Honda CEO Says Civic will Improve, Shoots Down F1 Rumors

Honda's chief executive acknowledged that the 2012 Civic has fallen flat with critics--accepting personal accountability--and said the company is considering ways to upgrade the car in light of stiffer competition.

The Civic was revealed at the New York auto show in April and launched soon after. Though it remains fuel efficient and popular with many consumers, detractors have said the car's styling is too similar to that of the previous generation, and it has been panned for an average-looking interior.

"I'm fully aware there were mixed opinions for the Civic for the U.S. market," Honda CEO Takanobu Ito said. "I believe that the ultimate responsibility for the Civic rests with me. Right now we are trying to work out the best actions possible in response."

A mid-cycle freshening could occur in 2013 rather than 2014, reports say.

Speaking to North American reporters in a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday at the Tokyo motor show, Ito also shot down rumors of a potential tie-up with McLaren to return to Formula One racing in some capacity.

"That was a complete unfounded rumor," he said through an interpreter. "Of course we are interested, but we think there are higher priorities than Formula One."

Honda left the sport in 2008 amid the global financial crisis that also forced the company to scuttle the second-generation Acura NSX program and some of its motorsports endeavors.

Honda remains active in IndyCar, MotorGP and other series.

The NSX has been confirmed to be back in Honda's product plans, though Ito deflected a direct question as to whether it will be revealed in January at the Detroit auto show.

The Honda chief said the company would focus its performance money into sporty cars. He envisions an all-electric sports car and a larger, yet athletic alternative-propulsion car in its lineup someday. Presaging that, Honda revealed the EV-ster, an all-electric roadster concept, and the AC-X, a plug-in sedan, in Tokyo.

Still, the Japanese automaker will not focus strictly on electric cars and hybrids, Ito said, preferring a broad strategy that involves internal-combustion engines, hybrids and fuel cells.

Ito also defended the Acura brand, which has also been the subject of criticism for balky styling and a lack of V8 engines. Ito said Acura vehicles will get more luxury and performance features, including a next-generation all-wheel-drive system.

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http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111130/TOKYO/111139999#ixzz1fChOR0g5