Honda Announces Element Pricing/For-Sale Date
HC Racer H5
Joined: May 2000
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From: KCK
Honda starts production on new light-duty truck
http://www.auto.com/industry/honda27_20021127.htm
Young adults are target of the unique Element
November 27, 2002
BY JAMES HANNAH
ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST LIBERTY, Ohio -- Honda of America Motor Co. began mass production of the Element on Tuesday, hoping the light-duty truck that looks like an SUV will appeal to young surfers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The first Element, a silver one, rolled off the production line at the plant in this western Ohio village early Tuesday evening.
The company is awaiting car buyers' reception of the vehicle, which will go on sale Dec. 19.
"We've never built anything like this," said Rick Wilgus, an assistant vice president. "It's all new for us."
The Element is shaped like an SUV, with an enclosed rear area. But the hard plastic floor inside is like the bed of a pickup truck. The vehicle has removable seats and is designed to make loading and unloading through the side doors easy. It has both a hatchback and a tailgate.
David Cole, director of Altarum's Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, expects the vehicle to be directed at young adults who may not be able to afford more expensive sport-utility vehicles.
"It might be attractive to young people," Cole said. "It's kind of quirky, funky, but very practical. It's very creative, very functional and very inexpensive."
A 160-horsepower, four-cylinder engine used in the Honda Accord powers the Element. It has optional four-wheel drive, seats four passengers, gets up to 26 miles per gallon on its automatic-transmission models and has a base price of $16,100.
Cole said the only similar vehicle is the Pontiac Aztek, a big-bumpered, 185-horsepower SUV that sells for $20,500 to $23,500.
Ron Pinelli, president of New Jersey-based Autodata Corp., which tracks vehicle sales, likes the look of the Element.
"I think they're going to be very successful," he said. "I think it will hit the target market."
Pinelli said the Element may strike a chord with young people or with middle-age people who think young.
"The Element has a fresh look to it," he said. "I think it's either something you love or hate. It could take on a cult-like following because it is unique."
Young adults are target of the unique Element
November 27, 2002
BY JAMES HANNAH
ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST LIBERTY, Ohio -- Honda of America Motor Co. began mass production of the Element on Tuesday, hoping the light-duty truck that looks like an SUV will appeal to young surfers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The first Element, a silver one, rolled off the production line at the plant in this western Ohio village early Tuesday evening.
The company is awaiting car buyers' reception of the vehicle, which will go on sale Dec. 19.
"We've never built anything like this," said Rick Wilgus, an assistant vice president. "It's all new for us."
The Element is shaped like an SUV, with an enclosed rear area. But the hard plastic floor inside is like the bed of a pickup truck. The vehicle has removable seats and is designed to make loading and unloading through the side doors easy. It has both a hatchback and a tailgate.
David Cole, director of Altarum's Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, expects the vehicle to be directed at young adults who may not be able to afford more expensive sport-utility vehicles.
"It might be attractive to young people," Cole said. "It's kind of quirky, funky, but very practical. It's very creative, very functional and very inexpensive."
A 160-horsepower, four-cylinder engine used in the Honda Accord powers the Element. It has optional four-wheel drive, seats four passengers, gets up to 26 miles per gallon on its automatic-transmission models and has a base price of $16,100.
Cole said the only similar vehicle is the Pontiac Aztek, a big-bumpered, 185-horsepower SUV that sells for $20,500 to $23,500.
Ron Pinelli, president of New Jersey-based Autodata Corp., which tracks vehicle sales, likes the look of the Element.
"I think they're going to be very successful," he said. "I think it will hit the target market."
Pinelli said the Element may strike a chord with young people or with middle-age people who think young.
"The Element has a fresh look to it," he said. "I think it's either something you love or hate. It could take on a cult-like following because it is unique."
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Pittsburgh
Those photoshops are SWEET...........I know if something like those red ones pulled up in our school parking lot........the kids would flock to it.....they'd eat it up. The more I think about it, I can definitely see this thing taking off.
Senior Member
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From: Southern NH
Honda Announces For-Sale Date
"Honda of America Motor Co. began mass production of the Element on Tuesday, hoping the light-duty truck that looks like an SUV will appeal to young surfers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The first Element, a silver one, rolled off the production line at the plant in this western Ohio village early Tuesday evening.
The company is awaiting car buyers' reception of the vehicle, which will go on sale Dec. 19."
"Honda of America Motor Co. began mass production of the Element on Tuesday, hoping the light-duty truck that looks like an SUV will appeal to young surfers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The first Element, a silver one, rolled off the production line at the plant in this western Ohio village early Tuesday evening.
The company is awaiting car buyers' reception of the vehicle, which will go on sale Dec. 19."
HC Racer H5
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,261
Likes: 0
From: KCK
Panel-Side Element Concept Vehicle, 'Studio E', Set for NAIAS
Loud and street smart, Studio E concept extends the Element platform into the urban lifestyle
Detroit, MI 12/12/2002 -- The Honda Studio E concept vehicle, a panel-side version of the all-new Honda Element, is set to debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 6, 2003. Studio E merges a style of nightlife transportation with a high-tech, multi-function platform that can lay tracks - both rubber and audio.
Derived from the Element platform that maximizes versatility for sports equipment, people and the outdoors, Studio E applies this versatility toward an urban crowd for nightlife and music. Studio E's interior operates much like a band's backstage room with adaptable seating that can be configured into a lounge. Additional features include a DJ turntable and extensive on-board audio electronics capable of mixing music or showing videos. The paneled exterior styling features a passenger-side center-opening side cargo door. Aggressive engine tuning, high-performance suspension and a lowered body underscore the city performance edge to Studio E.
Additional information will be released at Studio E's debut during the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
HC Racer H5
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,261
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From: KCK
Element Finalist for Truck of the Year
North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced
Friday December 13, 11:51 am ET
DETROIT, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- An international group of automotive journalists has selected the Mini Cooper, the Infiniti G35 and the Nissan 350Z as finalists for the 2003 North American Car of the Year while the Honda Element, HUMMER H2, Nissan Murano and Volvo XC90 are finalists for the 2003 North American Truck of the Year.
The awards are unique because instead of being given by a single publication, radio or television program, they are given by 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada representing newspapers, magazines and the electronic media.
The finalists for the independent awards, which honor the most significant car and truck of the year, were announced at a pre-auto show press conference Friday, Dec. 13 in Detroit.
At the news conference Richard Gabrys, the vice chairman of the accounting and consulting firm of Deloitte & Touche, handed over sealed envelopes containing the names of the finalists to Michelle Krebs, an automotive journalist and member of the organizing committee for the awards.
While Mr. Gabrys released the names of the vehicles receiving the most points, only Mr. Gabrys knows the winners.
The winners will be announced at a press conference at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall in Detroit. While the awards are announced at the international show, the show is not otherwise involved.
The jury of journalists voted on Dec. 9th, sending their ballots directly to Deloitte. Normally, there are three finalists in each category. However, this year two of the truck nominees tied, resulting in four truck finalists, said Mr. Gabrys. It is the first time there has been a tie.
The jury comprises a wide range of professional journalists across North America who report about cars and the auto industry, and who created their own organization to independently determine the best new products automakers offer each year.
Established in 1994, the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards honor vehicles that set new standards or become new benchmarks in their class.
Each vehicle is judged on items including: general design; safety; fuel economy; handling and general roadworthiness; performance; comfort; assembly quality; functionality; technical innovation; driver satisfaction; and price. Jurors also consider value for the dollar and affordability so that the awards are meaningful to the largest possible number of consumers.
To be eligible a vehicle must be "substantially new." While several dozen vehicles were technically eligible for each award in the fall, the jury selected 12 car nominees and 13 truck nominees that were considered to be significant enough for the final vote.
The North American Car of the Year nominees were: BMW 7 Series; Honda Accord; Honda Civic Hybrid; Infiniti G35; Mazda 6; Mercedes-Benz E-Class; Mini Cooper, Cooper S; Nissan 350Z; Pontiac Vibe; Saab 9-3; Saturn Ion; and Toyota Matrix.
The North American Truck of the Year nominees were: Ford Expedition; Honda Element; Honda Pilot; HUMMER H2; Kia Sorento; Land Rover Range Rover; Lexus GX470; Lincoln Aviator; Mitsubishi Outlander; Nissan Murano; Subaru Baja; Toyota 4Runner; and Volvo XC90.
Last year's winners were the Nissan Altima and the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
Friday December 13, 11:51 am ET
DETROIT, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- An international group of automotive journalists has selected the Mini Cooper, the Infiniti G35 and the Nissan 350Z as finalists for the 2003 North American Car of the Year while the Honda Element, HUMMER H2, Nissan Murano and Volvo XC90 are finalists for the 2003 North American Truck of the Year.
The awards are unique because instead of being given by a single publication, radio or television program, they are given by 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada representing newspapers, magazines and the electronic media.
The finalists for the independent awards, which honor the most significant car and truck of the year, were announced at a pre-auto show press conference Friday, Dec. 13 in Detroit.
At the news conference Richard Gabrys, the vice chairman of the accounting and consulting firm of Deloitte & Touche, handed over sealed envelopes containing the names of the finalists to Michelle Krebs, an automotive journalist and member of the organizing committee for the awards.
While Mr. Gabrys released the names of the vehicles receiving the most points, only Mr. Gabrys knows the winners.
The winners will be announced at a press conference at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall in Detroit. While the awards are announced at the international show, the show is not otherwise involved.
The jury of journalists voted on Dec. 9th, sending their ballots directly to Deloitte. Normally, there are three finalists in each category. However, this year two of the truck nominees tied, resulting in four truck finalists, said Mr. Gabrys. It is the first time there has been a tie.
The jury comprises a wide range of professional journalists across North America who report about cars and the auto industry, and who created their own organization to independently determine the best new products automakers offer each year.
Established in 1994, the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards honor vehicles that set new standards or become new benchmarks in their class.
Each vehicle is judged on items including: general design; safety; fuel economy; handling and general roadworthiness; performance; comfort; assembly quality; functionality; technical innovation; driver satisfaction; and price. Jurors also consider value for the dollar and affordability so that the awards are meaningful to the largest possible number of consumers.
To be eligible a vehicle must be "substantially new." While several dozen vehicles were technically eligible for each award in the fall, the jury selected 12 car nominees and 13 truck nominees that were considered to be significant enough for the final vote.
The North American Car of the Year nominees were: BMW 7 Series; Honda Accord; Honda Civic Hybrid; Infiniti G35; Mazda 6; Mercedes-Benz E-Class; Mini Cooper, Cooper S; Nissan 350Z; Pontiac Vibe; Saab 9-3; Saturn Ion; and Toyota Matrix.
The North American Truck of the Year nominees were: Ford Expedition; Honda Element; Honda Pilot; HUMMER H2; Kia Sorento; Land Rover Range Rover; Lexus GX470; Lincoln Aviator; Mitsubishi Outlander; Nissan Murano; Subaru Baja; Toyota 4Runner; and Volvo XC90.
Last year's winners were the Nissan Altima and the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
