Latest news with #AcuraZDX
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Honda Downshifts on Its EV Goals Amid Trade, Sales Woes
Japanese automaker Honda is scaling back its once-ambitious electric vehicle investment and sales targets in light of changing emissions regulations and the unsteady international trade environment affecting the largest markets served by the automobile industry. At the company's annual business briefing in Tokyo on May 20, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe revealed plans to erase nearly 30% of its original multi-trillion-Yen investments, dialing down its EV and software research and development budget from ten trillion yen (~$68.97 billion) to seven trillion yen (~$48.28 billion). The CEO stated that the budget shift comes as auto emissions regulations in North America and Europe have loosened at the same time that trade restrictions make selling cars a more unpredictable business. "It has become increasingly clear that the environmental regulations, which held promise for the widespread adoption of EVs, are becoming relaxed, mainly in the U.S. and Europe," Mibe said. "In addition, the recent development in trade policies of various countries makes our business environment increasingly uncertain." The figurehead also predicted that the onset of the Trump Administration and its attitude toward electric car-friendly policies like the IRA tax credits and the loosening of EPA fuel economy standards will stunlock EV demand for some time, even after a new president takes the seat at the Resolute desk. On May 19, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently submitted the interpretive rule, "Resetting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program (CAFE)," to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review. In a statement, Duffy claimed that the Biden administration overreached the government's legal authority by including electric vehicles in setting fuel economy guidelines for automakers, which were set to increase to 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031 from the current 39.1 mpg for light-duty vehicles. As a result, Mibe is now shooting for EVs to account for 20% of the automaker's sales by 2030. Previously, Honda had a target of 30% by the end of the decade, and it now expects to sell just 700,000 EVs among reduced sales goals of 3.75 million cars in 2030. "If the EV penetration period is pushed back a little, I feel that it will be pushed back by about five years, especially in North America," Mibe said. "The Trump administration will remain in power for four years, but that doesn't mean that EV demand will bounce back immediately. I think it will be pushed back by about five to six years." In lieu of its EV evolution with models like the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, gas-electric hybrid vehicles like the hybrid versions of models like the Accord, Civic, and CR-V are making the biggest sales dent amongst its selection of electrified vehicle offerings both in the U.S. and around the world. Data from American Honda shows that in 2024, Honda and Acura sold 40,408 Prologues and ZDXs, but at the same time, over 308,254 hybrid Civics, Accords, and CR-Vs were sold in the United States. Though Honda's worldwide sales took a 4.6% dip to 3.81 million vehicles in 2024, it sold 64,444 EVs and 868,265 hybrids, accounting for 23% of its global sales. Mibe's May 20 announcement signaled that the brand is doubling down on its gas-electric hybrid technology. He said that starting in 2027, Honda will reveal 13 new hybrid cars underpinned by a next-generation hybrid vehicle platform over the next four years. Specifically in North America, this new next-gen hybrid system will find its way onto its larger offerings, which it claims will improve their towing and rough-terrain driving capabilities. The Honda CEO claims that the upcoming hybrid platform will be at least 10% more fuel efficient than Honda's 2018 hybrids and will cost half as much to build. Furthermore, Mibe said that its customers aren't entirely sold on EVs over hybrids or pure gas cars just yet, noting that "the main reason why customers have not yet jumped on the EV bandwagon" is that they see "the value of battery-electric vehicles is not yet equal to or greater than the value of the existing hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles." Though the situation sounds as if a demoralized Honda is giving up on EV technology research and development for good, Mibe said it'll take this lull period as an opportunity to improve its future offerings. "We should take advantage of this period and take the technological evolution to another level, so that customers can buy our BEVs and we will be able to make a profit," Mibe said. "We will take these difficult times as an opportunity to advance our technology one more cycle, and create value that surpasses the current gasoline-powered cars and HVs within five years." I am no automotive executive, but I think that Toyota has a slight edge over Honda because of its fearlessness in making hybrids fairly mainstream. The 2025 Camry is one great example, as all trims, including the base LE model, come with a hybrid engine. Believe it or not, Honda is the first automaker in the United States to sell a hybrid vehicle. The first-generation Insight went on sale in the U.S. in December 1999, and seven months later, the first Toyota Prius was released. I hope that the decision Honda makes at this point builds on the legacy they already have. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Bizarre mystery as Chicago woman is killed when SUV driven by sister lands on top of her
A Chicago woman was tragically killed after an SUV driven by her younger sister landed on top of her. The car fell on top of Keyana Meeks, 25, around 4.15am Tuesday in the North Lawndale neighborhood after her unidentified 21-year-old sister slammed into a fence outside their home, police said. Keyana, who was on foot at the time, was trampled by the 2002 Acura ZDX after her sister drove through an alley, made a left turn and crashed. The car then flipped over three times before fatally landing on Keyana, according to traffic reports obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. The mother-of-three, who was also known as 'Yana' by her loved ones, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital with her younger sister, where she was pronounced dead at 4.52am. Her sister was treated for a leg injury and was arrested. She was later released without being charged, police said. It remains unclear what led up to the crash. Police are still investigating the horrific incident. The sisters' heartbroken mother Angela Meeks recalled the moment she saw her child laying on the ground after the car fell on top of her. 'She was just laying there. I thought I saw her move. I hoped she'd be OK, prayed she'd be OK, because I didn't see any blood,' Angela told the outlet. The 51-year-old said her daughters 'had a very strong bond,' and the entire family is 'in shock and disbelief' following the devastating incident. She said her surviving daughter has been left with immense guilt since it all happened. 'She's not doing too well. She's said she wanted to die herself. She has support. She's being monitored closely,' Angela stated. 'We tell her don't blame herself.' Dajonne Jordan, Keyana's cousin, echoed Angela's statements, telling the outlet her and her sister 'loved each other.' 'They had a very strong bond,' Dajonne, 29, added. Her loved ones said she was a loving mother and the 'protector' of her three young children, aged two, four and six - one of whom is autistic. Keyana was a hair stylist who also found a passion for decorating for parties, her family said. She also dreamed of buying and flipping homes, her mother and uncle Eddie Meeks III said. 'She did whatever she thought was necessary in order to have a good life for her and her kids. She was strong-willed and could really do just about anything,' Eddie said. They said she was also working on growing closer to God with her mother and was considering converting to Islam before she died. Eddie said his late niece was tall, standing at about six-foot-two, and 'not the type of girl you really wanted to mess with.' 'She could have probably gone somewhere [in] professional boxing,' he continued. 'She was not the type of girl you really wanted to mess with, and she wasn't just gonna let you get away with anything.' Although she had a fierce side, Eddie said Keyana, who was 'very family-oriented', displayed a softer side around her loved ones. 'When you really got to know her, it felt like [she] was a big teddy bear. She was trying to navigate life, trying to survive. That's how she lived her life,' Eddie recalled. Friends and family gathered on Tuesday night for a balloon release for Keyana. Small candles spelled out her name on the pavement as several images of her surrounded the flames. They all released green and white balloons in her honor.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Electric vehicle manufacturers announce game-changing update that could transform the industry: 'Many benefits'
Honda and Acura electric vehicles are gaining access to the Tesla Supercharger network this summer, Teslarati reported. This will give Honda and Acura drivers significantly more charging options, allowing them to use more than 20,000 Supercharger stations nationwide. Starting in June, Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX drivers can acquire a Honda-approved fast-charging adapter at authorized U.S. dealerships. Tesla has recently come under scrutiny amid CEO Elon Musk's political activities, which appear to have damaged brand trust among many consumers. While the automaker's EV sales are tanking, its Superchargers provide a robust network. Having access to these Superchargers would significantly expand the fast-charging options available, addressing common concerns about charging infrastructure and range anxiety. According to EVBox, 41% of potential EV drivers in 2022 expressed concern about not being able to charge their vehicle when needed. Tesla Superchargers are already available to several other car companies' electric vehicles, including Rivian, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. The network is renowned for its reliability, boasting a low failure rate compared with other public charging stations. "By the end of this decade, we strive to provide Honda and Acura EV drivers with the most convenient and easy charging at more than 100,000 charge points nationwide, helping people choose to purchase an EV for the many benefits of driving one," said Ryan Harty, assistant vice president of sustainability and business development at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in a press release. Honda is aiming to have 100,000 charging stations for Honda and Acura EV drivers by 2030. While the adapters are tested for safety and compatibility, one downside is that the introduction of third-party adapters can sometimes lead to unforeseen issues, such as reduced charging speeds or potential damage to charging ports. Ford previously advised some EV customers to stop using certain adapters due to such concerns. Rivian and General Motors hadn't noticed the same issue. By facilitating better access to charging infrastructure, this partnership could encourage more consumers to adopt EVs. The increased demand for Supercharger stations may necessitate further expansion, which could raise concerns about the environmental impact of manufacturing and installing additional charging units nationwide. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Nonetheless, this is a big step for broader EV adoption — and the drivers who want to save money on fuel and maintenance. Ultimately, EVs are responsible for much less pollution over their lifetimes than gas-guzzlers, even when taking into account manufacturing, charging, and mining for battery materials. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Times
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Honda and Nissan Scrap $50 Billion Merger Plan
A $50 billion merger between Honda Motor and Nissan Motor, which would have established one of the world's largest auto groups, has been called off. In December, Japan's second- and third-largest automakers said they were exploring plans to combine their operations with the goal of sharing costs and jointly developing next-generation vehicles. Both companies said in a statement on Thursday that they were walking away from talks. The swift reversal underscores a growing recognition in the industry that sprawling auto alliances, often relied upon in the past to build scale and increase market share, may not be the answer for automakers scrambling to catch up with rapid technological changes. Traditional automakers in Japan, the United States and Europe are facing mounting competition from newcomers like Tesla and China's BYD, which have established a commanding lead in electric vehicles and technologies that enable semiautonomous driving and remote updates. As the auto industry shifts toward vehicles that resemble 'robots on wheels,' merging two giants to try and catch up was 'just automakers going back to what they know, rather than embracing change,' said Lucinda Guthrie, the head of Mergermarket, a data provider. Ford Motor and Volkswagen, for instance, teamed up a few years ago to work on electric vehicles and autonomous driving. The companies ultimately shut down their self-driving car initiative, and have derived few benefits from collaborating on electric vehicles. Honda had a partnership with General Motors, and currently sells two electric sport utility vehicles, the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, that are manufactured by G.M. But in 2023, the companies said they would not extend their partnership beyond those two models. Even at the outset of its talks with Nissan, Honda's top executives faced internal resistance to merging with another automaker. Nissan is restructuring its operations after a significant profit decline, and Honda's managers were concerned about Nissan's financial health. They also questioned the potential benefits of a deal. Honda eventually proposed a take-it-or-leave-it plan to make Nissan its subsidiary. Nissan rejected the offer, as it diverged from earlier ideas of creating a holding company with both brands as subsidiaries. Nissan's leadership felt the proposal undervalued the company. Ms. Guthrie of Mergermarket said she thought that Nissan could benefit from seeking a new partner, potentially outside the traditional automotive realm. For both Nissan and Honda, 'the pressures they face wouldn't have changed with the merger,' Ms. Guthrie said. 'You either embrace the future, or you stick with what you know,' she added. 'Maybe the breakup will be what it takes.' One possible suitor for Nissan is the Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn. Young Liu, the chairman of Foxconn, said on Wednesday that the company would consider buying a stake in Nissan, though the preference would be to simply partner with the automaker.
