Honda Getting Into the Mini-Jet Business with its HondaJet

Honda has been working for over 20 years on its HondaJet, and now has decided to go into business with Piper Aircraft to sell the six-passenger (plus one pilot) mini-jet by 2010. The company says it will start taking orders this Fall for the jet (seen here in its custom Gizmodo livery), which will cost somewhere between $1.5 million and $4 million.

This little pocket rocket has already flown at 43,000 feet at a speed of 450mph. And in the grand tradition of Honda automobiles, it's 5% more fuel-efficient than its competitors, according to Michimasa Fujino, a vice president of Honda Research and Development Americas, who has led the jet's development. Plus, the jet's wing-mounted engines makes its interior the roomiest in its class.

Looks like just the right size to fit our intrepid Gizmodo team, taking us on necessary adventures far and wide. Note to self: order one asap. – Charlie White

Honda forms aircraft unit, aims to sell jet in 2010

TOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co. (7267.T: Quote, NEWS, Research) said on Tuesday it has set up a subsidiary in the United States to sell, produce and further develop its seven-person micro-jet, with a goal of delivering the first mass-production HondaJet in 2010.

The wholly owned unit, called Honda Aircraft Company, will be based at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, where the prototype HondaJet was assembled and test-flown over more than three years, it said in a statement.

Japan's third-biggest auto maker last month announced long-awaited plans to enter the aviation industry, saying it would start taking orders for the HondaJet this fall. It has entered a wide-ranging alliance with Florida-based Piper Aircraft Inc. that would include sales and marketing of the new plane.

HondaJet is the result of 20 years of aviation research at Honda, best known for its cars and motorcycles, and promises improved fuel economy, a larger cabin and higher cruising speed than conventional jets in the same class.

Honda Jet - Photos

http://hondajet.honda.com/