Honda eyeing first Russian car plant - Nikkei

TOKYO Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:20pm EDT

(Reuters) - Honda Motor (7267.T) plans to set up its first assembly plant in Russia, the Nikkei business daily reported on Sunday, as Japan's No.3 automaker looks to lift its competitiveness in the fast-growing auto market.

The company is looking to invest several billion yen (tens of millions of dollars) to produce 30,000 to 50,000 cars annually, the Nikkei said, adding Honda has submitted the plans to the Russian government and had started talks with officials.

Honda is consulting officials on the location of the assembly plant, which will use components imported from its global facilities, and the Russian Far East is seen as one candidate, the Nikkei said.

A Honda spokesman declined to comment on the report.

General Motors (GM.N), Renault (RENA.PA), and a host of other top players have already announced plans to ramp up production in Russia in exchange for lower import tariffs for parts.
Honda, which sold about 18,000 cars in Russia last year, has been selling its cars with tariffs of about 50 percent, making them more expensive than automobiles produced by rivals locally.
Russia's vehicles market is expected to double sales to about 4 million units a year by mid-decade.

(Reporting by James Topham)

Source;
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/15/us-usa-campaign-palin-idUSTRE78E77B20110915

Honda/Acura's Next SUV/Crossover gets a Motor Trend Rendering and loosely termed MSX

Here's what we know so far about the upcoming Acura 'MSX':

-Expected to be released in the Fall of 2009 as a 2010 model

-Expected to be positioned between the RDX and MDX

-The Acura product is described as a sort of "MDX/NSX" crossover

-Expected to go head to head against the Infinity FX and BMW X6

-The price range for this product is said to be $50k-60k (US)

-Is going to use either the Accord platform or the RDX/CRV platform

-Is being created with markets like Russia and the Middle East in mind in addition to North America

-Honda is launching Acura in Russia in the near future and Russians are not fleeing SUVs and crossovers the way Americans have been in recent months

-Should be about the same size as a Lexus RX

-Should have a coupelike greenhouse with a sharply sloping D-pillar and tailgate

Here's from Motortrend;
"Powertrain options should include the TL's 3.7L V-6 and trick SH-AWD system, with a smaller engine (such as the Accord's 3.5L V-6) possibly available on more entry-level models. The 3.7L engine makes 305 hp in the TL, which is on par with the 300 hp in the X6 xDrive35i and 303 hp in the FX35. Honda's current lack of a V-8, however, puts the 390 hp FX50 and 400 hp X6 xDrive50i well out of reach -- although that may change. Honda recently divulged it has a V-8 under development that's expected to be ready in time for the launch of the next-generation RL early next decade, which should coincide with the arrival of its latest crossover."

Motortrend article link;
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_0811_honda_acura_crossover_update/index.html

Here's an older link found on Vtec.net on the subject;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=719441