Episode 111: The Contradictions Inherent to Honda
About this episode
The hosts dive into Honda's recent cancellation of the ambitious Zero EV project, reflecting on its potential as a radical halo car and what this means for Honda's future direction. They discuss the broader challenges facing automakers today, including market unpredictability, geopolitical tensions, and the struggle between short-term profits and long-term innovation. The conversation also touches on the contrast between Western automakers and China's strategic approach to EV development, highlighting systemic issues in capitalism and industry planning. Personal stories about car maintenance and road hazards add a relatable touch to the deep industry analysis.
Honda Zero
"What's your car car topic Rory report Rory? I wanted to talk about the Honda zero Over has there been developments on the whole we have a zero front"
Honda Zero is a type of electric motorcycle made by Honda. It runs on electricity instead of gas and is designed for city riding.
The Honda Zero refers to Honda's electric motorcycle lineup, known for its innovative electric powertrains and urban mobility focus. Honda is a major Japanese manufacturer known for both motorcycles and cars.
Honda RSX
"But uh, yeah the RSX gone and both Oh, that's that's even that was just like that was the the SUV that we just talked about like a few weeks ago"
The Honda RSX is a small sporty car made by Honda that many people liked because it was fun to drive and easy to fix. It was made mostly in the early 2000s and is still popular with car fans.
The Honda RSX is a sporty compact car produced by Honda primarily in the early 2000s, known for its performance and tuning potential. It is the successor to the Honda Integra and was popular among enthusiasts for its balance of reliability and driving dynamics.
saloon
"SUV and saloon also also dead deal. Oh RIP man. I I really wanted to fucking see that"
A saloon is a type of car that has separate areas for the engine, people inside, and the trunk. In the US, it's usually called a sedan.
Saloon is a British term for a passenger car with a three-box configuration, typically a sedan with separate compartments for engine, passenger, and cargo. It is a common body style in many markets.
Cadillac Celestiq
"Well, I mean I have I mean look I've seen a celestic at this point true Yeah, so I mean not you know I mean at a race and and then like driving on the street like leaving as it was leaving the race But but you did see one but I did see one on the road, you know, it was it was in the wild. It wasn't like"
The Honda Celestiq is a fancy and cool-looking car that Honda showed off to show what a future car might look like. It was special because it looked different and was meant to be a luxury electric car.
The Honda Celestiq is a concept or limited production luxury saloon vehicle that was noted for its radical and futuristic design. It represents Honda's attempt to enter the high-end luxury electric vehicle market with a unique and striking model.
halo car
"Zero and the the suv makes sense as a halo car to like drive in that direction But it was not not clear to me at any point that honda was driving in that direction aside from that car"
A halo car is a special car that a company makes to show off how good they are. It helps people think better about all their cars.
A halo car is a vehicle produced by a manufacturer to showcase their brand's capabilities and to attract attention, often influencing the perception of their entire lineup. It usually features advanced technology, design, or performance.
EV
"um on ev stuff and they had to have a moonshot to To catch up and they had to like"
An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It uses batteries to move instead of an engine that burns fuel.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, a car powered entirely or primarily by electricity stored in batteries instead of traditional gasoline or diesel engines.
canceling a car project
"It's like by the time you make the decision to cancel it It's like the it's a bad decision the better decision would have been to cancel it a year ago."
Sometimes car companies decide not to finish making a new car because it might cost too much or not sell well. This is called canceling the project.
Canceling a car project refers to the decision by a manufacturer to stop development or production of a new vehicle, often due to financial concerns, market conditions, or strategic shifts. This can happen even after significant investment.
Lamborghini
"There's been so much funny back and forth lately with with that kind of stuff because lamborghini just Just shit canned their forthcoming e.v."
Lamborghini is a company that makes very fast and fancy sports cars. They are known for their cool designs and powerful engines.
Lamborghini is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for high-performance supercars and exotic designs. They are part of the Volkswagen Group and are famous for models like the Aventador and Huracán.
e.v.
"because lamborghini just Just shit canned their forthcoming e.v. That kind of um sport ute kind of like wedgie sport ute kind of thing"
An electric vehicle, or E.V., is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It helps reduce pollution and can be charged at home or special stations.
E.V. stands for electric vehicle, a car powered entirely or primarily by electricity instead of traditional internal combustion engines. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions and are becoming increasingly popular.
tax credit
"We're subsidizing these things at the point of sale not not a tax credit for rich people. Yep. We are"
A tax credit is money the government gives back to people when they buy certain things, like electric cars, to help make them cheaper.
A tax credit is a government incentive that reduces the amount of tax a buyer owes, often used to encourage purchasing electric vehicles by lowering their effective cost.
charging infrastructure
"Building infrastructure. We're putting chargers every five miles everywhere in the fucking country This is a 10. This is a 10 year project."
Charging infrastructure means the places where electric cars can plug in to get more power, like gas stations but for electricity.
Charging infrastructure refers to the network of electric vehicle charging stations needed to support widespread EV adoption, including fast chargers placed strategically to enable long-distance travel.
self-driving
"like they're making a ton of investments and in um self-driving and an e-v and like in a bunch of other stuff batteries and whatever"
Self-driving means a car can drive itself without a person needing to steer or control it, using special computers and cameras to see and move around.
Self-driving refers to vehicles equipped with technology that allows them to operate without human input, using sensors, cameras, and AI to navigate roads safely.
batteries
"like they're making a ton of investments and in um self-driving and an e-v and like in a bunch of other stuff batteries and whatever"
Batteries are like big rechargeable power packs that give electric cars the energy they need to drive.
Batteries in automotive context refer to rechargeable energy storage devices that power electric vehicles and hybrid cars, crucial for their operation and range.
oil congealing
"it's been so cold and I just think of just That oil congealing over the winter in the crankcase"
When oil gets really cold, it can get thick and sticky, making it harder for the engine to work smoothly when you start the car.
Oil congealing refers to the thickening or solidifying of engine oil, especially in cold temperatures, which can reduce its effectiveness in lubricating engine parts during startup.
crankcase
"That oil congealing over the winter in the crankcase"
The crankcase is like a container inside the engine where important parts move around and where the oil sits to keep everything running smoothly.
The crankcase is the part of an engine that houses the crankshaft and associated components, and it holds the engine oil that lubricates these moving parts.
fuel costs
"It's like we literally can't afford to fuel the cars"
Fuel costs are the money you pay to fill your car with gas or diesel so it can run.
Fuel costs refer to the expense of gasoline or diesel needed to operate vehicles, which can be a significant factor in the affordability of driving.
Formula 1 (F1)
"Although these races having been cancelled, uh, f1 finally"
Formula 1, or F1, is a type of car racing with very fast and special cars that race on circuits around the world.
Formula 1 (F1) is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA, featuring the fastest and most technologically advanced race cars.
classic F1
"Much to the uh disappointment of classic f1 heads who love the Uh the tracks in uh those places"
Classic F1 means the old days of Formula 1 racing when the cars and tracks were different from today. People who like classic F1 enjoy watching and talking about those older races and cars.
Classic F1 refers to the era of Formula 1 racing in the past, often celebrated for its historic cars, legendary drivers, and iconic tracks. Enthusiasts of classic F1 appreciate the sport's heritage and the unique challenges of older circuits.
Sebring
"Anyway, so so yeah, um But I'm gonna I'm gonna go go to seabring. So I'm uh excited about that and it's a very long drive"
Sebring is a race track in Florida where people race cars for a long time, like 12 hours. The track is bumpy and tough, so it tests how strong the cars and drivers are.
Sebring International Raceway is a famous racing circuit in Florida known for its rough surface and historic endurance races like the 12 Hours of Sebring. It's a popular track for testing car durability and driver skill.
Sparco Terra wheels
"my left front Um, uh, Sparco Terra cool Wheels that I got that I got for my winter tires when I got the car"
Sparco Terra wheels are special car wheels made by a company called Sparco. People use them to replace their regular wheels, often to make their car look cooler or handle better, especially in winter.
Sparco Terra wheels are aftermarket alloy wheels made by Sparco, a well-known manufacturer of motorsport and performance parts. These wheels are often chosen for their lightweight design and aesthetic appeal, commonly used for winter tires or performance upgrades.
forged aluminum
"I guess it's is it is it cast aluminum? It must be cast aluminum forged forged is better. Is that is that what yeah"
Forged aluminum means the metal is heated and squeezed really hard to make it stronger and lighter. This makes wheels tougher and better for driving.
Forged aluminum is aluminum that has been heated and compressed under high pressure to form a denser, stronger, and lighter material than cast aluminum. Forged wheels are typically more durable and perform better under stress.
cast aluminum
"I guess it's is it is it cast aluminum? It must be cast aluminum forged forged is better. Is that is that what yeah"
Cast aluminum means the metal is melted and poured into a shape to make parts like wheels. These wheels can be heavier and not as strong as other types.
Cast aluminum refers to aluminum that has been melted and poured into a mold to form a specific shape, such as a wheel. This manufacturing process is generally less expensive but can result in wheels that are heavier and less strong compared to forged aluminum wheels.
metal fatigue
"Yeah, like the fatigue metal fatigue is a huge huge thing, but like wheels themselves like under are under a tremendous amount of strain"
Metal fatigue happens when metal gets tired and weak because it's been bent or stressed many times. Wheels can get cracks or break because of this.
Metal fatigue is the weakening of metal caused by repeated stress and strain over time, which can lead to cracks or failure. This is an important consideration for wheels because they endure constant forces while driving.
alignment
"Like like my you know my alignment's got to be fucked um And and like and I'm also kind of like worried that like that like I damp"
Alignment means making sure your car's wheels point the right way so it drives straight and doesn't wear out the tires too fast.
Wheel alignment refers to adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the car manufacturer's specifications. Proper alignment ensures even tire wear, good handling, and safety.
wheel bearing
"And and like and I'm also kind of like worried that like that like I damp You know that like I fucking like damaged the wheel bearing or just or just you know Like like some part of that front suspension I mean it took such a hard hit and so so I've just been like driving around like You know, you know, you know when you get that shit in your head and you're just you're listening for just like the slightest You know anything and it's like. Yeah. Fuck is that is that is that the wheel bearing?"
The wheel bearing is a part that helps your car's wheels spin easily without making noise or getting stuck. If it gets damaged, your car might make weird sounds or not drive smoothly.
A wheel bearing is a crucial part of a car's suspension system that allows the wheels to rotate smoothly with minimal friction. It supports the weight of the vehicle and helps maintain proper wheel alignment.
front suspension
"Like like some part of that front suspension I mean it took such a hard hit and so so I've just been like driving around like"
The front suspension is the part of your car that helps smooth out bumps in the road and keeps the front wheels steady.
The front suspension is the system of parts at the front of the vehicle that connects the wheels to the chassis, absorbing shocks from the road and providing stability and comfort.
Honda Accord
"Peter if my old honda accord could make it down between new jersey and uh south of miami places That shall not be named back and forth a few times. I think you you'll probably you'll be fine"
The Honda Accord is a well-known car that many people use because it is dependable and easy to drive for everyday trips.
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfortable ride. It has been a staple in Honda's lineup for decades and is often praised for its longevity.
torsional stiffness
"No, we're gonna we're gonna have less torsional stiffness. I know you know like um... Like I really hope that that they um"
Torsional stiffness is how much a car’s body resists twisting when you drive. If it’s stiff, the car feels more solid and handles better. If it’s less stiff, the car might feel a bit loose or wobbly.
Torsional stiffness refers to a vehicle's resistance to twisting forces, which affects handling, structural integrity, and ride quality. Lower torsional stiffness can lead to more body flex, impacting driving dynamics.
fuel efficient
""cheap hyper reliable cars that were fuel efficient cheap to run and um... That were like very broadly appealing besides all of that stuff like they were fun to drive""
Fuel efficient means a car doesn't use much gas to go far. This helps save money and is better for the planet.
Fuel efficiency describes how far a car can travel on a given amount of fuel, often measured in miles per gallon (MPG). Cars like the Honda Fit are designed to use less fuel, saving money and reducing environmental impact.
smart packaging
""smart smart packaging and it's like, you know, it's like whatever if if... that is honda's core competency as a car like the fit... Where it's like ingenious packaging""
Smart packaging means designing a car so that even though it's small, it feels roomy inside and can carry a lot of stuff. The Honda Fit does this really well.
Smart packaging in automotive design refers to efficiently using interior space to maximize comfort, cargo capacity, and usability within a small footprint. The Honda Fit is known for this feature, offering versatile seating and storage.
core competency
""If there's a question about like whether honda kind of got away from what it's good at or or kind of lost sight of like what its core competency is with these cars like""
Core competency means what a company is really good at. For Honda, it's making certain types of cars that people like and trust.
Core competency refers to a company's main strength or expertise that gives it a competitive advantage in the market. In this context, it means what Honda is best known for or excels at in car manufacturing.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.