2014 Honda Odyssey Ex-l W/ Res on 2040-cars

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Honda could halve its US lineup without crimping its sales much [w/video]

Taking a detailed look at the Honda lineup in the US, it isn't hard to see the strength of some models and the weaknesses of others. A recent report on Autoline Daily points out that its five core models - the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot - make up a full 93 percent of Honda's sales in the US. Through April, Honda has sold 419,798 vehicles, and 389,474 of them were from these core models; not to mention the fact that the Accord was the top-selling car in the US last month.
This means that Honda could technically cut six of its 11 models and only lose about 5,000 sales per month. Of course, this is just some data crunching and there is no reason to believe that Honda is planning to kill off any of its models in the near future. In fact, it seems to be committed to the Ridgeline, while Japanese-made models that may actually lose money for Honda still fill unique voids. Scroll down for the video report - fast-forward to the 1:43 mark for the Honda info.

2015 Honda Jazz should Fit right in

When is a Honda Fit not a Honda Fit? When it's a Honda Jazz. In other markets around the world, our pleasant little Fit hatchback uses a jazzier nomenclature, but what you're looking at here isn't simply a rebadged version of the car we know and love. For starters, the Euro-spec Jazz uses a 1.3-liter VTEC engine from Honda's Earth Dreams line, tuned to produce 101 horsepower. (The US-spec Fit, meanwhile, cranks out 130 hp from its larger, 1.5-liter engine.) That powerplant is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable unit, and will be the only engine initially available at launch. From there, it's pretty much the same, save the small running lamps that flank the foglamps. The Jazz should fit nicely within not only the Honda lineup, but the booming subcompact class, with lots of onboard technology, excellent packaging (including the company's Magic Seat rear bench), and – we assume – a relatively affordable price point. Check out Honda's Euro-Fit in our fresh gallery of live shots, above. ALL-NEW HONDA JAZZ REDEFINES B-SEGMENT WITH ADDED SPACE, VERSATILITY, REFINEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY - Third generation Jazz based on Honda's global B-segment platform - New 1.3 litre i-VTEC petrol engine from Earth Dreams Technology series - Extra interior space, made versatile with Magic Seats® system - Bold, fresh exterior and refined cabin - New Honda Connect infotainment system - Advanced Driver Assist Systems enhance safety 24.02.2015 -- Arriving in Europe in summer 2015, the third-generation Jazz features bold yet sophisticated exterior and interior design, with unrivalled interior space and versatility. Occupants will benefit from increased refinement and advanced safety and infotainment technologies, as well as a highly efficient and dynamic driving experience. While the newcomer retains the classic Jazz silhouette, it exhibits distinctive contemporary styling including a powerful new face and strong lines. The use of Honda's cleverly packaged new global B-segment chassis means that the latest Jazz is even bigger on the inside. The company's Magic Seats ® system ensures the interior offers unmatched versatility as well as class-leading space, with a range of configurations for carrying cargo and passengers. High-quality soft-touch materials and thoughtful interior design provide a sophisticated ambience.

Even Ferrari swept up in latest Takata recall expansion

The scope of Takata's deadly airbag problems continues to widen. Eight manufacturers announced recalls Friday that affect more than 12 million vehicles, according to documents filed with federal regulators. The automakers include Honda, which is recalling 4.5 million units, Fiat Chrysler with 4.3 million, Toyota with 1.65 million, and Subaru, which is recalling almost 400,000. Some of these cars include the Saab 9-2x and Pontiac Vibe that Toyota and Subaru made for General Motors. Mazda will recall 730,000 vehicles and Nissan has 400,000 affected units. The smallest numbers were posted by Mitsubishi, with 38,000 Lancers manufactured from 2006 to 2007, and as a noteworthy high-end manufacturer, Ferrari is calling back 2,800 vehicles. These are all US-market cars. Beyond America, the Japanese Transport Ministry has announced seven million additional vehicles will be recalled, which means 19.6 million vehicles across the globe are affected by recalls announced. The defects have been traced to an insufficiently manufactured airbag inflator, which lacks a drying agent that would prevent the inflators from deteriorating over time. Thirteen deaths have been linked to the faulty airbags, which have become unstable and are prone to exploding and showering vehicle occupants with lethal amounts of metal shrapnel. A private equity firm, KKR & Co., has been named in a possible buyout of the struggling Takata. Related Video: News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Shutterstock Government/Legal Recalls Ferrari Honda Mazda Automakers Mitsubishi Nissan Pontiac Subaru Toyota Saab Safety