Honda Up Front At Washougal

The Honda Red Riders took on round eight of the 2010 AMA Motocross Championship at Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, WA on Saturday, July 24, and Honda Red Bull Racing's Andrew Short and Kevin Windham impressed the crowd by running up front aboard their CRF450R race machines while GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard scored the trifecta in taking his third-straight overall 250-class victory aboard his CRF250R.

In moto one, Short pulled off the holeshot and led Honda's charge through the first turn with teammate Kevin Windham and GEICO Powersports Honda's Brett Metcalfe hot in tow. Short kept control out front until a series of small errors on lap five shifted the Honda racer into the number two spot where he remained until the race's end. The start of the second moto mirrored the first with Short nabbing the holeshot - his eighth holeshot this season - and racing away to an early lead before surrendering a spot at the midway point. Short's 2-2 results put him second overall for the round. Davi Millsaps' replacement Windham was fast out of the start gate and was up front banging bars with the frontrunners early on in both motos until the veteran racer gave up a few spots to go 9-9 and end the round seventh overall.

"The Honda Red Bull Racing team really has my race bike dialed in for getting awesome starts," said Short. "The team did an amazing job and I had a lot of speed this weekend. I get great starts in almost every race and I'm quick to pull a good lead but I need to find that extra something within me to hang on out front until the very end. I absolutely love Washougal and this is one of those tracks that I really look forward to racing every year."

In other 450-class action, Metcalfe scored his third overall podium of the season by going 3-5 to finish the day third overall. Launching to a solid first-moto effort aboard his GEICO Powersports Honda CRF450R, Metcalfe later put in a heroic effort to rally back from 25th place in moto two to take the checkers in fifth spot, earning him a spot on the overall podium the hard way. Troy Lee Designs Honda's Ben Townley was up front in the thick of the action in moto one when he crashed hard while negotiating the whoops. The CRF450R racer bruised his shoulder in the fall and was not able to participate in the second moto but is expected to be back racing at round nine in three weeks' time.

In the 250 class, GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard absolutely dominated the competition, grabbing both holeshots on the day and leading every lap of racing to successfully clinch his third-straight overall victory. Aboard his CRF250R, the likeable Honda racer was unstoppable out front, setting a blistering pace and putting solid gaps between himself and his nearest competitors.

"I struggled at the start of the season to get everything figured out but things have really started to come together now," said Canard. "I'm in a really good place mentally, which I think has made all the difference, and my goal with four rounds to go is to stay out front and earn as many points as I can by winning motos."

Blake Wharton put in a solid performance aboard his GEICO Powersports Honda CRF250R going 5-4 to end the round fourth overall. Teammate Eli Tomac fared well going 7-9 to finish seventh overall while Justin Barcia finished in 16th position (32-10).

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Ryan Dungey (1-1)
2. Andrew Short, Honda (2-2)
3. Brett Metcalfe, Honda (3-5)
4. Tommy Hahn (7-3)
5. Nick Wey (10-6)
6. Ryan Sipes (5-11)
7. Kevin Windham, Honda (9-9)
8. Kyle Chisholm (8-10)
9. Dan Reardon (12-7)
10. Kyle Cunningham (11-8)

450 Class Championship Standings

1. Ryan Dungey 368
2. Andrew Short 273
3. Brett Metcalfe 257
4. Josh Grant 238
5. Ben Townley 223
6. Mike Alessi 219
7. Chad Reed 204
8. Ryan Sipes 166
9. Kyle Chisholm 158
10. Kyle Regal 157

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Trey Canard, Honda (1-1)
2. Christophe Pourcel (2-2)
3. Tyla Rattray (4-3)
4. Blake Wharton, Honda (5-4)
5. Dean Wilson (6-6)
6. Jake Weimer (3-11)
7. Eli Tomac, Honda (7-9)
8. Tommy Searle (10-7)
9. Vince Friese, (12-12)
10. Martin Davalos, (22-5)

250 Class Championship Standings

1. Christophe Pourcel 340
2. Trey Canard 302
3. Dean Wilson 294
4. Tyla Rattray 286
5. Justin Barcia 212
6. Blake Wharton 209
7. Broc Tickle 209
8. Eli Tomac 200
9. Jake Weimer 195
10. Martin Davalos 163

©2010 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HondaJet Program Update Announced at 2010 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

- Power-On achieved for first flight test aircraft
- Consolidation of first static test aircraft completed
- HondaJet production facility construction advances rapidly
- HondaJet to participate at Honda Indy 200 Mid-Ohio IRL race

Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., today released a program update for its HondaJet advanced light jet program highlighting the milestone achievement of Power-On for its first conforming flight test aircraft. Also announced was the successful consolidation of fuselage and wing assemblies for the first static test aircraft, which will be subjected to static structural testing beginning in August.

The recently concluded Power-On tests for the first conforming aircraft included confirmation of power supply both from the on-board battery to the aircraft's Power Distribution System and from the external Ground Power Unit to the Power Distribution System.

"The success of our Power-On tests is an important step in the completion of the first conforming flight test aircraft," said Honda Aircraft Company President & CEO Michimasa Fujino. "With this significant milestone achieved, we are now focused on the integration of avionics and other electrical systems in anticipation of first flight later this year."

Concurrently, consolidation has been achieved for the wing and fuselage assemblies of the first static test aircraft. The first static test aircraft incorporates over 1,800 strain gauges that will be used to evaluate the aircraft's performance during stress testing.

Stress testing is being conducted at Honda Aircraft Company's R&D facility on its Greensboro campus utilizing Honda's advanced MTS FlexTest® structural test system. The system incorporates 61 hydraulic actuators and a 2,600-channel data acquisition system within a structural test fixture designed exclusively for HondaJet testing. The entire aircraft can be tested simultaneously to prove static and fatigue strength under various flight and ground load conditions. Honda's test facility includes an environmental chamber to simulate hot-wet conditions, which is required testing for the validation of composite structures.

Stress testing already is well underway with the completion of testing of sub-component and control surfaces. These components have been successfully tested to ultimate load under FAA supervision at Honda's Greensboro facility.

While the assembly and testing of aircraft continue, Honda is nearing completion of the superstructure for the HondaJet production facility on its Greensboro campus and will next begin the installation of electrical and plumbing within the facility. The 250,000 ft² production facility is scheduled for total completion in early 2011, at which time pre-production preparations and training of production staff will begin. The HondaJet production facility also will house Flight Safety International Level-D, full-motion flight simulators for training of all HondaJet pilots and crew.

Following its appearance at this year's EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the proof-of-concept HondaJet will travel to Lexington, Ohio, to participate in the Honda Indy 200 Mid-Ohio IRL race on August 8. Celebrating Honda's challenging spirit and its passion for speed, the HondaJet will perform a demonstration flight above the track prior to the start of the race. The annual Ohio stop on the Indy Racing League tour is conducted at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, which features a 2.25-mile, 13-turn circuit that is considered one of the most challenging race circuits in the U.S. With a top speed of 420 kts (483 mph), the HondaJet is sure to become the fastest Honda in the history of the event.

About HondaJet
Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Ltd., began sales of the advanced and innovative HondaJet in October 2006 in the U.S. and has amassed orders for well over 100 aircraft. Scheduled for first delivery in the third quarter of 2012, the $4.5 million HondaJet is Honda's first-ever commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for dynamic performance together with superior efficiency. The HondaJet proof-of-concept aircraft has accumulated more than 500 flight test hours and attained both a top speed of 420 knots (483 mph) and a maximum altitude of 43,000 ft. in flight testing.

The HondaJet incorporates many innovative technological advances in aviation design, including a unique over-the-wing engine-mount configuration that dramatically improves aircraft performance and fuel efficiency by significantly reducing aerodynamic drag in flight. This innovative approach to airframe design also lowers ground-detected noise when overhead and allows for a more spacious cabin and greater cargo capacity. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines.

The production HondaJet flight deck features a Honda-customized Garmin® G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system incorporating a class-leading layout with three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers for overall avionics control and flight plan entries. The HondaJet Avionics Suite is the most advanced glass flight deck available in any light business jet and provides state-of-the-art integrated avionics functionality featuring split screen MFD capability, satellite weather, graphical synoptics, digital audio, and optional Synthetic Vision.

Learn more about HondaJet at www.hondajet.com.

Number 34 Out of Retirement for American Honda Moto2 Effort

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announces today that Roger Lee Hayden will run the number 34 on the Moriwaki MD600 American Honda team machine at the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis GP, August 27 to 29.

Kevin Schwantz, team manager for the American Honda Moto2 effort at the Indy USGP, ran the number 34 throughout his career. Schwantz accumulated 25 Grand Prix wins during his career, making him the second most successful American road racer behind Eddie Lawson. In a rare display of respect, the FIM retired Schwantz's racing number 34 as a testament to his popularity.

Now, for the first time since his retirement in 1995, Schwantz's famous number 34 will once again be a part of Grand Prix competition on Hayden's Moto2 Moriwaki MD600.

Special collector apparel with the number 34 is now available through the Ride for Kids® Website, so be sure to log on today at www.rideforkids.org to make a donation to receive yours. Proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) Ride for Kids® (RFK) program and its efforts to fight childhood brain tumors.

To sign up for the Indy Lap of Champions or to find out more about the Ride for Kids® and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation®, go to www.rideforkids.org.

For more information about the American Honda Moto2 effort, contact American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (310) 783-3745.

American Honda Moto2 Apparel

American Honda Moto2 Apparel.
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American Honda Moto2 Apparel

American Honda Moto2 Apparel.
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American Honda Expands Vehicle Recall Information Availability for Consumers

In an effort to improve access to information as vehicle ownership changes, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is providing details about Honda and Acura vehicles with open recalls to Carfax.

American Honda’s participation with Carfax seeks to ensure that shoppers can research recall details through a convenient third-party database, in addition to those already available from American Honda. By transferring information daily to Carfax, American Honda is taking additional measures toward enhancing safety recall awareness within the used-car market.

“Recall completion is critically important to us,” said Jim Roach, senior vice president of Parts & Service for American Honda. “By working with Carfax, American Honda provides another way for customers to increase their awareness and need to address recall repairs.”

Millions of used car buyers and sellers every year rely on Carfax Vehicle History Reports as part of their used-car evaluations. Open recall information reported to Carfax for Honda and Acura vehicles appears on Carfax Reports and also is available free to consumers at carfax.com/recall.

“Carfax and American Honda are committed to keeping our roadways safe,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. “Adding Honda and Acura to the list of manufacturers providing open recall information to Carfax helps notify car owners and buyers and gets these cars into dealerships to be fixed.”

About Carfax (www.carfax.com)
Millions of used car buyers and sellers each year rely on Carfax, the most trusted provider of vehicle history information. Using the unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) found on vehicle dashboards and title documents, Carfax instantly generates a detailed Vehicle History Report on any used car or light truck. Carfax Vehicle History Reports™ provide valuable information that helps used car buyers and sellers make better decisions.  Free Carfax Vehicle History Reports are instantly available with vehicles listed in nearly every online marketplace by Carfax-subscribing dealers.  For more information, ask your dealer or visit www.carfax.com.

High-resolution photos and media information are available at www.hondanews.com.
Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

Anna Engine Plant Celebrates a Quarter Century of Powering Honda and Ohio

Government and community leaders joined with Honda associates at Honda of America Mfg.'s engine plant today to celebrate 25 years of manufacturing at Honda's largest auto engine plant in the world. In addition to producing the engines that power many Honda and Acura automobiles, the Anna Engine Plant is a driving force in the development of Honda's North American operations, and it has provided the foundations for the creation of numerous parts plants in Ohio.

Since starting with just 94 associates on July 22, 1985, the Anna Engine Plant has grown to become Honda's largest automobile engine factory, with an annual capacity of 1.18 million four- and six-cylinder engines - enough to stretch from Cincinnati to Cleveland and back again. The Anna plant supplies engines to five Honda assembly plants in Ohio, Indiana and Ontario, Canada.

"This anniversary is a great opportunity for us to pause and celebrate the many accomplishments of this great team," said Hidenobu Iwata, president and CEO Honda of America Mfg., Inc. "By working together, we have blazed a path in the industry for quality, fuel economy and environmental technologies."

The 1.8 million-square-foot Anna Engine Plant is not only Honda's largest auto engine plant, it is also one of the industry's most vertically integrated engine plants. In addition to assembling engines, the plant manufactures nearly all of the steel and aluminum parts for those engines, and procures engine and drivetrain components from more than 125 suppliers located mostly in Ohio and neighboring states. The plant's domestic purchases of parts and raw materials last year exceeded $5.2 billion - representing more than one-third of Honda's total $13.3 billion in North American parts purchases in 2009.

"From the beginning, the power behind the Anna Engine Plant has been its associates, who make the flexibility of this plant work for our customers, and the strong partnerships with surrounding communities," said Plant Manager John Spoltman during the anniversary event. "Without the friendship and support of our friends and neighbors, we never could have realized this moment or the tremendous success that this plant and this community have built together over the past quarter century."

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland joined Honda to commemorate the plant's milestone. "I congratulate Honda's leadership and all of the dedicated employees who have worked here to power vehicles for the last quarter-century. Your commitment to quality and innovation has made a truly significant impact on Ohio's economy and our community," Strickland said. "Celebrations like this are perfect examples of why I believe in Ohio, because there is no better place to put your plant than Ohio and no better workforce to make your product than Ohioans."

With employment of 2,400 associates, the plant has produced more than 17 million engines. Cumulative capital investment in the plant exceeds $1.7 billion, including a $140 million series of expansion projects, completed in 2008, for the production of steel engine components previously sourced overseas.

While increasing work under its own roof, the Anna Engine Plant has played a pivotal role in the creation of new parts and component manufacturing operations in Ohio and neighboring states. After starting at the engine plant, the production of automatic transmissions was transferred in 1996 to Honda Transmission Mfg., Inc., in Russells Point, Ohio, which was followed in 2006 by the creation of a second transmission plant in Tallapoosa, Georgia. Anna also served as the "mother plant" for the start of Honda's other two automobile engine plants in North America - in Lincoln, Alabama, and Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

Throughout its history, the Anna plant also has spun off production of engine and drivetrain parts to suppliers in the region, including production of suspension assemblies, brake components, pistons, exhaust manifolds, transmission shafts, catalytic converters, and rocker arm assemblies. As a result, new supplier operations were established in Ohio communities including Celina, Bucyrus, Cardington, Marion and Fredericktown, and in Coldwater, Michigan.

While its operations have expanded steadily over the years and set new standards in manufacturing, Spoltman said the Anna plant also has focused on being a good corporate citizen and being an accepted member of the community.

"Caring for the environment is one example, and all of us at Honda are very focused on reducing our environmental footprint throughout the world - including right here in Anna," he said. "Many of you may not know this, but the Anna Engine Plant sends no waste to any landfills from its manufacturing operations."

In addition to recycling sand from casting operations and other production-related materials, the Anna plant helps Honda's auto plants in Marysville and East Liberty recycle their scrap materials as well. The two auto plants bale scrap steel from stamping operations, which are reused in Anna-made engine and drivetrain components.

Statewide, Honda employs 13,500 associates at four manufacturing plants, a major vehicle R&D and product engineering center, a regional parts distribution center, and other operations supporting Honda's auto manufacturing in North America.

Honda began business in America in 1959 and today employs more than 26,000 associates. The company operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, engines and automatic transmissions, as well as Honda all-terrain vehicles, and power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general-purpose engines.

Honda News & Views: www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (For Press Only): www.hondanews.com
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alicia_at_honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Web site: www.honda.com

American Honda and MX Sports Pro Racing Team Up to Announce the Honda CRF150 Cup

American Honda, in association with MX Sports Pro Racing announces the introduction of the Honda CRF150 Cup. Comprised of two special races held in conjunction with the final two rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, held at Steel City (September 4) and Pala Raceway (September 11), the Honda CRF150 Cup events will be held the same day as the Nationals and on the exact same track.

Intended to showcase the next generation of motocross talent, the CRF150 Cup will feature significant support from American Honda as well as the Honda Riders Club of America® (HRCA®).

"American Honda is committed to amateur motocross, and the CRF150 Cup will provide a unique opportunity for some of the best amateur racers in the country to compete on a national track in front of a national audience," said Keith Dowdle, Assistant Manager, HRCA.

The award-winning CRF150R and big-wheel CRF150RB pack genuine high-performance four-stroke power into mini racers. They feature Unicam engines, race-ready suspension and track-designed chassis for truly groundbreaking performance.

"We're very excited about this opportunity," said Kevin Aschenbach, American Honda's Off-Road Media Coordinator. "The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship features awesome tracks and huge crowds, and our CRF150R four-stroke is a great bike on which to showcase the future stars of our sport."

In support of this exciting competition, American Honda has posted a significant contingency payout for each event, with over $11,000 in Honda Red Rider Rewards contingency up for grabs. For Honda Red Rider Rewards program details and payout information visit www.powersports.honda.com/racing/contingency.

For more information, including registration forms and the official rules, please visit www.mxsportsproracing.com and click on "Honda CRF150 Cup" or please email crf150cup@mxsports.com.

©2010 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Anna Engine Plant in Ohio Celebrating 25 Years of Manufacturing

Celebrating 25 years of manufacturing, the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio is HondaÕs largest auto engine plant in the world, where the engines that power many Honda and Acura automobiles are produced.
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Honda's Marysville Plant Produces 10-Millionth Vehicle

The Marysville Auto Plant has become the first Honda plant outside Japan to manufacture* 10 million vehicles with the production this morning of a Honda Accord Sedan. Honda began local auto production in November 1982 at the Marysville plant with an Accord Sedan, and has continued producing that model along with various others.

Identified with a magnetic sign on its hood, associates followed progress of the vehicle in production until it came off the assembly line as a completed product. The milestone Accord was immediately moved into the plant's West Cafeteria for display alongside the first generation of the Accord produced at the plant.

"Production of this 10 millionth automobile is the result of the shared commitment to our customers, demonstrated over the past 28 years by all of the associates who have worked at the Marysville Auto Plant through the years," said Hidenobu Iwata, president and CEO of Honda of America Mfg., and leader of Honda's production operations in North America. "With the support of many other Honda business units, domestic suppliers and our other business partners, Honda associates have demonstrated many times their ability to overcome great challenges and to improve Honda's competitive characteristics."

In its 28th year of production, the Marysville plant has undergone continuous innovation, making it one of the most flexible and efficient plants in North America, while achieving top quality performance. The plant ranked fourth in North America in the 2010 Initial Quality Survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. In addition to the Accord Sedan and Coupe, the plant currently produces the Acura TL and Acura RDX models.

"I am very proud of the MAP team, and I know firsthand that each associate cares deeply about the product that goes out the door," said Plant Manager Sam Harpest. "This is a direct reflection of the dedication shared by all Honda associates who have supported production at this plant."

Nearly all Accords sold in North America are manufactured at the Marysville plant, with more than 8.5 million units produced at the plant on a cumulative basis. The TL, RDX and Accord Coupe are exclusively produced at the Marysville plant, and some V-6 Accord Sedans are manufactured at Honda's auto plant in Alabama. Consistent with Honda's commitment to manufacture products close to the customer, more than 84 percent of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2009 were produced in North America.

Honda partners with nearly 600 North American suppliers, including 530 in the U.S. and 160 in Ohio, in the production of passenger cars and light trucks. Those purchases totaled $13.3 billion in North America last year, with $5.5 billion in parts coming from Ohio suppliers.

In Ohio, Honda operates another auto plant in East Liberty, a major transmission plant in Russells Point and the Anna Engine Plant in Anna, Ohio. Honda's largest auto engine plant in the world, the Anna plant will celebrate its 25th anniversary of engine production on Thursday.

In addition to manufacturing, Honda has established substantial R&D and engineering operations in Ohio, along with a regional parts distribution center and other operations that support Honda manufacturing and sales in North America. Among all its operations, the company directly employs 13,500 Ohioans and tens of thousands more through its suppliers and other business partners.

Honda began business in America in 1959 and today employs more than 26,000 associates. The company operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, engines and automatic transmissions, all-terrain vehicles, and power equipment such as lawn mowers and mini-tillers.

Honda News & Views: www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (For Press Only): www.hondanews.com
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alicia_at_honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Web site: www.honda.com

*using domestic and globally sourced parts