Honda has announced a recall of 700,000 Fits worldwide, with 97,000 in the U.S., for a problem with valvetrain springs, which may break and cause the engine to stall.

The recall has caused no injuries so far, yet Honda is taking no chances: the recall covers the Fit, the Freed and the City models across world markets. There are 122,000 vehicles affected in North America in total, and the rest include 176,000 in Japan, 156,000 in China, and 233,000 in other Asian countries.

72 reports of the valvetrain problem in Japan prompted the recall, and 29 more complaints came from elsewhere in the world.

You won’t want to take a bathroom break during this commercial. Honda has revolutionized the way we watch commercials, whether they be on TV, mobile phone or the Internet by combining iPhone Apps and traditional advertisements.

To help launch the revised Honda Jazz (Fit in the U.S.), the automaker has created a new interactive app allows iPhone users to virtually catch animated characters as they appear on screen in their new TV advert “This Unpredictable Life”. Once the character has been captured, just drop them into your phone (pretty much how you’d use a PS3 Move or Nintendo wii motion-controller).

This is the first time screen-hopping technology is being used in a commercial. To play along, you can download the app, called “Honda Jazz – This Unpredictable Life” for free from Apple’s iTunes Store. After you’ve downloaded the app, just watch the commercial on your TV, PC or another iPhone. With it, you can collect up to four characters and three mystery objects. You can even interact with the animated stars of the film and bring them to life on your cell phone.

The commercial will be playing in the UK, so  If you’ve downloaded the app, let us know how you like it in the comment section below and see

[Source: Carscoop]
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The best-selling car in Japan is about to change as government subsidies on hybrid cars has lead to a drop off in sales of the Toyota Prius. Analysts expect the Honda Fit to take the top spot.

Prius sales began to dip in September after the government subsidy program ended, but Fit sales remained strong, buttressed by the introduction of an inexpensive Fit Hybrid model. Toyota’s new Vitz subcompact was also blamed for stealing Prius sales. Overall sales in January were down about 21.5 percent compared to 2010, the fifth month of consecutive decline. Vehicles under 660cc, counted in a separate category, still continue to lead the sales race, with the Daihatsu Move and Suzuki WagonR taking first and second spots respectively.

[Source: The Mainichi Daily News]

143,8003 Honda Fit hatchbacks from the model years 2007 and 2008 are being recalled in North America due to a defect that could cause the low beam headlights to stop working.

Plating on the vehicle’s headlight connector has been identified as the culprit, with the automaker stating that it “can become warn after repeated use … and cause the connector to overheat and fail, resulting in a loss of low-beam headlight functionality.”

Dealers will begin notifying owners of the affected vehicles, but owners can also have their cars inspected at a dealership for potential signs of trouble.

[Source: CNN]

The Honda Fit and Mazda 2 will headline a new racing class, known as B-Spec, that’s been designed as a new showroom stock racing series. The rule set is expected to be finalized within the next 60 days, and both the SCCA and NASA sanctioning bodies have expressed interested in adopting the class.

Using OEM specified wheel, tire and suspension components, the cars will have stock chassis and engines, but will be able to use weight reduction and ballasting to gain performance advantages. The Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris are also eligible for competition.

[Source: Autoweek]

For all the hype surrounding Ford‘s Fiesta subcompact, which is capable of hitting 40 mpg, it looks like subcompacts, especially those than can hit the vaunted number, aren’t selling all that well in the USA.

Even though gas prices will almost certainly hit $3 a gallon, customers are still gravitating towards compact cars, according to Cars.com’s David Thomas. This means vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra are well positioned with their 40 mpg fuel economy numbers, spacious interior and premium features…but if gas prices keep going past $3 (and they almost certainly will) then the sub compact segment may see a resurgence, just like the summer of 2008 when gas was around $4.

The big winners in the segment are still the Nissan Versa and Honda Fit respectively, with the Versa enjoying a nearly 3,000 unit lead over the Fit in November. Hyundai’s Accent and the Fit are nearly neck and neck, while the Fiesta comes in at fourth place, but cars like the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris are nipping at its heels, even with stale-dated designs and no 40 mpg capability. We think the significant delta in price between a bare bones Aveo and a more expensive Fiesta hatch may have something to do with this.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Honda has given its European market Jazz (also known as the Fit to us North Americans) a mild refresh, and confirmed availability of the Jazz Hybrid that debuted at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

A front end re-style drops the drag co-efficient to 0.33, and the 1.2L and 1.4L powerplants get minor reductions in CO2 emissions. Higher-grade materials adorn the cabin, while leather seats are an option on higher trim levels.

Most significant is the option of a CVT transmission, something that was apparently quite popular on the first generation Jazz. The CVT will be standard equipment on the Jazz Hybrid, and an option on 1.4L engine cars.

[Source: Autocar]

Honda has unveiled their Jazz Hybrid, which is sold as the Fit here in North America. We won’t be getting the Fit Hybrid in our part of the world, but it doesn’t look like we’re missing out on much.

With mileage comparable to a CR-Z, and a nearly $5,000 premium over a regular Fit, the car is hardly a value proposition. In fact, we’d wager that the only real benefit is that buying one will entitle Japanese market customers to take advantage of generous subsidies offered by the government on hybrid cars. But never say never.

The Fit Hybrid will debut at the Paris Auto Show in September.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

Gallery: Honda Jazz Hybrid

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Regular readers will recall a fondness for hip-hop music at the Autoguide offices.  We’ve previously covered the Houston “swangas” phenomenon, Seattle’s Volvo driving rapper and Atlanta’s dubbed-out Camaros. Now, Kia is showing the East Coast some love, with their new commercial featuring their familiar Hamsters, the Kia Soul, and Black Sheep’s seminal anthem The Choice Is Yours.

The video is shot with a gritty, New York-esque background, and if it weren’t for the cute and furry hamsters, it could actually be a pretty decent music video, with requisite scenes on the basketball court, cruising with the homeys, getting a line-up at the barbershop, and ritzy Park Avenue types staring with disapproving glances at the young hoodlum hamsters. Along the way, the Hamsters reference the song’s hook, by presenting various “boring” econo-car options (represented by a toaster, washing machine and cardboard box), or the neon green Kia Soul. Ostensibly, these options represent offerings from Toyota and Honda, but whoever dreamed up the ad forgot about the hamster’s true vehicle of choice, the Zhu Zhu pet car (which looks strangely like a British sports car).

Hit the jump for Kia’s newest Hamster ad.

[Souce: Autoblog]

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Anyone who grew up playing the Resident Evil games on Playstation knows that the best way to stop a zombie attack is with a large caliber firearm. For those who believe in non-violent resistance, Ford‘s new Fiesta commercial will show you away to make a clean getaway using features like the Fiesta’s keyless entry and push button starter. Jonathan, the ad’s protagonist, is able to escape a certain death at the hands of the undead, but his Yaris and Fit driving friends are not so lucky.

Rather than the typical “car porn” commercial favored by automakers, the Fiesta ad is shot in an informal, conversational style, almost like a Jackass stunt, but with much higher production values. Ford has already made huge strides with the Fiesta’s online social media campaign, with company executives claiming that 60% of the car buying public are aware of the vehicle already.

Hit the jump to see the ad for yourself.

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Parents magazine has made the list (and assumedly checked it twice) to bring you their top 15 picks of family-friendly vehicles for 2010. Teaming up with Edmunds.com, Parents has only included models that come equipped with antilock brakes and front, side, and side-curtain air bags. These vehicles also come with family necessities such as sliding rear seats, smart storage for toys, and other amenities that make the drive that much smoother. You may be surprised to learn that not many minivans or SUVs made the list. The picks aren’t in any particular order and are broken down into categories such as sedans, hybrids and large vehicles.

They are listed after the jump, along with a few of their top selling points:

[Source: Parents]

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The Ford Ranger has been on the market for 12 years in its current incarnation, and while the Ford F-Series might be America’s favorite truck, the Ranger doesn’t look like its slowing down any time soon either.

With the April sales numbers released yesterday, Pickuptrucks.com made the startling discovery that in April of 2010, the Ranger outsold some pretty good cars like the Ford Mustang, Ford Flex, Honda Fit,  Chevrolet Suburban and the Mercedes C-Class. The Ranger is also beating the Flex, Fit and Suburban in Year-To-Date sales.

We’re not exactly sure what would compel anybody to buy a Ford Ranger, but the low price-tag and durable construction must be appealing for a certain section of consumers. Then again, everyone loves a good underdog story, and a 12 year old pickup beating the entry level Mercedes in the sales race? You couldn’t make that up.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Strong demand in emerging markets like India and China, as well as a recovering U.S. economy helped Honda post a quarterly profit of $774 million. The Japanese automaker reported a 28 percent increase in sales, to $24.5 billion. Honda is forecasting a $3.7 billion profit through the coming fiscal year (which ends March 31, 2011), and sales of $100.4 billion, a 9 percent jump.

The strong results come days after Honda’s CEO admitted that the company had become “complacent”. However, strong demand for small, energy efficient models like the Fit and the upcoming CR-Z hybrid sports car helped the company back into the black. Honda’s motorcycle division also reported strong sales, adding to the company’s fortune.

[Source: Detroit News]

Not one to let Toyota get all the publicity, today Japan’s number two automaker, Honda Motor Co., has announced its own recall. The recall affects 646,000 Honda Fit models from the 2007 and 2008 model years built in Japan, China, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and India. These models were sold in the U.K., Latin American and in the U.S. In total 141,140 of the affected Fit models were sold in the U.S.

The recall is for a window switch that can overheat and potentially catch fire when wet. A minority of recalled Fits will need replacement switches, while the rest will be fitted with a waterproof cover for the electrical components.

“Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver’s window and reach the master power window switch, resulting in impaired function of the switch,” reads a statement released by Honda today. “If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the liquid intrusion, it may result in failure of the switch and overheating. An overheating switch may cause smoke, melting or, potentially, fire.”

With the Cash-for-Clunkers program officially ending last night, the U.S. Department of Transportation has now released its top 10 list of the most purchased vehicles under the program, with the most popular car purchased being the Toyota Corolla.

Toyotas actually took three of the top 10 spots, with the Camry placing third and the new Prius ranking seventh. Honda did equally well, taking three of the top 10 spots, with the Civic coming in second, the Accord 8th and the Fit 9th.

Nissan and Hyundai each had one spot on the list with the Versa in 6th and the Elantra in 5th. Ford was the only U.S. automaker to break into the top 10, with the front-wheel drive Focus in 4th and the FWD Escape in 10th.

The “Top 10″ list doesn’t tell the whole story, however. While no General Motors products are listed in the top 10, collectively, GM products accounted for 17.6% of the total of new cars purchased under the program, second only to Toyota with 19.4%.

In total, the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) generated 690,114 transactions worth a total of $2.8 billion.

“American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment. This is one of the best economic news stories we’ve seen and I’m proud we were able to give consumers a helping hand.”

In total, 84 percent of consumers traded in trucks, while 59 percent purchased cars. The average fuel economy of a car traded in was 15.8 mpg, whereas the average fuel economy of a car purchased was 24.9 mpg – an improvement of 9.2 mpg or 58 percent.

[Source: Department of Transportation]