At this year’s New York Show Honda is previewing a new range of dog-friendly car accessories for the Element that will be available for order this fall. The canine-aftermarket lineup includes numerous components such as a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform, second row and cargo area pet restraint systems, a spill-resistant water bowl even seat covers with a dog pattern design and “Dog Friendly” exterior emblems.

For those wondering ‘why’, allow us to inform you – if you don’t already know- that according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., a staggering 39 percent of all U.S. households own at least one dog with the country’s dog population estimated at a whopping 74.8 million. The estimated total market value of all pet purchases, related products and services in the U.S. was more than $43 billion in 2008.