Honda pondering plug-in hybrid as response to U.S. policy changes?

"We are thinking about plug-in hybrids, but we aren't thinking about commercializing one right away." This is what Honda's President Takeo Fukui said in a recent interview. The automaker, which is leasing hydrogen cars in the U. S. and Japan, thinks of hydrogen as the long-term solution, but competitors and new automotive policies coming out of the White House are forcing the Japanese marque to rethink its policy. The new regulations might be the most important for Honda, because the Obama presidency has yet to say something big about hydrogen cars but speaks about tax breaks for plug-in hybrids and $25 billion in low-cost federal loans for production of advanced technology vehicles. Honda already has a joint-venture to produce batteries, albeit designated for hybrid use, that could be used to produce PHEVs in the future, Fukui said.

Honda to Shut Down UK Swindon Plant until June!

Matters are going from worse to bad for the workers at Honda's Swindon plant as, in addition to halting production in February and March, the Japanese automaker has extended the temporary shutdown of its U.K. factory for the months of April and May. "The global financial situation has continued to affect consumer confidence in the car market," Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) said in a statement on Friday. The announcement from Honda was met with dismay by Unite, the UK's largest union.

"This latest, additional shutdown underlines the urgent need for state assistance for our car industry," said Derek Simpson, joint general secretary for Unite. "With demand for Honda's products collapsed and a plunge in this year's production figures, one of our leading plants must stand idle for four months."

"Now, the Honda workforce is facing a 50 percent cut in wages, and are frightened for their jobs and futures. They, along with the rest of the car and components industry, desperately need to see some form of lifeline being thrown to the sector from the Government. We also need immediate financial support for workers, such as those at Honda, who must take a cut in pay in order to keep their jobs," added Simpson.

Motorcyclists celebrate opening of London bus lanes

There are plenty of happy campers in London now that the city's bus lanes have been opened up to motorcyclists looking to ride safely while saving a little time and using a bit less fuel. To celebrate Transport for London's recent decision, a group consisting of local Honda motorcycle dealers, members of the Motorcycle Industry Association, the Institute of Advanced Motorists, the British Motorcyle Federation and the Metropolitan Police BikeSafe squad decided to take a first commemorative ride through the city, ending at the historic Ace Café in Wembley.

Pro-motorcycling groups have created a Code of Conduct that all cyclists are urged to follow while using the bus lanes. As it is, just 5 percent of London's roads are made up of red bus lanes, but the impact on the city's traffic should be much larger. It's hoped that if things go well over the 18-month trial period that the Mayor of London has instituted, other London boroughs may make similar allowances for bikers.

Euro-spec Honda Insight rated at 53 mpg (US), 101 g/km CO2

As the clock runs down to the official unveiling of Honda's new Insight for 2009, more information is leaking out of Europe, this time directly from Honda. A new brochure covering the entire European lineup, including the Insight, has gone live on the Honda Belgium site. According to the brochure, the new Insight's 1.3L engine is rated at 87 hp in European trim and it's paired up with a 13 hp motor in the IMA system. On the EU test cycle, the new hybrid is rated at a combined 53 mpg (US) while emitting just 101 g/km of CO₂.

We had an opportunity to drive the US-spec Insight just before Christmas but we can't tell you anything else about it right now. For that you'll have to wait until 9am EST Sunday morning. Come back then to read all about the Insight and stick around for our full coverage of the Detroit Auto Show. Thanks to Julian for the tip!

Honda to Present S2000 and Fit / Jazz Modulo Concepts at 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon

Two new concept cars will be the main attraction at Honda's booth at this weekend's Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 that will be held from Friday, January 9, to Sunday, January 11, 2009, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. The S2000 and Fit (called Jazz in Europe and other markets) concepts have both been developed by Honda's in-house customization brand, Modulo. The Japanese firm has not released any specific details on the two cars other than that the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept combines 'superior performance' with a 'premium interior finish' and that the Sports Modulo Fit Concept is a compact and practical, yet sporty automobile.

From the official press shots, we see that the S2000 Modulo Concept gains a wider front bumper and a new grille adorned with LED lights, side sills and multispoke alloy wheels. Inside, Modulo has uprated the S2000's cabin with new leather seats and carbon fiber trim.

As for the Sports Modulo Fit Concept, it too features a sportier front bumper with LED lights, side sills and dark alloy wheels. The Fit's two-tone interior has been extensively modified with the addition of bucket seats, an alcantara sport steering wheel, carbon-fiber trim finished in orange and extra gauges around the instrument panel.

2009 Honda Insight Hybrid Official Specs, Plus Mega Gallery with 55 Photos

Thanks to the January 2009 issue of Honda's official Belgian magazine, we won't have to wait until the opening of the Detroit show this weekend to learn about the new Insight Hybrid's technical specifications. Even though the magazine is in French, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to make ends-meet. First of all, as anticipated, the Insight will use the same hybrid drivetrain as the Civic IMA Hybrid combining a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 88HP (IMA: 95 PS) at 5.800 rpm and 123Nm (90 lb.ft) of torque at 4.600 with an electric motor producing 13.6 HP and 103Nm (76 lb.ft) of torque.

The hybrid drivetrain is matted to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). As with the IMA, the Insight utilizes a set of batteries to store the energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. The energy is then used to power the electric motor. Honda claims that the Insight achieves a combined fuel consumption in the European test cycle of 4.4 liters per 100 km (53.5mpg US) with CO2 emissions of only 101 g/km.

Comparatively, the Civic Hybrid consumes on average 4.6 liters per 100 km (51.3mpg US) while the soon-to-be-replaced Prius III, 4.3 liters per 100km (54.7mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 104 g/km.

The spec sheet reveals that the Insight is slightly more compact than the current Toyota Prius measuring in at 4,395 mm in length, 1,695 mm in width and 1,425 mm in height (Prius: 4,450 mm x 1,725 mm x 1,490 mm).

The Belgian Insight and, most likely, all European market models, will be available in two trims, Comfort and Elegance. From what we were able to translate from the magazine, the base model's standard equipment will include ABS, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), airbags, 15-inch wheels, automatic climate control and a radio-CD. Enhancing to the Elegance will add Bluetooth, a parking assist system, cruise control, fog lights, heated front seats and rain sensors.

For details of the North American market Insight, we'll have to wait until January 11 when the Detroit Show opens its doors to the members of the press. Until then, enjoy the full image gallery of the Insight that has been updated with new photos.