Honda Begins Production and Sales of All-new Scooter PCX in Thailand

2010 Honda PCX Scooter - Thailand Version

BANGKOK, Thailand : September 14, 2009 - Honda will begin sales of a new scooter model, PCX, in Thailand in November of this year through A. P. Honda Co., Ltd., a Honda affiliate responsible for distributing Honda motorcycle products in Thailand. Thai Honda Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Thai Honda), a Honda subsidiary that manufactures motorcycles, power products, and components in Thailand, will serve as the global manufacturing base for PCX and is planning to begin exports of PCX in early 2010, to other countries in the ASEAN region as well as other regions including Japan, Europe and the U.S.


With the global market in mind, PCX was designed to provide both the ease-of-use customers expect from a scooter and innovative styling. In addition, the basic design of key components such as the frame and engine are common for each market to achieve a significant increase in production efficiency.

Thai Honda began motorcycle production in 1967 for the Thai market, and currently supplies motorcycles and motorcycle components primarily to the ASEAN region. Thai Honda will supply PCX to the global market while leveraging its superior cost competitiveness, quality and supplier network which the company has cultivated during its more than 40-year history.

The PCX is equipped with a newly developed low-friction, water-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder 125 cc engine, achieving excellent fuel economy of approximately 50km/liter (ECE 40 MODE). The “idling stop system,” which automatically stops the engine when the motorcycle comes to a temporary stop, was adopted to improve fuel economy (except for the U.S. model.) In addition, PCX conforms with Thailand’s Emission Standards at level 6 as well as the current exhaust emission standards in Japan, Europe and the U.S. with Honda’s electronic fuel injection system (PGM-FI^*1) and a catalyst device (catalyzer) installed in the muffler.

Moreover, PCX will be the world’s first^*2 125 cc model which will be equipped with the ACG starter which combines a cell motor and alternating current generator and helps achieve the compact engine size and significant reduction of starting noise.

Finally, all PCX models will be equipped with the CBS (Combined Brake System for the front and rear wheels) which helps achieve stable braking performance.

With PCX, Honda will strive to create a new market in ASEAN countries for a high value-added and high-end model. At the same time, Honda is planning to introduce PCX to Japan, Europe and the U.S. as an affordable small-size commuter model which accomplished an excellent balance of various features including environmental performance, user comfort and quality.

*1 PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection) is a registered Honda trademark
*2 Based on Honda research

[Source : HONDA]

Honda Demonstrates Life Saving Motorcycle Technology

Car 2 Car Communication

In its efforts to improve safety for everyone, especially vulnerable road users, Honda's leading motorcycle to car communication system is being demonstrated for the first time in Europe at the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium event taking place at the Opel Test Track in Dudenhofen, Germany, from 22-23 October 2008.


The system generates warnings to riders and drivers of other vehicles by continuous exchange of positioning data from satellite GPS sources. This is particularly relevant as road users approach intersections, alerting them to other vehicles that are potentially on a collision course, allowing avoidance manoeuvres.

The demonstration will exhibit the interoperability of the Honda life-saving system which facilitates communication with vehicles from 8 other manufacturers.

European research data shows that the majority of accidents involving a motorcycle are caused by perception failures and this system will reduce these failures.

The development of inter vehicle communication is part of Honda's ongoing approach to safety for powered two-wheelers. This approach tackles Preventive, Active and Passive safety. The resulting technologies in the field of preventive safety include the Motorcycle Riding Simulator and the Riding Trainer, both of which are used for hazard perception training. The introduction of the world's first motorcycle airbag on a Gold Wing in 2006 was a landmark in safety. This year's release of the first ever electronically controlled Combined ABS for Super Sports motorcycles provides enhanced braking capability in a wide range of road conditions and a step forward in the field of Active Safety.

Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) Systems Development by Honda
Honda has developed this technology within the ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) programme in Japan, and is currently participating in projects in Europe, Japan and the United States. In Japan, Honda is now in phase 4 of its ASV development. This ASV-4 system uses a wireless communication unit to ascertain the position and direction of cars and motorcycles in relation to each other, and provides drivers with information on approaching vehicles and obstacles on the road. This follows the introduction of ASV-3 technologies in 2005, and ASV-4 has built on extensive research, data collection and collaboration in advanced safety technologies.

What is Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication?
V2V communication rapidly relays information in a simple and concise manner, which supports motorists' and bikers' recognition processes. Information including position, direction and vehicle dynamics coordinates is exchanged between vehicles. Motorcycle riders can safely receive warnings about vehicles near them on a Head-up Indicator Display, and can receive information through an in-helmet audio system, neither requiring them to take their eyes off the road. Drivers can view information on the status of cars and motorcycles in their vicinity and receive warnings on, for example, their navigation system display.


Honda Advanced HMI
The effectiveness of a Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure communication system largely depends on the HMI concept - the interface between the rider and his machine. Based on extensive research, Honda has developed for the Car 2 Car demonstration a simple, logical and intuitive HMI for faster and easier recognition. Both a visual and an audible warning are provided in safety critical situations. The visual HMI is located on the upper edge of the motorcycle dashboard, as close as possible to the line of vision, enabling the rider to spot the information and warnings easily without actually having to take his eyes off the road. The intensity, colour and the position of the lights provide intuitive information on the seriousness and the location of the danger ahead. To augment the riders' recognition and further specify the hazard ahead, an acoustic warning by means of spoken text is given in the helmet, which is connected by means of Bluetooth? communication link with the on-board system. This advanced HMI contributes to enhanced motorcycle safety.

The Honda HMI for the CAR 2 CAR demonstration

The Honda HMI for the CAR 2 CAR demonstration - Warning

Example of a HMI display used for Honda ASV-3 vehicles

Motorcycle Accident Characteristics.
Motorcycle safety requires special consideration, due to the particular nature of motorcycle accidents. Both the causes and the consequences of these are different to those of accidents involving only cars. The majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by the simple failure of other motorists to detect the presence of a motorcycle on the road until it is too late, or to correctly assess its distance and speed. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, the front profile of a motorcycle is significantly smaller than that of a car or truck. Not only can it be more easily overlooked, but it can also be obscured by larger vehicles or street furniture. Its smaller size can also be more easily camouflaged by its surroundings. For example, a motorcycle can be completely hidden behind a car's A-pillar for a limited amount of time on the approach to a roundabout.

Secondly, motorcycles are more subject to errors of perception and judgement of distance and speed. This is related to their smaller size and also to certain disadvantageous characteristics of motorcycle lighting systems. Honda is also addressing this through Conspicuity Enhancement Designs, with proven success in helping car drivers to better estimate both distance and speed of motorcycles.

Statistics
In 1999, an EU funded research project (Motorcycle Accident In-Depth Study or MAIDS) investigated the underlying causes of motorcycle accidents. The researchers were a consortium of partners including, among others, ACEM (The Motorcycle Industry in Europe), FIM and FEMA (rider organisations at international and European level).

Data was collected on 921 motorcycle accidents occurring in 5 European countries. It was found that 88% of the accidents were mainly caused by human error, while 8% were due to external environmental factors such as weather conditions or road infrastructure. In 37% of cases the motorcyclist was the cause of the accident, while in 50% of cases the driver of the other vehicle was responsible. A breakdown of this 50% showed that: 72% were so-called 'perception' failures, where the driver failed to see the motorcycle, 3% were 'comprehension' failures (they saw the motorcycle but the brain did not recognize it as such), and 20% were 'decision' failures (they saw the motorcycle but decided to continue with the intended manoeuvre anyway).

The problem of visibility and awareness of motorcycles on the road clearly needs to be addressed.

How can V2V communication help?
The MAIDS research also looked at the most common motorcycle accident configurations. Almost 35% of these were down to two main configurations:

• Accidents at an intersection, where the colliding vehicles were following perpendicular paths;
  
• Left-turn accidents (right-turn in the UK and Ireland), where two vehicles approach in opposite directions and where the other vehicle cuts across the path of the oncoming motorcycle.

The diagrams below illustrate how Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication operates in these two typical situations:


In the above situations, the V2V communication system may compensate for errors of perception or momentary lacks of concentration. The system is also being tested in situations where human senses do not necessarily register reliable data. One example is in the blindspot that remains invisible in a rear view mirror check. Another is the approach of an emergency services vehicle where a siren can be heard but determination of its position, speed or direction is difficult. An additional case would occur when a driver sees a motorcyclist in the mirror but has difficulty judging closing speed and distance, especially at night or in poor weather conditions.

Honda and the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium
Honda believes that by demonstrating its advanced safety technologies, a common approach to safety can be achieved for all road users.

The CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium is a non-profit organisation initiated by European vehicle manufacturers, and is open for suppliers, research organisations and other partners. The CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium is dedicated to the objective of further increasing road traffic safety and efficiency by means of inter-vehicle communications. Honda has been researching Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication systems for more than a decade, both independently and in joint research projects in Japan and the USA. To improve motorcycle safety in Europe, Honda became a full member of the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium in 2005, with the clear objective of integrating the motorcycle within the CAR 2 CAR system. The common objective of the participating bodies is to develop common interoperable standards for all vehicles, including motorcycles, and ultimately to introduce a standard C2C CC system into the European vehicle market.

Honda's own innovations
The research into vehicle-to-vehicle and infrastructure communication systems is yet one more step in the development of new technologies for enhanced comfort and safety. Previous innovations and world-firsts by Honda are, for example, the world's first car navigation system, which can be found nowadays in many vehicles; collision mitigation braking systems which initiate occupant restraints and the brakes in pre-collision situations; lane keeping assist systems in cars in Europe; intelligent night vision systems recognising pedestrians; and the first floating car data system from a car maker in the Honda Internavi navigation system.

[Source : HONDA]

Vietnam : Honda Vietnam Inaugurates Its Second Motorcycle Plant

Vietnam's Honda Motocycle plant

VIETNAM - September 1, 2008: Honda Vietnam formally held an Opening ceremony for its second motorcycle plant in Vinh Phuc province.


The second factory is 300,000 square meters in area and is located right beside first factory in Vinh Phuc province. Additional facilities include test course, emission laboratories, welfares for associates, waste water treatment facilities, etc. With total investment capital of USD 65 million, the plant producing mainly scooters and high – class gear models will come into mass production at the end of August. With production capacity of 500,000 units per year in addition to the 1 million units at the first plant, Honda Vietnam’s total yearly output reaches 1.5 million units. This is the proof for Honda Vietnam’s effort to more satisfy increasing and diversified demand of Vietnamese customers.

“Environmental and human friendliness” key features of second plant
“Environmental and human friendliness” are the key features of the second plant. The factory has been built depending on the most harmonious and reasonable connection between natural energy resources including: Wind, Light, and Water.

The environment and atmosphere at the second plant will be extremely airy thanks to the use of natural wind and light which considerably reduces heat usually appearing in industrial plants, and provides a comfortable working environment for the associates. Furthermore, taking advantage of these natural resources will bring high economic efficiency and save natural resources such as electricity, by taking advantage of natural light, and water, by reusing rain water for internal facilities. The entire production process will also fully meet the stringent environmental standards of the world and Vietnam. All of these factors are aimed at creating a green environment surrounding the second plant. Honda Vietnam also applies the most advanced Honda production technologies in order to turn the second plant into one of the most technologically advanced and efficient plants in the world. The plant consists of six sections: Engine assembly section, Finished-motorcycle assembly section, Engine parts machining section, Plastic moulding section, Painting section and Welding section. All sections are equipped with modern machines and equipment for highest quality manufacturing and most environment-friendly products. It will operate in accordance with international quality management system ISO 9001 and environmental management standard ISO 14001.

The second plant reflects to Honda Vietnam’s desire in contributing to Vietnamese society and it is their aim to be a company that society wants to exist. There are 1,400 people given job directly and other thousands given job through parts supplier network.

With the second motorcycle plant, Honda Vietnam is determined to build the most advanced and friendly with the environment in Vietnam. Thus, Honda Vietnam will continue to produce and introduce high quality, fuel saving and environmental friendly products for the satisfaction of Vietnamese customers.

[Source : HONDA]