era: North Shore News New Honda to be built, sold here at home IN A bold move, Honda has announced that Canadians will soon be driving their own car to be built and sold exclusively in Canada. Designed and developed entire- ly in North America, the new Canadian model will carry the Acura division badge and be built at the state-of-the-art Honda of Canada Manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario. The vehicle, which has yet to be named. is expected for release in 1996. It is ine first exclusively Canadian vehicle from a Japanese manufacturer. “We are very excited about this car,” said Atsuyoshi Hyogo, presi- dent of Honda Canada Inc. “It will be a dynamic addition to the Acura model line-up and will extend the success that Acura has enjoyed in Canada.” The exclusive Canadian car and increases in production and employment are part of a new automobile strategy for the “SM mericas that will add 110.000 units to the company's U.S. and Canadian car production, introduce production of the first U.S.-made V6 engine and boost engine manu- facturing capacity by 250,000 units, and expand the company’s program to export North American vehicles and components. The Alliston plant will increase output by 20%, or 20,000 units, to a total of 120,000 units annually by 1997. An additional capital investment of $20 million will bring total investment in the facili- ty to $490 million. It is estimated that 80 new jobs will be created by today’s announcement. “This is an unprecedented state- ment of confidence in Canada.” said Hyogo. “Canada has been sing-led out for very special atten- tion within Honda. We are proud that our Canadian associates will be building an exclusive car for Canada. This, together with increased production, employment and commitments to exports, means Canada is une of the pillars of Honda’s worldwide strategy.” Other initiatives in the announcement include: ¢ 99.900 units of capacity will be added to the Honda of America. Manufacturing production facili- ties in Ohio to bring the company’s total annual auto production capac- ity in North America to 720,000 units. ¢ A USS200 million expansion of the Ohio engine plant to produce a new V6 engine. Plant capacity will increase to 750,000 units annually from the current 500,000 units when the expansion is complete. * Expansion of exports of automo- biles and components from Canadian and U.S. plants to more than 150.000 units annually by 1999. ¢ Expanded North American research and development capabil- ity, starting with a 50% increase in employment in the research and development facilities in California and Ohio. Expanded “design-in” and guest engincer activities with North American suppliers to increase Jocal parts sourcing. » Strengthening the automobile sales network in the Americas with new product offerings. Complete details of these initia- tives will be released when they are. implemented as the company moves to establish the Americas as a fully autonomous automotive group in its global structure. Honda Canada Inc. has more than 2,100 associates employed in manufacturing, sales, distribution and training in Canada. There are 215 Honda, 43 Acura and 822 Honda motorcycle and power equipment dealers across the nation. In 1993, the company spent $340 million with about 40 Canadian suppliers of parts and services. For information, cail Dennis Manning Honda Canada Inc.(416) 284-811 or Doug Mepham MacDonald & Co. (416) 975-1572. SPOT YOUR iSE PLATE AND WIN °25. If this is your license plate, bring in this ad and your registration to cur Classified reception before the next Friday's paper and we'll ‘spot’ you $25.00! JH YORE 0 OSE ALD PRT VAMCCLIVE ho ws Photo submitted DESIGNED AND developed entirely in North America, the new Canadian-model Honda will be built at the state-of-the-ert Honda of Canada manufacturing plant in Alliston, Gntario. Cost of driving is on the rise THE COST of driving a car is ris- ing faster than the cost of living. Owning a car will cost $7,403 this year, an increase of $372 over last year. Figures released by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) show that there were high- er costs in almost every category, including fuel, maintenance, ‘insurance and depreciation costs. “That’s an increase of 5.3%, but if you look at Statistics Canada data. the consumer price index has gone up exactly zero percent.” says Richard Godding. acting president of the Canadian Automobile Association.” Assuming that the average ALL alloy wheels power windows cruise control motorist drives 24.000 km per year, cach kilometre costs 30.8 cents, up from 29.3 cents last year. The CAA /1994-/995 Car Costs data are based on the operation of a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier RS with a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder engine. which is driven 24,000 km a year. Figures are provided to CAA by Runzheimer International, a management consulting firm that provides services to accurately meusure the costs of transporta- lion. The Car Costs brochure also ranks the 10 provinces and the Yukon based on annual average air conditioning IN ownership and operating costs. For the fifth year in a row, car costs are highest in Quebec, and for thé eighth year in a row they are lowest in Alberta. Single copies of 1994-1995 Car Costs are available from most CAA Member clubs. The CAA is the federation of all not-for-profit provincial and regional automobile clubs in Canada. For further information, please contact: Richard Godding, Acting President, Canadian Automobile Association, 1775 Courtwood Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, K2C 332. (615) 226-7631. ‘THIS FOR ONLY $13,975 air bag AM/FM cassette power locks 1139 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver