The Japanese automaker said that it had received a number of customer complaints of brake pedals that feel "soft" or that gradually needed more pressure to work. Honda added that the in the affected vehicles, this condition tends to "very slowly increase over time".
The Honda Element enters the 2010 model year with a new range of factory-designed dog-friendly accessories that were first previewed at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. The new Dog Friendly package is priced at $995 and includes several components that are said to improve safety, comfort and convenience for dogs and their owners alike.These include a soft-sided cargo area car kennel made from seat belt-grade netting, a 12V DC rear ventilation fan to keep your four-legged friend cool, a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform, an extendable ramp that stores under the pet bed platform and even a spill-resistant water bowl.
And for those that like to show off their affection for dogs, Honda also throws in a set of Dog Friendly exterior emblems and all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern.
There are no other changes for the 2010MY Element that received a facelift in late 2008. All models feature a 166HP 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission while buyers can choose between FWD and 4WD versions.
Prices for the 2010 model year Element (excluding tax, license, registration and a $710 destination charge), start at $20,535 for the 2WD LX and reach $25,585 for a fully loaded 4WD EX with a navigation system.
At this year's New York Show Honda is previewing a new range of dog-friendly car accessories for the Element that will be available for order this fall. The canine-aftermarket lineup includes numerous components such as a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform, second row and cargo area pet restraint systems, a spill-resistant water bowl even seat covers with a dog pattern design and "Dog Friendly" exterior emblems.For those wondering 'why', allow us to inform you - if you don't already know- that according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., a staggering 39 percent of all U.S. households own at least one dog with the country's dog population estimated at a whopping 74.8 million. The estimated total market value of all pet purchases, related products and services in the U.S. was more than $43 billion in 2008.
We knew that Honda was going to unveil some sort of concept study other than the Acura ZDX at this week's New York International Auto Show, but up until now, we didn't know what that car was. Well, thanks to the folks over at USA Today, we just learnt that Honda's "surprise" is a concept study for a dog-friendly version of the Element.The new variant which might find its way into production later on this year has been equipped with numerous canine-friendly features like a built-in bed in the cargo area, a private electric cooling fan, a spill-proof water bowl and a mesh net that keeps the animal(s) separated from the human passengers (or is it the other way around...). Guess Honda gives a new meaning to the term "it's a dog's life".
Via: USA Today
