We're still innovative, says Honda
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We're still innovative, says Honda
HONDA president and CEO Takeo Fukui denies suggestions the Japanese car-maker has lost its status as an innovator and technological pacesetter.
Speaking exclusively to GoAuto at the recent Frankfurt motor show, Mr Fukui said: "You can see innovation everywhere," pointing simultaneously to Honda’s Asimo humanoid robot performing on stage. "The Accord (Euro) and hybrid Civic also show that we are innovators."
Mr Fukui confirmed replacements for the flagship NSX sports car and Legend luxury sedan were in the pipeline. Asked when they were likely to surface, he would only volunteer: "You can expect them soon."
Next year? "Maybe."
Mr Fukui, who took over the helm in June this year, said Honda faced several challenges in the European and Japanese markets.
Although he would not elaborate on these, part of Honda’s problems no doubt stem from the emergence of a rejuvenated Nissan and Mazda. Both these companies have ditched their former tendencies to churn out "whitegoods on wheels" in favour of dynamic, youthful designs.
The dynamically accomplished and sharply styled Accord Euro is the first sign that Honda plans to respond in kind.
Another area where Honda has been losing out is in its lack of in-house diesel expertise. But the company has taken a big step towards redressing this, unveiling a high-tech diesel-powered Accord at the Frankfurt motor show. Apart from being the first diesel designed by Honda, the newcomer is significant in that it is the first oil-burner with an all-alloy construction.
"Honda is now able to provide its customers in Europe with the widest possible engine type – petrol, diesel and petrol-electric hybrid," Mr Fukui said.
Honda is at the forefront of hybrid technology but Mr Fukui said it would be some years before petrol-electric engine configurations would become mainstream. Currently, the vehicles are primarily sold to government departments and fleets.
As for fuel cell-powered vehicles, Mr Fukui said it would be "20 years or more" before the technology would become widespread.
"We still have a lot of technical issues to solve," he said.
Honda is the only manufacturer in the world to have a fuel cell vehicle on sale that is fully certified to US regulations for impact safety and emissions, as well as fuel consumption. A handful of FCX fuel cell vehicles is currently on lease to government bodies in the US and Japan.
Mr Fukui said Honda was also focusing much of its energies on other business areas besides vehicles.
"The mission of Honda, as a company, is to harness the potential of advanced technology to improve the lives of our customers," he said.
"To fulfil this vision, we have not limited ourselves only to the mobility concepts of today – automobiles, motorcycles and power products. We continue to dream.
"I see my role as providing the freedom to dream and will to challenge as a motivating force for Honda associates throughout the world.
"The future market potential of ASIMO robot is huge. Everybody would like to have one in the future ... as a gardener, or to perform other tasks. It could be 10 or 20 years before this happens."
Asimo is the first robot that can descend stairs and it entertained Frankfurt show-goers by performing a remarkably human-like hula dance.
Source: goauto.com
Speaking exclusively to GoAuto at the recent Frankfurt motor show, Mr Fukui said: "You can see innovation everywhere," pointing simultaneously to Honda’s Asimo humanoid robot performing on stage. "The Accord (Euro) and hybrid Civic also show that we are innovators."
Mr Fukui confirmed replacements for the flagship NSX sports car and Legend luxury sedan were in the pipeline. Asked when they were likely to surface, he would only volunteer: "You can expect them soon."
Next year? "Maybe."
Mr Fukui, who took over the helm in June this year, said Honda faced several challenges in the European and Japanese markets.
Although he would not elaborate on these, part of Honda’s problems no doubt stem from the emergence of a rejuvenated Nissan and Mazda. Both these companies have ditched their former tendencies to churn out "whitegoods on wheels" in favour of dynamic, youthful designs.
The dynamically accomplished and sharply styled Accord Euro is the first sign that Honda plans to respond in kind.
Another area where Honda has been losing out is in its lack of in-house diesel expertise. But the company has taken a big step towards redressing this, unveiling a high-tech diesel-powered Accord at the Frankfurt motor show. Apart from being the first diesel designed by Honda, the newcomer is significant in that it is the first oil-burner with an all-alloy construction.
"Honda is now able to provide its customers in Europe with the widest possible engine type – petrol, diesel and petrol-electric hybrid," Mr Fukui said.
Honda is at the forefront of hybrid technology but Mr Fukui said it would be some years before petrol-electric engine configurations would become mainstream. Currently, the vehicles are primarily sold to government departments and fleets.
As for fuel cell-powered vehicles, Mr Fukui said it would be "20 years or more" before the technology would become widespread.
"We still have a lot of technical issues to solve," he said.
Honda is the only manufacturer in the world to have a fuel cell vehicle on sale that is fully certified to US regulations for impact safety and emissions, as well as fuel consumption. A handful of FCX fuel cell vehicles is currently on lease to government bodies in the US and Japan.
Mr Fukui said Honda was also focusing much of its energies on other business areas besides vehicles.
"The mission of Honda, as a company, is to harness the potential of advanced technology to improve the lives of our customers," he said.
"To fulfil this vision, we have not limited ourselves only to the mobility concepts of today – automobiles, motorcycles and power products. We continue to dream.
"I see my role as providing the freedom to dream and will to challenge as a motivating force for Honda associates throughout the world.
"The future market potential of ASIMO robot is huge. Everybody would like to have one in the future ... as a gardener, or to perform other tasks. It could be 10 or 20 years before this happens."
Asimo is the first robot that can descend stairs and it entertained Frankfurt show-goers by performing a remarkably human-like hula dance.
Source: goauto.com
Apathy Kills
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 60,714
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From: The Left Lane
The redesigned TL should help nicely IMO. I judt long for the days of the Legend, Vigor and Integra names. :wtc:
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