Widely believed to be the big Japanese carmaker most impacted by the earthquake/tsunami disaster in March, Honda is facing sliding figures across the globe, whether it’s a 28.49% drop in July sales (year on year) in America or falling exports from Thailand.

According to Bangkok-based Honda Asian Motor Co, Honda exports from Thailand are expected to fall for the first time in 14 years, no thanks to the devastating March 11 disaster. Exports of Thai-built automobiles, motorcycles and power products dropped 11% year-on-year in the first half to 46.1 billion baht. Exports for the full year are expected to slide by 7% from last year to 90 billion baht.

Exports of automobile products in the first half of 2011 stood at 20.29 billion baht, 37% lower than in 2010. CBU vehicle exports in the same period dived 48% to 17,441 units. The overall figure in the above paragraph was boosted by a strong showing by the motorcycle division.

Interestingly, bikes also helped Honda Motor Co’s second quarter figures to stay black; it made 31.7 billion yen in Q2, almost 90% less than in 2010.

Honda started exporting from Thailand in 1987 and currently ships City, Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V models from our northern neighbour to over 30 countries. This year, the list expanded to Mexico via 2,430 units of the City.

The Honda Accord Crosstour didn’t get off to the best of starts. Born as a model year 2010 car, the media didn’t quite like it, and it looks like not many customers do as well. In July, Honda sold just 1,477 units of the odd looking crossover, 35% less than the same month last year. 2011 year to date figures read 11,518 units versus 15,655 for the same period in 2010.

Against that backdrop, Honda has decided to drop the Accord name for the model, which from model year 2012 onwards will be called just Crosstour. No reasons were given, though. Perhaps the association wasn’t bringing any good to the Accord nameplate, which remains popular, and the same association has failed to give any boost to the Crosstour.

Assembled in Ohio, the Crosstour is based on the Accord platform and mechanicals, although it has distinct sheetmetal and a rear hatch. It’s powered by a 3.5-litre i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), producing 271 hp and 344 Nm. The EX-L model comes with Honda’s Real Time 4WD. Auto headlights, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and an USB audio interface are new for 2012.

Of the big Japanese carmakers, Honda looks to be the most affected by the earthquake/tsunami disaster, and it will be betting heavily on the success of mainstays such as the new Civic.

Honda has issued a recall for 2.5 million vehicles globally, including 1.5 million in the US, for a software upgrade to the vehicles’ transmission control module. The models covered in the recall are the Accord (2005-2010 model year), CR-V (2007-2010) as well as the Element from 2005-2008, all equipped with four-cylinder engines.

The company says that if the transmission is shifted rapidly between reverse, neutral and drive, especially in an attempt to free the vehicle from being stuck in mud or snow, this can damage a secondary shaft bearing in the transmission. If damage occurs, this can lead to the engine stalling or make it difficult to engage the transmission into park.

The software fix eases the transition among the gears, and Honda says that there have been no reports of accidents resulting to physical injuries related to this problem. The other million vehicles being recalled globally are 760,000 units in China and 135,142 in Canada. No mention of the Accords and CR-Vs here being affected so far.

Remember the Honda CR-Z Mugen? That orange machine wore plenty of go faster bits and is supercharged to produce 50% more power and torque, 197 hp and 245 Nm to be exact. Here’s a more extreme version of the same concept – the Honda CR-Z Mugen RR, produced by M-TEC in Japan for show purposes only, and there are currently no plans for further production. Currently.

The CR-Z Mugen RR has been created with plenty of bespoke prototype parts, some of which are in carbon fibre, including the bonnet, doors and tailgate. Other features unique to the RR include a full length carbon-fibre underbody, a twin central-exit exhaust, vented front bumpers and race-developed suspension. Orange four-piston monobloc brake calipers and forged 18-inch alloys complement the Valencia Orange Pearl paint work.

Inside, the seats are in colour-coded leather/Alcantara. A “race-developed information screen” has the ability to record chassis and engine data as well as house a sat nav and audio system. This high tech kit will monitor the car over two laps to “learn” a circuit and then record lap data and vehicle tracking using GPS. No engine details and figures were released.

The Mugen RR was first seen early last month at the Moving Motor Show area of Goodwood Festival of Speed, which the Honda CR-Z Mugen, designed and built by UK-based Mugen Euro, also attended.

Hi res pics after the jump. We have a feeling this will be a popular wallpaper.
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The sedan version of the ninth generation Honda Civic was unveiled earlier this year, and now it’s time for the European version, which is slated to debut at September’s Frankfurt show. Developed specifically for the European market, this Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback, taking on C-segment stalwarts such as the Golf, Focus and Astra. It will go on sale in early 2012.

Often criticised in Europe for its hard ride, Honda has worked on that area. According to the company, the new Civic’s ride and handling has been developed in Europe, and the Japanese team worked closely with European colleagues and external experts. The focus was on improving the ride quality, while retaining the sporty handling of the current model.

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“Every time we visited Europe during the development of the car, we achieved significant improvements in the ride and handling, tuning the car for the local demands. The new Civic is not just an evolution. In terms of ride quality, we have taken a major step forwards, equivalent to two generations of development,” said Kazuo Sunaoshi, Development Leader – Chassis.

Honda says that its engineers were conscious that European roads are some of the most varied in the world, where you have smooth, fast highways turning off to poorly surfaced country lanes. Final tuning was done in Europe, as a result.

The segment leaders employ all independent suspension, but Honda will stick with the torsion beam for the new Civic, giving it the largest cabin in the segment. But to improve body control and high speed stability, the wall thickness of the beam and the diameter of the stabiliser bar have been increased. Overall ride comfort and handling will also benefit from the introduction of new fluid-filled compliance bushings to the rear suspension.