VIDEO: Honda's 'Win a ride with Mario Andretti' Commercial

In its latest promotion for new customers, Honda is giving U.S. buyers a chance to win a ride with Mario Andretti in a two-seater IndyCar at the Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway. According to the Japanese automaker, the winner will ride in the IZOD IndyCar during the parade laps, and be on course for the start of the race.

To create a bit of a buzz around the contest, Honda released this commercial with Mario Andreti. Sounds interesting, but it isn't. See why in the video after the jump.

Honda CR-Z Guerrilla Marketing gets Extremely Spicy in Paris...

At least in Europe, Honda is following some pretty unconventional methods to promote its new CR-Z hybrid sports coupe. In fact, unless you're the artsy type or have a vivid imagination, you'll have a pretty hard time trying to figure out how Honda, the CR-Z or any car for that matter, fit in the "Live Every Litre" film project.

But just so you can get an idea, the "Live Every Litre" is supposed to be a documentary-style road movie in which numerous members of the public have been nominated by the project's online community to realize their dream in the new Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe.

In this case, Agent Lynch, aka Kate Rawlinson (originally from Newcastle), wanted to perform the world's first guerrilla burlesque routine in the streets of Monmartre in Paris.

The young law-degree-holder, who by the way, does not appear to have a driver's license as she had her boyfriend drive the CR-Z (...), performed a public striptease for the unsuspecting yet clearly delighted Paris crowd.

Agent Lynch left little to the imagination stripping from her vintage dress right down to her lacy lingerie and then to top it off, she poured blue paint all over her naked body before imprinting herself on a white and red satin flag to form the French tricolore - sweet.

Not that we have anything whatsoever against young women showing off their bodies in the name of art, but we repeat; all this was done as part of Honda's European promotion of the new CR-Z. Then again, we did post a story on the event...

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Honda to Raise Regular Workers' Pay in China to $280 Per Month to Stop Strike

Honda is trying to get employees to return to work in China after nearly 2,000 factory workers -including about 600 interns- staged a walkout at all four of its Chinese plants more than two weeks ago.

The workers have been demanding an increase of over 50 per cent in pay and benefits (don't be quick to judge them until you read the details below...) as well as promises that no one would go after them for participating in the strike.

According to news reports, the Japanese auto giant offered to raise regular workers' monthly starting salary by 24 per cent or 366 Yuan ($54 / €44) to 1,910 Yuan ($290 / €230), which Honda says is "far above the legal minimum wage of 920 Yuan ($135 / €110)".

Interns (students required by their schools to get a work experience that usually lasts between six months to a year and a half) were offered a 477 Yuan ($70 or €57) monthly raise, from a base ranging from 900 to 1,300 Yuan ($131-190 or €108-157) per month.

Reuters reported that despite the violent clashes on Monday, as of late Tuesday afternoon, most regular workers and interns at Honda's Chinese factories have accepted the raise and are ready to get back to work.

However, it is reported that some 100 workers have rejected the Japanese automaker's offer and are refusing to stop the strike. We'll have to wait to see how this works out.

Analysts believe that more employers in China may be forced to follow Honda in offering higher wages to their workers.

"Honda's just the tip of the iceberg, and it reflects the urgency of adjusting China's growth model," said Huang Yiping, an economics professor at Peking University and a former Citigroup Inc. chief Asia economist. "After three decades of rapid growth partly driven by cheap labor, China must adjust to higher wages," Yiping concluded.

Source: Reuters & Bloomberg

Acura Recalling More Than 167,000 TSX Sedans for Fire Hazard

Honda Motors' Acura division is recalling 167,255 of its 2004 - 2008 MY TSX sedans with the 2.4-liter inline-four in the U.S. because the power steering hose can potentially deteriorate prematurely and leak fluids causing a fire hazard.

"Oil leaking onto a hot exhaust pipe will generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under hood fire," Honda said in a notice on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

This latest recall comes only two weeks after Honda recalled approximately 1,850 Acura ZDX crossovers for a potential air-bag problem.

The Japanese automaker said that it will notify TSX owners and dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge. The repair involves installing a new power steering hose, o-ring gasket and fluid. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about May 28, 2010.

For more information, TSX owners can contact Acura directly at 1-800-382-2238.

Teacher's Stolen Honda Accord Returned Souped Up with VTEC Engine! [with Video]

Here's a video relating the story of a New York teacher who had her 1996 Honda Accord stolen 3 years ago. Obviously, she never expected to get the car back.

It turns out that when a car IS stolen (even in Brooklyn), the man is on the case. A little while back, the Accord was found in a chop shop in Queens with the VIN filed off. Luckily, the police still l managed to track the car back to its original owner.

When the woman got it back, the Honda had been updated with a VTEC power train and its transmission was converted over to a stick shift!

And whoever from the AP (and Huffington, for printing it) is thinking that the car got a new V8 engine? Half a second of research prevents looking like you don't know jack.

By Phil Alex

Via: Huffington

Beijing 2010: Honda Introduces Li Nian Everus Concept Sedan

For starters, there's nothing wrong with your eyes, the screen or the picture; the twin set of horizontal headlamps flanking either side of the Li Nian Everus concept's chrome-happy grille are the real deal.

Li Nian is a newly formed brand from Honda's China branch, Guangqi Honda, formerly known as Guangzhou Honda. The brand has showed two other concept models in the past, a compact-sized crossover and a sporty roadster.

Honda said that a production version of the Li Nian concept will be introduced at China's Guangzhou Motor Show, scheduled at the end of this year, but did not release any more details on the car. However, we suspect that it is closely based on the City, a small sedan itself based on the Jazz platform.

Honda to Terminate Civic Type R Sedan

It's the end of the road for Honda's Civic Type R sedan as the Japanese automaker announced it will discontinue production of the car at the end of August, 2010. However, Honda will make amends to fans by continuing to import the three-door Civic Type R Euro hatchback into Japan.

The first-generation of the Civic Type R four-door sedan was launched in 1997 and was produced at Suzuka Factory. The second-generation model followed in 2001 and was produced at Honda's UK plant in Swindon, while for the current, third-generation Civic Type R, which was released in 2007, production returned to the Suzuka Factory.

The current model, which is sold only in Japan, makes use of a high-revving, naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline four that puts out 225HP at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 215Nm at 6,100 rpm, with power channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

VIDEO: Introducing the Honda Enthusiasts FF Squad

The folks over from the creative agency BRWUSA have sent over some videos "about a group of Honda enthusiasts" known as the FF Squad. Now before you think, "God, if it's ten minutes, forget it," don't worry. They're short and sweet.

Quality cinematography? Check. Funky music? Check. Real life story about normal people driving normal cars and their passion for them? Big Check.

Do yourself a favor, take three minutes out of your day and watch them; these videos will make you want to go out, buy a beater, build it up, and then go race it (if you haven't already). I'm liking this series in a big way. We can only hope there's more to come. Videos after the jump.

By Phil Alex

Honda to Release Refreshed 2011MY Civic Type R Euro in Japan this Fall

Seeing that the limited edition 2009 Civic Type R Euro hot hatch has been well received in Japan, exceeding sales of 1,850 units since its release in November of last year, Honda has decided to offer its domestic buyers a second run of its hot hatch.

The Japanese automaker said that it will soon reveal a 2010 model year version of the Civic Type R Euro with an "updated exterior design", without getting into any specific details.

As with '09 model, the revised Civic Type R Euro will be produced in Europe at the firm's manufacturing plant in Swindon, UK, with sales in Japan scheduled to start this fall. Once again, the three-door hatchback will be offered in a limited number of units.

The current model year Civic Type R Euro is powered by a rev-happy 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four with 201 HP at 7,800 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm.

*Photo: 2009 Honda Civic Type R Euro

VIDEO: New Honda CR-Z Coupe Launch Film for Europe, Middle East and Africa

Honda has released a new promotional film for its recently revealed CR-Z mild-hybrid coupe. The 90 second film was commissioned by Honda Motor Europe and will be used for press and marketing across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The film was produced by Gaucho Productions, a London-based film and digital agency. Directed by Ben Hume-Paton and produced by Kwok Yau, the clip was shot over a day and two nights in southern Spain. You can watch it after the jump.

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