include projector beam headlights, custom front bumper, lowered suspension, large alloy wheels, custom grille and a slightly lowered roofline (trim effect).
 
To match the outside, the exclusive interior takes on an entirely new personality with a center console that has enclosed storage areas ideal for mobile phones and MP3 players. Additional exclusive features include trim accents that correspond to the copper-colored illumination.
 
The 2007 Element SC prototype has a 2.4-litre, DOHC, i-VTEC engine that benefits from a 10 horsepower increase over the 2006 Element, bringing the total to 166 horsepower (SAE net revised 8/04). The increase is achieved primarily through the addition of high-flow intake and exhaust systems and high-lift camshafts. Additional enhancements include drive-by-wire throttle control. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, and the available automatic transmission has five forward gears instead of four.
 
Fulfilling the goals of Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative introduced in 2003, all 2007 Elements will provide a core suite of standard safety equipment that goes beyond existing regulations and includes side curtain airbags, driver's side impact airbag, front passenger's side impact airbag, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and anti-lock braking (ABS).
 
The 2007 Honda Element production models also feature a new Integrated Seat Belt System on the front seats that allows rear seat occupants to exit the vehicle without the need for a front occupant to disconnect his or her seatbelt. In place of the existing B-pillar, door-mounted shoulder strap, the new Integrated Seat Belt System shoulder strap originates from the top of the seat and helps to enhance vehicle ingress/egress convenience for rear passengers.
 

The Element SC prototype features custom 21-inch cast aluminum alloy wheels, P245/35R21 high-performance custom tires, and 4-wheel disc brakes with large brake rotors and custom copper-appearance brake calipers. The combination of the sport-tuned suspension and aggressive wheel and tire package results in an urban utility vehicle that handles like a sports car. A production vehicle based on the Element SC prototype will go on sale in Canada this fall.
 
Across its entire portfolio of products, Honda Canada provides Canadians with dependable vehicles, motorcycles, power equipment and marine engines. With 124 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda now attracts nearly 20 million customers annually. Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Ridgeline, Pilot, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan and Civic Si Coupe, and the Acura CSX and MDX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario.

HONDA CANADA TO BUILD NEW ENGINE PLANT IN ALLISTON ONTARIO
AND INTRODUCE NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
 
Third Canadian plant supports future growth and North American expansion;
Advancements in fuel efficiency including new hybrid car and clean diesel technology
 
Toronto, ON (May 16, 2006) - Advancing towards its "2010 Vision" for North American automobile operations, in conjunction with a wider global strategy, Honda Canada Inc., is increasing its contribution to the Canadian economy by adding its third manufacturing facility to Ontario.
 
Scheduled to open in 2008, the new plant increases Honda's commitment to Canada by an additional CDN$154 million (USD$140 million) and 340 new jobs. The new engine plant will be located on a site neighbouring Honda's two existing manufacturing facilities in Alliston, Ontario that produce 390,000 vehicles annually. At full capacity, the new engine plant will produce approximately 200,000 four-cylinder engines a year, supporting Honda Canada built vehicles.
 
"Honda proudly contributes a third manufacturing plant to Canada," said Hiroshi Kobayashi, president and chief executive officer, Honda Canada Inc. "Today's announcement supports Honda's global strategic manufacturing focus of bringing manufacturing and sales operations to the local market to better respond to customer needs."
 
"Honda has a world-wide reputation for tremendous quality and continuous innovation. Canada and Canadian workers share that reputation, and I'm very pleased that Honda has recognized that by investing in a new Alliston engine plant," said Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry. "Today's announcement represents not only the direct creation of hundreds of new manufacturing jobs, but also hundreds of other new jobs in the construction and auto parts sectors as the plant is built and comes on-line."
 
"Honda's unique greenfield investment in Alliston is one more vote of confidence in our province and another boost for Ontarians who rely on a strong auto industry for their prosperity and quality of life," said Joseph Cordiano, Economic Development and Trade Minister. "Honda's third major investment in our province tells the world that Ontario is the best place to be when it comes to investing in automotive parts and assembly."
 
To respond to flexible changes in the North American market and to meet Honda's projected sales increase, local production in the U.S. will also be expanded to include an auto production plant with a capacity of approximately 200,000 units. Plant operation is scheduled to begin in 2008 and site selection has already entered its final stage. Expansion of the U.S. engine, transmission and powertrain component production in Ohio and Georgia is also part of corporate initiatives announced in a wider global strategy in Japan today by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. As a result, North American automobile production capacity will increase from 1.4 million to 1.6 million units in 2008.
 
Honda's "2010 Vision" is a long-term corporate initiative "to become a company that society wants to exist." Initiated in 1998, this three-part 2010 Vision calls for the expansion of Honda's global operations through the year 2010 by creating new value for the customer, expanding local operations through glocalization, and advancing environmental and safety technologies through a commitment for the future.
 
As part of this commitment, Honda today also announced on a global basis, it will introduce an all-new dedicated hybrid car and a new 4-cylinder diesel engine.
 
To be launched in North America in 2009, the all-new hybrid will have an annual projected North American sales volume of 100,000 units. Produced at Honda's Suzuka plant in Japan, the target price is lower than the current Civic Hybrid.
 
A new 4-cylinder diesel engine will also be introduced in the next 3 years. Based on the highly successful direct injection diesel engine technology currently offered in Europe, it will meet the U.S. EPA's stringent Tier 2 BIN 5 emissions standards.
 
In addition to the introduction of these new models, Honda will seek to achieve top-level fuel economy for existing models to improve Honda's already industry-leading Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ). This effort will include the previously announced commitment to introduce within the next two years a more advanced version of Honda's four-cycling i-VTEC(tm) technology with up to a 13 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over 2005 levels, and a more advanced Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology for six-cylinder engines with up to an 11 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency versus the current VCM system in the Honda Odyssey minivan.
 
"At Honda we have built our brand on dependability, reliability and quality and today we enhance it by ensuring that we'll bring customers cleaner, environmentally efficient vehicles that are fun-to-drive," said Kobayashi. "And now we'll also be proud that more of the vehicles will be manufactured in North America, and proud that many will be powered by Canadian-built engines."
 
Honda Canada Inc. began operations in 1969 establishing its first manufacturing facility in 1986, followed by a second plant in 1998. Honda Canada Inc. employs approximately 5,100 Associates. At its two facilities in Alliston, Ontario, Honda of Canada Mfg. annually manufactures 390,000 vehicles and purchases two billion dollars of goods from Canadian-based suppliers.
 
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is the world's preeminent maker of engines for automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment. With more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, Honda now attracts nearly 20 million customers annually. Honda of Canada Mfg. manufactures the Honda Ridgeline, Honda Civic, Honda Pilot, Acura CSX and Acura MDX.