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Showing posts with label Honda Element. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honda Element. Show all posts
Friday, August 5, 2011
BREAKING NEWS: MASSIVE HONDA RECALL, 2.26 MILLION VEHICLES AFFECTED
0 comments Posted by st at 12:45 PM
Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. to update the software that controls the automatic transmission. Certain 2005-2010 4-cylinder Accord, 2007-2010 CR-V and 2005-2008 Element vehicles will be included in the voluntary recall. Without the updated software, the automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing in the affected vehicles can be damaged if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions, as may be done in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. If the bearing is damaged in this unusual scenario, it can cause the engine to stall or lead to difficulty engaging the parking gear. The update to the vehicle's automatic transmission control module software will ease the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage. No injuries or deaths have been reported related to this condition.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Notification to customers will begin on August 31, 2011.
When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end, in addition to contacting customers by mail, after August 31, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling, and selecting option 4.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Notification to customers will begin on August 31, 2011.
When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end, in addition to contacting customers by mail, after August 31, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling, and selecting option 4.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Honda has earned its best ranking, at 2nd place in a recent J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study for 2011. Honda led the industry having 7 models earn the top initial quality spots including the Honda Accord and Honda Civic. Honda's premium brand, Acura was next in line, topping out at 3rd place. This is the first time since 2002 that an automaker has won to the amount 7 1st place awards out of 11 models. Honda received 2nd overall but 1st among non-luxury brands.
Honda's Ridgeline earned the highest in the truck category while the Odyssey improved upon its initial quality score from last year's model. The Element and the CR-V earned 1st and 2nd place respectively while the mid-size crossover Accord Crosstour also earned the top initial quality. The Honda Fit and Honda Insight joined the list as well.
The Initial Quality Study surveys new car buyers to measure the initial quality of new vehicles after the first 90 days of ownership, it is recognized as a measure of vehicle quality and owner satisfaction. The study recognized Honda's Indiana, Ohio and Japan plants for superior manufacturing quality.
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Element was unlike any other Honda ever produced. After nine years with a vehicle known for its multi-functional cargo area, innovative and versatile seating, durable and dirt-friendly interior and a popular 2006 ad campaign, production of the Element concluded on Monday at Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio. But the Element's legacy is evident on the road and in Honda's flexible manufacturing capabilities.
Launched during the 2003 model year, the Element created its own functional class and became a favorite for small businesses, outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners. But as utility-seeking customers have moved on to other vehicles in the Honda lineup -- such as the CR-V -- the Element's time has come to an end.
"The Element proved that ultimate functionality can often come from thinking inside the box," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "It made boxy vehicle designs cool, and Element owners continue to enjoy its unique styling and unmatched versatility."
The Element was also the subject of a very popular ad campaign. The "Element and Friends" campaign featured conversations between the Element and various animal friends. But one friend stood out from the rest due to his addiction to pinching.
Through an innovative and viral campaign launched by Honda's Interactive Marketing Department, the insistent pincher Gil the Crab became an instant celebrity with more than 100,000 friends on MySpace.com (remember that site?) and his face appearing on a variety of clothing items.
Canine-lovers took note of the Element when a special "dog-friendly" version went on sale in 2009. The pet accommodation system, which was designed to improve safety, comfort and convenience for dogs and their owners alike, featured a cushioned pet bed, ventilation fan, all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern, a spill-resistant water bowl, ramp and more for customers' four-legged friends.
The Element also had a profound affect on Honda's manufacturing operations at the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP), where the Element was produced. The Element, which went into production in 2002 at ELP, brought a host of firsts to Honda's manufacturing operations at Honda of America Mfg. (HAM).
Before the Element, HAM had produced a variety of passenger cars for Honda customers. ELP itself was the primary manufacturing site for the Civic over the years, and also produced the Honda Accord and Acura CL before the Element changed the plant's characteristics.
As the first light truck model ever produced at HAM, the Element brought challenges to ELP. It was approximately nine inches taller than the Civic, and modifications were made at the plant to handle the Element's additional weight and larger body and door panels.
The changes brought with them a new term - flexibility, a mainstay for Honda facilities in the years to come. It meant that the facility could build a wider variety of vehicles. In fact, ELP's flexibility in building the Element was key to the introduction of the CR-V and Accord Crosstour.
The idea of building a light truck on the same line as a passenger car was completely new to Honda plants in North America as more customers were seeking a greater variety of light truck SUV and crossover vehicles. Today plants in Marysville, East Liberty, Alabama, Canada and Mexico combine production or can flex between cars and light trucks.
The 2003 Element went on sale in December 2002 and the associates at ELP went on to build more than 350,000 of the unique model before the last one rolled off the line in East Liberty, Ohio on Monday, April 18.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Honda Canada's Alliston plant has informed post secondary student employees that their employment contracts will not be extended. Therefore they will not be having summer jobs at the plant. 200 students are impacted and there is a combined $15 000 income loss. Also at the plant will be reduced production schedules until May 6th.
In Honda's other plants throughout the States, production cutbacks will also continue until May 6th. Honda has no intentions of laying off its 21 000 workers.
Honda's perennial CUV/box-styled favorite, the Element will be ending its production on Monday, April 18th, 2011. The last Element to roll of the line will be done on this day. There will be no replacement for the vehicle.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Honda is ending production of its Element after more than 17,000 sold in Canada since 2002. The company said that customers have "more recently embraced other vehicles in their lineup such as the CR-V."
"The Element defied popular trend designs in favour of a utilitarian shape that showed how functionality can come from thinking inside the box, it made boxy vehicle designs cool and Element owners enjoy its unique styling and versatility." said Jerry Chenkin, VP of Honda Canada
Honda Canada will wind down the model with remaining stock of 2010 Element models so if you want an Element and you live in Canada, head to your local dealer now with the local incentives going on.
You heard it here first that Honda Canada was going to drop the Element for 2010 and not carry a 2011 model.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
You heard it here first, Honda has announced that the Element will be ceased to exist after the 2011 model year. Honda cites the declining sales and the popularity of the CR-V.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Honda has briefly announced that the Element crossover will cease production effective tomorrow. The 2011 model continues to be sold in the United States while Canada will not receive any more new models. No reason was given for the sudden cease. Expect more details by late tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Rumors are on the fly that Honda Canada is about to axe the Element for 2011 and the Civic Hybrid for 2011 and possibly even the Insight for 2011. The current design for the Element is on the way out with an uncertain future, the Civic Hybrid however will return for 2012 and the Insight is not selling well in Canada to meet expectations.
Time will tell if Honda chooses to axe the slow-selling products.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
"Is the Element an endangered species? Likely not, judging by an interview published in December 2009 in Automotive News, a Detroit weekly periodical. One of the executives of Honda’s American subsidiary stated that the automaker was going to redesign the vehicle “in the near future.” He didn’t specify, however, if it would keep the name and feature a similar profile."
Auto123 in Canada has a review on the 2010 Honda Element SC, check it out at http://www.auto123.com/en/honda/element/2010/review?carid=1102300703&artid=118054
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