Today, one of the world’s largest performance parts companies, known as Trust in Japan and Greddy here in the States, declared bankruptcy. According to various reports, Trust is approximately $60 million in debt and, after reporting a serious decline in sales since February 2008 and amassing $43 million in loan payments, filed for bankruptcy in Tokyo District Court.

Trust has been around since 1976, employs almost 200 workers and had been dealing in everything from CARB-legal exhausts to turbo systems when Greddy Performance Products was founded in the U.S. in 1994. There are several firms that will step up to fill the need of enthusiasts, assuming that Trust doesn’t try to reorganize, but with the aftermarket industry down overall, we suspect this won’t be the last time we’ll hear about a large tuner going under.
source

Awful news. This will occur soon with other well known high quality companies as well sadly. Support the good jap brands by only buying them! Don’t support the cheap China made crap.

Let’s all hope they don’t rice it up!

Will be interesting to see how the manual lovers react.

http://fatlace.com/reign/?p=180

Full versions here

The S2000 CR (CR for “Club Racer”) introduces more track-oriented suspension settings, aerodynamic-enhancing bodywork, a removable hardtop, higher rigidity and reduced weight to the S2000 formula. The added features are designed to appeal to enthusiasts who enjoy open track day events and also provide a more ideal starting point for racers who modify the S2000 for competition in club racing events.

“Open track days and club racing events have rapidly gained popularity as new racing venues and dedicated organizations make track time increasingly more attainable,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The S2000 CR is designed as the ideal car to drive to the track, drive at the track and drive home from the track with minimal fuss.”

S2000 Summary:
2.2-liter, DOHC, 16-valve, VTEC 4-cylinder engine
(237 horsepower @ 7800 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 6800 rpm)
Close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission
In-wheel double wishbone suspension, front and rear
Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels
High performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050 215/45R17 front and 245/40R17 rear tires
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Electrically-powered soft top convertible (omitted on CR)
Leather-trimmed seating surfaces (except CR)
Standard air conditioning (available CR)
Standard AM/FM/CD audio system with 8-speakers (available CR)

S2000 CR Exclusive Features:
Firmer, track-oriented suspension settings for springs, dampers and stabilizer bars
Structural enhancements include rear body brace and steering gearbox brace
Quicker steering ratio of 13.8:1 (compared to 14.9:1)
Ultra-high performance Bridgestone RE070 tires, 215/45R17 front and 255/40R17 rear
Aerodynamic body kit for reduced coefficient of lift (Cl) and improved balance
Removable aluminum hardtop
Sport muffler
High-grip fabric seating surfaces with synthetic suede trim
Omitted items for weight reduction: convertible soft top, audio system (optional), air conditioning (optional), spare tire and jack, and sound insulation

S2000

As a quintessential roadster-style sports car, the S2000 is a performance icon for the Honda brand that combines racetrack-inspired performance with everyday usability. The front engine, rear-wheel-drive S2000 rewards driving enthusiasts with a potent 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a precise, short-throw 6-speed manual transmission, along with tenacious handling and an ideal 50/50 weight balance.

The renowned high-revving engine delivers 237 horsepower at 7800 rpm and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 6800 rpm. Perfectly complementing the engine’s output characteristics is a compact, longitudinally-mounted, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that features a direct linkage for precise shifting and quick throws. Additional performance features include a front and rear double wishbone suspension, electric power steering and a torque-sensing limited slip rear differential.

The S2000 comes with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). (VSA is the Honda brand name for electronic stability control.) While VSA serves to effectively enhance driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering, the system can be disabled with the touch of a button when conditions warrant. Air conditioning and an AM/FM/CD audio system are standard equipment on the S2000, optional on the S2000 CR for weight savings.

New for 2008, the S2000 has revised spring and damper tuning that subtly influences steering feel and high speed vehicle behavior. Inside, the minor changes include revised instrument panel meters and minor revisions to the seat design. Also, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has been added.

S2000 CR

The S2000 CR is an entirely new trim level for 2008. The lighter, stiffer and more aggressive overall design is engineered to maximize the S2000’s potential on a racetrack with the goal of substantially-improving track times, chassis balance and feel. Compared to the S2000, the factory-tuned S2000 CR provides more aggressive and track-oriented suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction, and aerodynamic spoilers tuned for reduced lift and enhanced chassis balance at high speeds. A removable aluminum hardtop replaces the convertible soft top.

The aerodynamic package reduces lift through large and specially-tuned front and rear spoilers. Exclusive chassis features include a quicker steering ratio, more aggressive Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires (in place of RE050 tires), a larger rear tire size, firmer springs and dampers, larger stabilizer bars and the S2000’s new wheel design in Kaiser Silver. A rear body brace has been added to the area previously occupied by the soft top, resulting in additional rigidity. Relative to the base 2008 S2000, cumulative weight savings total 51 pounds (hardtop installed) and 99 pounds (hardtop removed).

The exclusive interior is highlighted by black fabric seating surfaces with yellow stitching, a unique spherical aluminum shifter and carbon fiber-style trim panels. To save weight, air conditioning and an AM/FM/CD audio system are only available as factory-installed optional equipment.

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/898/releases/4099

“The 2008 Honda Accord adds popular features and enhancements while maintaining competitive, value-oriented pricing on every model,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “A new, innovative design with improved packaging and even more refined performance adds to the Accord’s strong foundation of historically high residual values, renowned manufacturing quality and legendary reliability.”

Compared to the outgoing 2007 Accord, the 2008 Accord pricing reflects a sales-weighted increase of approximately $600 (2.5 percent) across the entire lineup while adding approximately $1,400 in relative value through new standard features and enhanced equipment. All 4-cylinder models add Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), 11 horsepower (24 horsepower on Accord EX and EX-L Sedans and all Accord Coupes), rear disc brakes (LX), larger wheels and tires and audio system enhancements. The audio system enhancements include an MP3/auxiliary input jack, steering wheel audio controls (LX), MP3/Windows Media® Audio3 (WMA) playback capability and Radio Data System (RDS).

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/812/releases/4192

Completely redesigned for 2008 with increased dimensions for a more spacious interior, the sedan styling theme expresses a powerful presence with sharp and strong character lines. The coupe is further individualized with an aggressive stance and unique proportions that create a muscular, sporty demeanor.

“The all-new Honda Accord has become more advanced and refined with a new level of engineering sophistication,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “As the Honda brand’s flagship automobile, the Accord is designed to exceed expectations with premium technology, a more spacious interior and increased power, while retaining the fun-to-drive character and innovative feel that has always distinguished the Accord.”

An available 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine produces 268-horsepower - the most ever for any Accord - while introducing a new generation of fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology and achieving a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV1) rating. The VCM system operates in six-cylinder mode for power and 4- and 3-cylinder modes for efficiency, resulting in an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 19/292 miles per gallon (Accord Sedan V-6).

Also new for Accord, an Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure enhances frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights. Additional safety equipment standard to all Accord models includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as Electronic Stability Control; side-curtain airbags; dual-chamber front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front seat head restraints, anti-lock brakes and more.

The Accord is available in sedan and coupe body styles with 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engine choices. Available transmissions include a 5-speed manual (standard with all 4-cylinder engines), a 5-speed automatic (standard on sedan V-6 models, available with all 4-cylinder engines and V-6-powered Accord Coupes,) and a 6-speed manual transmission (exclusive to the Accord Coupe EX-L V-6 6MT).

Sedan trim levels range from the well-equipped Accord Sedan LX and plus-featured LX-P (177-horsepower 4-cylinder engine), to the nicely-equipped Accord Sedan EX (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 268-horsepower V-6 engine), to the premium and upscale Accord Sedan EX-L (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 268-horsepower V-6 engine). Coupe trim levels range from the well-equipped Accord Coupe LX-S (190 horsepower 4-cylinder engine), to the nicely-equipped Accord Coupe EX (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine) to the premium and upscale Accord Coupe EX-L (190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or 268-horsepower V-6 engine).

Powertrain
All 2008 Accord engines deliver increased horsepower across the board, along with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. In total, these power plants represent the most powerful and advanced technologies of any Accord in history, and are also projected to deliver excellent real-world fuel economy performance. All engines only require regular unleaded fuel. Powertrain highlights include:

2.4-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine (Sedan LX, LX-P)
177 horsepower at 6500 rpm, 161 lb-ft. of torque at 4300 rpm
5-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission
Estimated EPA fuel economy of 21/31 mpg City/Highway2 (Sedan, Automatic)
PZEV1 or ULEV-2 emissions

Accord Sedan EX, EX-L; Coupe LX-S, EX, EX-L includes :
High-flow exhaust system with variable-valve silencer
190 horsepower at 7000 rpm, 162 lb-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm

3.5-liter, SOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine (Sedan EX V-6, EX-L V-6; Coupe EX-L V-6: 5AT)
268 horsepower at 6200 rpm, 248 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm
5-speed automatic transmission
V CM for improved fuel efficiency
Estimated EPA mileage of 19/29 mpg City/Highway2 (Sedan)
PZEV1 or ULEV-2 emissions

3.5-liter, SOHC, VTEC V-6 engine (Coupe EX-L V-6: 6MT)
268 horsepower at 6200 rpm, 248 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm
6-speed manual transmission
VTEC provides two intake cam profiles for increased low- and mid-range torque
Estimated EPA mileage of 17/25 mpg City/Highway2
ULEV-2 emissions

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/812/releases/4112

In addition, Chrysler will recall about 72,333 model year 2008 Dodge Avenger sedans and Chrysler Sebring convertibles to ensure proper function of driver and passenger front-door latches and locks.

Separately, Honda Motor Co. said it was recalling more than 180,000 Civics from the 2006-2007 model year to fix a wheel-bearing seal that could leak and lead to a wheel falling off the car.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118982723180328577.html?mod=googlenews_wsj