By Associated Press
Published October 5, 2005, 5:45 AM CDT
WAKO, Japan -- Honda Motor Co. has designed a car that's friendly for dogs -- part of the Japanese automaker's ongoing effort to create vehicles that are easy to use and comfortable to ride in.
The W.O.W. Concept, which stands for "wonderful openhearted wagon," shown to reporters recently, is an exhibition model with no plans for commercial sale that will be exhibited at the Tokyo auto show later this month.
A special crate for dogs in the glove apartment allows owners to interact with their pets while driving. A bigger crate pops up from the floor in the back seat area and can be folded back into the floor when it's not needed. For even bigger dogs, just buckle them up with a special seat belt to the floor.
The big danger for pets riding along in cars is that they get thrown out during a crash. About a fifth of Japanese households have a dog, and demand is growing for cars that cater to man's best friend, according to Honda.
The W.O.W comes with removable, washable, rollout flooring and has wide sliding doors to keep dogs happy.
"We created this vehicle from the point of view of a dog, but it turned out to be a gentler vehicle for the elderly, children and other family members," said Honda designer Katsuhito Nakamura.
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IndyStar.com Business
October 7, 2005
Portable pets
Honda may make it easier to take pooch for a ride
The Wall Street Journal
TOKYO -- Japanese demographers see a worrisome trend in the decline of the country's fertility rates and the boom in pet ownership. Honda Motor Co. sees a growth market.
At the Tokyo Motor Show this month, Honda will reveal a concept car designed for dog owners. The glove compartment converts into a carriage for a dog the size of a dachshund. For bigger pooches, the second of three seat rows changes into a pen. Floors are paneled instead of carpeted. "It's easier to clean up the mess," says senior designer Takeshi Yamaguchi.
The minivan, for now, is a trial model developed to test consumer reaction. Honda officials haven't disclosed specific plans to market a production version.
At the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens to the public Oct. 22, Honda also plans to announce a line of "Travel Dog" car accessories for sale in Japan this year. Pet carriers for small dogs start at $220, while a $440 "pet cargo cover" turns the back of a van or wagon into a dog bed.
Honda also has been holding dog talent shows at which owners are encouraged to test-drive the cars with their pooches.
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Picture caption:
Front and center: Honda calls its pet-friendly concept W.O.W. (for "wonderful openhearted wagon"). Among other features, its glove compartment becomes a pet carriage. It will be displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show. - KOJI SASAHARA / Associated Press