15:05:59

Quality shock for Toyota

Detroit - Honda took the top ranking among mass-market carmakers in a closely watched US quality survey released on Wednesday, while Ford showed strong gains at a crucial point in its turnaround effort.

The survey represented a setback for Toyota, which slipped to sixth place, and provided some vindication for Ford, which is expected to be overtaken by Toyota as the No. 2 carmaker in the United States this year.

The survey, known as the JD Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, put Ford's Lincoln as the third-highest ranked brand, up from No. 12 a year earlier.

Lincoln trailed No. 1 Porsche and Toyota's luxury Lexus, which ranked No. 2.

The rankings are used in marketing campaigns and seen by some as influential in shaping consumer perceptions.

Honda, meanwhile, eclipsed larger rival Toyota to become the highest-ranking mainstream brand, with strong showings for its Civic sedan and CR-V sport-utility vehicle.

19:36:38

Honda Civic Tour, Fall Out Boy Promote Environmental Importance

NEW YORK, June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past seven years, the Honda Civic Tour has presented some of today's hottest music while also creating awareness of today's most pressing environmental concerns. From the promotion of hybrid technology and the natural-gas-powered Honda Civic GX to setting up an "Eco-Village" and even promoting carpooling, the Honda Civic Tour works to create a concert experience that encourages environmental awareness.For the past three years the Honda Civic Tour has worked to promote environmental consciousness by giving away customized Honda Civic Hybrids to lucky fans. This year is no different, bringing FOB fans a chance to win the one-of-a-kind Civic Hybrid customized and autographed by Fall Out Boy. .

8:11:42

McLaren: Motivation considerable, no complacency.

Team McLaren-Mercedes will be out to further extend its lead in the constructors' and drivers' world championships in France next weekend and CEO Martin Whitmarsh isn't taking anything for granted.

Indeed despite the Woking-based outfits form in North America, where the MP4-22 was clearly the class of the field, Whitmarsh is all too aware that their rivals aren't standing still and that both Ferrari and BMW Sauber remain a bit threat.

"Last week we completed one of our most intensive tests of the year so far," he explained. "Our test team worked tirelessly to prove a myriad of components alongside a massive amount of effort being put in across the organisation.

"We have a fight on our hands to maintain, and ideally extend, the lead we have in the Constructors' World Championship and the Drivers' table with both Fernando [Alonso] and Lewis [Hamilton].

13:18:57

A Show-Stopping Accord On A Student Budget

A Skyline GT-R may make a great dream car, but sometimes, JDM fantasies just aren't in the cards for all of us. Your first car may have ended up being an MX-3, G20 or Altima, and there's nothing wrong with that. You want to see your baby through and finally finished with decade-long build, but your pile of disposable cash always seems to be a little lacking. Not a problem, just ask Wayne Chen. This trophy stealing, candy infused 1998 Honda Accord was built on a student's budget with lots of time and plenty of sponsors.

Chen received this coupe eight years ago as a high school graduation present from his parents. Not quite a tire-shredding Corvette killer, it was a dependable, efficient daily driver. It wasn't until Chen attended his first Import Showoff event in 1998 that his passion was sparked.