Comments on: CEO: Strong yen, weak sales could force Honda to leave Japan

By: Commodore

Commodore — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:42:08 +0000

“This puts Japanese automakers at an extreme disadvantage when it comes to exporting vehicles made in the country.”????????????????????? It doesn’t put them at a fukkin disadvantage, it only REDUCES their $2000 a car ADVANTAGE over automakers that are not from scheming Asian countries that devalue their currencies on purpose.

What a self-righteous a55hole this guy is! If I was Japanese, and one of the biggest companies in my country was threatening to leave, I’d be pissed! I would call to get him removed as CEO is he planned to move this publicly traded company out of the county.

On the other hand, he is welcome to come to America and bring the 100,000+ jobs Honda would bring here. But seriously, what if GM just moved to Canada if Bush refused them the bailout?

By: andy

andy — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:29:46 +0000

who says overseas means the US… i know i know, the US is the Sun and everything revolves around it, but the ’sun’ is burnt out and a 40W HE light bulb isnt going to cut it… why move to a country that is also in an economic crisis.

although, if Honda sets up shop outside a McDonalds, maybe, just maybe they would be better off in the States.

By: cereal

cereal — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:32:41 +0000

Well one good thing if Honda moves here–

When Chrysler/GM crash, someone will be there to use their resources so those poor businesses don’t crash.

Then again. I knew something like this would happen. That yen’s been skyrocketing (kinda) for a little bit now. Let’s wait and see.

-eat your cereal

By: sharpie

sharpie — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:27:38 +0000

More like businesses extending their control over US policies through lobbying.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:20:26 +0000

Yes, I’m completely 100% serious. Why wouldn’t you want them to come over? It would create jobs, make a statement to the rest of the world that the U.S. is where business should be done! I’m all for companies to be based in the U.S. as it extends our own control over business which makes us more powerful. Greed is Good – thank you Gekko from “Wall Street”

By: Gundy

Gundy — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:29:30 +0000

That’s a good one SSean54, “THEY’VE manipulated their currency for years…”.. What about the US Federal Reserve?! That’s ALL they do is manupulate currency, literally. And I’m an American, born and raised Scandinavian decent like at least half the people here so I’m not some “outsider” trashing the US government. But, our government isn’t any, or much, better than a lot of other governments around the world in that way. Or, of the democratic / non-communist ones anyway.. Ok, sorry for the rant here, I know this is a car site..

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:52:24 +0000

I know somebody who’ll experience a change of heart, should Honda abandon Nippon for the Detestable States of Amerikkka.

By: elviososa

elviososa — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:24:02 +0000

U.S. is manipulating the currency by printing more bills for years. If Japan wants to manipulate their currency, they want Yen to become cheaper, not expensive. So, stop the non-sense about manipulating the currency. You don’t even know what you are talking about. FOOL.

By: Architect

Architect — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:53:56 +0000

sj79 – if your basis for buying a car is its corporate headquarters, you sir are an idiot.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:39:09 +0000

I hope they never merge or do any business with D3 I dont want that unreliability and low resale value to plague their cars

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:37:48 +0000

Yet people still still beleive in buying “American” cars made in Mexico and Canada. Honda just opened up a factory employing 900 american workers.

By: idrinorbarsaku

idrinorbarsaku — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:34:38 +0000

Hey HONDA!!! Come to the US and give us some good products. Merge with GM, you will dominate the world!!!

By: sj79

sj79 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:04:07 +0000

If Honda isnt Japanese anymore I am not buying their products. They need to stay put before they become infected with the diseases that have infected the Big 3.

By: yarddog82abn

yarddog82abn — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:58:18 +0000

They are moving to Mexico, they can buy everyone there…

By: Icarus

Icarus — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:24:29 +0000

“I think moving a company headquarters based on something so unstable as currency exchange rates is lunacy.”

It would be if it were just based on exchange rates. There were news reports about a decade ago that Honda was considering moving its HQ to Hawaii, as the US market was already significantly more important than the Japanese market in terms of sales. Meanwhile, Japan no longer represents a low-cost production country, as the Japanese companies face stiff competition from Korea, China, Thialand, India, and others. Much like large industrial companies shop states (Boeing, anyone) when moving a HQ or large plant, it would make sense for Honda to shop their country of origin, and see where they can get the best incentive package. More than likely, it would just cause Japan to step up and provide an incentive package for them to do nothing, but I wouldn’t rule out a HQ relo altogether.

By: Borat

Borat — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:20:32 +0000

Most of Hondas sold in US manufactured in US already. Honda manufactures larger percentage of vehicles in US and Canada for US market then Big 2.6.They probably will not move headquarters to US, most likely more open markets country in Asia.

By: iluvamcars

iluvamcars — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:06:04 +0000

hmmm The big four. Well not really, but come to American Honda.

By: Lionwithoutpride

Lionwithoutpride — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:51:44 +0000

How many times do we need proof that Japan’s semi-planned economy is not bullet-proof? The early nineties didn’t convince folks. The late nineties Asian crash didn’t convince folks. Sigh. At the same time, how come no one remembers, during a “crisis” that economies go up and down? It would be a sad day if Japan lost its manufacturing base as the U.S. has. Does anyone realize that if the U.S., Europe and our Asian allies continue to cede manufacturing that we are going to have an utter reversal of power in the world? Powerful countries make things and only countries that make things are powerful. Service-based economies can provide windfall profits, but cannot begin to provide for a country in desperate times.

By: moparsalesman

moparsalesman — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:33:21 +0000

when your not used to losing money,the members of the board are in a panic. kind of funny really

By: loudpedal

loudpedal — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:28:35 +0000

I’m no executive but I think moving a company headquarters based on something so unstable as currency exchange rates is lunacy. They need to have a balanced manufacturing and engineering presence in all their major markets. When one falls, the other rises. That’s the theory anyway.

By: Red_H

Red_H — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:42:50 +0000

So where does Mugen go in the midst of this?

JakeK66 are u serious?

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:17:27 +0000

How great would that be… Honda moving its production to the USA as the Detroit 2.5 fade into the background.

Will people still be leg-humping Honda and the Imports when they are no longer imported? Only time will tell.

By: SSEAN54

SSEAN54 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:34:02 +0000

these jerks deserve it, they have manipulated their currency for years! Crooks!

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:48:59 +0000

Come to America, I’m welcoming you with open arms!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:00:30 +0000

they probably looked at what has happened to the big 3 and decided it would be smart to take measures BEFORE they start operating at a loss.

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:40:55 +0000

I don’t think so. Things are very, very serious for Honda, Toyota too.

By: desertdriver

desertdriver — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:21:23 +0000

He’s bluffing