Poor Honda!

[Banzai]

What has been happening to Honda these days? First, Ford wants to take control of Japan's #3 and then, DaimlerChrysler wants to add Honda within its group! Sure, this topic may have been discussed before, but still, the danger of Honda being taken over is apparent. Its a small company when compared to a giant like Ford and Toyota. So what can Honda do to prevent a takeover? Its got all the right attitude for a successful corporation (ie: profitable each year, presence in the three biggest markets - Europe, USA, Japan - and really aggressive behaviour) and makes really good cars (like the Integra, second last generation Accord and Prelude, and the Civic Type R). But how long will this last? The second last generation of Honda cars were really good looking and fun to drive. And the current line up of Honda cars are...well, bland and ugly. So how to keep Honda immune to predators? Here's a few methods;

1. Have a poison pill - that is, something that will scare predators away from the "prey" (e.g: like Daewoo's Pupyong factory with its militant labor that threatened to scare GM away from a takeover).

2. Get big. Start taking over rivals. I would really like to see Honda swallow BMW...that'll teach those Bavarian snobs not to mess with Honda like they did back in '94.

3. Invest more in design. Not many people these days are willing to buy just reliable and good build quality cars, everybody wants to own something good looking and fun to drive. I can just see what the outcome of the next NSX is going to be...a flop. With only a detuned Mugen V-8 300+hp (that's what I heard), it pales in comparison to V12 monsters like the Aston Martin Vanquish and Lamborghini Murcieglo.

So Honda...take notice!!!! Start making your cars good looking and fun to drive again. I don't want to see another ugly Prelude or those wierd concept cars I saw at Tokyo.

(Note to everone: Honda recently invest in Segno Milano's - a former president of Bertone - newly set up independent design centre to answer to Honda's R&D Europe. This will almost make sure that Honda's concept cars are better looking and closer to production reality).

[YogsVR4]

I do wish Honda put more effort in the overall looks of their vehicles, but I hope they keep their engineering practices. They've always had the reputation for reliability. I doubt they'll get bought out. It highly unlikely the big 3 can afford it right now with the economy being sluggish and profits being low.

[MattyG]

2. Get big. Start taking over rivals. I would really like to see Honda swallow BMW...that'll teach those Bavarian snobs not to mess with Honda like they did back in '94.

I would like to see a merger between those two actually, I think in some ways Honda is the "BMW" of the Japanese automakers. Honda's are very reliable, comfortable, fun to drive (as a whole), and both companies shun forced induction engines.

There would be some model overlap.....but maybe a realtionship could work.

[Banzai]

If Honda took over BMW, I doubt they would want to share platforms. I just don't see models like the Civic and the BMW Compact sharing the same chassis and I certainly can't imagine BMW wearing the five-pointed Honda grille or adopting the VTEC technology.

Mazda would be a good partner for Honda. Both are Japanese, they have the same grille and both have a long history for being the most adventurous in the styling of their cars.

[PFCfutrell]

Originally posted by Banzai
If Honda took over BMW, I doubt they would want to share platforms. I just don't see models like the Civic and the BMW Compact sharing the same chassis and I certainly can't imagine BMW wearing the five-pointed Honda grille or adopting the VTEC technology.

Uh... doesn't BMW allready use a VTEC variant? I believe it's called VANOS or something, i'm not a big euro fan but I do recall reading about BMW's delve into variable valve timing with their new M3 and M5, the M3 makes 333hp out of only 3.2 liters, tell me that's not Honda like.

[drift]

Originally posted by PFCfutrell


Uh... doesn't BMW allready use a VTEC variant? I believe it's called VANOS or something, i'm not a big euro fan but I do recall reading about BMW's delve into variable valve timing with their new M3 and M5, the M3 makes 333hp out of only 3.2 liters, tell me that's not Honda like.

it's nothing like VTEC. VANOS is a constantly variable intake cam and wa introduced long before i-VTEC came along.

[drift]

Originally posted by Banzai
Mazda would be a good partner for Honda. Both are Japanese, they have the same grille and both have a long history for being the most adventurous in the styling of their cars.

Mazda already has a partnership with Ford.

Honda already has a partnership with Chevy. seen the new Trailblazer? the inline six cylinder features variable valve timing courtesy of Honda. Honda now makes clockwise spinning motors so GM can use them in the new Cavalier.

[drift]

Originally posted by MattyG


I would like to see a merger between those two actually, I think in some ways Honda is the "BMW" of the Japanese automakers.

only in America and Europe, maybe... in Japan, Honda is considered a starter car, or a girls car. real drivers choose a Toyota or Nissan

[Banzai]

Too bad Ford has Mazda. Maybe it's just me, but Ford really doesn't deserve a company as bold as Mazda.

Not really. I've been to Japan on several occasions and Honda is really seen as an enthusiast brand. Take the Mugen badge for example. People have more respect for it than the Nismo badge.

Really, BMW might be a good merger choice for Honda, but I doubt they can both survive a marraige with each other. The executive officers at Beemer look down on the Japanese and Asians and Honda is far too stubborn and aggressive (ie: their continual stance on an independent path) to allow a merger partner to have their way.

Still...Honda is loosining up. It's got a deal to begin sharing deasel engines with GM (through Isuzu). But don't get any ideas. Honda WON'T be taken over by GM.

[drift]

Originally posted by Banzai
Not really. I've been to Japan on several occasions and Honda is really seen as an enthusiast brand. Take the Mugen badge for example. People have more respect for it than the Nismo badge.

um, that's a farce or a mere impression of why there's not as many rollin around.

far more money invested in a nissan, toyota, or mazda there... seen a few ITR's and such, but not nearly as many of the others.

[SikB]

Honda will not be taken over my anyone right now. They are one of the very few auto manufacturers that increased sales in the US this year. dont forget they just completed a new plant in Georgia to pump out thousands of mini vans. right after it opened they increased production and hired another 1000 emploeyes.

another thing to conser is Honda makes a lot of money from motorcycle sales, they sell almost three times as much as anyone else, marine and power equipment

and drift what you said makes no sense about honda being a starter car. when you look at all of the aftermarket companies for honda over there and there sales. where did you draw this conclusion from?