Honda to kill-off Element (U.S)

Honda will axe the Element after the 2011MY after sales of the quirky MPV started plunging. Honda explained that "utility-seeking customers have more recently embraced other vehicles in the Honda line-up," such as the Honda CR-V.

In November, sales of the Element fell 11.5% year-over-year, to 939 units vs. 1.107 units in November 2009. So far in 2010, Honda sold 12,960 Elements, a slip of 3.4% vs. 2009.

Honda did very little to update the Element MPV mechanically, so it fell behind in the Honda line-up when it came to fuel economy. A 2010 Element 2WD with the 2.4 litre 4-cylinder engine and 5 speed automatic transmission delivers 20mpg in town driving and 25mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. In contrast, a 2010 CR-V with the same engine gives 21mpg in town driving and 28mpg on the highway.

Honda said it sold more than 325,000 Elements in the U.S since its launch in December 2002.

Press Release:

The 2011 Honda Element will be the final model year of production of the innovative and functional crossover utility vehicle, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. First introduced in concept form as the Honda Model X at the 2001 North American International Auto Show, the Element virtually created its own functional class and became an immediate favorite for small businesses, outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners. After a long life cycle, utility-seeking customers have more recently embraced other vehicles in the Honda lineup like the versatile and comfortable CR-V.

"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."

Developed from the inside-out, the Honda Element entered new territory when it debuted during the 2003 model year by providing a multi-functional cargo area, innovative and versatile seating, a durable and dirt-friendly interior, energetic performance and outstanding value. Major upgrades were made through the years including more power and safety features in the 2007 model year. More recently, the Element embraced its long-held position as a pet-friendly vehicle by introducing the Dog Friendly Element accessory package in 2009.

More than 325,000 Elements have been sold in the United States since its introduction in December 2002

NHTSA want rear-view cameras to be made mandatory (U.S)

The NHTSA have proposed a new vehicle safety regulation for standard rear-view cameras and in-vehicle displays to avoid rear-end accidents.

The plan would require all passenger cars, pickup trucks, MPVs, buses and low-speed vehicles to have a standard rear-view camera so drivers can see precisely behind the vehicle when the transmission is in reverse. "NHTSA believes automobile manufacturers will install rear-mounted video cameras and in-vehicle displays to meet the proposed standards".

NHTSA are calling for a fairly quick operation of the new measure. NHTSA said 10% of new vehicles must comply by September 2012, 40% by September 2013 and 100% by September 2014.

"The changes we are proposing today will help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up," said Ray LaHood, U.S Secretary of Transportation.

It remains unknown how much this rule would add to the cost of a vehicle. An aftermarket rear-view camera can be bought for $200 on Amazon.com. Ford charges $385 for a rear-view camera on its 2011 Mustang.

NHTSA guesses that 292 victims and 18,000 injuries happen each year as a result of "back-over crashes involving all vehicles.

"Approximately 44 percent of fatalities from light-vehicle back-over accidents involve children under five. In addition, 33 percent of fatalities in this type of accident involve people 70 and older.

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Next Vauxhall/Opel Combo to centre on Fiat Doblò

The next Vauxhall/Opel Combo will centre on the outgoing Fiat Doblò and will be produced on the same assembly line at Fiat's Tofas factory in Bursa, Turkey.

The current model has been on sale since 2002 and underpins the 2001 Vauxhall/Opel Corsa C platform. GM has no intention of selling the Combo Stateside, despite the success of Ford’s Transit Connect.

The Combo is likely to borrow its engine of the Doblò. That means a 95bhp 1.4 litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, 95bhp 1.3 MultiJet, 105bhp 1.6 MultiJet and 135bhp 2.0 MultiJet turbo-charged diesels will be offered.

The Tofas plant in Bursa will start building the Vauxhall and Opel variants of the Doblò in December 2011, and the new models will go on sale globally in January 2012. Derivatives will include passenger, commercial and chassis cabs models.

The project calls for an initial supply of up to 6,000 vehicles in 2011. The program is planned to cover the supply of at least 250,000 units. This will extend the total lifetime production of this vehicle platform in the Tofas plant to 1.3m units.

The Vauxhall/Opel design team in Rüsselsheim, Germany is actively involved in the development of the new models and works in co-operation with the Fiat Group Automobiles’ Engineering and Design Group in Turin, Italy.

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