Dog Friendly Element

John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, announced that the Honda Element will now begin chasing dogs - or more specifically their owners. This will be done through a new "Dog Friendly" version of the Element that is scheduled to debut in the Fall of 2009.

The Element is already considered the "Best Dog Car Ever" by DogCars.com. The new dog-friendly Element will transform the Element into the ultimate dog car by including built in a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components.

The Dog Friendly equipment was engineered specifically for the Element to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world's leading automotive safety systems suppliers.

Specific features of the new dog-griendly Element include:
•a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
•second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
•an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
•a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
•second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
•all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
•a spill-resistant water bowl; and
•Dog Friendly exterior emblems.