[Did Honda have other options?] No, ... We are clearly focused on open wheel racing. |
Clearly we have a focus on open-wheel racing. In this decision process, there was no other consideration. The only discussion was whether to stay or leave. |
Honda has made it very clear that our preference is to have competition. Having competition is a way of challenging our engineers to develop a superior product. |
Honda has made it very clear that our preference is to have competition. We welcome competition, but we understand that we may be the only manufacturer involved in the near term. We are OK with that. |
Honda originally elected to compete in the IRL because we recognize the series is the pinnacle of open-wheel racing in this country, |
Honda views its commitment as significant, and we believe that it will form a foundation upon which the IRL community can build on. |
I can tell you that we've been very pleased with the relationship we've had with the Indy Racing League, what we've gotten out of it today. We're not looking to leave. |
It has been another great year for Honda in the IRL. We've faced increased competition from both Toyota and Chevrolet this season, along with the challenges of opening of our new facility in Santa Clarita, California. This achievement is a tribute to the tremendous hard work and dedication of all our associates at HPD, our teams and drivers, and our technical partners. |
It seems like every team we've ever had a relationship with has contacted us. |
It's been a quite a challenge, actually. We put a lot of thought and study into our ability to support the entire field. We made the announcement with a calculated decision that, yes, we could and so we've been following that plan. |
Jeff is a well-respected member of the community and will be of great assistance to the board and Connie in the future. |
Ms. Lau has an outstanding record of achievement at American and is successfully transforming the bank from a retail thrift to a full-service community bank. |
Now that the direction of things seems to be more clear, it's time for Honda to consider what they are going to do. |
Our desire is to be involved in a series as we view as the pinnacle and the premier open-wheel racing series, ... and see that as maybe a priority over the need to have competition. |
Strong loan and deposit growth and the bank's ability to control deposit costs more than offset margin compression pressure from the flat yield curve (in 2005). |