CEO Takeo Fukui comments in USAToday regarding NSX

[Biaggi]

See the very last sentence!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-10-18-honda-ceo-usat_x.htm

 

[NsXMas]

Saved for posterity...

Honda CEO says hybrids must become less expensive
By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY
UTSUNOMIYA, Japan — Automakers will to have to slash the cost of developing gas-electric hybrid vehicles compared with conventional models before they truly catch on with the public, Honda Motor CEO Takeo Fukui said Tuesday, one day before Honda's new Civic hybrid goes on sale in the USA.

Honda CEO Takeo Fukui introduces the new Civic hybrid in September.
By Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP

But the hybrid premium won't disappear until automakers can make the popular gas savers in larger volumes and gain more control over costs of their unique components, Fukui said at Honda's auto-testing center here. (More car news: Photo gallery of Tokyo Auto Show)

Honda hybrid sales are growing, he said. With the newly redesigned Civic hybrid, the first able to move under electric power alone, Honda will boost hybrid production to about 50,000 cars a year, up from the current 30,000. Toyota will sell an estimated 100,000 Prius hybrids this year.

The Civic hybrid is rated at 51 miles per gallon on the highway, a 4-mile-a-gallon improvement over the model it replaces.

The 2006 Civic hybrid is priced at $21,850, 15% more than the $19,060 for the top-of-the-line Civic with a five-speed automatic transmission. The entire Civic lineup has been redone for 2006. The 2005 Civic hybrid came at about the same premium over the top-of-the-line sedan with a four-speed automatic.

"We do still understand the price difference is rather significant for ordinary consumers," Fukui said. He said that automakers have to find a way to reduce the price difference by about half.

To reduce the price difference further will require attacking costs in the key components that separate hybrids from regular cars — the battery, computer modules and electric motors. Reducing those costs will be easier as consumer demand grows, Fukui said.

He said he sees hybrids as just one solution to the move among consumers to save energy. The company also is developing vehicles powered by hydrogen and natural gas. Fukui isn't writing off conventionally powered cars either, saying he thinks there are still more gas savings that can be wrung out of them.

In a wide-ranging interview on the eve of the Tokyo Motor Show, Fukui also:

•Said General Motors' deal with the United Auto Workers to cut worker and retiree health care costs won't pressure Honda to consider changes for its U.S. auto-plant workers.

•Said China's burgeoning auto industry represents more of an opportunity than a threat, although he can see "both aspects."

•Promised to introduce a hot new NSX sports car powered by a giant V-10 engine.

 

[splitz]

Damn it Honda! Why couldn't you do that 10 years ago?

 

[OLDE GUY]

Damn it Honda! Why couldn't you do that 10 years ago?

Be careful what you wish for! Most of us won't be able to afford it if, and when, they do introduce a V-10 :frown: I am afraid we won't be getting a Ferrari eating exotic at an affordable "Honda" price. I expect big time sticker shock, like a limited edition McClaren for $500,000 +

 

[NsXMas]

Be careful what you wish for! Most of us won't be able to afford it if, and when, they do introduce a V-10 :frown: I am affraid we won't be getting a Ferrari eating exotic at an affordable "Honda" price. I expect big time sticker shock, like a limited edition McClaren for $500,000 +

In that case I'm definitely selling my soul to buy one!!!

Imagine, I could re-sell it a few years later for a large profit!! :tongue:

 

[Blue Batmobile]

wonder how much it will run...

Bat™

 

[splitz]

Be careful what you wish for! Most of us won't be able to afford it if, and when, they do introduce a V-10 :frown: I am affraid we won't be getting a Ferrari eating exotic at an affordable "Honda" price. I expect big time sticker shock, like a limited edition McClaren for $500,000 +

My only thing is if Dodge can produce a V-10 for 82-84k why can't Honda?

 

[kam3ham3]

My only thing is if Dodge can produce a V-10 for 82-84k why can't Honda?

Because Hondas last forever!!! :biggrin:

 

[Juice]

My only thing is if Dodge can produce a V-10 for 82-84k why can't Honda?

You're kidding, right?

 

[Osiris_x11]

approaching slippery slope...

You're kidding, right?

Not really... Honda products now come at a premium above their American contemporaries. Often 25%+ above simlarly classed domestic offerings. Yes, Honda's stuff is more highly engineered & a cut above in quality.

I'm just speaking in dollars & sense!

Just to get a V6 via the Accord, gotta pony up $27k'ish.

In 5-10 yrs, if it gets to the point where Accord's/Camry's cost 50% or more than a comparably equipped Pontiac/Chrysler, I won't think twice about goin' w/ Ol' Detroit. Econo-compact/mid-size sedans need to stay practically priced!

Now, the premium/luxury market segment is different... :wink:

 

[splitz]

You're kidding, right?

Just like osiris said, not really.

Now this is just coming from my assumptions on Honda's business/manufacturing model, but the efficiencies of Japanese auto production during the 90's, couple with the NSX's pricing to target a particular market segment, netted Honda an extraordinary amount of money (with the saving from minimal changes to the car by an auto manufacturing stand point).

So why did they wait so long to produce a V-10?

My theory is this: The NSX is nearing the end of its lifecycle. When it was introduced, the cars in that price range where the BMW 850 and the Mercedes SL300, both of which had inferior performance (and in my opinion, styling) than the NSX (I’m sure there are more, but those are the two I singled out). Now with the introduction of faster, better performing, and not to mention less expensive cars, Honda has to step up its flagship car. (especially because Detroit has caught up in many manufacturing aspects).

From 1991 to today the car was selling at a premium price, and was making Honda a lot of money (again, assuming my assumptions from above were correct), so why change a thing?

So really I'm bitching that the car did not have better performance for the price when I really (think) I know the an$wre.

And that ladies and gentlemen is my $.02

 

[redshift]

My only thing is if Dodge can produce a V-10 for 82-84k why can't Honda?

You realize that Dodge simply put one of their truck engines in the Viper. R&D isn't free.

 

[OLDE GUY]

Just joking with you

You realize that Dodge simply put one of their truck engines in the Viper. R&D isn't free.

Maybe Honda could put a detuned V-10 from their F1 effort into the next generation and save some R&D funds. :biggrin:

 

[docjohn]

From 1991 to today the car was selling at a premium price, and was making Honda a lot of money (again, assuming my assumptions from above were co rect), so why change a thing? "Quote above.......... Well if you read up on the topic Honda lost hundreds of millions of $ producing the nsx,halos are expensive :wink: Honda did sell over a thousand nsx's in the first years run,and that number could again be repeated with the new car,it is up to honda though to cut costs on production if they hope to make anything on thier halo.Remember they built a new plant and spent tremendous r&d the first time out,they have learned valuable lessons from the past.

 

[splitz]

Well if you read up on the topic Honda lost hundreds of millions of $ producing the nsx,halos are expensive :wink:

You're right, I have no data to back up the financial investment Honda has in developing the NSX, and I agree that producing a flagship is expensive; that's why I think they waited so long before trying to produce a "supercar."

Remember they built a new plant and spent tremendous r&d the first time out, they have learned valuable lessons from the past.

Like Olde Guy says, what about using the R&D from F1? The motorcycle division uses the technology learned from AMA and the S2000 was supposedly a product of Honda racing (well at least that's what the commercial said when it came out).

But like others have said on this board, the V-10 won't be for me as it is a bit far out of my price range (but it is fun to speculate!)

 

[MAJOR STONER]

Some people just don't understand the sheer marketing brilliance behind Mr. Fukui's refusal to build a V8 while replacing the NSX with a V10. Once they see a V10 powered unaffordable exotic roped off in the dealer showrrom, MDX owners that lose a drag race against an Element will replace the look of shock/horror/disgust with chants of: "Fukui, Fukui!"

;-)

 

[NemesisX]

Re: approaching slippery slope...

Ol'[/I] Detroit. Econo-compact/mid-size sedans need to stay practically priced!

Osiris,
If you look at the pricing of Auto companies, especially Detroit, you will find that the price of retail autos has been going down dramatically. The reason for this is that they are having trouble selling cars. Even at a 25% premium Honda is still selling cars because they can. Detroit is having to sell the cars at a DISCOUNT to get them out the door. The Auto companies havent had much influence in pricing power, so a 25% premium for Honda should tell you something.
And you might think twice about going to Detroit when the parts suppliers are in bankruptcy like Delphi. That 25% discount might seem like a deal, until one of the parts supplied doesnt work or is defective!

 

[WingZ]

Re: approaching slippery slope...

Osiris,
nd you might think twice about going to Detroit when the parts suppliers are in bankruptcy like Delphi. That 25% discount might seem like a deal, until one of the parts supplied doesnt work or is defective!

Ouch!

 

[Osiris_x11]

relative-gain...

Osiris,
If you look at the pricing of Auto companies, especially Detroit, you will find that the price of retail autos has been going down dramatically. The reason for this is that they are having trouble selling cars. Even at a 25% premium Honda is still selling cars because they can. Detroit is having to sell the cars at a DISCOUNT to get them out the door. The Auto companies havent had much influence in pricing power, so a 25% premium for Honda should tell you something.
And you might think twice about going to Detroit when the parts suppliers are in bankruptcy like Delphi. That 25% discount might seem like a deal, until one of the parts supplied doesnt work or is defective!

Man, excellent insights! There's alot more to the story than meets the eyes, in regards to the American auto industry! Record profits one year (leaving the Germans shaking their heads) and then record losses another year (leaving the British shaking their heads...

In the compact/subcompact & econo-midsize classes, I don't mind the 25% premium that Honda demands compared to Detroit's Big3's offerings. However, down the road if consistent & reliable transportation/manuverability is my sole requirement from this class of vehicle, I won't follow Honda when a basic Civic becomes $20k+ and a basic Accord becomes $30k+...

Ok, back on topic... The outgoing 2005 NSX-T's MSRP was $89k'ish. That's nearly 90 grand for a car principally designed over 16yrs ago (initially offered at $60k). During the years, vast improvements in efficiency/ technology/ QA-&-QC/ manufacturing/ assembly/ management/ information/ etc. have taken place. There's no reason the NSX-replacement/HSC can't be an exotic supercar at a MSRP equal to or BELOW the previous model!

What buys you what... [MSRP/base-models]

2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000

2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren $450,000

2005 Porsche Carrera GT Cabriolet $440,000

2005 Maybach 62 Sedan $375,000

2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom Sedan $328,750

2005 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster $328,150

2005 Ferrari Superamerica Maranello F1 $292,730

2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1 $259,855

2005 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S Coupe $255,000

2005 Bentley Arnage Red Label $242,990

2005 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish $234,260

2005 Ferrari F430 Spider $198,667

2006 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Roadster $185,000

2006 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG Coupe $179,600

2005 Ferrari F430 Coupe $174,585

2005 Aston Martin DB9 Volante $173,000

2005 Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe $173,600

2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Sedan $169,000

2005 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe $160,000

2005 Bentley Continental GT $159,000

2006 Ford GT Heritage' Livery $149,995

2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet $141,200

2005 Panoz Esperante GTLM Coupe $128,319

2006 HUMMER H1 Alpha Wagon $139,771

2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe $131,400

2005 Audi A8 L W12 $117,400

2005 BMW 7 Series 760Li Sedan $117,300

2006 Jaguar XJ-Series Super V8 Portfolio $115,330

2006 Phaeton W12 $101,300

2005 Porsche 911 GT3 $99,900

2005 Maserati Gran Sport Coupe $98,172

2005 Maserati Quattroporte $95,500

2006 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Roadster $92,900

2005 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa $91,415

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabrio $91,400

2005 Jaguar XJ-Series Super V8 $90,330

2005 Porsche Cayenne Turbo $89,300

2006 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged $89,285

2005 Acura NSX 3.2 6-Spd MT $89,000

2006 Jaguar XK-Series XKR Convertible $87,330

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG $86,600

2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe $83,145

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG Cabriolet $82,600

2006 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Sedan $81,800

2006 BMW M5 Sedan $81,200

2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S $79,100

2006 BMW 6 Series 650Ci Convertible $78,800

2006 Cadillac XLR Convertible $76,480

2006 BMW X5 4.8is Sports Activity Vehicle $71,100

2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum Edition $70,175

2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged $69,085

2006 Lexus LX 470 Sport Utility $66,995

2006 Lexus SC 430 Convertible $65,355

2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 $65,000

2006 Jaguar S-Type 4.2-Liter R $63,330

2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Roadster $61,500

2006 Lexus LS 430 Sedan $56,525

2005 Infiniti Q45 Luxury $56,400

2005 Audi S4 Cabriolet Tiptronic $55,150

2005 Porsche Boxster S $53,100

2006 HUMMER H2 SUV Sport Utility $52,980

2006 Infiniti QX56 AWD $52,550

2006 Lexus GS 430 Base $51,375

2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 Roadster $49,470

2006 BMW M3 Coupe $48,900

2006 BMW 3 Series Convertible 330Cic $44,900

2005 Ford Thunderbird 50th Anniversary $44,355

2006 Audi TT 250 Roadster quattro $43,640

2005 Lotus Elise Convertible $42,990

2006 Saab 9-3 Convertible Aero $41,900