The Honda Accord and the Hybrid
The Honda Accord is a fuel efficient, low emission Japanese car import. The car is available in de facto DX, EX, LX, LX-V6, and EX-V6 line up. It is also available in high performance “enthusiast” versions which boast of better performance.
One of the most well known Japanese car import is the popular Honda Accord Hybrid which features the “green” hybrid car that is making waves in the eco-car community.
Accord Design
The Honda Accord sedan has many design features which make the car a popular choice among car buyers. A few features worth mentioning are the bright LED taillights, attractive 17” wheel design, a GPS navigator and a valuable maintenance minder system which reminds the owner about scheduled maintenance for the car.
Accord Performance
The V6 engine of the Honda Accord generates 244 hp. The 4 cylinder engine, on the other hand, gives 166 hp of power. These improvements to the car's performance were gained by the extensive refinements that the car went through in its intake and exhaust airflow systems.
The car also drives through a Drive By Wire (DBW) system instead of the common throttle cable. This makes the car more responsive and smoother to drive.
The Honda Accord Hybrid, on the other hand, features a 253 hp, 3.0 L, V6 engine and a larger battery back. The Honda Accord Hybrid is easily differentiated from the regular Honda Accord by the difference in their rear light clusters, the antenna, the wheel design, the mirror turn signals and the folding rear which is absent in the Honda Accord. The Hybrid version of the Accord also does not have a 4-way passenger seat.
Honda Accord Market
While readily available in the car market, the Honda Accord is also easily accessible in many Japanese used car dealers. In Online Japanese auction sites, the Honda Accord is readily available, Reputable used car dealers offer many good-as-new Japanese used car models and, with proper maintenance, a used Honda Accord can last for years to come. Used car warranty offerings will differ from one dealer to another.
That silent drive and those aerodynamic designs have always made HONDA as a favourite among all ages drivers. Be proud of your HONDA.
http://www.nexusscars.com


Mazda 2 rolls off Ujina Plant No. 1 in Japan
Japan’s Mazda Motor Corporation and a subsidiary company of Ford Motor Corporation have recently held a rollout ceremony for its all-new Mazda 2 which is popularly known as Demio in Japan at its Ujina Plant No. 1 (U1) close to Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima.
The said event was attended by almost five hundred fifty people of which includes Mazda’s Executive Vice President Robert J. Graziano, together with other Mazda executive officers, employees, and union representatives---all gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new Mazda production. The very first car to come off the line, the Mazda 2 or Demio is designed for the Japanese market with sales scheduled to start in summer of this year, 2007.
Mr. Garziano cheerfully greeted the attendees saying, "The all-new Mazda2 is the first of Mazda's new generation products to evolve to the next stage. While the current model was intended for the domestic market, the new model has been developed into a globally competitive car. I wish to congratulate you all on your hard work, which has now successfully brought us to the start of full mass production. I am convinced that the all-new Mazda2 will capture the hearts of our customers and demonstrate to drivers the world over that, 'Mazda vehicles look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again.' The new Mazda2 offers an exhilarating driving experience that is the soul of Zoom-Zoom and we will continue to build cars with the strong understanding that safety and environmental friendliness are a vital part of making cars fun-to-drive."
The production of the Mazda 2 has focuses on weight reduction making it one hundred kilograms lighter than its predecessor and placing it among the fuel efficient vehicles in its class. It has also greatly improved the safety performance of the Mazda 2. And basing on Mazda’s excellent driving dynamics, the all-new Mazda 2 meets the current demanding regulatory requirements and customer needs for excellent styling, economy, and maneuverability. The Mazda 2 is equipped with standard car accessories such as high quality car floor mats and more.
The all new-Mazda 2 European model was greeted warmly during its official launching at the Geneva Motor Show last March 2007 and the same reception was obtained by the vehicles at its Asian debut during the Shanghai Motor Show last April.
Aside from the continuing production of the all-new Mazda 2 at the U1 plant, additional Mazda 2 production will also begin at the Ujina Plant 2 (U2) in June 2007. Sales of the Mazda 2 will start in Japan and will be followed by Europe and Australia and then other markets. The production of Mazda 2 for the Chinese market will commence at the Changan Ford Mazda Nanjing plant scheduled by the end of 2007.
About Mazda
Mazda Motor Corporation is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Hiroshima, Japan. Starting last year the company has planned to produce 1.25 million vehicles per year with sales evenly distributed among its markets in Japan, Europe, and North America. Ford Motor Company owns a controlling interest of 33.4% of Mazda making it as one of its subsidiary companies.


Fiat Ritmo to be launch in Australia
The next model that Fiat will introduce for its Australian launch will be named Ritmo and will be officially unveiled at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney on October 11, 2007. The Italian car maker has created Ritmo the mid-size five door hatchback to compliment the award winning Fiat Punto which has helped Fiat to return to Australia last year.
Fiat Punto is also named as Bravo in most markets and Australia is just one of the markets in which Fiat is using a different name due to another car maker already having the “Bravo” name registered.
David Stone, General Manager for Fiat Cars in Australia explains, “Ritmo, like Bravo, is a name that was used for one of the new model’s predecessors, a car that not only provided Fiat with strong sales in the 1970s and 80s, but which also produced what is often named as one of the world’s best remembered TV commercials of all time, 'Hand-built by Robots'. That advertisement marked the achievement that the original Ritmo was the first car to be built almost entirely by robots, now an industry standard, and demonstrated the Fiat Group’s domination in the automated car production line market with its ‘Robotgate’ production lines.”
The new Fiat Ritmo has taken its style, performance, and advanced diesel technology from Fiat Punto. For its Australian lineup it will include a 110 kW 1.9 liter Multijet Turbo Diesel and a new turbocharged version of the 1.4 liter engine from the Punto. Producing an impressive 110 kW, the new 1.4 liter T-Jet engine is light and packed with high performance that delivers significant fuel economy as compared to other engines that offer similar power from larger and heavier power units.
And just like the Punto, the new Ritmo has achieved a five star Euro-NCAP safety rating. It is also fully equipped, loaded with car features, and provide spacious and stylish interior that matched its refined and classy exterior.
The pricing and specification of the new Fiat Ritmo will be announced with the sale of the vehicle in Australia which will start in October.
About Fiat
The Fiat Group, or Fiat S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin, Northern Italy. It was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli. Fiat is an acronym used short for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Car Factory of Turin). It also means “let there be” in Latin which is also a fantastic idea to be used for car decals. Fiat was also an aircraft manufacturer in the past.