Honda‘s work developing its second-generation dual clutch transmission appears to be paying off, at least in Europe. According to Honda, customers have purchased more than 12,500 units with DCT since the technology was first made available on a production motorcycle with the VFR1200F in 2010.

The Japanese manufacturer now offers four models in Europe with optional DCT: the VFR1200F, the NC700X, the NC700S, and the Crosstourer. Honda also produces the Integra scooter (which shares the same platform as the NC models) but it is only available with DCT as standard. But for the models where Honda offers a choice, more and more consumers are choosing to go with the DCT system. Continue Reading »

Honda reported a 88.3% year-on-year decrease in net profit over its first quarter ended June 30, 2011, thanks in large part to the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunamis in Japan.

Honda reported a profit of 31.7 billion yen (US$411.1 million) over the quarter, a fraction of the 272.4 billion yen (US$3.53 billion) reported over the same quarter last year.  The decrease came mainly from a large dropoff in automobile sales.

Net sales from the motorcycle division helped keep Honda in the black despite a drop in unit sales. Honda reported a net income of 44.9 billion yen (US$582.4 million), a 43.5% increase from the net sales of 31.3 billion yen (US$406.1 million) from the same period last year. Unit sales were down 4.7% to 2.75 million units from 2.89 million units, but Honda was able to increase profits thanks to changes in its product offerings.

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