Honda to cut Carbon Dioxide Emissions by 20%

Honda Motor Co said that it will cut the global carbon dioxide emissions from the vehicles it makes by 20 percent by the end of this decade. The company said in its annual environmental report that it was setting the goal to address climate change and energy issues.  The cut is based on 2000 emissions levels.  

Honda Fit

Spokesman Ed Miller said the cuts will come mainly by increasing gas mileage across the Honda model lineup.

The company set a goal of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent from 2000 to 2020, and it already has cut about 10 percent by raising fleet-wide gas mileage from 29.8 mpg in 2000 to the current 31.5 mpg.

Honda also said it will strengthen efforts to cut emissions from other corporate activities including vehicle and parts production.

US government regulations already require automakers to boost the fleet average to 35.5 mpg by 2016, an increase of more than 40 percent over current requirements. The government is considering a standard of 47 mpg to 62 mpg.

Manufacturer Recalls

Hyundai and Kia is recalling 205,233 2007-2008 Hyundai Santa Fe and Veracruz vehicles and 10,631 2007 - 2008 Kia Sorento vehicles. On certain of these vehicles the airbag computer may mis-identify an adult as a child in the front passenger seat. In case of an accident the passenger airbag may not deploy with sufficient force. Dealers will reprogram the airbag module.

Honda is recalling 310,773 2009-2011 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured March 13, 2008 to August 30, 2011 to inspect the front driver and passenger seat belts for proper stitching. Any belts that are not properly stitched will be replaced.

Honda CR-Z

Honda is recalling 5,626 2011 Honda CR-Z vehicles manufactured January 8, 2010 to June 27, 2011. On certain of these vehicles, the gasoline engine could stall. When the gas engine stalls without the driver's foot on the brake pedal, the electric motor could move the vehicle and cause an accident. Dealers will reprogram the ECU to correct the problem.

Honda is recalling 80,111 2006 Honda CR-V vehicles manufactured October 3, 2005 to July 21, 2006. The driver's side power window switch may fail to work. Dealers will replace the driver's side window switch. 

Toyota announced that it will conduct a safety recall involving certain 2009 Camry and 2009 to certain 2011 Venza vehicles to replace the stop lamp switch. Approximately 70,500 Camry and 116,000 Venza vehicles are covered by this recall. Silicon grease may have reached the inside of the switch and caused an increase in electrical resistance. If this occurs, warning lamps on the instrument panel may be illuminated, the vehicle may not start, or the shift lever may not shift from the "Park" position. In some cases, the vehicle stop lamps may become inoperative.