Honda to modify 12,000 redesigned Fits sold in U.S. to enhance crashworthiness

Posted on 8/22/2014 5:12:12 PM

Honda Motor Company plans to amend the 2015 12000 Compatible customers in the United States in the hands of the redesign, engineering change in the model year to improve a critical mini-car crash test industry's performance afterwards.

After receiving the "edge" of the March test scores in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small overlap frontal crash, Honda's engineers set the front fascia behind the front bumper beam welding to make the vehicle more suitable for shock.

In the second test for IIHS crash in July 2015, after the project was changed to require Honda was "acceptable" small overlap frontal crash test rating agency.

Changes in production occurred in the June 9 - leaving thousands initially produce 2,015 adapt before the new Honda assembly plant in Mexico, no improvement on April 11 bumper.

The latest results for 2014 also won top safety ratings from IIHS, because it won the highest crash test ratings and other four agencies.

Insurance Institute overlap frontal crash test, the front driver's side hit a solid 25% barrier at 40 rain 40 percent.

When the car hit the pole, trees or other vehicles, accounting for about a quarter of all casualties occurred in the frontal crash, according to the IIHS small overlap frontal crash. The test was started from 2012 through IIHS's.

"We have focused on the challenges greater security for our customers, really unhappy unforgiving in the micro segment," Chuck Thomas, Honda's chief engineer security, told reporters in a conference call Wednesday. "We have been trying to design the strength of the structure of the vehicle."

Emphasis on safety

Honda Motor sports highlights length manufacturers will increase the security level in the occasion today to increase a record year retreat regulators and consumer oversight.

In the first experiment, the institute said bumper beam Fit, reinforced plastic rear bumper cover, release the rack railway passenger side in the early accident. Impact, causing more impact energy absorbing car through the driver's side, causing extensive passenger compartment intrusion and excessive upward movement of the steering column, IIHS said in a statement.

In the second experiment the improved weld fitting is attached to the bumper beam frame rail. IIHS the invading compartment is decreased, and the steering column is much more stable, and thus at an acceptable level.

All original 2015 set to occur in the United States have been sold, according to Honda.

Thomas showing changes in the welding process is not suitable for the reason 2015 of the start delay.

Out notice

Automobile manufacturers to notify all owners for 2015 in line with the voluntary replacement of the front bumper beam starting in late September. Owners can modify is free at the Honda dealer registration.

It is not expected to affect the right of the new bumper beam weight or estimated fuel savings Fit, Honda said.

The company did not disclose before the modification and replacement bumper beam Fit costs.

IIHS estimates that the cost of a new wholesale bumper bar 60 yuan vehicles and require 60 minutes to install an estimated $ 48 per hour.

LMC Automotive analyst Jeff Schuster said it was worth the additional investment to achieve not only a better safety rating, but to maintain the current Honda buyers happy.

"Competitive pressures are so intense and loyalty decline, so customer service can make or break us in the current environment," Schuster said. "The King is definitely on the road safe small car market bigger SUV and trucks."

Thomas said that Honda is not conferred with NHTSA in the updated product, because it does not change in all aspects, including the security agencies of the vehicle.

This update will be carried out in order to "improve the safety of the car," Thomas said. "Wear it very safe."

2014 Chevrolet Spark is the only car in the small car segment, in order to obtain the 2014 Best Safety Performance Evaluation of institutions. Spark Fit and get the same crash test scores five times carried out by the group.

"We commend the rapid response Honda ... and take extra steps" to enhance the fit of the front bumper, IIHS president Adrian Lund said.

Honda and Acura brand has combined the nine models considered tops IIHS safety, bundled in the United States market for car manufacturers Subaru most middle.

Since 1999, manufacturers have been asked to re-test two dozen times, and called back to the poor performance of vehicles, IIHS said.

Last year, the Toyota Camry sedan poor rating in IIHS after the initial test performance improved, the Toyota Camry, although no update is already sold.

After Consumer Reports released their 2013 Honda Fit proposal in January poor performance, the current test model 2015.

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