2012 Honda CRV Trim Levels and Colours for Canada

Same trim levels as 2011 anyway....

2012 Honda CRV LX-2WD

NH-731P Black ext / Black int

NH-700M Silver ext / Black int

G-532M Green / Grey int



2012 Honda CRV LX-4WD

same as above adding;

B-570M Blue ext / Grey int



2012 Honda CRV EX-2WD

same as above adding;

NH-737M Grey ext / Black int

changing int colour for B-570MX Blue ext / Beige int



2012 Honda CRV EX-4WD

same as above including both Blue interiors and adding;

NH-731PX Black ext / Beige int



2012 Honda CRV EX-L 4WD

same as above



2012 Honda CRV EX-L Navi 4WD

same as above



Source;

Honda Canada

2012 Honda Ridgeline Trim Levels and Colours for Canada

Well, here are a couple of changes, gone is the EX-L model, replaced by the Touring, I'm guessing the leather model will be available in a Navi/Bluetooth/Backup Cam pkg, along with the introduction of the new Sport model pictured below....

2012 Honda Ridgeline DX

NH-578 White Ext / GM (?) Int

NH-700MX Silver Ext / GM Int

NH-731P Black Ext / GM Int

NH-737M Grey Ext / GM Int



2012 Honda Ridgeline VP (Value Package)

Same as above plus;

B-552P Blue Ext / GM (?) Int

R-549PX Red Ext / Grey Int



2012 Honda Ridgeline Touring

Same as above plus;

NH-731P Black Ext / BM (?) Int

NH-731PX Black Ext / Grey Int



2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport

Only 2X Colour Choices Available;

NH-578 White Ext / Grey Int

NH-731PX Black Ext / Grey Int



Source;

Honda Canada

2012 Honda Pilot Trim Levels and Colours for Canada

Well, no real changes in the trim levels, minor changes up front with the grill (I like it!), tail lights, alloys, not confirmed but I am expecting a few additions as Honda makes Bluetooth more available along the trim levels....2012 Honda Pilot LX 2WD

NH-700MX Silver Ext / Grey Int

NH-731P Black Ext / Grey Int

NH-737MX Grey Ext / Grey Int

NH-603PX White Ext / Grey Int



2012 Honda Pilot LX 4WD

Same as above



2012 Honda Pilot EX

Same as above plus;

R-549P Red Ext / Grey Int



2012 Honda Pilot EX-L

Same as above plus;

NH-731PX Black Ext / Beige Int

YR587M Brown Ext / Beige Int



2012 Honda Pilot EX-L RES (Rear Entertainment System)

Same as above



2012 Honda Pilot Touring

Same as above except Grey Interior is replaced with Black Interior.



Source;

Honda Canada

Honda recalls over 135,000 vehicles in Canada

Markham, Ontario – Honda will recall approximately 135,142 vehicles in Canada to update the automatic transmission software.



The recall affects certain 2005-2010 four-cylinder Accords, 2007-2010 CR-Vs and 2005-2008 Elements.



Without the update, the transmission’s secondary shaft bearing can suffer damage if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions, such as when “rocking” the vehicle to get out of mud or snow. If the bearing is damaged, it can cause the engine to stall, or lead to difficulty in engaging the parking gear. The update eases the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage.



Owners of affected vehicles will be notified beginning August 31, 2011. For more information, visit Honda or call 1-888-946-6329.



Source;

http://www.autos.ca/general-news/honda-recalls-over-135000-vehicles-in-canada

NewCa.com: 2011 Honda's ASIMO at the Ontario Science Centre

Honda to Limit Orders of Japan-Built Cars, including the Civic

Due to the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster, shortage of new vehicles possible until end of year
BY: Kristin Craik

Honda announced today the company’s overall production volume will remain significantly reduced throughout the summer months. Although most of Honda’s vehicles are made in North America, overall production is expected to normalize sometime near the end of 2011.

This move comes as a reaction to service interruptions at Honda’s Japanese plants, which were severely affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster. This is detrimental to vehicle production because of a few critical parts supplied from Japan. Most of Honda’s Japan-based parts suppliers have resumed production and Honda is working hard with a few suppliers that are not yet back to production capacity.

Honda has a few popular car models affected by this situation. The new 2012 Honda Civic will have significantly reduced levels throughout the summer months. The fall launch of the 2012 CR-V will be delayed at least by one month. Only a limited amount of Japan-built vehicles will be available for the remainder of the year. Those models speculated to have limited availability are the Honda Fit, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Acura TSX, Acura TSX Wagon, and the Acura TSX RL.

Additionally, due to a shortage in supply of Japan-sourced paint pigment, certain colors of vehicles will also be in short supply.

Source;
http://www.businessreviewcanada.ca/sectors/automotive/honda-limit-orders-japan-built-cars-including-civic

Honda altering production schedule in Alliston

Reducation expected to continue until May 6
By Marg. Bruineman, the Barrie Examiner

Reduced daily production levels at Honda Canada's Alliston facility has been extended as a result of a parts shortage from the earthquake-ravaged Japan.

"Production adjustments continue until May 6, although adjustments vary," said Honda's Lori Van Valkenburg in Alliston. "All associates have the opportunity to work their entire shift and work is being provided for them."

They also have the option of taking vacation time or time without no pay with no penalty.
On Monday, she said, associates worked six hours in production in the weld department in Plant 2.

But the expectations are that everything will return to normal after that.

"We anticipate that additional production adjustments will continue after that date," the company announced in a press statement.

The car builder has reduced the number of cars it builds as a result of last month's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The natural disaster, which has claimed about 14,000 lives, impacted both the car builder and its suppliers in Japan.

Most of the cars supplied to the North American market are built in North America. And a majority of the parts are sourced here.

About 4,200 people work at Honda Canada's Alliston facility, which has two car-building plants and an engine plant.

The bulk of production are Honda Civics (sedan, coupe, and Si sedan & coupe) along with the Acura MDX, Acura ZDX, Acura CSX.

But some of the parts are shipped in from Japan, where several companies are struggling to get back to production. As a result, there's limited supply of parts available for car building in Alliston.

Honda's car building plants in Japan all resumed limited production last week, operating at about 50% capacity.

Source;
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3080274

Honda Civic retakes title of top selling car in Canada

The Honda Civic is once again the best-selling passenger car in Canada, according to statistics compiled by Dennis DesRosiers and Associates.

“It took a massive sales push in March with sales up 38.8 per cent, but the Civic has regained its decade-long position of being the best selling passenger car,” Dennis DesRosiers, Toronto-based auto analyst, said Thursday.

The Hyundai Elantra had displaced the Civic in January and February. The Ford F-series pickup truck remains the best-selling light truck and the best-selling vehicle overall.

With few exceptions, light trucks are selling very well this year thanks to “huge incentives as well a growing lack of supply of cars due to the impact of the Japanese earthquake,”

As well, the Detroit Three — whose strength lies with light trucks — are getting better at competing with import brands, said DesRosiers.

Despite rising gas prices, light trucks continue to outsell passenger cars, he added.

“Normally, sales of ‘B’ and ‘C’ vehicles go up with higher gas prices and vice versa.” said DesRosiers. “Year-to-date, we haven’t seen much evidence of this. Entry-level vehicle sales are up only 0.4 per cent in a market that is up by 2.1 per cent, so they are underperforming the market.”

The strongest segment all year so far have been those with vehicles dedicated to commercial use, like large pickup trucks and panel vans, he said. “Gas prices ultimately will change the types of vehicles bought by Canadians, but we are not seeing much evidence of it so far.”

Source;
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Honda+Civic+retakes+title+selling+Canada/4615143/story.html#ixzz1JbHgVfTr

CTV: Honda arms the Civic for the small car wars

Jeremy Cato, Autos.CTV.ca

Date: Friday Apr. 15, 2011 6:35 AM ET

How important is the Civic compact to Honda Canada? Beyond measure.

The Civic is at the centre of the company's lineup -- more critical than the Accord midsize sedan and vastly more central to everything that is Honda.

Forget about the other niche models Honda sells in Canada, from the CR-Z hybrid to the Accord Crosstour crossover. There is nothing niche about the Civic and that's why next week's launch of the all-new 2012 Civic means the world to Honda.

Consider: The Civic has been Canada's best-selling passenger car for 13 years running. Honda has sold some 1.6 million Civics in Canada and built 3.6 million and counting at its Alliston, Ontario plant. The Civic is at the core of Honda.

It is also Honda's second-best-selling car in the U.S. after the Accord and was the fourth-best-selling car overall in 2010. The Civic franchise is critical for Honda, which in turn depends on the North American market for more of its overall sales and profits than any other Japanese auto maker.

So if you want to check the pulse of Japan's No. 3 auto maker, take the temperature of Civic sales. And according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, the patient is under the weather. Civic sales were down 8.2 per cent (to 57,505) in 2010. Not surprisingly, Honda brand sales overall were down in 2010, a year in which the Honda brand lost fully half a point of market share.

The story only gets more serious for Honda in 2011. In March, sales of compact cars accounted for 54.4 per cent of all passenger car sales. The Civic's share of all that, however, shrank -- arguably in the face of intense competition, not to mention Honda's own supply and production problems resulting from the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.

Now put aside for the moment the current crisis in Japan and how it's having an impact on Honda and other Japanese car companies. Instead, consider Honda's specific dilemma with the Civic as an automobile.

The core Honda model has never been more important, not since 1973 when the first Civic arrived. Moreover, the ninth generation Civic has never faced such competition -- from the all-new Hyundai Elantra, to the all-new Ford Focus to the all-new Chevrolet Cruze and more.

Meanwhile, the Civic's core buyers remain baby boomers who are loyal but aging. Honda desperately has been trying and failing to attract the under-35 crowd which has been shopping Mazdas and Kias and Hyundais and other brands. That needs to change.

Now you have the picture. In the run-up to next week's on-sale date, Honda has come out swinging, defending its Civic turf and claiming it will conquer new ground with the new Civic.

Honda has said the fuel economy of the latest Civic would be brilliant, though the company has declined to provide details on the actual fuel economy, as well as engine size, weight, interior features or suggested price.

Company officials have promised the new Civic will be more comfortable, lighter, cheaper, smarter, highly entertaining to drive, ultra-safe, incredibly reliable and more fuel efficient than the current generation, too. Sounds like the perfect car.

Making such bold claims has put added pressure on for Honda to hit the bull's-eye, especially given the company delayed the new model by a year to help save cash during the recession. That may have been a serious mistake.

The delay allowed Honda's rivals to launch their own Civic competitors before the new Civic had a chance to hit showrooms. The Cruze, Elantra and Focus all are on sale right now. Meanwhile, Toyota did a facelift of the Corolla and tweaked pricing to stay competitive.

If Honda had launched the Civic on schedule, it would have arrived fully a year before the competition had a chance to redefine the compact car game. In particular, the new entries from Detroit's auto makers pose an entirely new threat.

For decades, Japanese-brand car companies "had the corner on the small-car market. The domestic offerings were not at the same level, did not provide the same quality, value, reliability," says Rebecca Lindland, auto-industry specialist at consultant IHS Global Insight.

"That's changed a lot. We're seeing products coming out" of General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler Group "that are incredibly competitive. For example, Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus."

Thus, Honda and Toyota find themselves in the thick of an intense small-car war like never before. Perennial laggards Chevy, Ford and Hyundai have vastly improved new compacts on offer and they are getting plenty of attention.

That said, no one with any sense should underestimate Honda.

"They are still a very, very good engine company," Lindland says, adding that Honda vehicles also have a justified reputation for refinement and reliability.

What's been missing over at least the last decade of the Civic is a truly innovative Civic. At this critical juncture Honda will be watched carefully to see if the new one is an innovative, ground-breaking, segment-busting compact, or just another "safe" Civic like the previous generation and the several before it.

The eyes of the automotive world are on Honda for next week's Civic launch. Will Honda get it right?

Source;
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Autos/20110414/honda-canada-civic-jeremy-cato-autos-column-110415/

Honda Canada Ordering Delays

Well, the fallout from Japan's disaster is official, incoming units have been delayed indefinitely. We normally have about 9-12 pages of incoming units and we are now down to about 2 pages of stock.

Incoming 2012 Honda Civic's have been taken right out, so I am not sure if Honda will be delaying the launch date of April 22nd, 2011, although I do know that some dealerships in the US have

CRV's are about the only thing that I think dealerships with have in adequate stock.

Source;
Honda Canada

2012 Honda Civic Updated Information

Honda makes a more civil Civic
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Honda decided to remake the Civic with further environmental awareness – not because of the current social climate but because that’s what Civic has stood for since its introduction in 1972.

Honda is promising the all-new 2012 Civic will better address the diverse needs of the compact car buyer when it launches in spring 2011, including a renewed commitment to fuel economy.

A component of that is aerodynamics, with the new Civic sedan’s snout bearing more than a passing resemblance to both the Insight five-door hatchback Insight hybrid and the FCX Clarity fuel-cell sedan. The coupe’s nose is pointier, with a smaller grille.

It will again be available in coupe and sedan bodystyles, both in various trim levels, and with a hybrid sedan still in the mix.

“The Civic is the only model in the industry that can deliver on all fronts – fuel economy, sporty performance, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of sales for Honda Canada Inc. “For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing improved fuel economy across the board, from the hybrid sedan to the sporty Si models.”

The Civic Hybrid sedan will come with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency as well as Honda’s ECO Assist technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback to promote more efficient individual driving styles. It will be available on coupe and sedan models, as well – the first such application in gasoline only models.

Its impact is considerable, with the 2012 Honda Civic sedan, for example, carrying an estimated fuel economy rating of 7.2 L/100km in the city and 5.0 on the highway (a 12% improvement on the current model).

A two percent improvement in fuel economy is also being touted for the Civic Si coupe and sedan, despite the models’ 2.4 litre four-cylinder engines (linked to new six-speed automatics?!? I do believe that they mean manual transmission) that make an anticipated 200 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque (a 22% increase).

The regular Civics get motivation from 140 hp 1.8-litre four-cylinder engines, with a choice of five-speed manuals or five-speed automatics, while the Hybrid uses a 110-hp 1.5-litre “four” with a continuously variable transmission. All engines use i-VTEC, Honda’s variable valve timing and lift system) for improved power and economy.

The interior is an evolution of the current Civic’s two-tiered design, with the centre stack angled toward the driver to create a plane cockpit feeling. The steering wheel is also evolved from the current meaty tri-spoke design.

More details and final pricing for the new 2012 Civic will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date. Civic coupes and sedans will be built at Honda’s plant in Alliston, Ont.

Summary:
Year/Make/Model
2012 Honda Civic
Trim level
Exp. DX; SE; EL; Si
Price range
not yet set
Options
leather upholstery; automatic transmission; sunroof
EnerGuide fuel economy ratings
Est. 7.2 city; 5.0 hwy (sedan)
Competitors
Chevrolet Cruze; Fiat 500; Ford Focus; Hyundai Elantra; Kia Forte; Mazda3; Mitsubishi Lancer; Nissan Sentra; Toyota Corolla; Volkswagen Jetta

Source;
http://www.autonet.ca/autos/search/newmodels/2011/02/25/17408176-autonet.html

NewCa.com: 2011 Autoshow: Canadian Premieres - Honda

Found this interesting, thought I'd pass it along....

Honda Accord HFP Coupe "Limited Edition" Black only coming to Canada

I'm a little slow on this news, but it's good news none the less, 200 to be produced only in Canada!
MARKHAM, ON (February 17, 2011) – Honda Canada revealed the first member of its newHonda Factory Performance (HFP) line-up at the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show inToronto. The Canadian-exclusive, “Limited-Series Black” 2011 Honda Accord HFP Coupe is an aggressive expression of Honda’s commitment to developing new levels of styling and performance potential of its vehicles.

“The new Accord HFP Coupe is designed for the Accord buyer who wants an even sportier look and an enhanced driving experience in addition to the quality and reliability Honda has always delivered,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. “We wanted to provide an example of how easy it is to create a more sporty ride when your foundation is a Honda– and we’re confident that we have hit the mark with this car.” The enhanced exterior styling comes from a wider and lower appearance, achieved through a 25-mm (1”) suspension drop, 19-inch wheels and skirt kit that includes front, rear and side skirts. In addition, a more responsive sport suspension designed to provide a more exhilarating driving experience with improved tire grip from special Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires. Add that to the Accord’s 271-horsepower V6 engine and the result is a car meant to turn heads just long enough to see the new 2011 Honda Accord HFP Coupe go from the rear-view mirror to the horizon ahead.

The 2011 Limited-Series Black Honda Accord HFP Coupe will be priced at $37,890 and will be available at select Honda dealerships this spring in limited numbers, with only 200 being produced.

Two transmissions will be available – 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual, with Black as the only exterior colour.

Source;

Honda Canada

2012 Honda Civic Trim Levels and Colours available for Canada

2012 Honda Civic DX Sedan Manual Transmission (no Automatic)
-Base model, not expecting Air Conditioning (?).....
NH-578 - Taffeta White with Grey Interior
NH-700M - Alabaster Silver Metallic with Grey Interior
NH-731P - Crystal Black Pearl with Grey Interior
NH-737P - new Grey with Grey Interior
B-561P - new Blue with Grey Interior

2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan Manual and Automatic Transmissions
-Expect Air, Tilt, Cruise, XM, Bluetooth, etc....
Same colours as above only adding;
R-543P - new Red with Grey Interior
YR-578M - Urban Titanium Metallic with Grey Interior

2012 Honda Civic EX Sedan Manual and Automatic Transmissions
-Expect Moonroof, etc....
Same colours as above only changing;
YR-578M - Urban Titanium Metallic with new 'GG' (???) Interior

2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi Sedan Automatic Transmission (no Manual)
-Expect Leather, Navigation, Backup Camera?!?, etc....
Same colours as EX

2012 Honda Civic Si Sedan 6 Speed Manual Transmission (no Automatic)
-2.4Litre 200hp engine, performance version, etc....
NH-578 - Taffeta White with Black Interior
NH-731P - Crystal Black Pearl with Black Interior
NH737M - new Grey with Black Interior
B-561P - new Blue with Black Interior
YR-589P - new Orange with Black Interior

No pricing yet, and no official equipment list yet, except the fact that there is now a Civic with Navigation!

Source;
Honda Canada

Update on the 2012 Honda CRV

Well, I have confirmation that the next generation CRV is indeed pretty much ready to go, however won't be released until the fall this year. Your guess is as good as mine as to what this incarnation is going to look like, however I have been told that this won't be a dramatic departure from the current formula. It would sure be nice to see the 2.2l diesel engine make it's way here, but as far as I know that's not even on the table.

Honda has been doing a great job of keeping this one under wraps, I have found a few drawings out there as to what the vehicle may end up looking like (Crosstour front end?), and when I asked a Honda Canada rep (who had seen the 2012) about the Crosstour front end they just looked at me and said 'nope'. That doesn't mean much to me, due to the fact that this is the same person that said the spyshots of the 2012 Civic a few months back were inaccurate (bang on).

Anyway, when I find out more, I'll let you know!

Source;
Honda Canada

Honda Showcases Tuning Potential With REMIX CR-Z and Accord Tuner Cars [CIAS 2011]

By Colum Wood at Autoguide

Honda is well aware that it has a strong following of enthusiasts who love to modify their cars and with the launch of the 9th generation Civic expected later this year, the Japanese automaker is catering to its fan base, displaying a few tuner cars at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

Flanking the new Civic Si Concept and Civic Sedan Concept are what Honda is calling the REMIX CR-Z and REMIX Accord Coupe, built in association with Performance Auto & Sound Magazine (PASMAG).

As expected with PASMAG, both cars have big audio systems, but otherwise the builds are surprisingly clean, both using matte white and matte black paint, with tame aero kits, suspension drops and some nice Enkei wheels. For all the details, hit the jump for the press release, and check out the galleries below.

Official release :
Canadian Experts Engaged in the Creation of Two Special, One-of-a-Kind Models
Toronto, Ontario (February 17, 2011) – Today, during the press preview of the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Honda Canada unveiled two examples of how its vehicles can be customized for sportier looks and performance – the Honda REMIX CR-Z and Honda REMIX Accord Coupe. Honda worked with Performance Auto & Sound Magazine (PASMAG) to do what so many Canadians before them have done – take a great Honda product and personalize it.

“We’re proud of the history our products have with after-market customizations and we wanted to see what these product experts could come up with,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada. “We love that many people choose our cars as the canvas for their personal expression.”

The REMIX vehicles were completed in just six weeks and will be on display at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto from February 18-27. Further details are available upon request, or by visiting http://honda.pasmag.com.

About the REMIX CR-ZDeveloped as a stylish, driver-focused vehicle with an emphasis on efficient “green” performance with a fun-to-drive demeanour, the 2011 Honda CR-Z is a sleek, two-passenger, gasoline-electric hybrid coupe that uses a 1.5-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and Honda’s unique, compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to provide sporty, responsive handling.

The challenge laid out from Honda was to build upon its original design and produce a CR-Z with more power, less weight, improved efficiency and unique styling – and the result is incredible.

Among the many modifications performed by PASMAG’s official builder International Automotive and Custom (IAC) were the installation of an AEM Cold Air Intake for improved air flow, a new Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust, and BC Racing ER-Series coilovers for sportier handling. The REMIX CR-Z rides on stylish 18-inch, black Enkei Wheels Fujin alloys wrapped in high performance Yokohama S.Drive tires. PASMAG also used matte white paint and matte black accents to create a very unique look.

Inside, the audio and multimedia upgrades were performed by the experts at 20 Hz Audio Sound and Security, the official PASMAG installer. The original stereo was replaced with JVC’s premier KW-NT30HD navigation head unit featuring CD and DVD playback, iPod and iPhone USB connectivity, HD radio tuner and Bluetooth wireless technology, complete with a 6.1 inch touchscreen. 20 Hz also installed JVC’s high-end Arsenal-branded 8000 Series amplifiers, along with Arsenal subwoofers and speakers to provide exceptional audio quality and power.

About the REMIX Accord CoupeReceiving a number of updates this year, the 2011 Honda Accord Coupe is the ultimate choice for young professionals who still wants to be excited when they drive. The 3.5L V6 produces 271 horsepower with optimal timing through its 24-valve i-VTEC system. Paddle shifters and an available 6-speed manual transmission provide a driving experience un-matched in the segment.

The mission for the Accord REMIX was simple – take the exhilarating drive that this powerful coupe delivers and express it visually. Modifications performed by IAC included a K&N Typhoon Intake to open up the airways for the potent V6 along with a Magnaflow stainless steel muffler and custom stainless steel exhaust. Stopping power was augmented with the installation of Wilwood 4-piston big front brakes, and the original wheels and tires were exchanged for 19-inch Enkei Wheels RP05 alloys wrapped in Continental ContiSport Contact 3 tires for exceptional three-season performance. Like the CR-Z, PASMAG used matte white paint and black accents to provide a sharp contrast.

To create a powerful audio and multimedia experience, 20 Hz added a PAC Sven4 module to allow the factory stereo to interface with the powerful audio gear from Gentec International. Phoenix Gold amplifiers and subwoofers, matched with Energy speakers have been installed to surround Remix Accord occupants with brilliant and dynamic sound.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/02/honda-showcases-tuning-potential-with-remix-cr-z-and-accord-tuner-cars-cias-2011.html

Honda's big hopes for a new Civics generation

GREG KEENAN — AUTO INDUSTRY REPORTER
MARKHAM, ONT.— From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Feb. 14, 2011 7:49PM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 8:55AM EST

If Honda Canada Inc. (HMC-N43.950.150.34%) president Masahiro Takedagawa is worried about the Civic plunging out of first place in compact car sales last month, he’s not showing it.

Sales of Honda’s most important vehicle stumbled badly last month, dropping 51 per cent compared to the previous January. They sat behind sales of five other compact cars: the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus.

“January was a bit unlucky,” Mr. Takedagawa said in an interview, attributing some of the drop to snowstorms wreaking havoc on sales.

“We do also have the snow blower,” he joked. “That helps a lot.”

Honda’s snow blower is not, however, the Civic, which has been the best-selling passenger car in Canada for the past 13 years and the product that has come to define the company in this country.

While the results show just a single month of sales, the presence of cars from two of the Detroit Three auto makers ahead of the Civic is almost unheard of in the compact segment, which represents the biggest chunk of the Canadian market.

The January results underline how the competitive landscape in Canada has become tougher for Honda – and other Japan-based auto makers that have relied on compact cars – amid the rise of Hyundai, the new emphasis Ford is putting on passenger cars and GM’s rebound from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

They also come after a year that saw Honda underperform in the Canadian market. Its sales rose 1 per cent versus a 7-per-cent advance for the market as a whole, at a time when Honda was expected to benefit from the recall crisis that afflicted its arch-rival Toyota Canada Inc.
Mr. Takedagawa and other senior executives are fully aware of the competition.

“Each of our brands, while being well regarded in the Canadian marketplace, is facing significant, unique challenges which must be overcome,” Jerry Chenkin, Honda Canada’s executive vice-president, said last month in a memo to dealers of the company’s Acura luxury brand. “We must develop a more robust marketing effort to ensure that our brand messages resonate with Canadians.”

As Mr. Takedagawa put it: “Marketing, advertising, incentives, discounts; it becomes war, particularly in the compact segment.”

Honda’s immediate response to the disappointing January results was to boost advertising and slap a low interest rate incentive of 0.9-per-cent financing for up to 60 months on the Civic and the second-best seller in Honda’s lineup, the CR-V crossover utility vehicle.

A longer-term solution will arrive in April – in the form of the ninth generation of the car that launched the company’s sales in Canada in 1973.

Honda has shown only concept versions of the car so far and will do so again on Thursday at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

Mr. Takedagawa offered one detail: The wheelbase on the 2012 Civic has been shortened by 30 millimetres, providing a sportier ride.

There will be other innovations and upgrades, particularly to electronics components, he added.

“We [will] try to minimize the price increase, but enrich content,” he said in the company’s sparkling new head office in Markham, Ont., north of Toronto. “We don’t believe this is the situation to increase dramatically the price.”

He’s relying on a 22-per-cent jump in Civic sales – to 70,000 this year from 57,501 last year – to propel an overall gain in Honda’s sales to 150,000 from 141,070 in 2010.

But industry sources say the new Civic will have to be dramatically better than the Elantra, Focus, Cruze and others in the segment to generate those kinds of sales numbers.

Mr. Takedagawa also pointed to the redesigned Odyssey minivan that was introduced late last year and a new CR-V coming at the end of 2011 as other vehicles that will help boost sales.

“Everybody has a lot of new product,” said Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ont. “How do you distinguish yourself?”

As for last year, Mr. Takedagawa and Mr. Chenkin point to a shift in the market to pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles as one reason for Honda’s underperformance. That shift appears to have been driven in part by Canadians’ comfort with gas prices above $1 a litre.

“We saw some crazy advertising where a manufacturer is offering a $14,000 rebate on a pickup,” Mr. Chenkin said. “You can buy a lot of gas for $14,000.”

The CR-V and other crossovers performed well in the market shift, but Honda’s Ridgeline, a combination of pickup and SUV, doesn’t compete directly with the Ford F-series, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram pickups, all of which experienced double-digit sales gains last year.

Mr. Takedagawa said he spent much of last year focusing on reducing a vast oversupply of vehicles at the company’s dealers in Canada, reducing the days supply of vehicles – a key measure in the auto industry – to a healthy 56, from more than 100 last March.

Honda has also restructured its marketing and sales initiatives in Canada so that there are now three distinct brands representing Honda, Acura and the motorcycle and power business.

In addition, about 50 salaried employees and executives have opted for early retirement after the company offered such incentives for the first time in its history in Canada.
______
THE NINE LIVES OF THE HONDA CIVIC
1972
First generation
The car that started the Honda ride in Canada in 1973 offered great fuel economy at a time of soaring gas prices, based on its four-cylinder engine, light weight and front-wheel drive.
Canadian sales, 1972: 747
––––
1979
Second generation
The 1979 redesign included a new version of the fuel-efficient CVCC engine, plus four-door sedan and station wagon versions of the subcompact.
Canadian sales, ’79: 19,880
––––
1983
Third generation
The boxy 1983 Civic had more interior space and came in three-door, four-door and five-door versions.
Canadian sales, ‘83: 18,903
––––
1987
Fourth generation
By 1987, Honda was offering five different engines and a double-wishbone suspension. The auto maker began assembling the car in Alliston, Ont., that year and added a second shift of workers in 1988.
Canadian sales, ‘87: 25,831
––––
1991
Fifth generation
Styling changed dramatically in 1991. A new VTEC engine replaced the CVCC, including a 170-horsepower version.
Canadian sales, ‘91: 50,320
––––
1995
Sixth generation
The sixth generation, available beginning in 1995, offered evolutionary changes in styling and included the option of a variable speed automatic transmission.
Canadian sales, ‘95: 33,386
––––
2000
Seventh generation
The Civic continued to get bigger with a 2000 redesign. By now, it was competing in the compact segment in North America.
Canadian sales, 2000: 60,407
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2006
Eighth generation
By 2006, Civic is much more global, tailored to different tastes in different markets and being produced at a Honda plant in China for the first time.
Canadian sales, ‘08: 72,463, an annual Canadian sales record.
––––
2012
Ninth generation
The 2012 version will start rolling off assembly lines in Alliston and Greensburg, Ind., in April. There are 930,000 Civics still on the road in Canada, representing about 4 per cent of the existing Canadian fleet of 22.3 million vehicles. Cumulative Canadian sales total 1,569,465 since 1973.
Greg Keenan

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/hondas-big-hopes-for-a-new-civics-generation/article1907083/page2/

Canadian Driver: Used Vehicle Review: Honda Civic, 2006-2011

By Chris Chase
The eighth-generation Honda Civic hit the market in 2006, and made a bit of a splash when it did, with its wedgy exterior and modern interior, including a controversial split-level dashboard. Nevertheless, the Civic remained one of the most popular cars on the market and largely retained its reputation for being a dependable form of transportation.

If you bought a Civic in 2006, you got a compact sedan or coupe powered by a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower in all trims save the Si coupe and Hybrid. The Si got a 2.0-litre, 197-hp motor, while the Hybrid used 1.3-litre engine paired with an electric motor for a net horsepower power rating of 110. Regular-grade Civics came standard with a five-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a five-speed automatic. The Si used a six-speed manual exclusively and also got a limited-slip differential; the Hybrid came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as the only one available.

In 2008, an Si sedan was added to the line-up. Some upper trim models got stability/traction control in 2009.

Natural Resources Canada’s fuel consumption ratings for the 2006 Civic were 7.8/5.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 1.8-litre model with manual transmission, or 8.2/5.7 with the automatic. The Hybrid was rated at 4.7/4.3, and the Si at 10.2/6.8. These figures would remain the same through the eighth-gen Civic’s run, to 2011.

Reliability on the whole has been good, earning the Civic inclusion on Consumer Reports’ list of used car “good bets.” It’s not without fault, however, particularly the hybrid model.
Consumer Reports’ data on the Civic shows electrical system problems with the Hybrid powertrain. These include the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) warning light turning on, indicating a problem with the battery or the software that manages the IMA system. Here’s a thread talking about how high ambient temperatures and hot weather can negatively affect the Civic Hybrid’s battery pack. The battery packs themselves appear to be pricey; I’ve seen figures upwards of $3,000 for replacement (including labour) mentioned in more than one forum.
There’s also an IMA software update mentioned frequently that apparently causes driveability issues after it’s installed in the car’s CPU. Apparently, this is due to the system needing to recalibrate itself, but kills the electric assist function in the process, making the car slow, and dangerously so, say some owners.

If the check engine, IMA and battery light come on and the car loses electric assist (runs on the gas engine only), a common, and simple, cause is a weak 12-volt battery (just like the one every car has). If this battery is bad, it frequently causes the car’s sensitive electronics to go haywire.
Here’s a Civic Hybrid FAQ from CleanMPG.com.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Honda Civic Hybrid is one to approach with caution, especially used, and even more so if the hybrid system warranty is close to expiry. A couple of posters in this GreenHybrid.com thread call their 2007 Civic Hybrids the worst cars they’ve ever owned.

With that out of the way, non-hybrid Civics have fared much better, suffering only from relatively minor problems.

There’s a common problem with the Civic Si’s transmission that causes grinding and hard shifting into third gear, and a shifter that pops out of third. This prompted the folks at 8thCivic.com to draft a (poorly written) petition in an effort to get Honda to acknowledge the problem. The company eventually did, by issuing a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) advising dealers on how to fix the bad transmissions.

A popping sound from the front suspension, a problem that appears to affect mostly 2006, 2007 and a few 2008 Civics, is caused by an incorrectly manufactured bump stop. Honda addressed this in 2007, with the TSB that can be found here.

Read this thread for a few details about a rear suspension problem – bad upper control arms – that seems to affect only the Hybrid.

This thread indicates that some Civic owners have experienced head gasket failures. There’s no evidence of this in Consumer Reports’ data, though.

The two-door Civic earned a “good” rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) frontal offset crash test, and an “acceptable” score in side impact testing, with the IIHS citing a possibility of rib and pelvis fractures for front seat occupants. The four-door model scored “good” in both tests, but the IIHS noted that there was still a small possibility of rib fractures for front-seat riders.

From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave Civic two- and four-door models five stars for driver and front passenger protection in its frontal crash test, and four and five stars for front and rear seat protection in side impacts, respectively.

Used Civic pricing, from Canadian Black Book (CBB), shows these cars have held their value well, as is the Honda way. At the low end is a 2006 DX coupe, at $8,150, or $8,625 for a DX sedan; for bigger budgets, a 2010 sedan in top EX-L trim is worth $20,200. The Si’s values range from $15,525 for a 2006 coupe, to $21,300 for a 2010 sedan (the coupe is a bit cheaper), and the Hybrid starts at $10,750 for a 2006 and ranges up to $17,075 for a 2009. (CBB doesn’t have pricing info for the 2010 Hybrid.) For middle-ground shoppers, a 2008 LX is worth $14,450.

As stated above, the Civic Hybrid is a car to avoid, or at least, consider very carefully when shopping for a fuel-thrifty vehicle. The rest of the Civic line has held up well, earning consistent above-average used vehicle reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, with few, if any, serious trouble spots. Regardless, look for a car with detailed service records and have it checked out by a trustworthy mechanic before buying.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/27/used-vehicle-review-honda-civic-2006-2011.htm

Quit smoking and you may get a Honda: Canadian Cancer Society

According to a recent survey, 20% people in Ontario use tobacco in the form of cigarettes, cigars. The study has been released by the Cancer Society of Canada at the commencement of its Driven to Quit Campaign.

The survey also reveals that 53% of Ontarians would not prefer to date a person who uses tobacco. However, the startling revelation is that around 50% of the smokers have tried to quit but in vain.

CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Ontario Division, Martin Kabat, revealed that the campaign has been successful in making 130,000 people quit tobacco since 2006.

This year also the Society is making its best possible efforts to make more and more people quit tobacco. This time the stake is even higher as the prizes include a new Honda hybrid vehicle, two CAA vacation getaways worth $5000 each and seven MasterCard gift cards worth $2000 each.

These prizes will be given to those people who will abstain from smoking in the month of March.

The people who are willing to take the challenge should get themselves registered by Monday i. e. February 28 which is the last day for taking the entries The people who register in January will get a chance to win a $1,000 MasterCard gift card.

Source;
http://topnews.us/content/233152-quit-smoking-and-you-may-get-honda-canadian-cancer-society

HONDA CIVIC STAYS ON TOP AS CANADA'S TOP-SELLING CAR (13th yr in a row!)

TORONTO, Jan. 5 /CNW/ - With sales of 57,501 units in 2010, Honda Civic retained its position as Canada's top-selling passenger car for the 13th consecutive year. Since 1973, nearly 1.6 million Honda Civics have been sold in Canada, making Civic a leader in the Canadian automotive landscape. An all-new, 9th-generation, 2012-model Civic will go on sale this spring.

"We thank the thousands of Canadians who bought Honda Civic models this past year to make it Canada's number one car for the 13th year in a row," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "We appreciate and value these new car buyers' vote of confidence in Civic with its strong resale value, excellent fuel efficiency, top-of-class safety features and fun-to-drive character."

"With the exception of the Civic Hybrid, all Civic models sold in Canada are made here in Canada. We are proud of our investment in Canada as a leading vehicle manufacturer. In fact, nearly half of all the vehicles we sold in Canada in 2010 were built in Canada, including the Honda Civic and Acura MDX, ZDX and the Canadian-exclusive CSX."

Of the more than 5.3 million Honda and Acura vehicles that the Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario, have produced over the past 24 years, more than 3 million of those have been Honda Civic models.

Now in its 41st year of operation in Canada, Honda Canada builds the Honda Civic and Acura MDX, ZDX and CSX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario, and produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines for Civic production at its adjacent engine plant.

Source;
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/05/c8692.html