Fresh off her Japanese IndyCar race win, Danica Patrick may be considering a possible run at F1. Back in 2005 Patrick had said:

"Every driver would love to drive a formula one car at some point in their life, so yeah. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a real, proper test.” Late last month she said she was "dead set" on giving it  a try at some point.

Nick Fry, chief executive of Honda's F1 team recently stated:

"We haven’t instigated anything, but if Danica wanted to be test driver then we’d be more than happy to talk about it.”

Full story here.

While Honda and others are reaping the benefits from selling loads of smaller cars, the makers of big trucks an SUVs are taking it it on the chin. In it's latest move GM will cutting one shift in all four of their factories that make full-size pickups and SUVs. The cuts will occur at Pontiac, Flint, MI;  Janesville, Wis; and Oshawa, Ontario.

States GM North America President Troy Clarke: “With rising fuel prices, a softening economy and a downward trend on current and future market demand for full-sized trucks, a significant adjustment was needed to align our production with market realities.”

Full story here and here.

Dodge Ram hurting too
AutoObserver points out that Chrysler LLC is spending more than anyone on truck incentives in order to move Ram trucks off dealer lots.

Dodge Ram: Spending Most for Incentives

Same with Toyota
High inventories of Tundras and Sequoias are hurting the "Big T."

Image: Patricia Beck / Detroit Free Press

Just the other day while out driving it seemed like at just about every other corner or block I was seeing a new Accord. I was thinking to myself that Honda must have struck gold with this latest makeover.

Well, it looks like I was right, as the new Accord outsold every vehicle—including the F-150, during the month of March. Perhaps a bigger surprise is the V6 model is selling in higher numbers than what Honda expected, even with the high gas prices.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Honda Accord Is the Best-Selling VEHICLE in March; Will a Car Win the Top Spot Again in April?

UPDATE: "What we have here is (a) failure to communicate..." Ah, yes, the famous quote from the 1967 film, Cool Hand Luke.

So, here's the scoop: Edmunds groups the Accord sedan, the Accord hybrid and the Accord coupe as one figure, because the vehicles are all marketed as "Accords." Toyota, on the other hand breaks out the Camry sedan (and Camry sedan hybrid) from the Camry Solara, because they are marketed as different vehicles. So with Toyota, you get two sets of numbers, one for the sedan and one for the coupe.

So with this "new" news, it appears that the Accord sedan probably (?) did not outsell the Camry sedan. As to the actual figures of the individual models, I don't have that info at hand.

In Japan Honda has announced a true "mini" minivan called the Freed. It's based on the Honda Fit, and will seat 5, 7, or 8 people depending on the configuration. It's powered by a 118 hp 1.5L engine, hooked up to a CVT.

Is this something Honda should consider selling this over here?

Here is a translated version of the French-speaking site Le Blog Auto that reported it, so bear in mind that there are a few goofy phrases in it. Winding Road is also reporting on this story here.

Boy, do you think this would fly over here? That being a navigation unit that warns you that you are about to enter a high crime area? You can bet that civil rights advocates would jump on this like bees at a honey festival.

I guess that's not considered a discrimination issue in Japan, and it will be interesting to see how Honda does with this. There's no word as to whether this will be offered in other markets.

Full story here.

I think executives at Honda's Swindon, UK factory having been eating too many Twinkies (or not enough Twinkies?), as they have banned many forms of chocolate and cakes from the workers break rooms. That's right, employees  no longer can chow down on these sweets while taking a bit of R&R at work.

A Honda spokesman said: "Our overall objective is to always deliver the highest quality product and we cannot compromise on achieving this."
He added: "Therefore our company standards are an essential aspect of our business."

Jim D'Avila of Unite told BBC News: "They've barred things like fruit or any product with a biscuit in it so it's got to the ludicrous state where a Mars bar is ok but a Twix bar, because it has a biscuit base, isn't allowed.

"Frankly they've lost the plot. The vast majority of people just can't believe that the company are being so picky in what they're doing."

Full story here.

There are stories up on the Net that, back in 1985, VW's Chairman Ferdinand Peich had wanted to buy Italian motorcycle maker Ducati. This was back when Ducati was in financial trouble, and could have been bought for a song.

...And apparently VW is still interested in acquiring Ducati according to a recent Bloomberg.com news item.

"I would still like a small, valuable motorcycle manufacturer," says Peich, who, at the age of 71, owns and rides a Ducati.

So, good idea or bad idea? Do you think that knowledge gained by having a bike partner could filter down to their automotive division, or vice-versa? Consider that Honda and BMW have motorcycle divisions, both of which have benefited by having that two-wheeled association.

It's April 15th folks, and you know what that means? Yep, Honda has announced the details on their new '09 Pilot!

Ha! Gotcha!

Like it or not, the new Pilot is a better vehicle in just about every way than the model it replaces. Here are some specifics from their media site:

Specs

Features

'09 vs. '08 Powertrain

Images

No word on pricing yet.

A week or so before the 2009 Honda Pilot was to debut, images of the production version have popped up on the Net. As you can see, not much has changed from the prototype that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. The headlights, taillights, fog lamps, wheels and tires, along with a few other details have been tweaked, but that's about it.

As to what's under the skin, I guess we'll have to wait until April 15, which is when that info will be released.

I know there's been a lot of teeth gnashing over the styling of the concept, but I predict it will be a big success in its market slot. Think not? Remember that the new CRV received similar criticism over its styling, and the CRV is mopping up its market niche in sales. I expect the same to happen here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Spy Photos: 2009 Honda Pilot

Edmunds.com is conducting another consumer comparison test.

We want you to test-drive these 2008 economy sedans:

Honda Civic, Mazda MAZDA3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Corolla

Just like our last consumer test, we will send you to Willow Springs Raceway in California where you'll get to test the cars in a number of situations.

All you have to do is write an essay telling us why we should choose you. Make it good because competition will be stiff.

You must be at least 21 years old to be eligible to enter, have a clean driving record and be able to travel to Los Angeles between May 13 and 15.

Good luck.

Apply here for the Edmunds Consumer Comparison Test.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor