Cool work news for our small company.

[Eric Hahl]

Found out today that some big wigs from Honda in Japan will be visiting our humble little amusement industry go kart/bumper boat manufacturing business next week.

We've been using Honda engines in our go karts and gas powered bumper boats for 40 years and this is the first visit from them.

On the flip side...they could be coming to inform us that they will seize production of small engines. That would suck.

Well, it gives me an excuse to thoroughly clean up my office area.

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, I heard they are stopping, or have stopped producing gas powered lawn equipment. Hopefully they have a stock of the motors you use and you can stock up.

[MBAtarga]

Do you have a Harbor Freight nearby?

[Robert Coats]

Indeed, American Honda is no longer going to manufacture/sell walk-behind 21" residential mowers in the USA. My spies tell the heavy-duty HRC-series commercial mowers (also 21") may continue, but only as long as there is demand.

Small gas engines, single-cylinders from 25cc ~ 390cc, and V-twin models from 630~690cc, all available in both horizontal and vertical shaft versions, will continue to be sold in the USA; I've heard nothing to indicate otherwise.

FYI, the 160~190cc engines are cast, machined, and assembled at Honda's plant in Swepsonville, NC, while all other sizes are imported from other Honda plants, mostly Thailand.

[Zeke]

There is a lot of conflicting info about CA's small ICE ban. Under 25 HP lawn and landscape equipment seems to be the most affected. Any NOS can be sold as long as it wasn't made after Jan 1. '24. Existing equipment can be used and repaired as long as it is possible or the law changes.

Generators and large pressure washers, etc. are supposed to come under the ban in 2028.

I don't know anything about off road side by sides, and other off road vehicles. I haven't heard about motorcycles although ICE cars are supposed to be banned from new sales in 2035.

It's pretty jacked up against lawn care folks both for hire and private. But a homeowner should be able to do well enough with battery operated equipment as opposed to the professional with a multiple house daily route.

I expect enforcement to be nigh impossible. It has been with lead abatement.

[Eric Hahl]

I think we are safe. The engines we use are used for many different purposes. But hey, We've been making electric karts for over 22 years as well.