Clean the Odyssey

To continue their commitment to making electric vehicles account for two-thirds of global sales by 2030, Honda will introduce the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid and Clarity to their lineup. Honda discontinued to the Accord Hybrid for the 2016 model year in order to move production from Ohio to Japan, which should allow Honda to double sales. To provide powerful efficiency, the vehicle will use Honda’s two-motor hybrid system that will provide you with 49/47 mpg city/highway* as well as 212 horsepower. It has also received some exterior updates, including blue accent headlights and taillights and hybrid badging. The Accord Hybrid will be available in three models and will be the top of the line model, available this spring. The price has not yet been announced. The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell five-passenger sedan is perhaps Honda’s biggest innovation yet, relying on hydrogen stations in California. Right now, there are only 15, but in two months there will be 20, and by 2020, there are expected to be 100. This model will be available in the United States later this year, while the all-electric Clarity will launch next year, although the states have not yet been decided. Lastly, Honda will add the expected volume leader, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, which will be able to travel 40 miles** before extended range. This is expected to be available at the end of 2017. Pricing is expected to begin around $60,000. *49 city/47 highway/48 combined mpg rating. Based on 2017 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery-pack age/condition and other factors. **Anticipated range determined by Honda; production-vehicle range rating to be determined. "2017 Honda Accord Hybrid, Clarity Series Show EV Commitment." Motor Trend. N.p., 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. < http://www.motortrend.com/news/2017-honda-accord-hybrid-clarity-series-show-ev-commitment/ >.

Yesterday, the 2016 STEP Ahead Awards took place in Washington, D.C. to honor and celebrate women in the manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing Institute created the STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Production) awards to recognize women who encourage and support other women who have dreams of pursuing a career in manufacturing. This initiative aims to close the disparity between the percent of women in the labor force (47 percent) and women in the manufacturing workforce (only 27 percent). Jan Gansheimer, AVP of plant operations for Honda of America Mfg., Inc. was recognized for her long and successful career in Honda’s manufacturing plants, during which time she has been working to advance the footprint of women in this industry. "I love the variety that manufacturing offers at Honda because it provides the opportunity to create, to solve problems and to work constantly to improve products for the customer," said Gansheimer, who was recently named Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for Honda North America, Inc. "I'm honored to be recognized for supporting an industry that has significantly impacted my life and is so important to the fabric of the country." "Honda Associate Honored as Leading Woman in Manufacturing." Honda Newsroom. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. < http://www.hondanews.com/releases/honda-associate-honored-as-leading-woman-in-manufacturing >.

In the latest episode of Honda’s video series, “What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda,” we meet a longtime Honda mechanical engineer named Clement D’Souza. Having spent over 26 years with Honda of America Mfg., Inc., D’Souza is now spearheading the creation of the new Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio. This will be home to the exclusive global production of the 2017 Acura NSX supercar. In his native country of India, D’Souza was known as a field hockey champion. However, upon immigrating to America, he discovered his passion for motorcycles, which made his career at Honda a match made in heaven. Back in 2012, he was offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to be a project leader for the NSX. Since then, D’Souza has been working tirelessly to create this innovative and exciting new vehicle. D’Souza’s unwavering commitment to this project is derived from the spirit that Honda inspires in their employees. "You can produce something in a new way," he said. "The ability to dream and try something that nobody else has, I think that's the reason I've been with Honda 26 years." Watch the video below! "New Video Features Project Leader for Production of 2017 Acura NSX Supercar, the Only Supercar Made in America." Honda Media Newsroom. N.p., 15 Apr. 2016. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hondanews.com%2Freleases%2Fnew-video-features-project-leader-for-production-of-2017-acura-nsx-supercar-the-only-supercar-made-in-america>.