Honda
Honda's bonsai two-wheeled concepts: Scooterdom is about to be pimped
The importance of local culture in shaping a marketplace was never more conspicuous to this Western mind than at the Bangkok Motor Show when Honda showed two concept bikes that are so far from the normality of Western markets that they will challenge your thinking as they did mine. The highlights of Honda Thailand's massive exhibition were a Chopper-styled scooter and a Grand Prix Racer-styled mini-bike meant for the road. Read More
With one in five Japanese citizens now aged 65 or older, various robotics technologies are being developed to prolong independent living and improve quality of life at home. The main alternative to nursing homes and hospitals would be smart homes designed around the needs of the elderly. Earlier this week, Honda announced that it will test some of its life support robots in a mock household environment at the Future Life Showroom, in Sekisui House's brand new SUMUFUMU Lab. Read More
Honda "Concept M" MPV heads for the Chinese market
Honda is determined to secure a slice of the growing Chinese motoring market with no less than three concept vehicles set to go into production in the near future. While details are scant, the company used Auto Shanghai 2013 to showcase its “Concept M” Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which is due to go on sale in China starting next year. Read More
With big changes likely in the global transport infrastructure, the race is on to create the missing link – the smallest, lightest man-packable form of motorized transport yet known. Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW and Nissan have all shown vehicles in this area, but none have yet hit the market. The best-of-breed is currently the Yikebike and it announced today that it has further extended its lead, lightening its US$4,000 Carbon model from 11.5 kg to 11.2 kg and extending its range to 15 km (9.3 miles). There's also now a choice of Yikebikes with two cheaper versions at 12.7 kg ($3,000) and 14 kg ($2000). Read More
If you’re like me and have kids and dogs, then a day out can leave the car looking as if the interior was marched through by a battalion of crisp-munching soldiers. To help deal with this everyday reality and eliminate the need to hunt down a hand vac, Honda has installed a built-in vacuum system into its 2014 Odyssey Touring Elite. Read More
Starting this summer (Northern Hemisphere), the Japanese-market version of the Honda Fit/Jazz will be offered with the automaker’s new City-Brake Active System. It’s designed to minimize the chances of collisions at low speeds. Read More
The presence of the head of Ford Motor Company at the Bangkok Auto Show was no accident – the New York Motor Show was on at the same time. The Detroit of the East produced 2.45 million cars last year (up 68% on 2011), sold 1.43 million locally (up 80%), and became a global top 10 auto producer. It was already the world's second largest producer of trucks, behind only the United States. With just 18 vehicles per 100 population (America has 76), the Thai domestic market offers promise. The world's auto makers are focusing their quest for growth on Asia and Bangkok is now key to the Asian automotive market. Read More
Honda takes aim at novice market with new CTX motorcycles
Honda has introduced the first two motorcycles of its new CTX (Comfort, Technology and eXperience) series. The 2014 CTX700 and its siblings (CTX700N, CTX700D, and CTX700ND) are variations of the company's 2012 NC700 model which was designed mainly as reliable, inexpensive bikes for new riders. Read More
The rather unique Bangkok Motorbike Festival
The Bangkok Motorbike Festival is quite unlike any other motorcycle show on Earth. Held within one of the world's largest shopping centers, the festival spreads a motorcycle show among the upmarket boutiques and cafes. This year, Honda Thailand put the country's burgeoning customization services on display. If you're a motorcycle enthusiast, it's worth a look. Read More
