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Honda Recalls Ridgeline For Connector Issue
 Toyota is not the only manufacturer with recalls going on, this time Honda has issued a recall for the 2006 to 2007 Ridgeline pickup truck. The problem affects 76,000 vehicles and is in regard to a wire harness connector issue where the air conditioning unit can overheat and increase the risk of fire. Owners are urged to contact Honda asap at 1-800-999-1009.
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Mahindra Planning On Spring Launch Of TR20 and TR40 Pickups
 Here in the states, enthusiasts have cut back on purchasing imported trucks which include the Nissan Titan, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, and the sad Honda Ridgeline (which lacks a frame). Indian company, Mahindra still have plans to release their TR20 and TR40 pickup trucks this spring, but if I had to guess- I'd say sales for Mahindra will suck. What do you think?
[Pickuptrucks]
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| Honda Updates Ridgeline For 2010
 Honda has updated their unibody Ridgeline pickup truck for 2010 with three new exterior paint options: Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Polished Metal Metallic, and no other new features or component changes. Thrilling huh? No wonder the unibody vehicle sucks so much. Expect a re-designed version in 2011 from Honda. And no, it still won't be a pickup truck yet.
[PUT]
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Ford Expected To Pass GM In Production
 IHS Global Insight are forecasting Ford Motor Company to surpass General Motors in production for 2009 with 1.9 million units to be produced in North America. The IHS ranks Honda in third with 1.1 million units, Toyota in fourth with 904,000 units, and Chrysler taking up the rear with 903,000 units (don't know how that is possible when they're not really selling any vehicles?).
The IHS also predicts North American sale to fall around 8.4 million units, down 156,000 from last month. North American sales are still down 37.8 percent compared to a year before.
Source: Autoblog
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Honda Cuts Production and Pay in North America
 Facing a 30 percent decline in sales, Honda is now being forced to cut production and salaries of workers in North America. Honda will shut down plants for thirteen days next month and cut production of 62,000 vehicles including the Ridgeline pickup truck, car, crossover, SUT, CUV, uni-crap, sporttruck, UTE, err...whatever it is. Salary and hourly pay will also be cut along with employee bonuses and Honda has offered buyouts to 32,400 workers in the United States.
Source: Automotive News via Autoblog
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Honda Ridgeline and Pilot SUV Production Moved To Alabama
 Honda began rolling the first Ridgeline crossover trucks off their assembly lines in Lincoln, Alabama this week, where operations were moved from their previous plant in Alliston, Ontario. The reason for the move is part of Honda's restructuring efforts of North American manufacturing, adjusting production to demand. The Honda Pilot SUV also made the move to Lincoln, Alabama, where both vehicles also share the 3.5 liter V6 powertrain and can be installed all in one location.
Source: Birmingham News
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Hybrid SUV Sales Drop 10 Percent
 Sales figures from 2008 have come in and hybrid sport utility vehicle purchases have already begun to slow, dropping nearly 10 percent for the year. Toyota ranked number one in hybrid sales for 2008 with 241,000 vehicles sold, Honda as number two with 31,000 vehicles, and Ford in third with 20,000 vehicles sold. Although sales are down, General Motors witnessed a 179 percent growth of their Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid SUVs, however no figures were noted by GM.
Source: AutoNews
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Honda Ridgeline Pickup Truck May Get V8 By 2015
 According to Autoobserver, Honda Motor Company are planning on adding a eight cylinder motor to their Acura car brand, but we may see it show up in Honda's Pilot SUV or Ridgeline pickup truck. The addition will not come until 2015 though, or at least that is the current schedule for production. The engine is rumored to be a 3.5 liter eight cylinder, capable of producing more than 650 horse power. Honda CEO, Takeo Fukui, made a comment about the motor stating it "would be completely different from conventional practice and have excellent fuel economy". Sounds enticing for Ridgeline pickup truck fans.
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2009 Ridgeline Pickup Truck Gets Upgrades
 Although we at Truckblog will never call it a truck, Honda have freshened up their 2009 Ridgeline pickup "truck" with a couple upgrades. Designed to look like the 2009 Pilot SUV, the Ridgeline features an upgraded front grille assembly, front and rear bumpers, daytime running lights, headlights, taillights and more. The interior of the truck has been upgraded including 3D-style gauges, steering wheel, new audio system, cruise controls, headlight controls, enhanced HVAC control, as well as a Bluetooth HandsFreeLink system that comes with Honda's satellite-linked navigation system.Full Story... 
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Did You See The Memo...About...This?More in: Roundup, Engine, Ford, Fuel, General Motors, Hummer, Jeep, Mazda, Mobile Electronics, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 78,616 Views
 Has the boss approached you yet this morning about the missing cover sheet on your TPS reports? Did you see the memo about Truckblog.TV and Apple iTunes within those reports? Just in case you haven't yet, check out the TPS report here, which lists information about our free podcast on iTunes. Click the subscribe button within iTunes and help support Truckblog. Positive feedback and comments are appreciated too! As Bill Lumberg from "Office Space" says, "If you could make sure you do that from now on, that would be grrrreeeat....and i'll make sure you get another copy of that memo, Mmmmkay?".
There's also another memo about reading the top blogs from last week but that can come second, after subscribing to our podcast. Educate below.
• Jeep J8 Launches In Germany With Diesel Engine
• Hummer Announces Pricing For All-New H3T Pickup Truck
• General Motors To Cut Truck Production By Over 300K And 20 Percent Of Jobs
• Four Cylinder EcoBoost Engine Might Hit The F-150 Platform
• Ford Sues Uncle Sam For $445 Million In Interest Payments Due By IRS
• Toyota Moves Tundra Production To Texas, Highlander SUV To Indiana
• Friday Beerblog: Genius Towing RV Crashes Into ATM Drive Through, Whole Roof Collpases
• SUV Battle: 2009 Honda Pilot VS 2008 Mazda CX-9 VS 2008 Toyota Highlander
• MyGallons.com Caught By BBB For Expired Contract, Busted
• Toyota Offers Bluetooth Hands-Free System On Trucks And SUVs
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Hey Peter! Check Out Channel 9, Check Out... Truckblog.TV!
 Remember the scene in "Office Space" where Peter Gibbons had just got off from work at his apartment, grabs a beer and sits on his couch, then turns on the television? If you don't, his good-ole neighbor, Lawrence, then decides to scream at him through their apartment complex wall to notify Peter of the breast exam infomercial on channel 9. Well, your mission today is to check out our recent episode on Truckblog.TV, as well as read our blogs from last week. Knowledge is power!
• Subscribe To The Truckblog.TV Podcast Now On Apple iTunes
• Truckblog TV Episode 4 Now Online And On iTunes
• Toyota Announces Prices For 2009 Tacoma Pickup Truck
• How-To Install A StreetGlow Pro-Series Strobe Light Kit
• Stacey David's GearZ Marathon To Air Sunday, July 6
• NBC'S Top Gear Buckles Up Its Hosts
• General Motors Delays Pickup Truck And SUV Remodels
• ACI Announces New Tonneau Cover Installation For 06-08 Honda Ridgeline
• Friday Beerblog: F-16 Shoots Suburban Rental SUV, Mistaken For Target At Night
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Griffin WindowSeat Provides Windshield Mount For Apple iPhoneMore in: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Diesel, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Hummer, Infiniti, Interior, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedez-Benz, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Mobile Electronics, New Products, Nissan, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 137,854 Views
 Griffin Technology, maker of all things iPod, announced WindowSeat, Griffin's windshield mount for iPhone. With Apple's recent announcement of mapping service to iPhone, WindowSeat puts your device at eye level on your car's windshield with street maps, directions and more, safely in view and within reach. WindowSeat's mounting bracket holds your iPhone securely, while its corner-release tab lets you easily remove your device when you arrive at your destination, leaving WindowSeat locked in position for the next time you use it.Full Story...
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GPS Snitch Tracks Your Every Move, Could Be Good Parenting DeviceMore in: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Hummer, Infiniti, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mobile Electronics, New Products, Nissan, SUV, Toyota, Volvo | Comments | Permalink | 116,947 Views
 By combining high-sensitivity GPS technology with the wireless data capabilities of the cellular telephone system, GPS Snitch provides real-time location tracking over the internet. GPS Snitch is completely self-contained, requires no installation, and is small enough to be hidden within any car, truck, motorcycle, ATV or snowmobile.
Full Story...
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Fuel Saving Tips, Read Them HereMore in: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Diesel, Dodge, Engine, Ford, Fuel, General Motors, GMC, Hummer, Jeep, Nissan, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 98,513 Views
 With gas prices exceeding $3.65 per gallon on average, filling up could cost upwards of $50, $60, $70 or more. Goodwrench offers consumers helpful tips to improve vehicle fuel economy and help drivers get every possible mile out each drop of gasoline. One of the simplest ways of doing this is with proper vehicle maintenance and sensible driving techniques.Full Story...
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New Jersey Only Pays $3 Per Gallon For Gasoline And DieselMore in: Chevrolet, Diesel, Dodge, Engine, Ford, Fuel, General Motors, GMC, Hummer, Hybrid, Jeep, Nissan, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 94,904 Views
 Andrew Posner of TreeHugger.com says that the price for a gallon of gas is selling for around $3.00 per gallon in New Jersey, a price that is lower than the nations average of $3.51. Why, you ask? Here's your answer. "New Jersey has the nation’s third-lowest gasoline tax, at 14.5 cents a gallon, and it hasn’t gone up in almost two decades".Full Story...
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PC Load Letter Get You Down? Then Read ThisMore in: Roundup, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Diesel, Dodge, Engine, Exterior, Ford, Fuel, General Motors, GMC, Hybrid, Jeep, Mobile Electronics, New Products, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 92,856 Views
 Just in case that "PC Load Letter" error is getting you down this morning, we have composed a list of last week's top blogs to make you happy again. Especially the 2010 Ford F-150 4.4 Liter Diesel pictures! Check out the full list below.
• 2010 Ford F-150 4.4 Liter Diesel Photos Revealed
• 2009 Ford F-150 Offers The Most Options
• Americans Don't Love Trucks Anymore, Going Greener
• Friday Beerblog: The 52x PC CD Rom Drive Ghetto Car Stereo
• Nissan Drops Titan, Joins Chrysler In Partnership
• 2010 Dodge Ram Goes Hybrid
• Chrysler Cuts Jeep Commander From Lineup
• The Dillon GMC Yukon SUV, One Killing Machine
• GM Aligns Marketing Leadership With Four Brand Channels
• 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Chief Designer Talks About New Truck
• 2009 Honda Pilot Tested
• More Cars Using Premium Gas
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| Pimp Your Honk With HorntonesMore in: Chevrolet, Diesel, Dodge, Exterior, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Hummer, Jeep, Mobile Electronics, New Products, Nissan, Safety, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 113,129 Views
 “Go Ahead Punk… Make My Day!”… Imagine this familiar voice sounding out from under the hood of your ride; or you pull up in front of your girlfriend’s house and announce your arrival with “I Got You Babe”, or you are out on your boat and you press a button on your FX-550 and – all around you can hear the theme song from “Jaws”. With Horntones the possibilities are endless.
Check out the YouTube video inside! Install article and full review, coming soon.Full Story...
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2009 Honda Pilot Tested
 Edmunds Inside Line, published their test drive review of the 2009 Honda Pilot, which boasts a 250-hp V6 with the variable displacement management and a 5 speed transmission, that when combined, achieves an average of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway. As Executive Editor, Michael Jordan, stated "...the 2009 Honda Pilot relentlessly improving space-efficiency, utility, fuel economy and performance". To read their full review, click here.
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Valley Introduces Integrated Trailer Wiring Hitches For Your Pickup TruckMore in: Acura, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, GMC, Jeep, Mazda, Mercury, New Products, Nissan, Saturn, SUV, Towing, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 92,744 Views
 A hitch with the towing electrical connection built INSIDE the receiver? It's an innovation that would have others asking, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Valley, a towing industry leader for more than 60 years, did. New Integrated Trailer Wiring(tm) hitches from Valley are inventive and stylish. Advancements in manufacturing technology have allowed the towing electrical connection to be moved INSIDE the cross tube of the receiver, eliminating the need for unsightly brackets or to drape the harness outside the vehicle where it can be damaged by weather and road debris.
Full Story...
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Diesels Become New Market Standard, What About Fuel Prices?More in: Chevrolet, Diesel, Dodge, Engine, Ford, Fuel, Hybrid, Jeep, Nissan, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 86,407 Views
 In an article by The Detroit News, more and more automakers are jumping on the fuel economy bandwagon, and are beginning to convert over to diesel fueled engines as a new standard. "Although they are more costly to produce, diesel engines get about 25 percent better mileage than traditional gas-powered engines" stated Jim Hossack of AutoPacific Inc. However, "The rising cost of fuel will play a role in their growth in the U.S. market". So is converting to diesel technology really worth the money? Let us know your thoughts by using our comments system.
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Catalytic Converters Are Targets For ThievesMore in: Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Exhaust, Ford, GMC, Hummer, Jeep, SUV, Toyota | Comments | Permalink | 98,420 Views
 With the economy currently unstable, prices of metals have been rising, and thieves are beginning to target your vehicles exhaust, going for the catalytic converters which hold three expensive metals. Full Story...
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Survey Puts GM Vehicles At Top
 "Toyota Motor Corp. lost some ground to the competition in an annual vehicle value survey released today. Honda Motor Co. held onto its overall ranking as the best full-line automaker, while General Motors Corp., which won in four segments, was the only domestic automaker with any top-ranked vehicles," The Detroit News reported.
Full Story...
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California Sues Automakers Over Global Warming
 "California filed suit against the world's largest carmakers on Wednesday, charging that greenhouse gases from their vehicles have cost the state millions of dollars. The lawsuit names Ford, General Motors, Toyota and the North American units of DaimlerChrysler, Honda and Nissan," MSNBC reported today.
Full Story...
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No Plans For Honda Fullsize Pickup
 "As Japanese competitor Toyota Motor Corp. prepares to launch the Tundra, possibly its most credible entry to date in the U.S. fullsize pickup segment, an American Honda Motor Co. Inc. official says his company has no plans to counter it," Wards Auto reports.
Full Story...
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Seven SUVs Earn Top Scores in Crash Tests
 "Seven sport utility vehicles earned the government’s highest ratings in providing protection in front-end and side crashes. The 2006 models of the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Tucson, Mercedes Benz ML-class, Nissan Murano and Subaru B9 Tribeca received five stars in frontal and side impact crash tests for both the driver’s and passenger's side," MSNBC reports.
Full Story...
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| Honda Needs More Light Trucks
 According to AutoWeek, "Honda Motor Co. needs more light-truck derivatives, a senior executive says. Koichi Kondo, CEO of Honda North America Inc., said more models are necessary to take advantage of Honda's manufacturing skills and participate in the expanding crossover segment. But he insisted that Honda will not build a traditional pickup."
Full Story...
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Honda Wins Big at NAIAS
 Honda cleans house at the North American International Auto Show by winning the 2006 Car of the Year award for the Civic and 2006 Truck of the Year award with the Ridgeline. To be eligible for the award the vehicles must be new or "substantially changed" from previous models. The Ridgeline was followed by the Nissan's Xterra in second place and Ford's Explorer bringing up third.
Full Story...
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Honda Ridgeline is Motor Trend Truck of the Year
 Japanese automakers are picking up steam when it comes to pickup truck production. Nissan, Toyota, and Honda are all going after the "big three". So it's no surprise to us that PRIMEDIA's Motor Trend magazine yesterday announced the Honda Ridgeline as the 2006 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. "The Honda Ridgeline has taken the traditional understanding of a truck and completely redefined every aspect. The Ridgeline is filled with innovation and clever solutions to everyday issues. As Honda's first foray into truck models in the U.S., the Ridgeline showcases a vehicle built on intelligent technology and impressive durability." This award should no doubt boost lagging sales for the Ridgeline in the U.S. On a related note, the 2006 Car of the Year award also went to Honda for their Civic, and the 2006 Sport/Utility of the Year went to the Nissan Xterra this past October.
Full Story...
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Honda to Build Street Sport Ridgeline Concept?
 AutoWeek says, "If Charles Baer has his way, Honda will have a souped-up Ridgeline pickup on U.S. roads soon. Baer, 29, is responsible for the exterior design of the Ridgeline Street Sport concept shown at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show last week. His colleague, Kimberly Marte, designed the interior. Both designers work at Honda's design center in Torrance, Calif. The jet black pickup is 4 inches wider than the current model and sports 22-inch wheels. Functional aluminum side exhaust pipes give it a street-savvy look." If customer feedback to this SEMA vehicle is positive, Honda may crank these out.
Full Story...
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Nissan and Honda Truck Production Cut
 According to the Detroit Free Press, "Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. are scaling back North American production of their newest pickup trucks after falling short of sales goals.
Nissan built 7,991 Titan pickups at its Canton, Miss., plant last month, 11% fewer than in September and 14% below August's production rate. Honda last week said it will make 3,000 fewer Ridgeline pickups than planned at its Alliston, Ontario, factory in the first quarter of 2006."
Full Story...
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Honda Cuts Ridgeline Production
 Honda Motor Company is cutting production of the Honda Ridgeline next quarter by 3,000 units in Canada, according to Bloomberg. "...inventory has risen to more than 100 days, while it can not meet demand for the redesigned Civic compact, said Executive Vice President Satoshi Aoki yesterday in Tokyo."
Full Story...
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Watch Out Honda, Ford Has More Trunks!
 The Detroit Free Press today wrote, "Ford will raise the ante in pickup versatility by offering three trunks in the bed of its Explorer Sport Trac when it goes on sale next year as a 2007 model. Honda briefly shook up the truck world earlier this year, when its midsize Ridgeline pickup debuted with a spacious lockable trunk under its cargo bed. Ridgeline sales got off to a slow start, but Ford hopes the new Sport Trac's larger size and optional V8 engine will draw buyers. Ford sells about 60,000 Sport Tracs a year."
Full Story...
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Honda May Develop V8 Engine
 Honda could build a V8 engine as its next mass-produced powertrain beyond the V6, its biggest engine so far, Chief Executive President Takeo Fukui said, adding that a decision would be made in about three years.
Japan's third-biggest auto maker has long said it would not build a V8 engine, often used to power pickup trucks and other bigger vehicles, choosing instead to match its muscle with advanced powertrain technology as it did with the Ridgeline pickup.
Full Story... –
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Honda Ridgeline Price Hurting Sales
 According to AutoWeek, the Honda Ridgeline has a price problem. "The innovative V-6 pickup costs about $10,000 more than other compact trucks in the United States. And that is hurting sales, says Koichi Kondo, president of American Honda Motor Co."
Full Story... –
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Honda Finds Big 3 Still Top Pickup Market
 The Detroit News reports, "When real estate broker Greg Harla set out to buy a pickup, he was torn between the smooth-handling Honda Ridgeline and the Ford F-150 King Ranch with stitched leather seats. It came down to legroom and looks -- and he thought the F-150 offered more of both."
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Honda Employee Discount for Everyone
 GM started it, Ford copied it, and now Chrysler is going to offer it if GM continues (which they will). We're going to just throw this out there since our PhotoShop guy already took the time to make this graphic (plus we just love starting rumors). Sometime in July Honda will offer an employee discount program. Look for the program early July, to end by August 1st. You heard it here first, peeps.
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Big 3 Fend Off Asian Pickups
 The Detroit News reports, "Since its March debut, Honda Motor Co.'s first pickup for the U.S. market is slow to gain traction. Nissan Motor Co.'s full-size Titan pickup also has fallen short of sales targets in this all-American segment, which accounts for 18 percent of the U.S. light-vehicle market and is proving tough for outsiders to crack."
Full Story... –
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Honda Increasing Ridgeline Production
Automobile.com recently reported that Honda is increasing their Ridgeline pickup truck production to keep up with demand. "Initially, Honda of Canada Manufacturing was to produce 53,000 units for its fiscal year of 2006, divided into 3,000 for Canada, a market which sells far fewer midsize pickup trucks per capita than the U.S., which would take 50,000 in total. Now, the Japanese automaker has increased its daily input of its new Ridgelines, according to a report released by the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association, the automaker is on target to produce 80,000 pickup trucks annually."
Full Story... –
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Carlike Pickup Fills a Niche
 Bill Griffith at The Bostom Globe reviews the new Honda Ridgeline, "...the exterior styling, resembling a robot cartoon from the front, and slab-sided. Instead of bed rails, the body line slopes downward from the rear door line to the tailgate, a styling cue that reminds one of the Avalanche."
Full Story... –
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Honda Ridgeline Melts Your Troubles Away
All of the hoopla surrounding the 2006 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck has focused on the lockable trunk in its bed -- an industry first. But the Ridgeline has other consumer-friendly features that shouldn't be overlooked.
Full Story... –
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Honda Ridgeline Debuts in 2005
 AutoWeek has reported: "Honda’s all-new 4-door, 4WD truck will be named the Ridgeline when it goes on-sale at Honda dealerships nationwide in Spring 2005 as a 2006 model.
According to Honda, the Ridgeline is a truck that takes the utility and versatility of an open bed truck and adds performance, integrated styling and packaging efficiency previously unattainable in traditional body-on-frame trucks. Honda says the Ridgeline name was chosen to emphasize the vehicle’s adventurous spirit and truck capabilities."
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Honda Considers Launching Hybrid Truck
Honda Motor Co. is considering developing a fourth hybrid vehicle, a gasoline-electric light truck, as rival Toyota Motor Corp. prepares to launch two hybrid SUVs next year.
Such a vehicle would help Honda keep pace with its larger Japanese rival, which is ramping up production of hybrids and hopes to sell 300,000 hybrid vehicles in 2005.
Read more... –
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2006 Honda SUT
 Motor Trend's "Future Vehicle Forecast" reports on the 2006 Honda SUT, "The long-rumored SUT (sport/utility truck) is a family-focused vehicle that emphasizes car-like characteristics yet boasts truck-grade toughness for weekend adventuring with seating for five, along with a five-foot cargo bed for toys like ATVs. The unibody truck will be powered by a VTEC V-6, with output estimated to be in the 240- to 260-horsepower range, and it will wear billet-machined aluminum for bling. Ride and handling are aided by a fully independent suspension. On the safety front, the SUT concept features vehicle stability assist, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and four-wheel ABS. Bonus points awarded for exterior bed speakers and the four-panel skylight treatment. Honda projects SUT production will begin at the Alliston, Ontario, plant in 2005."
Also look for some 2006 rumors about the Ford Super Duty, Ford Explorer, Dodge Dakota SUT, and the 2006 Honda Pilot.
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