USA - Honda takes the 2016 North American Car Of The Year Award for the All-New USA Produced, Civic Sedan.

• Ground-up redesign was developed and is built in North America
• Second NACOTY win for the model after 2006 Civic win a decade ago

The all-new 2016 Honda Civic has earned the prestigious 2016 North American Car of the Year Award. This win for the Civic is the second for the model in the award's history, following a win for the 2006 Civic a decade ago when it shared the stage with the 2006 Ridgeline, winner of that year's Truck of the Year award. 

In total, eleven Honda models have been named "finalists" for NACOTY awards since their inception in 1994, the most of any brand outside of the Detroit Big 3 automakers.

"The all-new Civic was developed and is built in North America, making this North American Car of the Year win even sweeter," said Jeff Conrad, Honda Division senior vice president and general manager. 

"Civic is a cornerstone of the Honda lineup, and we're delighted that the automotive press has recognized the new levels of styling, performance, advanced technology, safety and value that characterize the new Civic."

The North American Car of the Year Award is given by a group of 53 international automotive journalists. The award is unique because instead of being given by a single publication, radio or television station, it is given by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. 

Presented each year at the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it recognizes the most outstanding car of the year based on factors including innovation, design, safety performance, handling, driver satisfaction and value.

Truly all-new, the 2016 Civic features a new vehicle architecture; sporty and sophisticated new interior and exterior styling; a more spacious and high-quality cabin; two advanced new engines; and a host of new available premium features and technologies, including the first application of both Apple CarPlay®¹ and Android Auto™² in a compact car sold anywhere in the world. 

Further, with the addition of Honda Sensing™ safety and driver-assistive technologies and the first application of Honda turbo engine technology to Civic, the 2016 Civic offers buyers a wider range of options than ever before.

With vehicle development led by Honda R&D Americas, Inc. and Civic Sedan and Coupe production in Indiana and Ontario, Canada, the new 10th-generation Civic firmly has its roots in North America. 

The majority of Civics sold in the United States will be produced and assembled using domestic and globally sourced parts in the United States and Canada. The Civic 5-door, set to debut in the near future, will be produced at Honda's Swindon Plant in the United Kingdom.

1 Apple CarPlay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

2 Android and Android Auto are trademarks of Google Inc.

Two Mitsubishi dealerships sponsor the Rein and Shine riding school, for upwards of 600 students per month.

A riding school has received a Christmas cracker of a gift after two Mitsubishi dealerships pledged to sponsor it. The Swindon and Cirencester dealerships, which are part of the CCR Mitsubishi group, are supporting Rein & Shine Riding School in Braydon, near Swindon for the next year.  

The popular school, based at Buryhill Farm, provides lessons for 600 people a month and also hosts regular shows. The new deal has seen the creation of a Mitsubishi Arena at the centre.

The school’s Director, John McDonald, said: ‘We’re delighted to be associated with the Mitsubishi dealerships in Swindon and Cirencester. Mitsubishi are well established in the equine world through their links with the Badminton Horse Trials so this is perfect for us. We’re looking forward to working with Mitsubishi in the future.’

The 2016 Badminton Horse Trials will mark 25 years of the partnership between Mitsubishi Motors in the UK and the prestigious event.

Regional General Managers Andy Jackman and Dale Bedwell attended the riding school for the announcement about the sponsorship.

Dale, from Cirencester Mitsubishi, said: ‘We’re very pleased to be able to support a local project like this, and of course the school fits perfectly with Mitsubishi because of the history we have in the equine world. We’re looking forward to a successful relationship and we hope the school will continue to flourish as it has done.’

50 years of Honda in the UK, and things have never looked so good, and it just gets better and better.

It was the year the Beatles performed the first stadium concert in the history of music, while cartoon heroes Tom and Jerry and the puppet-tastic Thunderbirds first aired on TV.  Cigarette advertising was banned on British TV, the Sound of Music premiered and Churchill was buried.  

On top of that DJ Jazzy Jeff, Alan Cumming, Brooke Shields and Honda’s very own Karen Parry were born.

1965 also saw the year Honda first started trading in the UK.  It also saw the first Grand Prix win for Honda in the legendary RA272, thanks to Ritchie Ginther at the Mexico Grand Prix.

In the last five decades, Honda has achieved milestone after milestone.  Now one of the top 20 biggest brands in the world, Honda employs over 182,000 employees worldwide and has 40 manufacturing facilities making everything from a 25cc leaf blower to a $4m business jet.

Last year, global sales hit 27.3million units, made up of 17 million motorcycles, six million power products and 4.3million cars.  The European arm employs 8,000 people and last year sold almost 1.4million products.

This year also sees 30 years of Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM). A 370 acre site in Swindon employing 3,200 people, HUM has benefitted from a self-funded total investment of £2.2bn over the years and will become the global production hub for the five door Civic.

The motorcycles division is number one in the UK market with almost 20% market share.  With a product range spanning 65 models, last year, Honda sold 19,000 bikes in the UK.  The power products range has 225 models and last year sold in excess of 50,000 units.  Honda is the number one ATV manufacturer in the UK and the third largest outboard manufacturer.

From a motorsport perspective in the UK, we have the most successful BSB team in the UK and the BTCC team just won the drivers and manufacturers championships for 2015.

Philip Crossman, Managing Director at Honda UK, commented: “This year marks our golden anniversary in the UK with fifty years of rich history in trading bikes, power products and cars.  While this year has been significant in refreshing the car range in its entirety and launching several important new bikes, the Japanese way is to take a much longer viewpoint than just 12 months.  

“Our business has changed radically over since it launched in the swinging sixties, adapting and evolving to suit the demands of riders and drivers over the years.  I can well imagine that Honda will be a completely different organisation in 2065 – but still selling quality and trusted cars, bikes and power products.”

Honda launches the new Type R from Swindon, UK, and will export it back to Japan.

Just a few days ago, hundreds of production staff and management from Honda’s European car manufacturing facility in Swindon, UK, joined invited guests to celebrate the first production models of the hotly-anticipated Civic Type R rolling off the line.

Breaking cover at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) to a high-energy fanfare of lights and music, the first three models arrived in patriotic red, white and blue respectively as they left the line heading to Honda dealerships across Europe.

Addressing those gathered for the event, Soichiro Takizawa, Managing Director at HUM, took the opportunity to thank staff for their continued commitment and hard work, expressing the shared pride felt by all at HUM in seeing the all-new British-built Civic Type R in the metal.

The ceremony topped a very positive few months for HUM, following an announcement in March confirming that it will become the global production hub for Honda’s flagship Civic five door model, extending its reach beyond European shores. Reflecting this achievement in his address to those attending, Mr Takizawa spoke of renewed optimism for the plant – regarding it as a major milestone and testament to the knowledge and experience of staff who have been building Civics at the plant for more than twenty years.

Mr Takizawa commented: “The new Civic Type R is an imperative model for Honda, representing our racing spirit and demonstrating our commitment to innovation and passion. We are extremely proud to be the only manufacturer of the Civic Type R in the world. Our high standards have earned us this privilege and this is testament to the continued commitment of our Associates.”

Billed as a ‘Race car for the road’, the new Honda Civic Type R is the most extreme and high-performing model to ever wear the acclaimed ‘Red H’ badge. With a high-revving all-new two litre VTEC TURBO engine, advanced new suspension systems, stand-out function-led styling and a new +R track mode it is set to bring new standards to Europe’s high-performance front-wheel drive hatchback segment. Peak power output is 306BHP, with the engine red-lining at 7,000rpm, delivering a class-leading top speed of 167mph.

The new Honda Civic Type R will be built exclusively for Europe at HUM. The announcement made in March that HUM will become the global production hub for the Civic five door model will see a further investment of £200million for the plant, bringing total investment to £2.2billion since 1985, and confirming Honda’s long-term commitment to manufacturing in the UK and Europe.

Jeep hands the keys of a new Renegade, in full police trim, to a Swindon Police station.

It looks great in one of the nine optional colours already available, but now the new Jeep Renegade has a new colour scheme: blue and yellow stripes.

This striking Renegade police car is the result of a new partnership, announced this week, between Jeep’s Swindon-based dealership, T H White Fiat Group Brand Centre, and Wiltshire Police. In a first for the dealership, T H White has agreed an extended six month test drive with the force.

At the end of the test period, Wiltshire Police plans to buy the Jeep, which has been fitted with full police graphics, blue lights and sirens, and use it out of Gable Cross Police Station, Swindon.

The car, in 1.6 Diesel Sport specification, combines best-in-class off-road ability with world-class on-road driving dynamics. 

Inside, functional details crafted from high quality materials and using innovative colours ensure the Renegade will become an excellent addition to the force’s drivers.

It'll be a practical one too, courtesy of best-in-class interior space and clever, functional storage areas.

Stephen Botham, Fleet & Services Manager at Wiltshire Police, negotiated the deal with Lee Jones, Fleet Sales Manager – EMEA Region, FCA and T H White Fiat Group Brand Centre’s newly appointed Fleet Sales Specialist, Emma McArdle.

“We’re delighted to add the Jeep Renegade to our fleet of vehicles,” says Andrew Carr, Hub Superintendent, Gable Cross Police Station, Swindon. 

“It is the first Jeep we've used as a marked vehicle and we're looking forward to the start of what we are confident will be a rewarding relationship between Wiltshire Police and T H White Fiat Group Brand Centre.”

“Handing over the Jeep Renegade to Wiltshire Police was a great moment,” says Emma McArdle. “We're sure it will be the ideal vehicle for all their needs, both on and off-road, and we look forward to seeing it out and about on the streets of Swindon.”

NEW YORK - Honda confirms UK Production for next generation US Civic.

Honda North America (HNA) has today unveiled the ultra-sporty Civic concept that will provide the styling direction for the 10th generation Civic at the New York Auto Show.  

At the same time, Honda North America confirmed the line up would include the next generation five door variant which will be imported from Swindon-based Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM).

The story comes as HUM announced on Tuesday it will become a global production hub for the next generation five door Civic. 

With more focus on sporty, fun-to-drive dynamics the new U.S. Civic line-up will include Civic Sedan, Coupé and Si models, along with the return of the Civic five-door hatchback to the U.S. market. 

These will be followed by the launch of a next generation Civic Type R in the U.S. market, as the performance flagship of the Civic line-up. 

The 10th generation Civic will also be the first U.S. model to apply new VTEC^® Turbo engines from the company’s Earth Dreams Technology™ powertrain series.  

“This is significant announcement demonstrates the opportunity available to the Swindon operation and reinforces the quality and reliability of the product coming from our UK facility,” said Philip Crossman, managing director of Honda UK. 

Some pictures Courtesy of AUTOCAR.

Britain celebrates over a Billion Pounds of further automotive investment.

• Three global vehicle manufacturers highlight commitment to UK in six day investment spree.
• Honda, Jaguar Land Rover and London Taxi Company each commit to nine-figure investments.
• UK car production up by 50% since 2009 to more than 1.5 million units in 2014.

Britain’s booming car manufacturing industry has received yet another huge boost with three major manufacturers announcing UK investments worth more than £1 billion in the past six days.

Honda, Jaguar Land Rover and the London Taxi Company have each made announcements of funding to build new vehicle models, amounting to a total of £1.05 billion.

The latest announcements, which come on the back of a total of £7 billion committed in 2013 and 2014, are yet more evidence of the continuing renaissance in UK car production. In 2014, more than 1.5 million cars were produced in the UK – an increase of 50% since 2009, and the sector’s best performance since 2007.

The latest announcements include:

26 March: Jaguar Land Rover announces £600million new investment into its West Midlands operations, covering Castle Bromwich and Whitley sites.

26 March: Coventry-based London Taxi Company reveals a £250 million investment – as well as the creation of 1,000 jobs – as it prepares for production of a new range of ultra low emission taxis.

31 March: Honda unveils a £200 million spending plan with its Swindon plant to become the global production hub for the next-generation Honda Civic five-door.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “It has been a fantastic week for UK automotive, with more than £1 billion earmarked by vehicle manufacturers for new model production that will drive further growth for the sector. Honda’s decision to build its next generation Honda Civic, a global car in an important and growing segment, here in the UK caps off a record six days - the first time three manufacturers have announced nine-figure investments over such a short period of time.”

Honda opens up the order books for the long awaited new Civic Type 'R'.

Honda is pleased to announce that the Civic Type R is on the starting blocks and gearing up for its much awaited 2015 launch.  Due to unprecedented demand, customers wanting to be one of the first behind the Type R steering wheel can now place an order with a £3,000 deposit at their local Honda dealer.

The all-new hot hatch – due in UK showrooms next year – will be the most extreme and high-performing Type R in the 22 year history of the red ‘H’ badge, signalling the start of a new performance era for the brand.

The all-new Civic Type R has been developed and engineered for European drivers. The car will be built at Honda’s state-of-the-art plant

The new Type R will mark the debut of the new ‘+R’ button, for example. Located to the side of the steering wheel, a press activates ‘+R‘ mode for the most exhilarating driving experience. 

Engine responsiveness is heightened, with torque-mapping changed to a more aggressive and performance-focused setting. Steering becomes more responsive which, together with the new four-point Adaptive Damper System, delivers the ultimate handling experience.

Due to exceptional demand Honda has closed the pre order bank for the much awaited Honda NSX. Over 100 customers have placed orders since the vehicle was first displayed at the North American Auto Show, the Geneva Motor Show and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Leon Brannan, Head of Car, Honda UK commented “We are delighted that so many customers have placed orders for the highly desirable NSX.  We very much look forward to delivering the NSX to these customers.”

First Vauxhall, NOW, Mitsubishi helps a disabled local girl with help for her garden.

STAFF from a Mitsubishi dealership group will swap the showroom for the great outdoors when they take on the challenge of transforming a garden for a girl with profound disabilities.

Thirteen members of staff from CCR Mitsubishi dealerships in Swindon, Melksham and Cheltenham will get stuck in to help 14-year-old Molly Begley have the garden she deserves. 

Molly, from Swindon, has epilepsy, autism, profound learning difficulties, global development delay and scoliosis. She is in remission from a Wilms tumour, a particularly aggressive form of cancer, but treatment has left her with a number of complex health care needs. It takes two adults to support her on trips out, so leaving the family home is difficult.

The teenager loves the outdoors and using a swing but while mum Claire has had their house in Pinehurst Road adapted to meet her needs, the garden has proved too big a challenge.

Mum-of-three Claire contacted the WellChild charity’s Helping Hands team, based in Cheltenham, after hearing about them from Molly’s occupational therapist.

Helping Hands relies on volunteers from companies and CCR Mitsubishi has a long-standing relationship with the charity. As well as helping on projects like this, the Mitsubishi group also provides the charity with two vehicles, which saves it thousands of pounds in travel costs.

Claire, 36, said: “I’m so excited, this will make a massive difference to Molly’s life. She has spent all summer indoors and not been able to go out.

“She loves the outdoors, she likes pushing her buggy round and this will give her the opportunity to be in the garden safely.”

Lyndsey Smith, group marketing co-ordinator for CCR Mitsubishi, which has 11 dealerships across the south, said: “We have a fantastic relationship with WellChild and when we heard about the project to transform Molly’s garden we were really keen to help. Hopefully this will make a huge difference to the family and especially Molly.”

The work will include breaking up existing concrete, levelling the garden, putting down fake grass and a sensory area, installing new fencing and putting in a swing.

Staff from Ardent Office Supplies, based in Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley, will also be helping with the project, which will take place on November 19th and 20th.

Lee Trunks, programme manager for WellChild’s Helping Hands project, said: “Schemes like this only work thanks to the volunteers. Without them we wouldn’t exist. It’s great that the team from CCR Mitsubishi and Ardent are helping. The house has already been made appropriate for Molly but the garden is a mammoth task. This will make a life-changing difference to the family.”

Honda previews new CR-V before it's Paris launch.

• New-look Swindon-built CR-V gets more-powerful 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine generating 160 PS and 350 Nm
• New nine-speed automatic transmission with reduced emissions and improved fuel economy

Honda (UK) will this week use the Paris Motor Show to reveal its new-look CR-V.  The exterior receives a whole new look with new headlamps, front grille, fog lights, skid-plate and bumper; whilst at the rear, new LED combination lamps, a refreshed tailgate design and bumper complete the enhancements.

The new-look model of the CR-V, the world’s best selling SUV in the first quarter of 2014*, is to be offered with a more powerful diesel engine as well as an optional efficient nine-speed automatic transmission.

The four-wheel drive CR-V will be equipped with the higher-powered 1.6-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel engine from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series. This next-generation powertrain delivers outstanding performance and low CO₂ emissions, with one of the best power-to-efficiency ratios on the market. This new engine replaces the previous 2.2 litre i-DTEC diesel in the CR-V.

When matched with the six-speed manual transmission the new higher-powered diesel engine produces 160 PS and 350 Nm, while emitting a class-leading sub 130 g/km of CO₂  – an 11% improvement compared to the previous unit. To help CR-V owners fully exploit the latest engine’s efficiency, the new model is also available with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, with CO₂ emissions of less than 135 g/km – 20% better than its predecessor.

The two-wheel drive diesel CR-V, available with a manual transmission, will continue to be equipped with the 120 PS 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine, now with emissions as low as 117 g/km.

The new-look CR-V has been developed and engineered for European drivers. The car will be built at Honda’s state-of-the-art plant in Swindon, UK. To see the new-look   CR-V please visit the Honda Stand in Hall 3, at the Paris Motor Show 2014. Honda’s press conference takes place on the stand at 16.45 CET on Thursday 2 October.

*Focus2Move figures - worldwide sales of 165,017 between January 1st and March 31st 2014.