Posted on 10/05/2005 8:06:11 AM PDT by Cagey
WAKO, Japan (AP) -- 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.
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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.
"children and other family members"
What? Stuff 'em in the glove compartment too? :)
Something hanging off the passenger side window would be ideal.
And, Texas. Notice the dateline.
We call the marks our pooch leaves on the windows "schnozzles" at our house.
Seat belted to the floor where they can't look out the window?? Oh, yeah, this car is "dog friendly"! [not]
There's just something about a dog hanging his head out of a car window that right up there with Mom, Apple Pie and Chevrolet.
Actually the Honda Element is pretty good for pets and has a rubber floor. Both back seats "tumble" up out of the way for lots of floor space for pet carriers. I looked at a used one for that very reason, but ended up not buying it.
Great concept, although I'm not sure about the execution. It's a pain to outfit our minivan for a dog, even though it shouldn't be. And dogs trash cars, even minivans. Some kind of large, retractable, dog-proof section in the back of a minivan would be nice.
I drove from California to Washington DC back in 1984 with two miniature dachshunds in the car.
NEVER AGAIN.
Heidi slept in my lap all day while Bismarck barked at trucks from the back seat, then at night Heidi wanted to play while Bismarck took up the entire bed with his little stretched out body.
By the time I got to DC I was ready to kill them and they were ready to kill each other. My first official act was to kennel them.
20 years!!! My cats won't live that long.
..........as it will be in the shape of a fire hydrant ;-)
I'm waiting for them to become voters. Oh, wait! The Dims already do that in blue states. Never mind. ;-)
Do you REALLY think they're going to stay in the glove compartment? Honestly?
Hey, what about cats?
Redneck Version.
Probably in case of "accidents" ... easier to clean up ... .
A pet taxi is safer.
A sudden stop and cat or dog in the glove compartment will go FLYING! Need I mention vet bills after the accident?
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