Honda has expanded its recall of thousands of its cars for faulty airbags, it has been reported.

With fellow Japanese manufacturer Toyota currently in the process of recalling more than eight million cars and light trucks following the discovery of faulty accelerator pedals, Honda is now stepping up its own recall efforts.

Specifically, the latest expansion of its recall includes more than 375,000 cars within the United States, as well as thousands in Canada and Japan, and an unspecified, yet smaller number in other markets, including Australia.

While Honda has known about its faulty car parts, which related to its airbags, for some time, automotive industry observers believe that Toyota’s troubles have prompted other manufacturers to err on the side of caution.

"With Toyota’s big problems, Honda realised it couldn’t avoid a recall in these other models," Toshirou Yoshinaga, an analyst at Aizawa Securities in Tokyo, told the Associated Press.

"Given all the negative publicity surrounding Toyota, they probably thought they just needed to step out and do a recall."

This comes as Honda has predicted that it will enjoy a ten per cent growth in sales in the Chinese market over the course of 2010.

Japanese automaker Honda will celebrate British engineering in its newest TV advertisement.

In a 60-second film the group will showcase the breadth of its manufacturing experience – from all-terrain vehicles, to marine engines, motorcycles and humanoid robots – and highlight how the firm uses that knowledge to build its cars today.

The focus of the advert will be on the popular Swindon-built Civic model.

Ian Armstrong, manager of customer communications at Honda UK, commented that the advert provides an opportunity to celebrate engineering expertise and back the popular Civic model.

"Decades of engineering innovation make Honda what it is today. As a result we are able to apply our know-how to constantly evolve the huge range of products we sell," he added.

Earlier this month, Honda unveiled its new small concept car at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi.

The group is planning to introduce an affordable new vehicle based on the design in India and Thailand next year.

The new small concept car from Honda has been unveiled at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi.

Providing seating for five people despite its small size, by using a wide platform offering a stable centre of gravity, the vehicle also has distinctive ‘forward bumpers’ that give it style and substantial road presence.

The company is planning to introduce an affordable new model based on the design in India and Thailand next year, offering it at low cost by leveraging Honda’s global parts sourcing network.

Its distinctive design has been described as having an ‘efficient energetic exterior’ and is made up of sweeping smooth lines running from high at the back to low at the front of the vehicle and around the bumper.

Last month Honda unveiled a futuristic concept for an ultra-compact, aggressively designed coupe developed for city driving – its Personal-Neo Urban Transport design – at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

More than simply Honda spares will be on offer from the manufacturer on Valentine’s Day next year, as the brand is set to launch its new VFR1200F.

The firm states the bike’s V4 engine and sleek handling are bound to make sure this model has a similar impact to that of its Fireblade 18 years ago.

Steve Martindale, general manager of Honda (UK) Motorcycles, said: "The new VFR1200F is the ultimate machine for style and great all-round riding appeal."

He added: "We’ve worked hard to ensure the VFR1200F is priced attractively to reflect its quality and uniqueness, but also market conditions and customers."

The machine comes with added extras such as three years AA roadside assistance.

Anyone wishing to try out the machine for themselves are being encouraged to book a test drive, which can be done directly through Honda dealerships.

Honda currently offers bike services for £99, which includes free pick up and delivery of your machine.

One company is likely to be celebrating the extension of a deal.

Trafficmaster’s existing agreement with Honda has been lengthened for an additional five years.

A Radio Data System Traffic Message Channel (RDS TMC) is to be provided by the company to all satellite navigation systems fitted at Honda’s UK factory.

Jonathan Allee, from product planning at Honda Motor Europe, said: "Since our original partnership agreement with Trafficmaster in 2005, their RDS TMC service has proved to be an excellent addition to the Honda customer offer."

He added that the company decided on extending the contract because Honda is confident that Trafficmaster will continue to be at the front when it comes to technological developments.

Mr Allee added that it is Honda’s believe that the brand is in keeping with the high quality standards that it demands.

Honda also takes part in the government’s scrappage scheme.

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A Japanese car manufacturer has launched a new partnership.

The Mick Extance Honda Off-Road Experience provides an off-road motocross facility.

Steve Martindale, general manager of Honda (UK) Motorcycles, said: "We’ve wanted to launch an off-road experience for some time and have looked at a number of possible partners and locations."

He commented on how suitable Dakar legend Mick Extance is for the deal – the natural choice to join forces with for the company.

Dakar claims to be more than just a motor race and the company explain that the smallest of errors while taking part in the challenge can be serious. It states that winners from a host of different backgrounds have been drawn to compete in the event for the 30 years that it has run, as a marker to measure their skills.

Mr Martindale said that the Mick Extance Off-Road Experience will provided a fantastic opportunity for customers off-road, to not only get to grips with Honda’s bikes but have fun too.

For all of your Honda spares, visit 247 Spares.

A Honda Civic Type R with a modified engine is to be made available to customers in the UK, it has been revealed.

Mugen, a company that tunes the manufacturer’s racing car engines, is to build the vehicles at its UK facility in Northampton.

However, numbers will be limited to 20, so interested parties may need to be quick.

The car will boast a 2.0-litre engine with a new intake system and modified camshafts, which boost the power by 20 per cent.

Hiroki Toyoda, vice-president of Mugen Euro, said the company has already received significant interest from potential buyers in the UK and abroad.

"Each Type R MUGEN will be an exclusive, hand-built race car for the road," he stated.

Mr Toyoda pointed out 300 examples of a similar model sold out in Japan in six minutes.

The Civic Type R Murgen will cost buyers £38,599.

In other news, Honda is currently showing its hybrid concept the CR-Z at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Various Honda parts and features have contributed to its receipt of a five-star top safety rating, the company has claimed.

EuroNCAP recently awarded the Insight model the maximum score, taking into consideration aspects such as passenger protection, impact and the availability of driver aids.

Honda cited its Vehicle Stability Assist system as a tool that helps motorists to retain control of the Insight, as it manages the engine torque systems as well as applying brakes to the right or left wheels.

In addition, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body shell was described as being a crucial part of Honda’s safety armoury, as it apparently disperses the energy from a crash using high-tensile steel and therefore boosts protection for passengers.

Also highlighted were the dual front, side curtain and full-length airbags, together with Isofix fittings that aim to make fitting child seats even more reliable.

EuroNCAP also announced safety assessment results for seven other cars this week, including the Toyota Prius 3, which received top marks.

A range of new car parts have been fitted to the latest Honda Civic five-door to make it appeal to an increasingly young customer base, it has been revealed.

The Si trim version of the auto is due to feature Graphite-coloured alloys.

Buyers opting for the 1.4-litre edition of the vehicle will find the model has 16-inch rims, while the 2.2 diesel and 1.8 petrol will boast 17-inch wheels.

The manufacturer explained: "The Si has been designed to appeal to the Civic’s increasingly youthful customer and those who want sporty looks with the practicality of a five-door."

As well as the alloy wheels, the model is also set to include front fog lights, colour-coded bumpers, dark chrome fuel cap and door handles, along with a Type R-inspired mesh front grille.

Meanwhile, motorists keen to make their current autos look more sporty may find there are a wide range of car spares and accessories available online that can help.

A former Formula One ace is to get the opportunity to test some Honda car parts to their limit in the coming months.

Johnny Herbert has signed a contract to get behind the wheel of the Civic Type R for the last three stages of the British Touring Car Championship.

The racing great has already tried out his vehicle, when he took to the track during summer testing at Rockingham.

"I’m really excited to be racing in the Civic. It’s very different to what I was used to in Formula One but no less of an adrenaline rush," he stated.

Herbert added he was looking forward to his first race at Silverstone.

Johnny is taking the place of James Thompson, who cannot complete the season due to prior commitments.

Meanwhile, motorists with their own road car from the manufacturer may find they can improve its performance using Honda car spares bought online.