Next Exit Observations

Monday, July 6, 2015

Duh, We've Been Saying This For Nearly 2 Decades

Honda Discovers Boring Cars Don't Sell - Making Performance A Priority On New Models

Honda Motor Co.’s new CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, aims to reboot the ailing automaker by rekindling development of more exciting cars, steering clear of numerical targets and maximizing use of the company’s overseas production to soak up global overcapacity.

Speaking today in his first news conference since taking office last month, Hachigo also said Honda will be more open to alliances and joint ventures with rival carmakers in the pursuit of cost sharing and next-generation technologies.

(AutoSpies.com)

The Continued Downsizing Of The Clutch Continues

BMW says no more manuals, M cars capped at 600 hp

BMW appears to be approaching a big change in the way that it handles performance. First, the clutch pedal may be a goner from future M models, based on recent statements from the division's boss, Frank van Meel. We also might not be seeing any significant increases in horsepower from some of these vehicles anytime soon.

"From a technical standpoint, the future doesn't look bright for manual gearboxes. The DCT and auto 'boxes are faster and they have better fuel consumption," van Meel said to Autocar. Although, he left the door open slightly to keeping them at least in the near future. "It's difficult to say we'll stick to the manual, but we still have a big fan community for manuals and we are not going to take away something the customer wants to have."

(AutoBlog.com)