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    Honda also strengthens electrification HV exclusive car “Insight” production will end in August 2022! What is the reason for the termination decision for “CR-V” and “Shuttle”? .

    ByChathura Chanuka

    “Honda is Strengthening Electrification, but Discontinues Production of the HV-only Insight in August 2022! What is the reason for the decision to end production of the CR-V and Shuttle as well?

    Production of Insight, CR-V, and Shuttle to End
    　It has been announced that Honda’s Insight, a hybrid-only vehicle, CR-V, a mid-size SUV, and Shuttle, a compact wagon, will end production at the end of August 2022.

    [Image] Production of Honda’s Insight will end at the end of August 2022, despite being so cool! See the actual car in 35 images.

    　Why did Honda decide to end production of three models?

    　The first-generation Insight model was launched in 1999. The first generation was a coupe, the second generation (released in 2009) was a hatchback, and the current third generation (released in 2018) is a sedan, all as different body types.

    　Although there was a period of sales interruption in each generation, all were developed as hybrid-only vehicles.

    　The first generation CR-V was introduced in 1995, and although there was a sales hiatus of about two years between the fourth and fifth (current) generations in Japan, it was revived in 2018.

    　The Shuttle was launched in 2015 as the successor to its predecessor, the Fit Shuttle, a Fit derivative.

    　It is a valuable 5-number size wagon among domestic wagons, and moreover, it is the only wagon in Honda’s lineup as of 2022.

    　In the registered vehicle sales ranking (1st to 50th) for fiscal year 2021 (April 2021 to March 2022) announced by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association, the Shuttle was the only vehicle within the ranking at 38th place (13,561 units sold), while the Insight and CR-V were outside the ranking. Insight and CR-V were out of the ranking.

    　A Honda spokesperson explains that the discontinuation of the three models is due to the company’s decision to review its lineup after reviewing the trends and demand in the Japanese market.

    　The discontinuation was announced on Honda’s app (Honda Total Care), and the reason for this was explained as follows: “”We have announced three models (Insight, CR-V, and Shuttle) on Honda’s app as an announcement for existing owners.

    　We started with these three models because we wanted to leave a clear message to customers who had been driving these models for some time, and who were not aware that they were no longer in production.”

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    The strongest “police car corps” appears !The highway traffic police corps of “GT-R / NSX / LC” is amazing! Translation of a large gathering in Tochigi .

    ByChathura Chanuka

    “The most powerful and awesome “”police car army”” appears! The “”GT-R, NSX, and LC”” Highway Traffic Police Force is amazing! Why they gathered in Tochigi?

    Great activity on the highways of Tochigi Prefecture! What is the Strongest Patrol Car Army?
    　During the Golden Week holidays in 2022, “”working cars”” gathered at Mobility Resort Motegi (Tochigi Prefecture).

    You won’t see anything like this anywhere else! The strongest police cars gathered! See the actual police cars that cost over 10 million yen!

    　Among the police cars on display were a Honda NSX, a Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO, a Nissan GT-R, a Lexus LC, and a Subaru Impreza WRX STi, all of which seemed to attract a lot of attention from visitors.

    Gorgeous Patrol Cars and Motorcycles of Tochigi Prefectural Police Gathered in Motegi! This event has become an annual GW event (image courtesy of Twin Ring Motegi / photo taken in 2021).

    　Many children and adults enjoyed seeing the ambulances, excavators, and other vehicles that play an important role in our daily lives on display at this event, and there was also a lift-up experience for users to participate in, with many children and adults enjoying themselves with a twinkle in their eyes.

    　In addition, all of the aforementioned Tochigi Prefectural Police patrol cars were donated, and these remain basically stock, except for the addition of equipment specific to patrol cars.

    　Tochigi Prefecture is very important to the automobile industry, as it is home to Honda’s research facilities and Nissan’s plant that produces the GT-R and Fairlady Z.

    　It seems that the Tochigi Prefectural Police possess these “”cool police cars”” for reasons unique to Tochigi Prefecture.

    　A member of the Tochigi Prefectural Police’s Highway Patrol Unit says, “”These police cars are very important to Tochigi’s automobile industry.

    These patrol cars are mainly used for speeding and drunk driving on highways and for traffic accidents,”” said a member of the Tochigi Prefectural Police Highway Patrol.

    　However, they are usually driven by the Toyota Crown, which is generally known as the base model for patrol cars, and it is rare to actually see them on the expressway.

    　In Tochigi Prefecture, two expressways, the Tohoku Expressway and the Kita-Kanto Expressway, run vertically and horizontally, and there is also the Nikko-Utsunomiya Road, which is an automobile-only road.

    　Therefore, it is difficult to see these police cars, and they seem to be quite “”rare””.

    　On the other hand, there are some people who have been lucky enough to see them.

    　The police officer mentioned above says, “”I sometimes see people in the passenger or rear seat taking pictures of police cars when they see them on the highway.

    　He continues, “”Cars taking pictures of police cars in this way naturally slow down the speed of cars in motion, and we feel that we are contributing to traffic safety in this way as well.

    　These rare and unusual police cars, which are rarely seen, are a good traffic safety measure even when they are just driving normally.

    　Incidentally, unlike the Crown Patrol Cars, these patrol cars are equipped with high-powered engines, are MT-only vehicles, and are quite difficult to drive.

    　However, the aforementioned officer proudly states, “”We do not have a specific person in charge, and we train everyone to ride in any model of patrol car,”” and continues, “”We hope these patrol cars will contribute to raising everyone’s awareness of traffic accidents, even if only a little.

    　I hope that these patrol cars will contribute to the reduction of traffic accidents.

    * * * *

    　The aforementioned person in charge of the event said, “”It is a rare opportunity like this,”” referring to the lineup of these “”cool police cars,”” which are usually used for patrols, but the chance to see them up close is rare, and for the children during Golden Week, it seemed to be an unforgettable experience.

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    Behind the fierce blockbuster of the N-BOX … Is there a way out for Honda, whose former top seller “Fit” is in a slump?

    ByChathura Chanuka

    “Behind the N-BOX’s fierce success…Is there a way out for Honda, whose once top-selling Fit is in a slump?

    History Repeats Itself! The Fit and N-BOX, two cars that have become big hits by capturing upper-class users
    　Honda’s N-BOX minicar is selling well.
    　
    　According to a survey by the Japan Mini Vehicles Association (JMVA) and the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JDA), the N-BOX ranked first overall among all passenger cars, including minicars and registered cars, in new car sales in fiscal year 2021 (April 2021 to March 2022).

    What is the reason for such ridiculous sales! More photos of the Honda N-BOX .

    (Left) Honda Fit / (Right) Honda N-BOX

    　The N-BOX will sell 191,534 units in FY2021. This is the seventh consecutive year of No. 1 record in the light car genre, and its momentum is unstoppable in the Corona disaster.

    　Next in second place for sales volume in FY2021 is Toyota’s compact car and compact SUV Yaris (total sales of Yaris/Yaris Cross/GR Yaris: 191,414 units), followed by Toyota’s compact high wagon Roomy (134,321 units) in third place.

    　Mini cars and compact cars followed in fourth place and below, demonstrating the strong popularity of compact models.

    　What about Honda’s other models?

    　Among compact models, the compact minivan “”Freed”” and the compact SUV “”Vezel”” both showed solid sales at 73,661 and 59,674 units, respectively.

    　On the other hand, the compact car Fit, once a regular No. 1 seller, is struggling.

    　In FY2021, sales of the Fit were 55,947 units. Compared to the previous year, this represents a 59.3% drop.

    　The current Fit is the fourth generation, fully remodeled in February 2020. It is not at the end of its model life, as only two years have passed since its debut.

    　The sales staff at a Honda Cars dealership in the Tokyo metropolitan area gave us the inside scoop: “”Many of the current Fit buyers are replacements for first- and second-generation Fit models, and there are not many new users.

    　Families who once supported the Fit are now interested in sliding-door models such as the N-BOX and Freed. The Fit is not talked about much anymore.

    * * *

    　The first generation Fit model debuted in 2001.

    　Despite being a compact car with a low price tag, it had a roomy interior that exceeded its class, and its styling gave a fresh impression that had never been seen before.

    　With its excellent fuel economy and sufficient driving performance, the FIT attracted support from men and women of all ages as a single car that could be used for multiple purposes.

    　It quickly became a top seller, attracting users of the higher-end Civic and Accord models. The Fit achieved cumulative sales of 2 million units in 11 years and 9 months, the fastest time for Honda at the time.

    　The N-BOX, the first model of which debuted in December 2011, surpassed the Fit’s record.

    　The N-BOX has tall, square, highly efficient styling and one of the largest and most spacious interiors in a light vehicle. In contrast to its rivals, many of which had cute designs that strongly appealed to female users, the N-BOX’s plain design won the support of male users as well.

    　With sufficient driving performance and fuel economy, as well as safety performance equivalent to that of compact cars, this car was practical enough to be used as a first car.

    　This is exactly the same approach that made the first-generation Fit so successful 10 years ago.

    　In just nine years and five months since its debut, the N-BOX has sold a total of 2 million units. It broke the Fit’s record for fastest sales.

    　One cannot help but feel the irony of fate that it was the Fit itself that suffered a decline in sales volume in the wake of the N-BOX.

    The Fit was the first car to be sold in Japan.

    　According to the Honda sales staff mentioned above, the users who are replacing the Fit with the Fit are of a relatively high age group, and they are growing increasingly concerned that sales will continue to taper off if this trend continues.

    　On the other hand, sales of compact cars such as the Fit’s rivals, the Yaris and Nissan’s Note, are steadily increasing, proving that there is sufficient demand for compact cars.

    　Honda, however, is struggling because it has lost customers to its relatives, such as the N-BOX and Freed.

    　As is customary, two years after its debut, the current Fit is due for a minor change.

    　We will be watching to see if the Fit can make a comeback and break through the status quo.”

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    Nissan’s US sales, Leaf increased by 50%, first quarter of 2022 .

    ByChathura Chanuka

    “Nissan’s U.S. Sales of LEAF Increases 50% in Q1 2022 Tue, Apr 5, 2022 6:00pm
    Nissan LEAF (North American specifications)

    On April 2, Nissan North America, the U.S. division of Nissan Motor (Nissan), announced the results of new vehicle sales in the United States for the first quarter (January-March) of 2022. Total sales volume was 201,081 units. This was a 29.6% decrease compared to the same period last year and the first time in two years that sales fell below the previous year’s level.

    Of the total 201,081 units sold, Nissan brand vehicles accounted for 189,835 units. This was the first year-on-year decline in two years, down 28.8%. This includes passenger cars, which turned negative at 75,046 units, down 24.5% year-on-year, and light trucks, including SUVs, which fell 31.3% to 114,789 units, the first year-on-year decline in two years.

    Among Nissan-brand passenger cars, sales of the mainstay Altima were 38,295 units. This was a 19.6% increase over the same period last year and a turnaround to positive growth. Sales of the “”Sentra”” were 27,131 units. This was the first year-on-year decline in two years, down 27.1%. Sales of the Vasa were 2,330 units, down 89.6% from the same period last year. Sales of the “”Maxima”” large sedan continued to fall, down 40.3% to 2,869 units, while sales of the “”LEAF”” EV were up 49.4% to 4,371 units, marking the second consecutive year of year-on-year growth.

    In the light truck (SUV/pickup truck/minivan) segment, the “”Rogue”” SUV maintained its position as the best-selling Nissan brand vehicle with sales of 45,235 units. However, year-on-year sales were down 47.8%, the first year-on-year decline in two years. Sales of the Titan, a large pickup truck, turned down 14.0% to 6,415 units.

    Sales of the Murano SUV were down 18.4% year-on-year to 9,403 units, marking the second consecutive year of year-on-year decline. The “”Pathfinder”” midsize SUV recovered to 8,975 units, up 0.8%. The KIX, a compact SUV, turned negative with a 15.7% decline to 20,577 units.

    Nissan’s new vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2021 are 977,639 units. This is an increase of 8.7% over the previous year and the first year-on-year increase in four years. Of the total 977,639 units sold, 919,086 were Nissan brand vehicles. This was a 12.1% increase over the previous year, the first year-on-year increase in four years.
    “

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    Honda US sales, old Vezel increased by 60%, first quarter of 2022 .

    ByChathura Chanuka

    “Honda U.S. Sales of Older Model Vezel Up 60% in Q1 2022 Tuesday, April 5, 2022 4:30 PM
    Honda HR-V 2022 (North American specifications. Equivalent to the old Bezel in Japan)

    On April 2, American Honda, the U.S. division of Honda, announced the results of new vehicle sales in the U.S. for the first quarter (January-March) of 2022. Total sales volume was 266,418 units. This was a 23.2% decrease compared to the same period last year, the first year-on-year decline in two years.

    Of the total 266,418 units sold, 238,182 were Honda brand vehicles. Sales turned negative, down 23% from the same period last year. Passenger car sales fell 27.3% year-on-year to 82,573 units, the third consecutive year of year-on-year decline, while light truck sales, including SUVs, also fell back, down 20.5% to 155,609 units.

    Among Honda-brand passenger cars, sales of the Accord were 42,039 units. This is the third consecutive year of year-on-year decline, down 9.8%. Sales of the “”Fit”” were discontinued. Sales of the “”Civic”” continued to decline, down 31.1% to 38,515 units. Sales of the Clarity were down 86.6% to 154 units. Sales of the Insight hybrid sedan were down 51.7% to 1,865 units.

    Among light trucks (SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans), sales of the mainstay “”CR-V”” were 58,579 units. This was the first year-on-year decrease in two years, down 37.5%. The midsize SUV “”Pilot”” was down 23.7% to 23,989 units, the first year-on-year decline in two years. Sales of the Passport turned negative, down 9.8% to 10,474 units.

    The Odyssey, a minivan exclusively for North America and different from the Japanese version, fell back 44.1% year-on-year to 11,210 units. The “”HR-V”” (Japanese name: equivalent to the old “”Vezel””), which is at the end of its model life, increased 61.1% to 42,168 units for the second consecutive year.

    Honda’s new vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2021 will be 1,466,630 units. This was an increase of 8.9% over the previous year, the first year-on-year increase in two years. Of the total 1,466,630 units sold, 1,309,222 were Honda brand vehicles. This was an 8.2% increase over the previous year, the first year-on-year increase in two years.”