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Acura ILX headed for Civic-like early upgrades

The not-yet-ready-for-primetime 2012 Honda Civic saw it quickly returned to sender for refurbishment, now the Acura ILX is headed in the same direction in its very first year. Automotive News reports that the small, Civic-based sedan from Honda's luxury brand isn't meeting sales expectations, with an annualized rate of 22,000 to 24,000 sales instead of the 30,000 the company is after. More telling is that the ILX "is being outsold by the Buick Verano, Volkswagen CC and Audi A4," and, except for two months since it launched, it has also been outdone by the Acura TSX it is meant to replace.
Part of the cause has been the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine: its 150 horsepower to motivate a sedan that can weigh up to 2,970 pounds doesn't offer the kind of performance or value experience that buyers in the segment respond to. Another big issue is that the top-level 2.4-liter engine is only offered with a six-speed manual even though most buyers of the highest trim don't really want to shift their own gears. Lastly, the ILX might not put enough space between it and its frugal underpinnings - our first drive review pegged it as "the world's nicest Honda Civic."
An automatic transmission is on the way for the 2.4-liter, but it isn't clear when. And while Honda admits that the 2.0-liter is underpowered and Automotive News says it's on the way out, the company hasn't yet said how that situation will be corrected.

Recharge Wrap-up: Honda releases "Green Dealer" Guide, Tesla's China president steps down

Honda has released its "Green Dealer" Guide to the public. The guide, which is used to outline ways for Honda and Acura dealerships to be more environmentally responsible can also help other businesses take the same steps to green up their practices, save energy and even save money in the process. The guide, which ranks dealers based on a points system, provides incentive to dealerships to implement the environmentally practices, but it also helps Honda assert itself as a leader for green business. Read more at Automotive News or in the press release below. Nissan Leaf owners in the UK love their car, and aren't looking back at their fossil-fueled past. According to a survey by Nissan, 93 percent use the EV as their main family vehicle. 89 percent report saving money driving, 64 percent prefer it to driving a conventionally powered car and 95 percent would recommend the car to a friend. Most said they wouldn't go back to a gas or diesel car. One owner even gave up his Aston Martin for a second Leaf so he and his wife wouldn't argue over who got to drive the EV to work each day. That's love. Read more at Next Green Car and at Hybrid Cars. Renault has outlined its future sustainable mobility plans, including two pieces of technology going into production cars soon. Renault will put a smaller, more efficient electric motor into production, as well as a three-cylinder dual-fuel gasoline/liquid petroleum gas engine. The HYDIVU prototype will help Renault research mild hybrid technology for light commercial vehicles. The VELUD project will look into making the last mile of urban deliveries more sustainable. Renault is also testing a two-cylinder, two-stroke diesel engine for small vehicle platforms. Read more in the press release below. Tesla's China president has resigned. Veronica Wu had been in charge of the company's operations in China for the past nine months, and with her leaving the company, Tom Zhu will step into the role. Jochen Siebert of Shanghai-based JSC Automotive Consulting says that, "Tesla counts on China as one of their main drivers of growth after California, and it might have been more difficult than they thought." Tesla states it is still "confident in the Chinese market," where it has sold the Model S since April. Read more at Bloomberg.

Honda recalls 2.23 million vehicles to replace Takata inflators

The Basics: Honda and Acura will recall 2.23 million vehicles in the US. The affected models are: 2005-2012 Acura RL 2007-2011 Honda CR-V 2007-2016 Acura RDX (early production MY 2016 vehicles only) 2007-2014 Honda Ridgeline 2009-2014 Honda Fit 2009-2014 Acura TL 2010-2014 Honda FCX Clarity 2010-2014 Honda Insight 2010-2013 Acura ZDX 2011-2015 Honda CR-Z 2013-2016 Acura ILX (early production MY 2016 vehicles only) The Problem: These vehicles have Takata's PSDI-5 airbag inflator on the driver's side, and this part could rupture if the airbag deploys. Injuries/Deaths: There are no reported ruptures of the PSDI-5 inflator in Honda or Acura vehicles. However, Takata's exploding components have links to at least 10 deaths worldwide because they can spray shrapnel at occupants. The Fix: Honda and Acura dealers will replace the inflators with parts from an alternative supplier. If You Own One: The repairs will begin this summer. Owners will receive a letter notifying them about the recall within 60 days and will get a second message when the parts are available. The company will prioritize older models in high-humidity regions first because these inflators would be most likely to rupture. More Information: Honda and Acura have now recalled 8.51 million vehicles in the US to replace their driver or passenger side inflators. This latest expansion came in the wake of a driver death from an airbag rupture in a Ford Ranger. Ford and Mazda already enlarged their safety campaigns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also announced Audi, BMW, Daimler Vans, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, and Volkswagen would have recalls for this issue, too. Statement by American Honda Regarding Nationwide Recall of Certain Takata PSDI-5 Driver Front Airbag Inflators Feb 3, 2016 - TORRANCE, Calif. Approximately 2.23 million Takata PSDI-5 driver front airbag inflators will require replacement in Honda and Acura vehicles in the U.S. No PSDI-5 inflator ruptures have been reported in Honda or Acura vehicles Takata inflators will be replaced with parts from an alternative supplier with repairs beginning in the Summer of 2016 Based on a recent Defect Information Report (16E-005) from the airbag inflator supplier, Takata, Honda will conduct a national recall (16V-061) of approximately 2.23 million Honda and Acura vehicles in the United States to replace, free of charge to vehicle owners, the PSDI-5 Takata driver front airbag inflators installed in those vehicles.