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Acura together with XM Satellite Radio, a leader in satellite radio satellite with over 7 million subscribers, will be offering a the very first complimentary satellite radio service program for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles.

“Acura’s CPO program will introduce XM Satellite Radio to a new and growing category of customers,” said Steve Cook, executive vice president, Automotive, XM Satellite Radio. “XM’s reach will now extend to Acura’s pre-owned customers who seek the same high performance standards and quality as they have come to expect with a brand new Acura.”

The complimentary service will be delivered for a period of 3 months. Said complimentary service, which will start this coming fall, will be given on CPO Acura models with factory-installed XM Satellite Radio. These models include Acura RL, TL, TSX and MDX. Aside from that, each CPO Acura will not be responsible to pay the activation fee. All Acura CPO vehicles are also given a certified limited warranty of 12 months/12,000 miles as well as a 7-year/100,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.

“Whether they choose to invest in a new or Acura Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, our customers get an ownership experience that is second to none,” said Dan Crowe, Automobile Remarketing Manager for Acura. “With the expansion of XM Satellite Radio to our entire 2007 new model line, it’s only fitting that we also offer the nation’s leading satellite radio service to our Certified Pre-Owned customers.”

On the other hand, the automaker inspects, certifies and remarkets over 35,000 previously-owned vehicles per year, one-third of which features the standard XM Satellite Radio. According to the automaker said figure will expand over time because XM Satellite Radio will be integrated to other Acura vehicles.

Aside from Acura, XM Satellite Radio is also a partner of other big names in the automotive world. In fact, its service is also integrated in the vehicles of General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Porsche, Hyundai, Subaru and Suzuki.

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Market sales of aftermarket parts have shown considerable growth over the years. One reason that might account for this apparent rise in record sales is practicality on the part of consumers. Aftermarket parts cost less than OEM ones, after all. Thus, while other companies strove to improve the quality of their merchandise by specializing in the production of specific parts, some car companies decided to team up with other aftermarket companies, knowing that such arrangements would enable them to offer aftermarket auto components to consumers. As more and more aftermarket manufacturers started to operate with exacting production standards, aftermarket parts began to be recognized allowing cars to deliver high quality performances.

It was no wonder, then, why a number of reliable companies that manufactured auto parts the likes of Acura Aftermarket Parts especially designed to provide efficiency and durability, emerged from the woodwork. As companies continued to produce Acura Aftermarket Parts with such qualities in tow, aftermarket manufactures finally succeeded in establishing a hammerlock on the industry. In some cases, Acura Aftermarket Parts were so well-built that owners of Acura car models bought them in place of OEM Acura parts since the parts functioned just as well as the original ones.

An extensive roster of Acura Aftermarket Parts are easily available in the market nowadays, at reasonably competitive price queues. Some of these aftermarket parts sources also offer wonderful warranty services to customers as part of their programs. For those who are looking for hard-to-find special aftermarket parts such as Acura Brake Dust Shields, Acura TSX Parts, or even the Acura Ignition Coil can ask these sources for assistance. Acura is the brand name used by the Japanese car manufacturer Honda Motor Company for the row of luxury cars that it has produced in the US, Canada and Hong Kong since March 1986. Aside from marketing luxury automobiles, the brand also includes near-luxury vehicles in its inventory. Acura was introduced in Mexico in 2004 as well as in Chinese markets in 2006. Of late, plans to establish a stronger market presence for Acura in the Japanese market are expected to materialize in 2008. With the Acura brand, Honda has been credited for being the first automaker to tap into the market for luxury cars specifically catered to a Japanese client base outside Japan. And since the formation of Honda’s aftermarket division, the company has also been recognized for being able to offer great choices in aftermarket parts.

So, in selecting the kind of car parts one wishes to install in one’s vehicle, if one is keen on keeping things on a practical keel, counting on Acura Aftermarket Parts to boost vehicle performance is infinitely the best way to go. Because Acura Aftermarket parts are manufactured to Honda’s specifications, top performance is unquestionably assured.

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Market sales of aftermarket parts have shown considerable growth over the years. One reason that might account for this apparent rise in record sales is practicality on the part of consumers. Aftermarket parts cost less than OEM ones, after all. Thus, while other companies strove to improve the quality of their merchandise by specializing in the production of specific parts, some car companies decided to team up with other aftermarket companies, knowing that such arrangements would enable them to offer aftermarket auto components to consumers. As more and more aftermarket manufacturers started to operate with exacting production standards, aftermarket parts began to be recognized allowing cars to deliver high quality performances.

It was no wonder, then, why a number of reliable companies that manufactured auto parts the likes of Acura Aftermarket Parts especially designed to provide efficiency and durability, emerged from the woodwork. As companies continued to produce Acura Aftermarket Parts with such qualities in tow, aftermarket manufactures finally succeeded in establishing a hammerlock on the industry. In some cases, Acura Aftermarket Parts were so well-built that owners of Acura car models bought them in place of OEM Acura parts since the parts functioned just as well as the original ones.

An extensive roster of Acura Aftermarket Parts are easily available in the market nowadays, at reasonably competitive price queues. Some of these aftermarket parts sources also offer wonderful warranty services to customers as part of their programs. For those who are looking for hard-to-find special aftermarket parts such as Acura Brake Dust Shields, Acura TSX Parts, or even the Acura Ignition Coil can ask these sources for assistance. Acura is the brand name used by the Japanese car manufacturer Honda Motor Company for the row of luxury cars that it has produced in the US, Canada and Hong Kong since March 1986. Aside from marketing luxury automobiles, the brand also includes near-luxury vehicles in its inventory. Acura was introduced in Mexico in 2004 as well as in Chinese markets in 2006. Of late, plans to establish a stronger market presence for Acura in the Japanese market are expected to materialize in 2008. With the Acura brand, Honda has been credited for being the first automaker to tap into the market for luxury cars specifically catered to a Japanese client base outside Japan. And since the formation of Honda’s aftermarket division, the company has also been recognized for being able to offer great choices in aftermarket parts.

So, in selecting the kind of car parts one wishes to install in one’s vehicle, if one is keen on keeping things on a practical keel, counting on Acura Aftermarket Parts to boost vehicle performance is infinitely the best way to go. Because Acura Aftermarket parts are manufactured to Honda’s specifications, top performance is unquestionably assured.

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First off, what is the 2007 Acura CSX all about?

You can sure take a hint from Jim Miller, the executive vice president of Honda’s Canada arm. He does say, “The new Type S model will serve as a gateway product to Acura’s performance heritage for those Canadians who want both affordable luxury and high performance.”

So now you are asking, Honda? What does Honda have to do with the 2007 Acura CSX?

Well, in simple terms, let us just say that Honda is the mothership from where all those Acura vehicles come from. Honda is the company under which the Acura brand can be found.

Anyhow, you see, the newest version of the 2007 Acura CSX Type S would soon be gracing the dealerships and showrooms in Canada. No, those who live in the United States would still have to wait and see if the vehicle would be available in their market. This is primarily because Acura and Honda have chosen Canada as the single market where they would be launching and marketing this high performance luxury sedan. So to those who are in the United States, you would have to make do with all other Acura vehicles and spruce them up with your chosen Acura auto parts.

What has got the 2007 Acura CSX Type S got to offer? Well, there is the new two liter i-VTEC engine that can actually produce some 197 units of horsepower. If you want to count that in. And to this, Miller was recorded to say, “There was a time when the 100 horsepower per liter benchmark was an exclusive calling card of race car engines.” But at present, it looks like more and more vehicles are offering such kind of power in the most ordinary cars and vehicles in town.

So as to help the 2007 Acura CSX Type S get more and show off more in its performance, Acura has built the vehicle with a six speed manual transmission system which is close-ratio. Plus, the car also has got a speed sensitive electric power steering system that would give drivers that sporty driving effect and powerful control.

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Acura is known as one of the many brands of the Japanese carmaker, Honda. Acura, though, distinguishes itself from the rest with the reputation it has garnered through its cars. As the luxury division of Honda, Acura has been widely recognized for providing the consumer public with vehicles that never fail to demonstrate compelling performance. Engine power is at a high, as always. Comfort, too, is a given when Acura cars are involved. Indeed, comfort is its middle name of a considerable number of Acura car models and one can be sure that these cars will never fail to deliver in this regard.

Efficiency is another quality of Acura cars as well. This often makes Acura parts stand out from all the others. Parts like the Acura Fan Clutch, for example, can always be counted on to afford commendable performance. Indeed, great are the minds behind the invention of the fan clutch. Designed to provide much needed cooling for the engine, the Acura Fan Clutch is that small fluid coupling component that comes along with a thermostatic device which controls the variable-speed fan, in turn. This guarantees that the fan will rotate at just the proper speed to keep engine of the car from overheating.

Also, when the engine is cool or at normal operating temperature, the Acura Fan Clutch is designed to partially disengage the mechanically-driven radiator cooling fan of the engine. This cooling fan is typically located at the front of the water pump. It is normally driven by a belt and pulley linked to the engine’s crankshaft. The partial disengagement of the cooling fan allows the Acura Fan Clutch to conserve power so the engine does not have to unnecessarily spend energy.

The function of the Acura Fan Clutch though is not limited to these. If the temperature of the air circulating through the radiator rises and the heat alerts a bimetal coil spring to “uncoil” or expand, chances are, a wee bit of oil may have found its way intot he fluid coupling. When this occurs, happens, it’s the duty of the fluid coupling from the Acura Fan Clutch to start rotating the fan. But when the temperature is cool, what happens is the exact opposite of the process. The coil springs contract, letting the oil leave the fluid coupling and then the fan slows down. With this function occurs, the Acura Fan Clutch naturally slows down, decreases fuel consumption, creates less noise, and saves the power of the engine. Thus, luxurious looks, comfortable seats, and impressive features are not all responsble for Acura’s reputation of luxury. Performance, drive, engine power, and definitely parts like the Acura Fan Clutch also have a great deal to do with it.

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Acura, the manufacturer of quality Acura catalytic converter, is set to offer three new and exciting cars: 2 as 2008 year model and 1 as 2009 year model. These three cars are the 2008 RDX, 2008 MDX, and the 2009 Acura NSX.

The RDX has the same roofline, greenhouse, and C-pillars as the last year’s concept vehicle. However, the doors are different. This is not just due to the handles. In last year’s concept, rear doors were cut out around the wheels. But for manufacture, their shape is more squared off.

Under the hood of the RDX is the first turbocharged engine for either Honda or Acura street vehicle. The all new 2.3-liter i-VTEC turbocharged four-cylinder yields 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It is paired to a five-speed manual-automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Standard with this vehicle is Acura’s Super Handling All Wheel Drive system, standard front, side, and side curtain air bags. The vehicle also comes with Acura’s navigation system with real-time traffic reports and an ELS DVD-Audio surround sound stereo system.

The RDX will form part of the small, premium cross over segment, along with the Land Rover Freelander and the Audi Q5.

An SUV competed with the Mercedes-Benz ML and the Lexus RX300, the 2008 Acura MDX is built to straight at the BMW X5 and the Porsche Cayenne. To have the same level of performance as it competitors, Acura’s engineers built the vehicles parts at Germany s Nurburgring, which is known for its ability to produce quality parts that will give driving dynamics.

The exterior of the new MDX exposes several refinements. Frank Paluch, the chief engineer of both the original and second-generation MDX models, asserted that their aim was to provide a stealth family package. This was done by the design team through lowering the visual center of the new MDX, which they call the C-line. The D-pillar was also angled sharply forward to blend with the third row seating. Paluch added the new MDX looks smaller, but wider, longer, and lower.

Acura is doubted about power train performance, but Paluch says their goal is for best-in-class V-6 performance.

Last, but certainly not the least among Acura cars, is the 2009 NSX. The conceptualization of the next NSX is not yet final. Automobilemag.com said Honda is still in the process of finalizing what kind of car it should be and what will its appearance be.

The mid-engine Honda HSC concept will no longer be seen on the next NSX. The new vehicle will have front-engine, and not mid-engine as compared to the first mentioned car. Honda Motor CEO Takeo Fukui decreed a ten-cylinder engine that frustrated employees from Japan to California to Ohio , who would like to develop a V-8 that could be used across a wider product range, such as a proper flagship sedan for Acura.

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The call for eco-friendly vehicles has made automakers from the US and Japan to compete for the cash, hearts, and mind of the growing green car buyers. And presently it seems like the Japanese brands Toyota and Honda are leading the green vehicle department.

Honda maker of Honda exhaust system and Toyota have provided green car buyers with solutions in the shaped of modern design hybrid cars which were very much welcomed in both US and Japan reflected by the huge sales that these two hybrid brands have obtained. The success of hybrid vehicles has also reached other countries as a matter of fact the Irish government has responded positively to the arrival of hybrids in their market. It has given 50 percent Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) rebate on hybrids. This is the government’s way of encouraging the Irish people to purchase hybrid vehicles.

Despite the alluring tax incentive that the government is offering it is not enough to convince people to purchase a hybrid vehicle. People buy cars based on three factors and these are looks, performance, and price. Honda Civic and Toyota are very much aware of this and that’s why they have taken the effort to create the Honda Civic IMA and the Toyota Prius in accordance to the preference of their customers.

Honda hybrid cars make use of advanced Honda exhaust technology that lessens harmful emissions same with Toyota although it employs a different exhaust system but the end product is just the same. The new Civic IMA hybrid leads in terms of strict engine performance. Its 1.3 liter Honda engine and 10 kW electrical system revs up a total of 115 bhp while the 1.5 liter petrol Prius produces only 76 bhp. The Honda system compared to Toyota produces more torque and can achieve a higher forward speed.

On the other hand the Prius score much higher in terms of acceleration and economy. It’s almost half a second faster in terms of acceleration to Honda—11.5 seconds compared to the 12.1 seconds for the Civic IMA in a 0 to 100 km/hr race. The Toyota Prius is also more economical than the Honda Civic IMA that is despite the fact that IMA is rated as very clean with CO2 output level of just 109 g/km.

At the heart of the Civic IMA is the new Honda Hybrid System which is consists of a new 1.3 liter 3-stage iVTEC engine plus Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) —which explains the IMA in its name. The new Honda Hybrid System makes use of intelligent engine functions plus it is said to give the performance similar to that of a 1.8 liter engine while improving fuel economy, achieving very low levels of exhaust emissions, and reducing the system size by five percent.

The Honda Civic IMA’s 3-stage iVTEC engine utilizes three hydraulic pathways to couple and uncouple five rocker arm assembles, providing three stages of valve control depending on the driving conditions—to achieve a combination of responsive driving and fuel economy. In times of deceleration when the cylinder are idle, the combustion in all four cylinders is stopped and sealed shut, which reduces pumping losses caused by the engine aspiration for a ten percent improvement in recovery of braking energy. Everything has been done on the IMA to reduce friction and that includes the use of aluminum die-cast pistons.

The electric motor system of Honda utilizes coils with high-density windings and high-performance magnets to achieve high output. The inverter that is used to control the motor speed is integrated with the motor’s EGU for more precise digital control which is said to contribute to an even greater motor efficiency and fuel economy.

The battery output of the IMA has also been increased by almost 30 percent. Honda also claims that the IMA’s more compact, custom-designed battery storage box provides better cooling performance as well as vibration resistance for long term reliability.

The regenerative braking system of the IMA is engaged hydraulically to allow optimum braking regeneration along with smooth deceleration that conforms to brake-pedal pressure. IMA’s air conditioner unit features a hybrid compressor that is powered by both the engine and the motor. In case rapid cooling is needed it is powered by the engine and the motor combined. Once the temperature is stable it runs off the motor alone for improved comfort and fuel savings.

The performance of both the Prius and Civic hybrids is almost similar however the Civic IMA is better in styling. Honda’s designers have ensured that the appeal of the IMA would match the tastes of modern audience.

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Boosted by record sales of Acura light trucks and the TSX sports sedan, Acura posted June sales of 16,766 units, up 6.9 percent versus last year based on the daily selling rate. Year-to-date Acura sales reached 91,540 units.

Breaking the previous June record of 5,797 set in 2005, strong sales of Acura’s luxury SUVs combined to set a June record of 6,503 for total light trucks. The MDX luxury SUV continued to post sales gains, with June sales of 4,639 units, up 26.2 percent versus last year.

Aside from the RDX turbocharged crossover recording sales of 1,864 for the month, year-to-date MDX sales reached 27,027, up 9.9 percent.

The TSX sports sedan also set a June sales record, up 4.0 percent compared to 2006. TSX sales of 3,414 units surpassed the previous record of 3,162 vehicles set last June. Year-to-date TSX sales reached 17,421.

The TL performance luxury sedan posted strong June sales of 6,221 units, up 8.1 percent for the month. Year-to-date TL sales hit 31,035, making it the top-selling Acura model.

According to Dick Colliver, executive vice president of Acura, June marks the eleventh consecutive month of record Acura light-truck sales. “Our two new SUVs, combined with strong sales from a broad sedan lineup, put Acura in a strong sales position for the second half of 2007,” he said.

Meanwhile, Acura’s parent company, the American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted record June sales of 140,935 Honda (including Acura) vehicles, up 7.3 percent on a daily-selling-rate basis. American Honda year-to-date sales totaled 766,929, up 2.1 percent.

Honda Division posted record June sales of 124,169, up 7.4 percent compared to last year. The CR-V sold 19,715, up 53.2 percent, achieving its sixth consecutive month of record sales. The Civic posted record sales of 36,512, up 33.6 percent over last June. Civic Hybrid sales increased by 20.1 percent to 3,246, also setting a new record for the month. The Fit, up 44.3 percent to 5,613, broke its all-time sales record from May, 2007 of 5,361.

“The Civic and CR-V gained an incredible amount of momentum in the first half of 2007,” said Colliver. “We expect the small car and crossover SUV segments to remain strong for the second half of the year, putting Honda on pace for a twelfth straight record year.”

About Acura

Acura is the luxury vehicle brand name used by the Japanese car manufacturer Honda Motor Company in the US, Canada and Hong Kong since March 1986 to market luxury automobiles and near-luxury vehicles. The brand was introduced to Mexico in 2004 and to the Chinese market in 2006. It is also planned to extend Acura to the Japanese domestic market in 2008. With the Acura brand, Honda – maker of top of the line auto parts including the Acura catalytic converter, is credited with being the first to tap into a market for luxury Japanese cars outside Japan.

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Honda has been in the automotive industry for several years now. Since the start of its existence, it has already proven to be one of the best car manufacturers in the world. And in this very high technology age, it is still one of the best and continuously improving automaker.

The gigantic New World Honda dealership was launched by Honda where their product range like Honda lights, spanning engines, power equipment, marine outboards, motorcycles and cars can be found.

Honda is at the head of research and development and promotes cooperation among different departments between product groups. This is the company’s task as one of few manufacturers to sell products across a wide and diverse range of applications.

Also involved in the design and style of the company’s new advanced-four stroke Buffalo lawnmower range was the engineering knowledge behind some of Honda’s fastidious cars and motorcycles.

The New World Honda firmly believes that the company’s strong reputation for innovative and high technology engineering has helped make the Honda one-stop-shop a huge success. They also believe that the Honda brand is tantamount to the word “reliability” and has innovative and high technology products in its arena.

With the cars and other products that Honda manufactures, Honda products in all fields continuously undergo refinements to include the new cutting-edge technology. With this as their aim, the company does not only retain the loyalty of their existing clients but it also continuously attracts new ones.

The New World Honda took several years before it was established. And it is now operating for over four years and has proven a success.

Since everything is in the New World Honda, people shop here for the same reason they go to a department store. And several enthusiasts spend an average of 45 minutes at the shop just looking around. It is really a one-stop-shop.

The New World Honda is built in the Melbourne suburb of Berwick. Aside from the quality products, the concept has also enabled customers to experience products they may not have thought and saw before.

About Honda Motor Company

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or simply called Honda is a Japanese engine manufacturer and engineering corporation. The company is most well known for its automobiles and motorcycles. These passed Nissan to become the second largest seller of automobiles in the Asian country.

Honda also manufactures a long list of other products that include trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies. The company’s high-end line of cars is branded as “Acura” in both North America and China. They have ventured into the field of mountain bikes just recently. As a result, they produced the very first bike that uses an internal gear changing system in the Honda RN-01 G-cross.

Honda is the biggest engine-maker all over the world producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year.

The company began to produce diesel motors in 2004. These were very quiet while not requiring particulate filters to pass pollution standards.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Honda’s shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, as well as trades in Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, London, Paris and Switzerland. Located in Torrance, California is American Honda Motor Company headquarters.

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Honda Motor Co. the producer of high quality auto parts like Honda spark plug wire is to spend approximately $40 million for its first jet aircraft factory. The additional investment will raise the company’s total venture to $100 million as part of the company’s expansion into aviation from manufacturing motorcycles, autos, and engines.

Construction had begun on the Honda Aircraft Co. facilities in Greensboro, North Carolina, as announced by Honda. The initial stage of the project is expected to be finished next year while the first deliveries of Honda Jet will start in 2010. The Tokyo-based company also plans to hire a workforce comprising of 350 people

According to Honda’s spokeswoman Alicia Jones in an interview recently, “The factory portion should open by 2009 to allow us to meet our goal of delivering Honda Jets by 2010.” She also added that Honda is building the unit’s headquarters at the site.

The world’s biggest engine producer and Japan’s second-largest automaker will also compete in aircraft manufacturing with Textron Inc.’s Cessna which is the world’s biggest business-jet maker. Honda has also announced that it has been able to get more than 100 orders for its $3.65 million Honda Jet that can accommodate as many as eight people.

The company also said that the aircraft is to be powered by two Honda-designed engined mounted over the wings making the aircraft more fuel efficient. It will also offer more standard features as compared to its other small rival jets. Honda is preparing three of the planes for test flights in the later part of 2008 for the US Federal Aviation Administration certification.

Honda had announced last February that it would spend approximately $60 million for its aircraft facilities while additional investment for the manufacturing portion is to be announced later on. Honda’s US operations are based in Torrance, California.

Honda’s American depository receipts was also reported to increase by 39 cents to $35.6 at 4:02 pm in New York Stock Exchange compose trading but for this year they have dropped by 9.8 percent.

About Honda

Honda Motor Company, Limited or Honda for short is a Japanese engine manufacturer and engineering corporation. However the company is most notable in terms of its automobiles and motorcycles surpassing Nissan to become the second largest seller of autos in Japan.

Aside from motorcycle, automobiles and engines Honda also produce other products such as trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies.

The high-end lines of cars of Honda are sold under the brand Acura in North America and China. And just very recently the company has ventured into the world of mountain bikes by producing the very first bike that make use of an internal gear changing system in the Honda RN-01 G-cross.

Honda produces 14 million internal combustion engines each year making it the largest engine-maker in the world. Then in the year 2004, the company has started producing diesel motors which were very quiet and at the same time do no require for particulate filters to pass pollution standards.

But in all the products that Honda has it is in the motorcycle division where its success is mostly rooted. Honda is headquartered in Tokyo. The company’s shares trade on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange as well as exchanges in Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, London, Paris, and Switzerland.

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A set of premium quality Acura RSX parts is the next best thing to having a brand new RSX. Since the Acura RSX model is no longer being sold, replacing damaged RSX parts now serves as perhaps the only means to preserve one’s Acura RSX.

The Acura RSX was a strong seller for Honda. However, with the introduction of the 2006 Honda Civic Si, which is approximately as powerful but less expensive, Honda decided -to cease production of Acura RSXs. It was more or less a marketing decision for Honda, as they did not want to cannibalize one product with another. Despite the RSX enthusiasts’ outrage over the news, the manufacturers of Honda and Acura decided on focusing more on the Honda Civic Si, since many are inclined to buy it for its similarity with the Acura RSX, but with a lower a tag price.

For those who were fortunate to grab their own Acura RSX, the line of Acura RSX parts is out in the market to be of assistance in maintaining as well as preserving the now legendary Acura RSX. Basic Acura RSX parts designed to enhance the car’s performance include ignition wires, high-flow air filters, and exhaust headers. One can also opt to avail of Acura RSX parts like nitrous, turbochargers, and multiple-spark ignition boxes. These parts will surely improve RSX’s run.

A car model that is no longer available on the market does not necessarily make it obsolete. The Acura RSX remains to be one of the best vehicles Acura has so far. The reason it was pulled out of the market had nothing to do with its quality, but more for practicality. Despite being Honda’s luxury car making arm, Acura has not fully thrown away the notion of practicality. Continued manufacturing of Acura RSX parts is one of the best offers Acura has for RSX enthusiasts.

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The growing demands for Honda’s fuel-efficient cars have encouraged the Japanese automaker to increase production capacity in North America and on its other plants elsewhere to maintain the momentum for global growth.

The annual production of Honda’s plant in North America will reach 1.62 million vehicles by fall next year from the current 1.4 million that is according to Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui in an interview with reporters last Wednesday.

Honda’s President also said that the production capacity for Japan’s No. 2 automaker was being increased in other parts of the world as well. Honda, which produces the Accord and Acura cars with highly durable Honda wheel bearing, plans to build its first auto plant in Argentina and second auto plant in Thailand. The Japanese automaker also plans of setting up a research and development center in China that would build models designed for the growing Chinese market.

For North America, Honda is planning a new auto plant in Indiana that would become Honda’s seventh North America plant. The new plant is scheduled to begin production by fall of 2008 according to Honda President Fukui.

Later this year, Honda’s plant in Mexico will start making the CR-V sport utility vehicle with annual production capacity increased from 30,000 vehicles to 50,000 vehicles said President Fukui.

The demand for Honda vehicles is continuously increasing attributed to the automaker’s reputation in providing good mileage like for instance its Fit subcompact and CR-V especially during the times when gas prices are at their highest. But of course competition has also been intensifying especially now that automakers have started developing better car technologies that increase vehicles’ fuel efficiency and at the same time minimizing harmful environmental impacts.

Honda President Fukui said that Honda was contributing to local production with 80 percent of Honda cars sold and produced in North America. He said, “Honda will further accelerate its efforts to strengthen the core characteristics that make Honda unique in each business area.”

He also added that Honda will boost production capacity at its plant in Mexico and Turkey. For Turkey, Honda is working to increase its annual production capacity to 50,000 vehicles from 30,000 by early 2008 to answer the growing demand in Europe.

Honda will also be investing an additional 23 billion yen or US$188 million for its plant in Thailand where demand is expected to increase. The new plant will be constructed next to Honda’s existing Thai plant and will have an annual output capacity of 120,000 vehicles thus doubling Honda’s production there. Operation of the new Thai plant is expected to start in the later part of 2008.

For Honda’s new plant in Argentina the Japanese automaker will invest around US$100 million. The new plant will also create 800 new jobs and will produce 30,000 compact passenger vehicles a year. Production will start on Honda’s Argentina plant on the later half of 2009 that is according to President Fukui.

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Honda Motors is poised to present a host of automotive products at the 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany this coming September. The main highlight at the Honda display in Hall 5 is the Accord Tourer Concept, making its world debut at the event. Honda expects that this concept model will stir up the European crowd.

According to a Honda press release, “The Accord Tourer Concept will give a strong indication of the design direction of the all-new generation Accord Tourer set to debut in mid-2008 and its wider, lower look signals a more sporty, more emotional styling approach. This will be matched by a range of advanced, low emissions engines and innovative new chassis technology that will deliver exceptional handling without compromising ride comfort.”

Honda did not yet release the full details of the Accord Tourer Concept. Hopefully, the Japanese automaker will reveal the list of its full features and other technical specs (like Honda sway bar link) of this concept car at the IAA Frankfurt, and release it to the public.

In addition, Honda also said that it will showcase two sections at IAA Frankfurt focusing on “Sports” and “Environment.” Sports will display Honda’s super car and other high performance models, currently used in Honda motor sport teams. These include the Honda RA107 race car competing at the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1). Honda drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello currently drive the RA107 for the 2007 season of F1 GP. Honda will also showcase their very first F1 car, the 1967 RA300. Other vehicle models in “Sports” include the Civic Type R and Honda S2000.

Meanwhile, in the “Environment” section, Honda will showcase its development for alternative fuel and environmental friendly powertrain systems. Unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, Honda’s Small Hybrid Sports Concept will once again hit a European stage and present its unique characteristics – that is – advanced hybrid technology combined with sporty and high performance nature. Other models in this section include Honda’s next-generation clean diesel engine, Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Honda FCX Concept.

Moreover, Honda will extend its product display in IAA Frankfurt with the company’s motorcycle model, the Repsol Honda RC212V that currently competes in the 2007 season of MotoGP with riders Dani Pedrosa and 2006 champ Nicky Hayden aboard. The HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades is also on display. Honda will also demonstrate the very first airbag for motorcycles. This innovative safety system will be installed in the new Honda Gold Wing model.

Finally, the Japanese automaker will also showcase some of its innovative achievements in the past years like the popular robot ASIMO, Honda solar panels, and the high flying HondaJet. Watch out for the IAA Frankfurt to see detailed specs and feats of these models.

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The birth of a legend called Acura
1986 was a watershed year for the automobile industry. This was when Honda, one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, introduced a division that would exclusively manufacture luxury cars. This enterprise, the result of ten years of research, was named Acura. Automobile luxury has never been the same ever since. This was the first ever luxury automobile from Japan. Through its introductory models, the Legend and the Integra that were sold and serviced through 60 dealerships spread across North America and 18 states in the US, Acura brand had heralded the arrival of a pioneering brand. Acura’s history makes interesting reading, because it is a history of success and innovation.

Making a habit of earning accolades
Acura had arrived with a bang, in a fashion befitting Honda. In just a year of its launch, the cars that had promised a heady mix of technological innovation; luxury and eye-catching design had won laurels. The first pages of Acura’s history were being written. The four-door Acura Legend coupe, the first Acura model to introduce an airbag, was chosen as the Import Car of the Year for 1987; the Integra figured in that year’s Ten Best List. With its three and five door models, the Integra had consumers in North America falling over each other to buy a piece of this technological marvel.

By 1988, the Legend had become the best selling imported luxury model in the US for the second year in a row, while the Integra won the International Sedan Championship. In 1992, JD Power and Associates Vehicle Performance Index gave the Acura the “Best Overall Car Line” title, while in the following year, the Legend continued its legendary run as the best selling import make for the sixth consecutive year.

Changing entrenched perceptions…for good, and forever
This brand’s entry into the market was earth-shaking. So profound was the entry of Honda’s luxury division that it shook the automobile market like few other innovations had done earlier; more than anything else, it showed that a Japanese brand too, was capable of competing with European and American brands when it came to luxury automobiles. It permanently altered the image of Japanese cars being models that were economical and targeted at the lower middle income consumer. Acura’s history was now firmly in place.

Leading the way
Taking a cue from it, other big names such as Toyota and Nissan launched their own luxury divisions. All the luxury Japanese brands we see on our roads today are the result of the bold step Honda took all those years back. Many features such as Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD); Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) and Variable Valve Timing (VVT) are entirely owed to Acura.

More innovations; more awards
The tradition of innovating and, with it, winning awards, continued unabated. The next wave to hit the market was the NSX Coupe in 1990. Short for “New Sports Experiment”, this was another first from Acura –it was the world’s first all-aluminum automobile, and the first automobile brand to integrate luxury and reliability into a sports car. It lived up to its name fully, being new in every sense of the term.

Not surprisingly, it went to on to win the supreme compliment: Motor Trend considered it the “best sports car ever built”. The innovation the NSX Coupe brought about was so overwhelming that it was billed as the “Everyday Supercar” for the kind of material it had used in packaging high technology. With this model, Acura had changed the face of sports cars, too. The year following its launch, the NSX Coupe was fitted with Honda’s path-breaking VTEC technology, taking it further up the ladder of sophistication.

With the introduction of the Vigor sedan in1992, Acura brought in another high flying model into the market. 1995 marked yet another year of innovation –this was when the TL Series was introduced in the American market, and the CL concept premiered at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The following year was significant for another reason –the much hallowed brand; the daringly innovative Legend was discontinued, to be replaced by the 3.5 RL.  
 
And the show continues…
By the mid 1990’s, the Acura brand was firmly saddled in the minds of the consumer as popular tuner cars, especially with the younger age group. Starting in 2000, there was a flurry of new models from Acura. The 3.2 TL, which has been giving the makes like Lexus; Infiniti and the BMW a good run for their money is one of them. Here, too, Acura has innovated by adding more luxury standard features than any other brand. It usually incorporates as standard features what most others give as optional ones. The MDX Crossover came to redefine the crossover SUV market, winning awards from Car and Driver and Motor Trend. Some other models that have come to occupy a prime position in the consumer’s mind are the TL; CL, RSX and the NSX. 

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