The 2011 Tokyo Motor Show included some of the most innovative designs in the automotive world, but Honda decided to highlight its continued commitment to fuel-efficient cars. Along with renewing its commitment to drastically cut carbon emissions over the next 10 years, company CEO Takanobu Ito also hinted that Honda may try to roll out a new hybrid version of the Accord.
What is surprising about the announcement is that it would not be the first Accord hybrid to hit the United States. According to USA Today, a fuel-saving model supposedly hit the American and Canadian markets in 2005, but by the end of 2007, the company decided to end the experiment. The car performed poorly in sales largely because it did not save as much as gas as the name led consumers to believe.
Despite the lack of success with the hybrid Accord, Ito said in a speech at the convention that Honda is developing a new engine that will hopefully make the cars more eco-friendly and exciting to drive.
"Under the name 'Earth Dreams Technology,' Honda has created a new next-generation engine and transmission series, which we will apply to our products to realize both 'fun' and 'environmental' values at a high level," he said at the conference.
While it may be some time until Honda rolls out some more fuel-efficient models, there is some good news for motorists looking to save money at the pump. According to USA Today's Drive On blog, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped to around $3.25 and while that is certainly not cheap it's good news that the price is dipping during a time when it is usually on the rise. Additionally, it's a considerable drop compared to the average of around $3.90 earlier this year.
Along with the car you choose and the price of fuel, there are several types of maintenance you can perform to ensure your vehicle gets the best gas mileage possible. According to Edmunds.com, easy steps like keeping your tires properly inflated and checking your air filter can all pay off.
Getting your engine tuned also yields numerous benefits when it comes to fuel efficiency, and New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center makes the process easy. Located in Jersey City, the center is open to the public and can go a long way to getting the most out of your car.