Takanobu Ito, Honda President & CEO introduces Hello! at Tokyo Motor Show 2009
Maverick - Oct 21, 2009

Speaking at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009, Ito presented Honda's new vision, new technology, and new products. Following are excerpts from his presentation.

Since Honda’s foundation, creating personal mobility as a means to provide basic transportation for people has been the primary focus of our business. By continuing to provide more freedom and the fun of mobility and help people lead more convenient and comfortable lives, last year, we provided some 23 million motorcycles, automobiles and power products to our customers around the world.

Leveraging our strength as a manufacturer of motorcycles, automobiles, and power products, we will strive to be at the forefront in the area of the environment and energy technology by addressing the challenge of reducing CO2 emissions in a more comprehensive manner through further improvement in the fuel economy of existing products and also through the use of new technologies, such as solar cells and electromotive technologies, for each type of mobility product.

At this year’s motor show, we designed our booth to propose Honda’s vision for mobility of the near future. We are proposing the concept of “Hello!” representing the “Honda Electric mobility Loop” which attempts to comprehensively express our vision to provide both products that generate electricity and mobility products that run on electricity.

Motorcycle and mobility products displayed at the “Hello!” zone.

The EV-Cub is an electric motorcycle offering the familiar design and outstanding convenience expected of a Super Cub.

The EV-Monpal is an electric personal mobility scooter, which helps to permit a life with greater peace of mind and comfort. And this is our new mobility device, the U3-X, which uses technologies developed through the ASIMO bipedal humanoid program and was designed to co-exist in harmony with people.

All of these products run on clean energy – either hydrogen or electricity – produced from solar power. In addition, each model features interactive communication technologies that showcase the fun ways in which mobility devices can interact with people and society.

Over the long term, the advancement of electromotive technologies is an important factor for the reduction of CO2 emissions. Among potential solutions, we believe that the fuel cell electric vehicle will be the ultimate form for automobiles in the future as it has advantages such as zero CO2 emissions in use, can travel considerable distances without refueling and can be quickly refueled.

We also have for you today a selection of Honda motorcycles. To expand the motorcycle market especially among younger people, we believe the key will be pursuing FUN technologies, which includes technologies that enable riders to experience the fun of being in control of the motorcycle and designs, which provide the joy of ownership.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Honda “CB” line, we’ve developed the CB1100 as “the CB for a new era.” The CB1100 is equipped with a simple, air-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine, much in demand by experienced riders, and a design of functional elegance. Designed to please the most discerning veteran rider, we expect that the CB1100, featuring technologies chosen specifically for this model, will have a catalyzing effect on the sports bike segment in Japan.

Making its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show this year is the VFR1200F, a high value-added FUN sports touring model featuring next-generation styling and the latest technologies—all of which make it the perfect bike for long-distance rides.

The VFR1200F also will be available with the world’s first dual clutch transmission for motorcycles. This lightweight, compact automatic transmission offers exceptionally fine control, as well as fuel economy as good as or better than that of standard manual transmissions. The shift feel is exceptionally smooth and direct for outstanding riding enjoyment.

Honda will be launching the VFR1200F first in Europe, and then in Japan and North America.

Next we have the VT1300 Series. The VT1300 Series offers three models with designs full of character to match the tastes and needs of discriminating riders. In addition, thanks to Honda’s original technologies, highly stable handling has joined forces with stylish cruiser design.

The EVE-neo is a next-generation, electric commuter motorcycle that is durable and provides outstanding convenience for business use. We are making progress in the development of the EVE-neo with plans to introduce it to market in the near future.

Since the company’s foundation, Honda associates have always dedicated themselves to dreaming up ideas to make life more convenient and enjoyable. But we don’t stop there. We continue taking on the challenge to turn such dreams into products with our own technologies and offer these products to people around the world. Combining passion and technology is Honda’s basic approach as a manufacturer.

More than 50 years ago, we created Super Cub, which continues to be popular among customers around the world. In the 1970s, we created the Honda CVCC engine, which became the world’s first to comply with the U.S. Clean Air Act. Today, as we expressed in our booth concept of “Creating the never before!” we will continue our R&D efforts to quickly deliver convenient, fun and unique products to our customers in a way only Honda can do. Please do look forward to these efforts.