Asimo Gadget worth installing?

Who is Asimo any ways? Here is an excerpt from wikipedia on Asimo.

-ASIMO (アシモ ashimo?) is a humanoid robot created by Honda. Standing at 130 centimeters (4 feet 3 inches) and weighing 54 kilograms (114 pounds), the robot resembles a small astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or run on two feet at speeds up to 6 km/h (4.3 mph), matching EMIEW.[1] ASIMO was created at Honda's Research & Development Wako Fundamental Technical Research Center in Japan. It is the current model in a line of twelve that began in 1986 with E0.
The name is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility". Honda states[2] that the robot's name is not a reference to science fiction writer and inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, Isaac Asimov[2]

I had no idea 100 of them existed!! I always thought 1 maybe 2.
As of February 2009, there are over 100 ASIMO units in existence.[3] Each costs under $1 million (¥106,710,325, €638,186, £504,720) to manufacture.
Close to 100 million dollars in Honda Robots.. So I guess now we can call Honda a robot manufacture too.


Honda has released an Asimo widget for computers.  Now you can have the little dude running around on your computer doing silly little things.  The technology behind ASIMO is awesome but personally I installed it for about 1 hour and proceeded to remove it afterwards. LOL Honda is awesome at making engines and things around engines but their pens and now widgets seemed to be below my expectations..

Here is a link if you are interested in installing the widget and having ASIMO on your desktop.

http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/widget/index.html

How about those Honda numbers?

If you are the type that likes to know how many cars were sold, how much money a company makes in a year, whether a company is in good financial condition, you will be happy to know the Honda 2009 fiscal year #'s are in.  They look solid but you can really see how the US is hurting and how the rest of the world is doing great.. Something we know too well. Here are the main #'s

(million units)	4th quarter ended Mar. 31, 2009	4th quarter ended Mar. 31, 2010	Difference (% change)	Major factors of increase/decrease
Motorcycles	2.002	2.602	(+30.0)	Increased sales mainly in Asia
Automobiles	0.680	0.874	(+28.5)	Increased sales in North America, Asia and Japan
Power Products(*2)	1.531	1.631	(+6.5)	Increased sales mainly in Asia and the Other region

Yen (billions)	4th quarter ended Mar. 31, 2009(*1)	4th quarter ended Mar. 31, 2010	Difference (% change)
Net sales and other operating revenue	1,783.8	2,279.5	+495.6 (+27.8)
Operating income (loss)	(272.1)	96.0	+368.2
Income (loss) before income taxes	(298.7)	93.5	+392.2
Equity in income of affiliates	2.7	23.8	+21.1 (+766.0)
Net income (loss) attributable to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.	(179.9)	72.1	+252.1

Exchange rate:	Honda's average rates for this fiscal 4th quarter: JPY 91=USD 1 / JPY 125=Euro 1
	Honda's average rates for fiscal 4th quarter of the previous year: JPY 94=USD 1 / JPY 121=Euro 1

Click here for a direct link

www.sanddollarhonda.com

U3-X from Honda. Will it be in your future?

Honda is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year.

So now as Honda moves into jets they have a new little project that I find quirky.  This little gadget here is called U3-X.. Weighing roughly 22 pounds, U3-X uses an advanced Honda proprietary balance-control system which derives from its research into human walking dynamics for the development of the ASIMO bi-pedal humanoid robot. To realize full freedom of movement in all directions, the U3-X also employs the world's first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System) which utilizes a series of concentrically mounted wheels - a larger, forward and backward moving inner wheel and a series of smaller sideways moving outer wheels. Diagonal motion is achieved when both forward and sideways moving wheels operate in tandem. I will say that I wouldn't mind trying one out and riding it around the office for a bit, or seeing if any one falls off, but I do feel it looks very silly and brings back memories of WALL-E.  In WALL-E no one would walk around and they had these chairs driving them around everywhere while being very unfit. U3-X seems to keep those people who don't want to walk from walking.

Now I'm a big fan of Honda and Honda blood runs through me but I need to see a better use of this technology then someone riding around in what seems to be a very unstable stool.  Come on Honda build a high powered rollerblade system that take us up to 50 miles an hour easily or something very mobile. Input your hybrid technology on a skateboard and let it take us 50 miles on one charge.   Now I would be more inclined to use this technology and I feel it would be more practical as you could really get somewhere faster with less hardware.

Would you want high powered Honda Rollerblades, Hybrid Skateboard, or a U3-X?

Ever P.
Sand Dollar Honda
www.sanddollarhonda.com

see all the pictures of the U3-X release here.
http://world.honda.com/news/2010/c100406U3-X-Prototype-New-York/photo/index.html

The HSV - 010 takes home 1st place with second try in the Super GT 500

A few months Honda announced the HSV -010 which represented what might have been for the HONDA NSX.. Well in the first race they had a little fender bender.. Second time was the charm as the Honda HSV-010 took home 1st place.. Two races down, two podium finishes.

here is the race report from http://supergt.net/news/index_en.htm

Here is a link to the original blog post of the HSV-010 release.

http://sanddollarhonda.blogspot.com/2010/01/honda-hsv-010-competing-for-gt500.html

 

The race began at 14:00 on a balmy spring day under clear skies. The strong winds of the day before had also abetted, making for perfect race conditions.
Loic Duval was at the wheel of pole-winning No. 18 Weider HSV-010. He got a good start and began to pull away from the pack with no difficulty. By the second lap, he already had more than a 1-second lead over the No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 (Yuji Tachikawa) running in 2nd place. As No. 18 began to lap the back of the GT300 field, that gap lessened somewhat, but not enough for No. 38 to get within striking distance before No. 18 made its pit stop. All four tires were changed and the pit stop took 38 seconds. It was more than the competitors but not too long to prevent the second stint driver, Takashi Kogure, to return to the race still in the lead.
Even through the second half of his stint, Kogure continued to punch out lap times in the 1 min. 27 sec. range. His margin over 2nd place grew to more than 10 seconds. As the 2nd- and 3rd-place machines became involved in an increasingly intense battle of their own, Kogure was able to maintain a safe margin of lead.
Kogure's pace didn't slow over the final stages of the race, and at the finish he had an 11-second lead over 2nd place. The No. 18 Weider HSV-010 has now won its first victory of the season.
Despite having won pole position in the opening round of the season, the No. 18 Weider HSV-010 team was unable to win the debut race of the new Honda HSV-010 GT. But this time, the team brought Honda a perfect win without ever giving up the lead from pole to finish.
For car No. 18 and Takashi Kogure this is the first win since round 5 of the 2008 season at SUGO. For Loic Duval, it is his first win since round 9 of the 2007 season at Fuji Speedway. 

No.38 ZENT CERUMO SC430The battle for 2nd place developed when the pit stop for car No. 38 (changing drivers from Tachikawa to Richard Lyons) took 37 seconds and allowed the No. 1 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 to move ahead into 2nd place. Driving car No. 1, Andre Lotterer had worked his way up from 8th position on the grid to 4th place. By limiting the tire change to the two rear tires, the team was able to gain another 30 seconds in its pit stop. But, with three laps remaining in the race, Wakisaka in car No. 1 got caught behind a GT300 class machine he was lapping, and Lyons in car No. 38 took advantage of that moment to pass him. From there, Lyons held on to finish the race 2nd.

No.1 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430Before the finish, Wakisaka in No. 1 was also chased by the No. 12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R (Ronnie Quintarelli/Tsugio Matsuda) but was able to hold his position and finish 3rd. This made the No. 1 PETRONAS TOM'S SC430 the third team on the podium.
Having just missed a podium finish, the No. 12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R became the top GT-R finisher, in 4th. The No. 23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R Satoshi (Motoyama/Benoit Treluyer) had to retire from the race after a collision with another car on lap 16. Unable to keep a fast pace, the No. 24 HIS ADVAN KONDO GT-R (Joao Paulo Lima de Oliveira/Hironobu Yasuda) could finish no better than 12th.

Sand Dollar Honda

New Pictures of The CR-Z, EV-N, and 3R-C

Honda Released some new pictures.. The car is looking better and better. The EV-N I think would be such a cool car to have available..It is Honda back to the basics of building small fun vehicles.. It would be a big seller if it was built and got 40-50 miles per gallon.  Check them out at 


http://world.honda.com/news/2010/4100302Geneva-Motor-Show/photo/pages/01.html
Thanks.
Ever P.
Sand Dollar Honda in Galveston

3R-C What is it? What does it do?

Looking at the picture my first question was " What inthe world is it. The next generation lawnmower. By the way I would so cut my lawn if the lawn mowers looked like this.  After closer inspection I realized it is the Honda moon rover!! Ok just kidding its a concept batter operated urban human motorcycle protected from impacts by the cross engineered design. What a mouthful!! Looks cool.. Here is what Honda is saying about it.

What do you think?? Should they build it??

The revolutionary Honda 3R-C concept will make its world debut in Geneva, alongside the EV-N concept which makes its European debut at the show.

Honda 3R-C Concept
Both the three-wheeled 3R-C concept, which envisions a single occupant vehicle for zero emission commuting, and the EV-N urban concept, draw on Honda's vast working knowledge of vehicles utilizing electric motors.

3R-C
This revolutionary three wheeled battery electric vehicle concept shows what a future minimal urban transport vehicle for one person might look like. The battery electric drivetrain is mounted low in the three wheeled chassis, therefore keeping the centre of gravity low and thus improving stability.

The 3R-C has a clear canopy that covers the driver's seat while it is parked and not in use. When 3R-C vehicle is in motion, the canopy becomes an enveloping wind-shield that provides the pilot, who sits low in the vehicle, with significant protection from the bodywork and doors.

The high sides of the safety shell seat give greater safety to the occupant, reducing the threat from side impacts and improving weather protection. In front of the driver is a lockable boot area, which gives significant secure storage for luggage or other items. The 3R-C's designers created a flexible cover that surrounds the upper torso to reduce exposure to bad weather and improving comfort.

The 3R-C study was created by European designers working at Honda's Research and Design facility in Milan.

EV-N
The EV-N concept, which has only previously been shown at the Tokyo Motor Show will make its European debut in Geneva.
The EV-N is a battery electric vehicle study, which evokes the spirit of the diminutive 1967 N360 city car. Honda designers have incorporated Honda's own solar panels in to the roof of the concept, to charge the car while it is parked. Two of Honda's U3-X, electric personal mobility devices are attached to the inside of each door. The two-door EV-N concept is envisioned with a Lithium ion battery pack, and small electric motor for predominantly urban use.

FCX Clarity
The two concept vehicles will be displayed alongside Honda's production fuel cell electric vehicle, the FCX Clarity. The World Green Car winner is being leased by customers in Japan and the US, who are experiencing the range, performance and practicality of this unique zero-emission vehicle. Two of the bespoke hydrogen fuelled vehicles are now permanently stationed in Europe for long-term research purposes. Alongside research work, the pair of FCX Claritys are being demonstrated at events like the COP 15 climate summit in Copenhagen, and the Berlin Climate Conference. The FCX Clarity shows Honda's continuing commitment to fuel cell electric vehicles as the ultimate zero harmful emission mobility technology.

Is it time to order your $3,650,000.00 Honda yet?

Watching Howie Long bring out a lawn mower during the Chevrolet commercial is supposed to have a certain effect.. He states that Honda does make one thing that they can't compete with. That's funny because I can think of a bunch of things Honda produces that GM can't compete with. Honda, being the #1 Engine Manufacture in the world, makes an array of things from robots, to lawn mowers, to bikes, to walking devices and so on. But those are nothing compared to this beauty they are building. So if you have an extra 3.65 million lying around it might be time for you to put in your order for the Honda Jet.



The Honda Jet is due to start delivering in 2011 and the facility that will build the plane is under construction. The big deal with the jet is that the engine is mounted on top of the wing which is expected to generate a plane that is 30-35 % more fuel efficient compared to other planes its size. Of course I have not owned a plane in the past so I asked someone who has, "How much is fuel for a plane and how much is 30-35% savings?" His answer was, "A LOT." I guess that will do.

Here are some specs if you are interested : -) or curious like myself.. Maybe in the future for me or you, you never know.
General characteristics



Crew: 1-2 crew members[6]


Capacity: 5 passengers


Length: 41.70 ft (12.71 m)


Wingspan: 39.87 ft (12.15 m)


Height: 13.21 ft (4.03 m)


Useful load: 644lbs ()


Max takeoff weight: 4,173 kg (9,200 lb)


Powerplant: 2× GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines, 1,880lbf each (Bypass Ratio= 2.9) (8.04kN) each


Performance

Maximum speed: 420 KTAS (778 kmh, 483 mph)


Cruise speed: 420 KTAS (FL300[6])


Range: 1400 nm (1611 mi, 2,593 km) (VFR Range)


Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,107 m)


Rate of climb: 3990 ft/min (20.27 m/s)


Avionics


Garmin G1000 glass cockpit

Visit http://www.hondajet.honda.com/ for more info.

Honda overtakes Toyota as the #1 Brand in the Usa

According to Truecar.com Honda has surpassed Toyota as the Top brand in the US.  Go Honda.. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/02/20/honda_market.ART_ART_02-20-10_A6_INGL284.html?sid=101

Recall seems to be the word in the auto industry right now.

In 2000 6,500,0000 Ford were recalled for having 15 inch Firestone tires.. The CEO removed himself from office and Ford lost a big number of it's market share for the next 10 years. Now Ford is gaining market share with Honda and Hyundai as GM and Chrysler Fade in to the distance.

Toyota who impart took much of that Ford Market share druing the last decade now all of sudden finds itself in the same situation.  The question that interested me was how much bigger is this? It seems to be bigger then Fords debacle but yet the numbers seem to be less as Toyota is several million and adding while Ford's was 6.5 million which is a huge #..

The million dollar question for the next ten years is how much will Toyota fall and how much can we pick up at Honda?  I personally hope it is a ton for the next 10 years.. Go Honda.

The focus is on Quality not competition.

Hojo says Honda will be ratcheting up incentive programs in the United States to reduce inventory, but will not target them specifically at Toyota owners.  


One of the things that I have always admired about Honda is how they stick to the plan.. Many years ago North American Honda was crying for a FULL Size Pickup.  Honda would not commit to one and did not build one.  They didn't feel that a full size pickup is what Honda buyers wanted, and they were right.. During the next few years the full size pick up market took such a big hit that it would not have mattered how great the truck would have been, it would have been a very bad investment for the company.. As others were trying to recover from their blunder Honda was building a better Accord, Civic, and Pilot.  These vehicles are fantastic and simply the best in their category.  


Today with Toyota suffering an image problem Honda focus is on Honda and not what is going on with Toyota.  They are not interested in kicking that dog while it's down and I feel they want to focus on getting new Honda's to Customers at the highest quality... As GM, Ford, Chrysler release silly incentives to attract Toyota buyers Honda focuses on loyalty and brand.. What more can you ask for in a company when they focus more on brand then the quick easy sell? 


Do you think Honda is doing the right thing or should they be kicking that dog also? 

Living With Robots

Living With Robots is part of Honda's Dream the impossible series. I enjoyed the presentation and how it informs the public of very common uses of robots that are occurring in every day society.  If you have not seen the entire series and you like documentaries this series is for you.  Although Honda has commentaries that try to ease the way people would feel about robots, it made me actually question it more.  In the documentary they speak of creating an autonomous robot.  So what exactly is autonomous? Here is the definition below.

Autonomous: existing or capable of existing independently or having the right or power of self-government.

I find this scary in its own way.. Creating something that is self governing or of existing independently seems a little risky and exciting in my eyes. The quote by a commentator below made me think of the human population.. Although capable of the greatest of kindness, humans are also capable of the greatest of cruelties. 

Mark Rowlands Quote "It's kinda like a mirror we hold up to ourselves. Whatever Robots turn out to be will largely be a function of us and the decisions we make"

This quote really hits deep as we will create things that reflect us as humans and since we have only been fighting for as long has we have been around, it provokes the what if it gets in the wrong hands feeling.  We see them in hospitals helping people live longer and we see them in wars fighting our fights. Which side will we choose?

find the whole documentary series here:

http://dreams.honda.com/

2007-2009 Honda Fit Recall.. Beware... No not really.

Thanks to Toyota's massive recall campaign any Import brand having recalls is being escalated to the max by the news outlet.. If you have a Honda Fit that is 2007,2008,2009 please call us or your local Honda dealer to check it out.. One person in Africa was reportedly killed by fire that occurred in a Fit.  Nothing else was elaborated to the cause of this incident and I was unable to find more info on it.  I do know that basically you are two times more likely to die by a vending machine then a Fit fire caused by rain..So beware of vending machines and let us look at your Fit.   Interesting enough water is what causes the fire.. It can almost be an IQ question.. How can water cause a fire??

Visit this website to check your vin or your local dealer.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

Visit this site to verify my vending machine stats.
http://www.funfacts.com.au/vending-machine-death/

Honda Email is not a Scam or Phishing

Honda under the current conditions has started to try different tactics for the current economic state of the U.S.  Recently they released a campaign that states that they will make your first monthly payment for you.. Interesting as far as I remember they have never done this before. With 45 days till your first payment and Honda making your first payment when it is time you could actually easily go 75 days until you have to make a first payment on your vehicle.. Pretty cool.. This campain is only up to $500.00 and you must receive a email invitation from Honda in order to qualify but it is just a little extra bonus for any Current Honda Customer that may be interested in a vehicle in the very near future.

Another program that Honda has recently started is a loyalty program that rewards current Honda Owners when they buy a NEW Civic or New Accord 2009/2010 Qualify.. For this special all you need is to have a vehicle registered to the household.  This is a pretty cool Loyalty program that is available to any current Honda owner.. I haven't seen a loyalty program from Honda in the past and this one I think is a great reward for those who are loyal to Honda. Unlike GM and Ford who give money if you don't own one of their makes.

 So keep your eyes open for that email or if you own a Honda now and you are thinking about upgrading to a Civic or an Accord now may be the time.
Thanks.

Are you going faster or is your pedal stuck?

On Jan21st 2010 Toyota again raised the amount of vehicles being recalled for stuck accelerator pedals. This is another hit to Toyota’s image that will linger around for many years to come.. That brings the total of vehicles affected to 4.2 million vehicles.. Yikes.. If you thought your fast driving cost you money, think about this campaigns cost. The incidents are in rare occasions and I suggest no one ever find themselves in a situation that your gas pedal is stuck and you have to make a decision in a half second. Take your Toyota to the nearest Toyota store and get it repaired. It’s Free!!! Toyota’s are great vehicles and in the used car world it is so common to hear “I want a Toyota or a Honda.” This is because both Toyota and Honda are very reliable vehicles. People want great vehicles and the competition is a good one. You can bring your vehicle to get recall work to the Sand Dollar Toyota store here in Galveston or any Toyota store near you. Thanks again.

Honda HSV-010 competing for GT500

This is a video of the Honda HSV -010GT.  The sound of this car running is amazing.. You have to turn up the speakers and listen to it.. Wow what a beauty.. Interesting enough the name is HSV.  Honda has an initiative called HSV which stands for “Honda Strategic Venturing” and it seems interesting that this vehicle has the same name.

Here is a youtube video..

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 These are the specs.. Check out that V8 that sure would have looked good in an NSX!!

Dimensions, weight	Length × Width × Height (m)	4.675 × 2.000 × (not disclosed)
	Wheelbase (m)	2.700
	Vehicle weight (kg)	1,100 or more
Engine	Engine name	HR10EG
	Configuration	Liquid-cooled, naturally aspirated, longitudinal V8
	V angle (°)	90
	Valve train	Gear-driven DOHC: 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder
	Displacement (cm3)	3,397
	Bore × stroke (mm)	93.0 × 62.5
	Compression ratio	(Not disclosed)
	Maximum output (kW[PS])	370 (500) or more
	Maximum torque(N·m[kg·m])	392 (40.0) or more
	Throttle control system	Mechanical
	Fuel supply system	Programmed fuel injection system (Honda PGM-FI)
	Fuel	Lead-free premium gasoline
	Lubrication	Dry sump
Powertrain, running system	Transmission mechanism	Constant mesh
	Transmission shifting method	Steering paddle shifter
	Steering system mechanism	Rack and pinion system with electric power steering (EPS)
	Tires(Front·Rear)	330/40R18 ·330/45R17
	Brake type and mechanism	Hydraulic ventilated disc system
	Suspension system	Double wishbone
	Stabilizer	Torsion bar

You can see more pictures at http://www.world.honda.com/news/2010/c100118HSV-010-GT/photo/index.html#2

Thanks for looking. What do you think? Like it?

Honda New Small Concept..

Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. unveiled the Honda New Small Concept, a concept model for a new small-sized vehicle, at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi. HSCI also announced plans to begin sales of a new model in 2011 based on this concept model.

Honda New Small Concept

For the Honda New Small Concept, a wide platform with a stable center of gravity was adopted to create a highly efficient compact size with seating for five people. With the "Efficient Energetic Exterior" design, the dynamic design of the Honda New Small Concept with front forward fenders highlight the presence of the vehicle.

Honda is planning to introduce a new model based on the Honda New Small Concept in 2011, in India and also in Thailand.

Honda will strive to provide a new small-sized vehicle that is beyond the expectations of customers in rapidly growing markets and offer it at an affordable price by leveraging Honda's global parts sourcing network.

Honda Recalls the Ridgeline because of customer kicks.

Honda has released a Recall on the Honda Ridgelines because the passengers may kicks underneath may create a short circuit and create a fire. Although they expect the fire to extinguish itself Honda has gone for the safer route. The Ridgelines affected are from the year 2006-2007. Here is the info directly from www.Safecar.gov. The investigation had been closed but Honda continued to Investigate and concluded that they should in fact recall the Ridgeline. Again Honda going one step further to protect the consumer.. If you would like to bring your Ridgeline or setup a service appointment please click here Service Appointment


Vehicle Make / Model:

Model Year(s):

HONDA / RIDGELINE

2006
________________________________________

Manufacturer:

HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

________________________________________

Component:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL

________________________________________

Date Investigation Opened:
February 12, 2009
________________________________________
Date Investigation Closed:
June 16, 2009
Summary:

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON THREE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE THREE VOQ REPORTS ALLEGING A "BURNED," "MELTED," OR "SHORTED" HVAC FAN MOTOR WIRING HARNESS. HONDA REPORTS THAT DURING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 2006, IT CONDUCTED A STUDY REGARDING MELTING OF THE HVAC FAN MOTOR HARNESS CONNECTOR. HONDA CONCLUDED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE HARNESS CONNECTOR COULD RESULT FROM CONTACT BY A PASSENGER'S FOOT OR HANDLING OF THE HVAC UNIT DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. HONDA INSTITUTED CHANGES TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. ALL COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED BEFORE HONDA IMPLEMENTED THESE CHANGES. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE DATA (BOTH ODI AND HONDA) SHOW THERE ARE SIX REPORTS (DUPLICATES REMOVED) ALLEGING A FIRE IN OR NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FOUR OF THOSE RESULTED FROM AN UNKNOWN CAUSE, ONE RESULTED FROM AN HVAC FAN MOTOR FAILURE, AND ONE IS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN ARSON. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE NINE REPORTS OF HVAC FAN MOTOR HARNESS FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BUT NO VEHICLE FIRE. THE REMAINING FIVE REPORTS RESULTED IN SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND INCLUDED FAILURES OF THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, HVAC FAN MOTOR, AND A POWER TRANSISTOR. THIS INVESTIGATION DID NOT FIND THAT FAILURE OF THE HVAC FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN RESULT IN SMOKE, WOULD ALSO LEAD TO A FIRE. SIMILARILY NO DEFECT TREND WAS IEDNTIFIED FROM EXAMINATION OF THE SIX REPORTED FIRES. A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

2009 Honda Insight

The all-new 2009 Honda Insight hybrid will make its world debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The five-passenger, five-door Insight will go on sale in the spring of 2009.
The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America - and will utilize a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™).
A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced to market the first mass produced low-emission gasoline vehicles; America's first commercially produced gas-electric hybrid car and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.
For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of the Insight and other Honda vehicles, including the Civic Hybrid, please visit http://www.hondanews.com/. Consumer information is available at http://www.hondacars.com/.