An SUV That's Gone to the Dogs

04.10.09 | FL News Team

A car maker has figured out there are a lot of dog lovers who want to take their pets wherever they go. With the New York Auto Show as the backdrop, Honda Motor Company has unveiled a pet-friendly version of its Element utility vehicle.

The Fido edition of the Honda Element has easy-wash seat covers, a fitted dog bed with restraints and a paw logo on the side. There is also a ramp to make it easier for dogs to get in the vehicle. Honda spokesman Sage Marie said the car was designed with the idea of safety and comfort. 

The automaker says it makes sense to incorporate dogs into their manufacturing plans. Senior product planner James Jenkins said Americans spend 41-billion-dollars a year on their pets. That figure is expected to rise to 52-billion-dollars in just two years.