Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced today its new "Human Friendly Transmission" (HFT) destined to become the new power delivery mechanism for its future motorcycles.

It's described as an automatic transmission for motorcycles.

Already, they announced it will be used in the DN-01 motorcycle that they plan to produce soon.

You can read more about it here...

• Honda Develops HFT For Motorcycles - Huliq


• The Human Friendly Transmission (HFT),Honda - TechNews

Labels: Honda, Honda DN-01, Honda HFT

At first, I thought it was just another prank, when I heard that Honda will be buying a majority stake in Harley-Davidson.

Then I noticed the headlines were coming from Forbes, Reuters, and Associated Press, three very well respected news sources.

And then, I read the articles that said it was a rumor.

So, is Honda really going to buy out Harley-Davidson?

No one knows right now. The articles say that neither Harley nor Honda is willing to discredit the rumor. However, experts all agreee that such a merger would never get the blessing from Washington DC because it would create a near monopoly on heavyweight motorcycles.

Under the supposed rumor, Honda would control 60% of Harley.

Here are links to some articles, you decide...

Associated Press
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070622/harley_davidson_mover.html?.v=1

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/06/22/harley-davidson-honda-markets-equity-cx_er_0622markets19.html?partner=rss

Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/mergersNews/idUSN2248287920070622

Labels: Harley Davidson, Honda

According to National Public Radio, the Taliban prefer to ride Honda motorcycles, at least the ones made in China.

NPR published an audio report where one of their reporters interviewed a Afghan motorcycle mechanic. The mechanic spilled the beans about his money-wielding, arm-twisting clientele.

Wanna know what kind of accessories Taliban soldiers prefer to have on their motorcycles? Listen to the NPR piece...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9605752

Labels: Afghanistan, Honda, Taliban

Honda Access Corp, a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., said today that it will release a motorcycle navigation system costing ¥173,250 ($1,651.00) on April 28.

Published on Forbes:

The navigation system, with a 3.8-inch touch-panel screen, will be installed for Honda's Forza large scooters. It is attached to the center of the handlebars. In addition to showing a map, the navigation has a voice message to tell directions, Honda said.

Labels: GPS Navigation, Honda

Honda announced that it will build a new manufacturing plant in the Philippines. Apparently, the demand for motorcycles there is so big, that they can't keep up:

Honda's move to bolster its production base in the Philippines comes amid strong growth in demand for motorcycles there.

The company said the local motorcycle market grew to 475,000 units in 2004, up 53% from 2003, and it projects the market will increase to 600,000 units this year.

Labels: Honda, Manufacturing, Philippines

America Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced today that it entered into an agreement with Disneyland Resort, as part of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary celebration.

Under the agreement, Disneyland will endorse Honda's line of motorcycles as its "official" motorcycle brand. In addition, Honda will help Disney develop a new exhibit at Innoventions in Tomorrowland that may feature ASIMO, Honda's advanced humanoid robot.

The partnership also allows Honda to get its brand displayed throughout Disneyland Resort.

Labels: Disneyland, Honda