Production, Sales and Export Results in April, 2011

May 27, 2011 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic sales, and export results for the month of April 2011
Worldwide Production

Honda Voluntarily Recalls 2012 Civics for Fuel Leak Problem

Honda is voluntarily recalling 1,156 Civics from the 2012 model year in the U.S. due to a potential problem with its fuel feed line. Honda will replace the fuel feed line, which could potentially leak a small amount of fuel.

GM to Increase Volt Production

The Chevrolet Volt will be available to nationwide and in Europe, Canada and China by the end of 2011. In preparation, General Motors is increasing production of its ground-breaking green car.

GM says that it will begin by shutting down its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which currently produces the Volt, for four weeks in June to prepare for the production increase. “As a result of the plant upgrades, planned Volt and Ampera production capacity this year will increase to 16,000 units, including exports and a fleet of several hundred demonstration units sent to U.S. dealers,” the automaker states. “In 2012, global production capacity is expected to be 60,000 vehicles with an estimated 45,000 to be delivered in the United States.”

2005 Honda NSX-R GT

Specifications

2007-11 Toyota Tundra Recalled for Tire Pressure Sensors

If you bought a Toyota Tundra in the Southeast, your truck might be facing a recall for faulty tire pressure sensors. Motor Trend writes, “Toyota will recall 2007-2011 Tundras sold in the southeast because their tire-pressure monitoring systems may be faulty.”

The issue essentially involves the system’s failure to alert drivers when the tire pressure is low. NHTSA reports, “The TPMS on some vehicles may not have been properly calibrated and as a result the low tire pressure warning lamp may not illuminate should the inflation pressure in one or more of the vehicle's tires fall below the threshold for when the low tire pressure warning lamp should illuminate.”

Honda Expands Airbag Recall to 1.6 Million Vehicles

Honda announced that they’re expanding an existing recall for faulty airbag inflators in certain Honda and Acura vehicles. If your car or SUV is affected, the airbags could inflate with too much pressure. “This recall includes certain 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic, 2002 Odyssey; 2002 and 2003 CR-V, selected 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and 2003 Acura 3.2 CL vehicles,” states Honda in a press release. “To ensure that all 2,430 recalled airbag inflator service parts are replaced, the recall is being expanded to include approximately 833,000 vehicles that may require inspection.”

Cadillac Racing Waves Green Flag for 2011 Season

Final pre-season test of racecars completed this week in Sebring, Fla.
Teams set to compete this weekend in Streets of St. Petersburg
Event marks Cadillac’s first race since 2007

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Cadillac Racing finished a final round of track tests this week in Sebring, Fla., as a pair of CTS-V Coupe racecars prepare for their first weekend of competition March 25-27 at the Streets of St. Petersburg.

The event will mark Cadillac’s return to the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT series. Cadillac last competed in the series in 2007 with a racing version of the CTS-V Sedan. Cadillac Racing will compete twice on the Streets of St. Petersburg course: Saturday, March 26, at 11:50 a.m. and Sunday, March 27, at 4:30 p.m.

GM Electric Motors Plant is First for Major U.S. Automaker

WHITE MARSH, Md. – The General Motors electric motor plant near Baltimore will be the first by a major U.S. automaker dedicated to making the critical components for vehicle electrification when the plant opens in 2013.

With Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley on hand, GM broke ground Tuesday for the previously announced addition to the complex housing its two-mode hybrid and Heavy Duty transmission operations. The electric motor plant results from two investments totaling $269.5 million announced last year.

Chevrolet Impala Gets Power Boost for 2012

Compared to other affordable large cars, the Chevrolet Impala may be overdue for a redesign. Autoblog says, “The model has been on sale in its current configuration since 2006 and a full update isn't scheduled to land until 2014 at the earliest.” Still, that doesn’t mean that the Impala won’t see some powertrain updates for 2012.

TMC Launches 'Prius α'

Five and Seven Seat Models Aimed at Meeting Needs of Diverse Lifestyles

Toyota City, Japan, May 13, 2011—Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces the launch in Japan of the "Prius α"^*1 (Prius alpha).

Prius α S

The Prius α, derived from the third-generation "Prius" hybrid, offers outstanding fuel efficiency and environmental performance realized through cutting-edge advances fostered by continuous hybrid research, as well as a comfortable interior available allowing multiple seat arrangements. All this represents new possibilities for adapting hybrid vehicles to meet the needs of diverse lifestyles.

New Public Hydrogen Station Adds Convenience for FCX Clarity Customers Hydrogen refueling network expands in Southern California

TORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., May 10, 2011 - Southern California's network of hydrogen refueling stations continues to grow in Southern California with the opening today of the world's first station supplied by an existing hydrogen pipeline. The new Shell hydrogen station, which is conveniently located in Torrance, California, next to several major freeway corridors and near the Los Angeles International Airport, taps into an existing industrial hydrogen pipeline serving a nearby refinery. The station is also outfitted with multiple fuel dispensers, which allow for the simultaneous refueling of four vehicles in less than five minutes.

Honda Shortages likely due to Japan Quake

Japanese automakers are still recovering from the disaster that occurred in March, and for Honda, that means that production numbers will be down. “Overall automobile production volume will remain at significantly reduced levels as we continue to operate at adjusted levels of production through the summer months,” states Honda in a press release. “Honda's goal in North America is to normalize overall production sometime around the end of the year.”

Toyota's Profit Down 77 Percent

Japanese automakers have had a tough time recovering from the disaster in Japan, and Toyota is no exception. The New York Times reports, “Toyota, whose operations have been severely disrupted since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, said Wednesday that its quarterly profit fell 77 percent but that it expects production to begin recovering up to two months sooner than previously forecast.”

NHTSA Expands Investigation into Ford F-150

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded its investigation of the fuel tanks in Ford F-150 models to include more than 2.7 million vehicles. According to the NHTSA’s report, “The straps that support the fuel tank can rust and break, possibly dropping the tank and causing a fuel leak.

2011 World Car of the Year

HAVOC

Tata Motors starts sending Nano to overseas markets

10 May, 2011

Tata Motors has started sending its small car Nano to overseas markets, with shipment of 498 units in April this year and a formal announcement of starting exports of the ‘people’s car’ is expected soon.

According to figures released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Monday, Tata Motors exported 498 units last month as compared to just a single unit in the corresponding month last year.

Hino's Medium Duty Truck Named ATD Truck of the Year in U.S

On April 17^th, 2011 (local U.S. time), Hino's medium duty truck, which was designed exclusively for the North American market, was named ATD Medium Duty Commercial Truck of the Year (*1) for the second consecutive year.

The award winning model is the 2012MY HINO 338, which is part of the HINO 600 series. The HINO 338 is the only conventional medium duty truck equipped with engines that are in compliance with stringent EPA 2010 emission standards without the use of credits (*2). In addition to fuel efficiency excellence, it also offers durability and a safe and comfortable operating environment.

LAND ROVER TAKES ON THE WORLD OF FILM WITH THE LAUNCH OF 'BEING HENRY'

May 05, 2011

Today Land Rover will push the boundaries of its traditional customer communication with the latest offering from its Range Rover Evoque Pulse of the City project; an interactive Hollywood inspired film about choices.

Filmed in Los Angeles and unprecedented in scope and creativity, 'Being Henry' is a fun, interactive and engaging film that brings to life the unparalleled variety of options available with the Range Rover Evoque.

At Auto Shanghai 2011, the exhibition stand of Great Wall Motors becomes the hot focus of the media

At present, the 14th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2011) is under the way. Themed of “Innovation for Tomorrow” and with 1,100 exhibition vehicles including 75 world premiere vehicles, Auto Shanghai 2011 is one of the world largest and most influential auto shows this year.

As the representative of China’s independent brands, Great Wall Motors is undoubtedly the attraction focus of the media. At 9:30 a.m., April 19th, the Auto Shanghai 2011 press conference of Great Wall Motors was held on schedule.

Hyundai to Enter China’s Commercial Vehicle Market

- Hyundai establishes a 50-50 joint venture, Sichuan Hyundai Motor Company

- Joint venture aims to produce 160,000 buses and trucks a year by 2013

Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, today signed an agreement to establish a joint venture company with China’s Sichuan Nanjun Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (Nanjun Auto) to enter the world’s biggest commercial vehicle market.

Hyundai Motor Reports April Global Sales

April 2011 Results

Unit = one vehicle

1. Commercial Vehicles (CV) include buses & trucks.

2. Hyundai Motor currently has 6 overseas plants in China, India, Turkey, U.S., the Czech Republic and Russia.

※Excludes CKD (Complete Knock Down) unit sales.

Summary of Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal 4th Quarter and the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2011

Summary of Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal 4th Quarter and the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2011

TOKYO, Japan, April 28, 2011 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

Consolidated Financial Summary:

Despite the impacts of the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011 and the unfavorable currency effects due to appreciation of the Japanese yen, consolidated operating income for the fiscal fourth quarter (January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011) was 46.2 billion yen primarily due to the expansion of motorcycle and automobile businesses in emerging markets and the contribution of financial business in North America.