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.
That is too hilarious!
My dogs and cats have paid scant attn to the TV - even when there are animal noises coming out of it.
I've never had a dog that cared about the TV before this one.... but Gidget actually does watch it for hours if Animal Planet is on.... or certain other things. And she knows what she's watching, it's not just shapes to her... she recognizes a dog versus something else on the screen, and sticks her face right up to it. She likes Gollum because of his voice and exaggerated facial expressions. And she lunges and growls at the TV during baseball and golf... because it's guys swinging weapons. Don't know where she got that one. Also cops... - anyone who is strutting with any kind of aggressive posture... which isn't really a good thing ;~D.
Don't think I've noticed them. The Fords in the '90s got ugly - including the wimped-out nose-down (a`la Japanese) look and tapering cab. Ford got away from that - undoubtedly cuz the proof the "new-fashioned" look/feel stinks was there when Dodge w/their awesome old-fashioned look and size threatened/outsold every1 while Ford slumped - strange since Ford always was best while Dodge was worst.
I'll have to see the Chevies. Maybe they just heightened the beltline and somewhat shortened the cab?
LOL - wow, I wish my current GS had the "guard" instinct against real people Gidget has w/TV pictures!
I had a cat who as a baby would sometimes watch the TV - it was a "big 1" in the old days w/the big cabinet around it, so the TV was on the ground. I have a pix of Dutch sitting tightly bound square center front of it as a kitten. He is so cute! But I think as he got older, he cared less.
1 of my bro's old college roommates - and I mean in college, ages ago - had a few cats and 1 of them was aware of the TV. They had on car-racing and it was hilarious - the cat got up on the TV top and looked at it upside-down, then pawed desparately at the cars going by! LOL!
My dogs do, sometimes. One especially likes nature shows where a lion, or some other predetor, chases its prey and catches it. She perks up, glues her eyes to the TV, and barks until the chase is over. I have no idea which side she is rooting for.
It's a great way to make sure your dog is well socialized. I used to leave my TV on all day and when I came home my dog would be "sitting" on the sofa watching FOX news.
My 16 yo daughter is restoring a DATSUN 280Z, with the old in-line engine. It's a 4-speed, without air, but it already has a fabulous stereo, she installed! My wife is our mechanic, and her mentor.
I just drive them, and pay the bills...
(Picture before wife changed to Euro style headlights. My girls just like to have fun...)
I haven't seen one of the new ones on the road yet, only the brochures... my dad was buying a new truck, and after he saw the brochures of the 2006, he went out of his way to find a 2005 that was still on the lot. It's all Chevy vehicles this year... they all have this chop-top PT Cruiser kind of look.
I like the old trucks too, before they started looking too much like cars. I think the traditional Ford 250 is about the prettiest truck on the road. It looks like you could actually drive it and use it like a truck. Who wants plastic or painted bumpers on a truck?
(Don't get me going on plastic painted bumpers - period!)
Lordy, my sister had a 280Z I guess late '70s or early '80s. Then they brought up the ZX and instantly every1 forgot there was ever a plain "Z"! Irritating!
thats great but does your average dog have the cash or even a good enough credit rating to afford one or am i going to have to pay for it like with my kids
It's the Japanese cars that are the dogs.
Our two schnauzers went on vacation with us this summer. We put a look-out perch (block of foam covered in sherpa) in the back seat of the Tahoe, put a harness on the dogs (duel purpose used for walking and as a restraint in a vehicle), used a connecting tether to connect the harness to the seat belt, and those boys were good to go. Add in window shades (to block the bright sun from heating them up), two pillows, and a Gulpie bottle; the 2400 mile round trip was pretty mellow. :-)
ping
Think your dog will fit in the glove box? LOL!
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