Automotive Spot

By Marty Padgett

A new front end and some marvy new tech features are the highlights of the 2009 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid lineups, the Japanese automaker said today.

The major news is a mildly revamped front end. The Civic's bumper gets a few more creases and a newly styled grille, along with new taillights and clear lens covers. New alloy wheels also appear on the highest trim levels of the Civic--EX, EX-L and Si--and the Si models also get fog lamps.

Inside, the Civic lineup adds Bluetooth and a USB audio interface, but the former's only available with the navigation system package and the latter, only on the EX, EX-L, Hybrid and Si models. Civic Hybrid models also get optional leather seating. All Civics get new interior fabrics. As for safety,the Civic Hybrid and EX-L now get standard stability control.

Honda also is adding two new models to the Civic lineup. The Civic DX Value Package takes the entry-level sedan and adds standard air conditioning and a sound system with an auxiliary jack, while the LX-S model puts new wheels and some new interior trim on the LX model, along with a rear spoiler and a polished exhaust tip.

All powertrains are carried over from the 2008 model year.

(Source : blogs.thecarconnection.com) Read More..

• Be at the forefront of fuel efficiency.
• Have a roomy five passenger cabin.
• Be offered as a hatchback with a five-door access.
• Have folding rear seats.
  

Off late car makers in America and Europe have had to lobby against initiatives attempting to make it obligatory for them to manufacture much more fuel efficient vehicles and with minimum emissions. For instance, almost a year back and in US the car makers lobbied Congress against a proposal which would have forced them to achieve a fleet-average fuel consumption 35 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2020. And in Europe German carmakers registered their protest against the European Commission's proposal to impose financial penalties if their fleets emissions were more than 130 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre (g/km) by 2012, the Economist throws light on the trend.

The dynamics of the automotive industry have changed, and it's best if the auto manufacturers themselves initiate moving towards technologies that are in line with the consumers' demand as well as environmental interests. Which for now seem to have merged pretty much.

Meanwhile the Automobile Buyers' Hunting Ground have also changed, and that it's the Vehicle's Quality, Which Dictates Customer Satisfaction!
Read More..