14 April 2009 - 10:00
In their Element
Some say that dogs are a man's best friend. They're wrong, obviously - a magician monkey butler makes a far better friend - but still, catering for these four-legged fleapits is big business.
With more than 15 million dogs in Japan alone - that's more than there are children under the age of 13, presumably all fed on a diet of fillet steak, and carried around in designer handbags - it wasn't going to be long before someone designed a car specifically for them.
So along came Honda. Awarded 'Dog Car of the Year' 2007 by consumer pet travel advice website Dogscar.com - you couldn't make this stuff up - the new Element unveiled in New York had some unusual additions.
The Dog Friendly Element, as they call it, is fitted with a cushioned pet bed, pet restraint system, rubber floor mats with lovely toy bone pattern, spill resistant water bowl, rear ventilation fan and ‘dog friendly exterior emblems'. Once again, not making this up. There's even a ramp to help lazy dogs get in and out of the boot.
Scheduled to debut this autumn in Japan, it's guaranteed to get one section of the population to, er, sit up and take notice. Sorry.
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thats sooooooooo stupid what are they going do next a cat friendly car.
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Great idea! Bring it to the UK, Honda!!
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i'ld actually love to see a cat friendly car!!
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lol this is like one of their 'joke' cars that arent really gonna sell
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its completely pointless, but its cool and will fill up a space in the/a motor show. LOL I'd laugh if they put on sale though (they won't).
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The Element itself has been out for 4 years. Perhaps this is a run-out special? Guess I'd better... Fetch One!! Bwahahahahahahahahaaaa!!
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The Element itself has been out for 4 years. Perhaps this is a run-out special? Guess I'd better... Fetch One!! Bwahahahahahahahahaaaa!!
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Well this idea could sell, i don't see what's so wrong with keeping a dog in a regular car though. I really don't think they care that much. But still a nice bussiness idea, perhaps.
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i love dogs but its built as well as ford focas 1.6 diesel and just as interesting
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who ever did this article.. dogs are not fleapits at all.. thats probably coming from someone that doesn't own a dog.. but the car is a silly idea but fair enough some people might buy it... like those people who treat there dogs like their children (weird)
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What's wrong with a good old fashioned normal car? My dog's happy in any car as long as she can stick her head out of the window.
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I know this is an old post but...Now for a new comment! Forget about dogs! This Honda Element is ugly, I know, but it is a great driving vehicle, short wheel base, easy to handle in tight places....Cool! We love them here in the US....why don't you have them?
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Open Car Bar
speed-king commented on this article
14 April 2009
nice idea honda
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