Honda Engineering North America, Inc.'s Powertrain Division in Anna, Ohio, and Honda Canada, Inc.'s new head office in Markham, Ontario, have each earned LEED "green-building" certification, bringing to eleven the number of LEED-certified Honda facilities in North America, the most LEED-certified buildings of any automaker. Honda Engineering North America's Anna facility has earned LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, while Honda Canada's head office has earned LEED-Gold certification from the Canada Green Building Council.

Honda Engineering North America's Powertrain Division, in Anna, Ohio, provides manufacturing tooling design and engineering support for the production of engines at the adjacent Anna Engine Plant, the largest automobile engine plant in Honda's global production network.

"Our environmental efforts extend well beyond the products we make and include the facilities that support Honda's manufacturing, R&D, sales and service operations across North America," said David Strelow, facilities manager for the Anna Engine Plant, who was involved in the construction of the new facility. "This is part and parcel of our commitment to being good neighbors in the communities where we do business and good stewards of the environment and our finite natural resources."

During construction of the expanded facility, the company used locally sourced materials where possible and diverted more than 185 cubic yards of construction material from landfills, recycling or reusing more than 50 percent of total construction materials. The expanded facility is now equipped with cool-roof materials, more energy-efficient lighting controls and advanced indoor-air-quality management systems.

Water conservation measures in the facility include the use of low-flow toilets and bathroom fixtures, which have reduced the building's water use by approximately 30 percent from earlier levels. Annual CO2 emissions from the facility have been cut by approximately 470,000 pounds.

"In order to serve the needs of Honda manufacturing facilities, we needed additional engineering resources," said Mark Starrett of Honda Engineering North America's Powertrain Division. "While building out these new capabilities, we also identified an opportunity to further Honda's environmental goals and to reduce our environmental footprint."

Honda Canada's new 138,000-square-foot head office, one of three buildings on the company's 53-acre campus in Markham, Ontario, utilizes a north-south orientation along with an energy efficient underfloor air-distribution system and a heat-reflective white roof to reduce energy consumption. Innovative water management at the new facility has reduced potable water consumption by 44 percent, compared to the company's previous facility. Also, landscape design provides for on-site storm water treatment through the use of bioswales and water collection. During construction of the campus, the company used locally sourced materials where possible, and diverted construction material from landfills, recycling or reusing 75 percent of total construction materials.

"Honda's environmental vision is to help preserve the global environment for generations to come, and includes broad-based efforts to minimize our company's environmental footprint" said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada. "Achieving LEED-Gold certification for our facility in Markham demonstrates our commitment to this vision."

Honda has been steadily expanding its portfolio of LEED-certified green buildings in North America since 1999, when the company's Gresham, Oregon, parts warehouse and service training facility became the first mixed-use industrial building in America to achieve LEED-Gold EB (Existing Building) certification.

In addition to the new Markham, Ontario, and Anna, Ohio, facilities, the company's green building portfolio in North America includes:

• American Honda parts warehouse and training facility in Gresham, Oregon, now LEED-Platinum certified
• American Honda data center in Longmont, Colorado, the first LEED-Version 2.2. Silver-certified data center in the U.S.
• American Honda parts consolidation center in Troy, Ohio (LEED-Gold);
• American Honda Finance Corp.'s Mid-Atlantic Region facility in Wilmington, Delaware (LEED-Gold CI for Commercial Interiors)
• Honda R&D Americas, Inc.'s Acura Design Studio in Torrance, California; its Marine Engine Research Facility in Grant-Valkaria, Florida; and its central plant facility in Raymond, Ohio (all LEED-Gold)
• Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC's welcome center at its auto plant in Greensburg, Indiana (LEED)
• Honda Aircraft Company, Inc.'s world headquarters, R&D facility and the home of the HondaJet very light jet, in Greensboro, North Carolina (LEED-Gold)

Green building features at Honda facilities in the U.S. include such items as conservation easements; low-flow bathroom and kitchen fixtures; more energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning systems, lamps and lighting controls; Energy Star-rated appliances; cool roof materials; and wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Honda Engineering North America

Honda Engineering North America, Inc. (EGA) researches, designs and develops manufacturing equipment and tooling for use in Honda production plants. EGA maintains facilities near Honda plants in Marysville and Anna, Ohio; in Lincoln, Alabama; and in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

Honda Canada

Honda Canada, Inc., was founded in 1969 and currently employs more than 15,000 people across the country. Honda Canada has produced more than 5 million cars and trucks since 1986. Honda's two auto plants in Alliston, Ontario, produce the popular Civic Coupe, Sedan and Si models along with the Acura CSX, ZDX and MDX. An adjacent engine plant produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines for Civic. Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada and each year it sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. Honda Canada has sold more than 3.4 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada.

U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for the nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 79 local affiliates, 16,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, the USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Honda Environmental Leadership

Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, including vehicles powered by advanced gasoline engines and natural gas-powered engines, as well as gasoline-electric hybrid, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicles. Honda's comprehensive portfolio of advanced environmental products includes Honda CIGS thin-film solar cells, now being installed in select Honda facilities in the U.S. and Japan, and a solar-powered hydrogen refueling station on its campus in Torrance, CA, intended for refueling of fuel cell electric vehicles such as the FCX Clarity.

Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept made its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, Calif., today, and introduced the styling direction for the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V. The 2012 CR-V is set to go on sale in the United States by the end of the year and will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

"The 2012 CR-V Concept strongly hints at the more dynamic and refined look of the upcoming model," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "As the best-selling SUV in each of the past four years, the 2012 CR-V promises to build on its highly successful formula with even more style, innovative features and higher fuel economy."

The CR-V Concept embraces a distinctive and bold styling direction for the top-selling SUV in the United States. Compared to the current-generation CR-V, the concept model takes on a more aggressive stance with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia. The front bumper's smooth-flowing lines are highlighted by a horizontal three-bar grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights. The lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability with a generous approach angle, while the lower front bumper design now integrates more smoothly with the fascia for improved aerodynamics.

The CR-V's signature vertical rear taillights remain for 2012 with a more three-dimensional style that wraps further into the design of the vehicle. The CR-V Concept's large 5-spoke machined alloy wheels and bold fender flares emphasize the vehicle's dynamic presence and capability.

The all-new 2012 CR-V will improve upon the current model in a variety of ways, and will feature a more fuel-efficient engine and reduced body weight. In addition to all-new exterior styling, the 2012 CR-V will have an all-new interior with a more accommodating and spacious design.

Currently in the fifth year of its model cycle, the CR-V continues to sell at a record pace. The 2011 CR-V was among the highest-ranked vehicles in its segment for initial quality in J.D. Power & Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS), where it finished second to the Honda Element in the compact SUV segment. The CR-V is sold globally in more than 160 countries throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In the U.S., CR-V is manufactured in Ohio at the East Liberty Auto Plant of Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., using domestic and globally sourced parts. The East Liberty Auto Plant earned a Silver Award for outstanding quality in the recently released J.D. Power 2011 Initial Quality Study. The 2012 CR-V Concept will be at the Orange County International Auto Show from September 22 to 25 in the Honda display.

Date: January 10, 2011
Source: Honda Press Release
Credibility Rating: Not Specified
01/10/2011 - DETROIT

The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan are making world debuts at the North American International Auto Show today, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring, the company announced.

"The Civic is known for providing a balance of 'just-right' packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet."

The 2012 Civic embraces the company's vision as a "Civic for all people," a phrase originally expressed in defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic lineup intends to meet the needs of an increasing group of compact-vehicle buyers with a renewed vision of a "Civic for all people." The diverse vehicle range includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Collectively the depth of the Civic line offers a compelling balance between fuel economy, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance unlike any other vehicle in the industry.

As a new interpretation of the current Civic's iconic "one-motion" mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of both Civic concept models showcases the sedan's and coupe's clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights.

The Civic Concept sedan takes on a sophisticated presence with a front grille defined by crisp lines and a solid bar that integrates a chrome Honda emblem. The look of the Civic Si Concept coupe conveys an aggressive demeanor with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roofline that flows smoothly into the trunk. The Civic Si Concept coupe is exclusively equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Each concept model has 19-inch machined alloy wheels.

Powertrain Technology

The Civic's family of engines with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®) technology become even more fuel efficient for 2012. The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid. Building on its emphasis on fuel-economy, most upcoming Civic models receive Honda Eco Assist™ technology, already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. The 2012 Civic is the first U.S. Honda model to employ Eco Assist technology in a gasoline-only powered vehicle. Eco Assist is just one example of how the new Civic can be customized and configured by the drivers to suit individual preferences.
Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model, which is the
only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in America. The increased availability of the
Civic GX helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience
while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources.
Safety
The 2012 Civic continues to emphasize safety and is anticipated to score well in both the federal
government's New Car Assessment Program1 (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety2
(IIHS) vehicle evaluations. The 2001 Honda Civic Coupe was one of the first two passenger cars ever
to earn the federal government's top 5-star crash safety rating3 for the driver and front- and rearseat
passengers in both frontal and side-impact crash tests.
All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment.
Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda's exclusive and innovative
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for frontal collision energy
management.
Accolades and Manufacturing
As a top-selling model for Honda, the current, eighth-generation Civic has sold more than 1.5 million
units since the 2006 model went on sale in late 2005. The 2006 Civic earned both the prestigious
Motor Trend "Car of the Year" and the North American Car of the Year awards.
The current-generation Civic continues to be a significant entry-point to the Honda brand for younger
buyers, introducing on average more than 90,000 new-car customers under the age of 35 to the
brand every year. More than 95 percent of all Civics sold in the U.S. as of calendar-year 2010 were
made4 in North America at manufacturing facilities in either Greensburg, Indiana or Alliston, Ontario in Canada.

2011 Honda Odyssey 

Tall Wagon Comparison: 2010 Toyota Venza vs. 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour vs. 2010 Nissan Murano 

REVIEWS: 

Tall Wagon Comparison: 2010 Toyota Venza vs. 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour vs. 2010 Nissan MuranoFor nearly two decades, the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, and the Nissan Altima have been slugging it out atop the mid-size car segment. After so many years of close combat, it's only natural that the feud has spilled over into a new arena -- tall wagons.

Nissan was to the first to explore this territory in 2003, when it essentially added a tall body and a lifted suspension to the Altima platform and christened it the Murano. It's been so successful over the past seven years that one has to wonder why it took so long for the other two big Japanese carmakers to follow suit. Well, they're here. The Murano, redesigned for 2009, now faces high-roofed versions of the Accord and Camry in the form of the Honda Accord Crosstour and the Toyota Venza.

Like their sedan progenitors, these three light crossovers match up very closely, each seating five people and powering the front or all four wheels with a 3.5-liter V-6 (the Venza can be also be fitted with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder). However, the vehicles do differ quite significantly in shape and purpose, ranging in character from traditional crossover (Murano) to luxurious large hatchback (Crosstour). We gathered well-equipped versions of each vehicle to see which mutant mid-sizer best fulfills the needs of this fledgling segment.