TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Honda has some grand plans for its green vehicle programs.
John Mendal, senior vice president of automobile operations at Honda, told a conference here that a low-cost, dedicated hybrid was in the works for launch in 2009 with a production goal of 100,000 units per year.
Mendal also said clean direct-injection diesel technology now being used in Europe will come to the U.S. in its next-generation form before 2009. These new four-cylinder engines will pass the strictest emission regulations, including those of California. Larger V6 diesel engines are also being studied for the American market and will meet the same emissions standards.
Honda is also in the midst of a limited introduction of its FCX fuel-cell vehicle. Fifteen FCX's are in fleets around the country, and one vehicle is in the hands of a California family. The learning from this small-scale release is being directed to the next-generation FCX. This vehicle will use the new V-Flow Fuel Flow Stack. The next FCX will be production ready by 2009.
Current FCX testing includes evaluation of two hydrogen fuel stations. One is home-based, and in the process of converting natural gas into compressed hydrogen, it also provides the host home with hot water and electricity. The second station uses Honda's new thin-film solar cells to power the hydrogen production process.
source:http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116463
John Mendal, senior vice president of automobile operations at Honda, told a conference here that a low-cost, dedicated hybrid was in the works for launch in 2009 with a production goal of 100,000 units per year.
Mendal also said clean direct-injection diesel technology now being used in Europe will come to the U.S. in its next-generation form before 2009. These new four-cylinder engines will pass the strictest emission regulations, including those of California. Larger V6 diesel engines are also being studied for the American market and will meet the same emissions standards.
Honda is also in the midst of a limited introduction of its FCX fuel-cell vehicle. Fifteen FCX's are in fleets around the country, and one vehicle is in the hands of a California family. The learning from this small-scale release is being directed to the next-generation FCX. This vehicle will use the new V-Flow Fuel Flow Stack. The next FCX will be production ready by 2009.
Current FCX testing includes evaluation of two hydrogen fuel stations. One is home-based, and in the process of converting natural gas into compressed hydrogen, it also provides the host home with hot water and electricity. The second station uses Honda's new thin-film solar cells to power the hydrogen production process.
source:http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116463
