Thai Floods Force Honda to Halve Production at U.S. and Canadian Plants, New 2012 CR-V to be Delayed

After Toyota, Honda is the next Japanese carmaker to announce significant production cuts at its North American plants due to component shortages caused by three months of disastrous flooding in Thailand.

And is the case with Toyota, the production cuts for Honda come just as the company was recovering from the effects of the March earthquake and tsunami.

Honda said that as the flooding in Thailand continues, a number of its suppliers in Asia are currently unable to maintain parts production to its assembly plants in the U.S. and Canada.

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All-New 2012 Honda CR-V: First Official Photos of Production Model

Over the past few months we've brought you pictures of camouflaged prototypes, the loosely disguised concept and even the patent designs of the next 2012 Honda CR-V, but today, thanks to our tipster Andy Ye, we bring you the first official images of the final production model.

Not surprisingly, the styling changes over the concept CR-V we saw this summer are restricted to the matte finish of the plastic cladding on the body, the smaller wheels and the clear graphics on the headlamps and tail lamps.

Honda has previously said that its new SUV will be "more sophisticated and dynamic" than its predecessor while also offering improved interior space and versatility as well as a suit of new technologies.

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Honda to Debut Production Versions of Pure-Electric Fit and 2012 CR-V in Los Angeles

[2010 Honda Fit EV Study pictured above]

The 2012 CR-V won't be the only brand-new production model from Honda to make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16th as the Japanese automaker announced that the 2013 Fit EV will also be displayed in final form.

Honda had presented a thinly disguised concept of the Fit EV exactly a year ago at the 2010 edition of the LA Show. The production variant of the pure-electric Fit will be closely modeled after last year's study and is expected to keep its lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor.

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Honda to Reduce Production in Japan by 50% Over the Next Decade

The rising yen, which hit a 10-year high against the Euro last Tuesday while also getting stronger against US dollar, has forced Honda to rethink its production strategy.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told Japanese daily Asahi that the company plans to compensate by cutting its domestic production by half in the next decade. The move is part of Honda’s plan to sell 80-90% of its vehicles produced globally in local markets so as to be less vulnerable to currency fluctuations.

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