Hitachi and Honda set to motor together

The prospect of increased electric motor sales for electric vehicles has driven Hitachi and Honda into each other’s arms.

GM-Honda SOP of fuel cells set for 2020

As if to emphasise the growing shift to electric vehicles (EVs), General Motors and Honda have set up the auto industry’s first manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used in future products from each company with SOP set for 2020.

Hydrogen fuel cells: yes or no?

Whose voice should we listen to: the lone voice in the wilderness or vehicle makers preparing to peddle their wares in years to come?

Nissan gives UK its vote of confidence

Nissan Motor Company Ltd. announced in Yokohama that following its executive committee meeting, the company will produce the next Qashqai as well as adding production of the next X-Trail model at its Sunderland, UK plant.

MG car production goes ‘home’

Cynics among us knew it would happen before long. That it took so long is indeed a surprise.

Next Jaguar XE reinforces ally ‘road map’

The message in Jaguar’s ‘Road Map’ always claimed that the XE saloon could be built at the firm’s Land Rover plant in Solihull or Jaguar’s ‘home plant’ of Castle Bromwich. In the event, Solihull became the XE’s first port of call but with the option production could be moved to Castle Bromwich should the need arise.

Nissan raises output nearly 10-fold in 30 years

When UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opened Nissan’s first European plant 30 years ago yesterday, the car maker had 470 staff and produced 5,000 vehicles at a rate of 12 an hour.

How a Bluebird started an industrial revolution

As the UK heads for its second woman Prime Minister and challenging lie months ahead, today marks the 30th anniversary of Nissan Motor Company’s faith in the country.

Honda launches ‘front-engine’ fuel cell

Honda claims its new Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle is the world’s first production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sedan to house the fuel cell stack and drivetrain system under the bonnet.

Hydrogen: an automotive fuel for the future?

Honda’s FCV Concept, which has made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show (but was unveiled first in Tokyo late last year), is said to pave the way for an “all-new fuel cell” road car,

The car is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in the first half of 2016, then in the US and

HondaJet first flight this summer

Honda Aircraft Company held a press conference today at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland to announce further development of the HondaJet.

"Honda Aircraft Company's most important goals are achieving Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and delivering the first customer aircraft," said Honda Aircraft Company President and chief executive officer Michimasa Fujino. "Our total effort is focused on reaching these much anticipated milestones in the first quarter of 2015."

Hydrogen vehicles receive a boost

A pioneering £31 million deal could make hydrogen vehicles a “viable and environmentally friendly choice” for motorists across Europe.

Leading motor manufacturers, hydrogen fuel suppliers, the Mayor of London’s Office in the UK as well as energy consultancies from around the world have signed up to the HyFIVE project, the largest of its kind in Europe.

JLR taps BMW for manufacturing supremo

JaguarLandRover (JLR) is appointing Wolfgang Stadler as its new director of manufacturing. In this high profile role, Stadler will be responsible for JLR’s global manufacturing operations and will report directly to Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive officer.

Stadler will join the company from BMW Group where he has held the position of senior vice president, BMW Plant Dingolfing. Prior to this he has held a number of senior positions at BMW Group internationally, including being managing director, BMW South Africa.

Commenting on the new appointment, Dr Ralf Speth said: “We look forward to welcoming Wolfgang to Jaguar Land Rover. He brings a wealth of experience at this exciting time when jaguar land Rover is restructuring and going for sustainable and profitable growth simultaneously.”

Honda engines to return to F1

Honda Motor Company will make a return to Formula 1 in 2015. It will provide engines for the McLaren team.

The Japanese company, which quit the sport in 2009 after years of poor results with its own team, is reigniting one of the most successful partnerships in F1 history.

The move to feature turbo engines and extensive energy recovery technology from 2014 is behind Honda's re-think.

Honda claims that F1 regulation changes have been "central" to its participation. And joining with McLaren is a 'cheaper option' than funding an entire race team.

A senior Honda executive explained: "Honda has a long history of advancing our technologies and nurturing our people by participating in the world's most prestigious automobile racing series.

"The new F1 regulations with their significant environmental focus will inspire even greater development of our own advanced technologies," he added.

It will be recalled that Honda and McLaren dominated F1 from 1988 to 1991 by winning four consecutive world drivers' titles with Ayrton Senna in 1988, 1990 and 1991 and Alain Prost in 1989.

Between them, they produced the most successful year in F1 history, winning 15 of the 16 races in 1988.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh described the new partnership as "a new and exciting chapter" in his team's history. No doubt, however, Ron  Dennis, McLaren's supremo, had a hand to play in this development.

Whitmarsh added: "The names of McLaren and Honda are synonymous with success in Formula 1, and, for everyone who works for both companies, the weight of our past achievements together lies heavily on our shoulders. But it's a mark of the ambition and resolve we both share that we want once again to take McLaren-Honda to the very pinnacle of Formula 1 success. Together we have a great legacy - and we're utterly committed to maintaining it."

McLaren will continue with current engine supplier Mercedes in 2014, but, with Honda waiting in the wings, it will undoubtedly be a slightly uncomfortable relationship. Meanwhile, Mercedes will also be keen to ensure that Honda has no access to its engine technology.

McLaren driver Jenson Button raced for Honda's factory team in F1 from 2006-8, winning the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix but enjoying very little other success. The Englishman, who won the 2009 world championship for the team after it was renamed Brawn following Honda's pull-out at the end of 2008, said he was "thrilled and excited" about Honda's return, describing it as "a great development for Formula 1 fans and the sport as a whole".

McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale said Honda would be prepared to supply other teams if required to do so, as specified in the F1 rules.

F1 engine regulations  

Engine: 1.6-litre, V6s, with single turbo. Engines can rev to 15,000rev/min, five power units per season per driver (each engine does 4,000km). 15% fewer moving parts

Turbo: Size unlimited, maximum revs 125,000rpm

Energy recovery (Ers) system: 161bhp for 33.3 seconds a lap

Fuel limit: No more than 100kg (about 140 litres) of fuel in a race; max fuel-flow rate of 100kg per hour. This is a 30% increase in fuel efficiency

Thermal efficiency: 40% (target)

The new F1 engine regulations have come in for criticism from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who believes they are unnecessary, and smaller teams are concerned about the up-front costs of the engines.

These are significantly higher next year than they are at the moment, although the manufacturers have all promised to ensure costs come down over a five-year period so that they even out in the end.

Neale noted: "Clearly F1 has to be cost-conscious but I think we have to also recognise that F1 cannot sit still. If it's going to be a technology showcase and contemporary with its markets, then embracing technology and making sure we are energy efficient is ensuring it stays healthy for the long run.

So I'm sure there will be short-term pain, but I'm also sure that these technology steps are long-term the right way to go."

It is claimed the engine rules were changed to make F1 more relevant to the road-car industry, and with the hope of attracting more manufacturers back into the sport. The new regulations could lead to engine turbocompounding, a concept that Mercedes-Benz has seriously considered and has plans to adopt .

Honda's return appears to be a vindication, and there are rumours other companies are considering entering the sport also. Toyota, Hyundai, VW/Audi and Ford have been mentioned.                       ∎

Honda sees growth in income

Honda Motor Company’s consolidated operating income for the 2013 fiscal year (1 April 2012 - 31 March 2013) amounted to 544.8 billion yen (£3.58b), an increase of 135.5% compared to the previous fiscal year.

This is due primarily to a significant increase in automobile sales, up 900,000 units to just over four million vehicles, led by strong growth in North America, Asia and Japan as a result of recovery from the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake, major flooding in Thailand and the success of new model introductions. An increase of motorcycle sales globally of 430,000 units has further supported this growth.

Consolidated net income for the fiscal year amounted to 367.1 billion yen (£2.4b), an increase of 73.6% compared to the previous fiscal year.