Honda Civic Ex Coupe 98 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Honda shines the spotlight on Project Drive-In success

Project Drive-In, a Honda-sponsored campaign to save drive-in theaters across the country, is beginning to bear fruit, as the first theaters have been informed that they'll be getting free digital projectors. Many theaters still use 35-millimeter film, which is being phased out rather aggressively in the movie industry. The move to digital, meanwhile, requires nearly a six-figure investment, forcing many drive-ins to close up shop for good.
The first phase of the campaign saw the public vote for their favorite drive-in, with the top five getting a free digital projector, courtesy of Honda. There's some touching reaction videos of the owners being informed that they'd won down below. The next phase in the program takes place on Indiegogo, where Project Drive-In is trying to raise $100,000 for the drive-in that's gotten the next highest number of votes. If the Indiegogo campaign reaches that figure before its expiration on October 7, it'll make the donation and reset the meter to save another theater.
Take a look down below for the video from Honda on Project Drive-In, and then do yourselves a favor, and head over to the Project Drive-In Indiegogo campaign, and make a donation.

Honda Fit, Vezel Hybrids recalled in Japan; US vehicles not affected

Honda has announced a good-sized recall of two popular Japanese-market hybrids: the Fit Hybrid and the Vezel Hybrid are both headed back into the garage. The problem this time around lies in the software program that controls the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) that could "cause a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all." In total, 81,353 units are affected (70,929 Fit Hybrids and 10,424 Vezel Hybrids) and all were made in Japan between July 2013 and February 2014. There were two previous recalls for the new Fit Hybrid's DCT, and you can find the details of them below. Jessica Fini, assistant manager of PR for Honda North America, told AutoblogGreen that this recall will not have any impact on US Honda vehicles. For one thing, the US Fit has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) instead of a DCT, so the upcoming launch of the new Fit here (the US doesn't get the Fit Hybrid) will not be delayed. Honda's upcoming small SUV in the US (based on the Vezel, but will arrive with a different name) isn't going to launch here until the end of the year, so there is time to fix any problems before launch. She also said that the Acura RLX, despite being a DCT, does not use the same transmission as the Fit Hybrid does, since the Fit transmission is specific to the one-motor hybrid system and the RLX uses three electric motors. Recall of All-New Fit Hybrid and Vezel Hybrid ref. # C14-009 TOKYO -- February 10, 2014 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a voluntary recall of the all-new Fit Hybrid and Vezel Hybrid produced in Japan from July 2013 through February 2014 due to a problem with the software program controlling the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which could cause a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all. Honda today notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the recall with a total recall population of 81,353 units. Honda conducted two recalls in October and December 2013 due to a defect with the software program controlling the 7-speed DCT which could have caused a delay in the ability to drive the vehicle or the inability to drive. This will be the third recall related to the defect of the 7-speed DCT.

Beleaguered Takata unlikely to seek automaker assistance

Takata is continuing to deal with the massive airbag recall for millions of vehicles, but even if it doubles production, it could take years the company to build enough replacement parts to properly repair all of the affected models. If the supplier takes a hard enough financial hit whether through fines, lawsuits or just the cost of making the components, then the business might not be able to keep up production. Such a situation could put automakers in the very difficult predicament of deciding whether to provide Takata with financial assistance. Honda for one has little interest in lending further support to the beleaguered supplier, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Japanese automaker recently dropped its annual sales targets to put a larger emphasis on vehicle quality, partially in response to the inflator recall. It also struck a deal with another company for replacement parts and was rumored to abandon Takata for some future business. Honda CEO Takanobu Ito did leave the door barely cracked for possible aid. "Takata itself needs to figure out how to fulfill its duties, but if it makes any request to automakers, then we would think about that," he said, according to The Wall Street Journal. There isn't much likelihood of Takata needing a bailout, though. According to The Wall Street Journal, analysts aren't concerned about the company's short-term fortunes, and the supplier had about $728 million in cash as of last September. News Source: The Wall Street Journal - sub. req.Image Credit: Toru Yamanaka / AFP / Getty Images Earnings/Financials Recalls Honda Safety Takata airbag recall