MotorTrend: Is Honda Returning to Its Sports Car Roots?

At a press conference in early February, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito shocked the world's media when he nonchalantly revealed plans to launch a detuned production version of the V8-powered HSV-010 race car. Of course, he was referring to a road-going variant of the NSX successor project, which was shelved several years ago.

As it turns out, the next NSX (which is expected to be powered by a 400-plus hp V-8) features heavily in the company's renewed plan to pump out as many as three sports cars over the next several years.

Just over six weeks ago, a killer earthquake and tsunami threatened to cancel this about-face from Honda, and rob us of some of the most exciting news to come out of Japan since the Nissan GT-R surfaced three years ago.

But a reliable source close to Honda tells us that while these plans have been postponed as the company sorts out its parts supply problems, they are not dead in the water. In the last few weeks, we have been hearing that Honda is working on a high performance coupe powered by a 3.5 liter V-6 plug-in hybrid, a concept that Ito himself briefly mentioned.

The rebirth of the Acura RSX, the car you see pictured here in an artist's representation, is also on the near-term agenda. According our sources, the next-gen RSX will inherit a version of the just-launched ninth-generation Civic Si's 201 hp, i-VTEC 2.4 liter gas engine with slick 6-speed manual and helical LSD. Fitted with specially tuned sports suspension, the new RSX will also employ an interior inspired by the current Civic Type R and an exterior in a sharp, wedge shape.

Further down the line, Honda is also said to be developing a "more reasonably priced" C-segment sports coupe. Driven by a strong request from North American Honda dealers, this coupe is being developed with that market in mind and will incorporate Accord hardware.

One other concept that we have covered before and awaits the results of Honda's so-called "R-evaluation executive session" is a successor to the Beat. The original Beat was an open-top two-door, mid-engined 660cc minicar that could rev to 8500 rpm, and the next generation promises to be a new interpretation of that concept with a 1.3 to 1.5 liter gas engine. If built, don't expect the Beat to come to the U.S. We have also heard rumors of a hotter CR-Z getting a 190 hp-plus 2.0 liter gas unit, but that's all we have at the moment, rumors.

Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2011/1105_is_honda_returning_to_its_sports_car_roots/index.html

Canadian Acura/Honda Sales in April 2011

Combined April sales of 12,269 units by the Honda and Acura divisions represented a 6% decrease over last year's sales.  The Honda Automobile Division reported April sales of 10,908 units, down 4% from last year. Honda's CR-V compact sport-utility vehicle had record April sales, up 10% from last year. The Acura Division reported April sales of 1,361 units, down 20% over last year.

"The new 2012 Civic just went on sale toward the end of April with strong market demand, which helped us achieve Civic sales of 5,224, in line with sales from last year," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc.

"Although Civic production has been significantly reduced due to a shortage of critical parts from Japan, we will be doing our best to meet the demand for the new Civic through the rest of the spring and summer months. With production issues that may affect availability of certain Honda and Acura products through the coming months, we sincerely apologize for any unfortunate delay our customers might encounter in taking delivery of their new car or truck, and we appreciate their understanding of this situation.  Our dealers will take every step to provide the best level of service while customers wait."

Honda Canada Inc. has sold more than 3.4 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada over the past 38 years.  More than 94% of the Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in April were produced at the company's assembly plants in North America, up from 93% the same month last year.

PR: American Honda/Acura April 2011 Sales

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted April sales of 124,799, an increase of 5.7 percent based on the daily selling rate compared to April 2010 results of 113,697, the company announced today. American Honda year-to-date sales of 432,777 represent an increase of 14.6 percent based on the daily selling rate.

Record-breaking April sales of the CR-V, Fit and Insight pushed April sales of the Honda Division monthly sales to 113,195, an increase of 5.9 percent versus April 2010. The CR-V crossover utility vehicle was up 25.3 percent for the month to an April record of 21,683. Sales of the sub-compact Fit increased by 66.3 percent to an April record of 8,116 and the Insight hybrid increased by 35.4 percent to an April record of 2,644 units. Sales of Honda cars increased 6.7 percent overall for the month to 67,536, with Accord and Civic selling 30,310 and 26,777, respectively, for April.

"Honda had another very strong month led by Accord, Civic and CR-V. In fact, sales of the versatile and refined Honda CR-V, America's best-selling SUV, broke records for the third consecutive month," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "While our current dealer supply of vehicles remains adequate, we know that production constraints may start to affect sales into the summer months. However, we are working closely with our dealers, and together we are committed to continue our focus to support the needs of our customers."

Acura Division April 2011 sales increased 4.2 percent to 11,604 compared to April 2010. The MDX luxury sport utility vehicle led the division with sales of 3,912, an increase of 1.4 percent over April 2010.