2000 Honda Cr-v on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Four-leaf clovers, hybrid Hondas and the next automotive downturn | Autoblog Podcast #561

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor Alex Kierstein and Associate Editor Reese Counts. The group discuss the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 and the Honda Clarity PHEV Alex has been driving in Seattle. They also discuss the future of the auto industry, how customer tastes and needs are changing and what might happen if the world faces another economic downturn. Finally, we spend your money.Autoblog Podcast #561 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 Honda Clarity PHEV The next automotive downturn Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video:

Honda favoring turbo over hybrid for US-market Vezel

While Honda gears up to unveil the new Fit to the US market at the Detroit Auto Show next month, back in its home market, the car's crossover cousin is just going on sale. The Vezel was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show last month and already has a three-month waiting list in Japan, where Honda projects that 90 percent of customers will opt for the hybrid version. Not so in the United States, however.
When the Vezel reaches American showrooms, there'll be a number of key differences. For starters, it will carry a different name, though Honda isn't saying what that will be. For another, it will be built for North American consumption at Honda's new plant in Mexico, roughly half of whose production capacity is reportedly being allocated to the new crossover. And finally, it'll have a different engine.
In Japan the Vezel is being offered with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with or without electric assist. Honda won't offer the hybrid version here - at least not initially - but it is preparing to offer a turbo option. Although it has yet to announce US specifications and options, the 1.5-liter turbo four (also unveiled at the Tokyo show) is considered a stronger likelihood than the 1.0- or 2.0-liter versions.

Honda not ready to give up on CR-Z, Civic Hybrid in US just yet

Honda has already killed off the CR-Z in Europe, so news that the car is no longer going to be sold in Australia isn't exactly a surprise. In fact, Car Advice says that both the CR-Z and the Civic Hybrid are coming to the end of the line Down Under following disappointing sales. Honda sold only 370 CR-Zs in Australia in 2012 and then 58 in 2013 and 86 in 2014. These cancellations got us thinking: what does the future look like for these vehicles in the US? Well, stateside, CR-Z sales dropped almost 20 percent in 2014, compared to 2013, to 3,562 units. The Civic Hybrid sold just 5,070 units, a drop of almost 35 percent. Both of these vehicles use the aging Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild hybrid system, which the company's other hybrids (like the Accord) do not. Does that mean Honda hybrid fans will soon no longer be able to buy a CR-Z or Civic Hybrid? Not so fast, says Angie Nucci, Honda PR's senior environment and safety specialist. "The 2015 CR-Z went on-sale in early October and the 2015 Civic Hybrid went on-sale the following month in November," Nucci said. "Since these vehicles went on-sale fairly recently, it is simply too early to discuss future models at this time." Still, in Australia, the CR-Z and Civic Hybrid are both officially leaving the line-up. The company say that three new "Hybrid Sport" models will be coming at some point, starting with the Accord Hybrid later this year. The next one will be the NSX and then the Jazz Hybrid. The Jazz is another name for the Fit, which we do not get in a hybrid version in the US. Featured Gallery 2014 Honda CR-Z Hybrid View 14 Photos News Source: Honda, Car Advice via Green Car Reports Green Honda discontinued