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Trump declaration they're a security threat stuns Japanese automakers

TOKYO — Japan's automakers' lobby said on Tuesday it was dismayed by President Donald Trump's declaration that some imported vehicles and parts posed a threat to U.S. national security, as the industry braces for a possible rise in U.S. tariffs. Trump made the unprecedented designation of foreign vehicles on Friday but delayed for up to six months a decision on whether to impose tariffs to allow for more time for trade talks with Japan and the European Union. "We are dismayed to hear a message suggesting that our long-time contributions of investment and employment in the United States are not welcomed," said Akio Toyoda, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. "As chairman, I am deeply saddened by this decision," Toyoda, president of Toyota, said in a statement. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on imported cars made by foreign automakers, a move which automakers have argued would ramp up car prices, curb the global competitiveness of U.S.-made vehicles and limit investment in the country, the world's No. 2 auto market. The United States is a vital market for Toyota, Nissan, Honda and other Japanese car makers. Autos and components are among the Asian country's biggest export products. Most of Japan's major automakers operate plants in the United States. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association notes that its automakers build about 4 million vehicles a year in North America, or 75 percent of what it sells here. Many are built for export, helping lessen the U.S. trade deficit Trump is concerned about. Major automakers have announced a slew of investments in the United States since Trump took office in January 2017 and put pressure on the industry to create more U.S. jobs. For its part, Toyota has pledged to invest almost $13 billion in the United States between 2017 and 2021 to boost manufacturing capacity and jobs. This includes $1.6 billion for a vehicle assembly plant in Alabama jointly run with Mazda. Government/Legal Honda Mazda Mitsubishi Nissan Toyota Trump

Next CR-Z to lose hybrid powertrain, go with turbo four

The Honda CR-Z has been treading water for years and has already left the European and Australian markets. Meanwhile, it has hung to life in the US with 3,562 total units sold in 2014. The little coupe looks like it should be a winner, though, as the reinterpretation of the classic CRX for the modern age. Unfortunately, a serious lack of performance to back up the sporty styling lets the model down. Although rumor has it, the CR-Z that drivers keeping asking for could be just a few years away. An anonymous source related to Honda's Tochigi, Japan, development center told Car and Driver that a significantly more potent new generation of the CR-Z is on the way to dealers in 2018 with a possible unveiling in 2017. "The new coupe will be a force to reckon with," the insider said. The new CR-Z would reportedly be slightly larger and would be based on a shortened version of the next-gen Civic's platform. Car and Driver even speculates a possible branding change to become the Civic CR-Z. The most encouraging change for performance fans, though, is the coupe finally ditching the IMA hybrid in this market in favor of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the European Civic Type R. The engine would allegedly be detuned to around 280 horsepower for this application from the 306 hp in the CTR. The hybrid isn't going away entirely, though. For the Japanese market, the CR-Z would use Honda's 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with electric assist to make around 200 hp. Until anything official comes out, it might be best to treat all of this tantalizing info with a large grain of salt. Rumors of a future CR-Z using the next-gen Civic platform have circulated since 2013, and there has been speculation about using the CTR engine, too. Related Video:

NSX Concept-GT is the world's hottest way to boil water

The Honda NSX Concept-GT is one sexy machine, and it looks to be a very effective tool on a race circuit. But Honda's latest web spot leads us to believe that it also can be used to make tea.
In the video, the racecar is hooked up to an apparatus that uses tubing to harness the energy from the car's 500-horsepower hybrid drive system, using it to boil water. The novel tea-making technique reminds us a bit of a couple other inventive Honda commercials, namely Hands and Cog.
Watch the NSX ad below, and be sure to turn the sound up to hear that glorious engine note.