Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Surprise Parade Yesterday Celebrated Honda Owner of Norway, Maine, Who Accumulated One Million Miles
Yesterday, Honda hosted a surprise parade in Saco, Maine, to celebrate Joe LoCicero's amazing accomplishment of hitting one million miles on his 1990 Honda Accord. The parade interrupted a brief press conference where Joe was scheduled to receive an oversized key to a new 2012 Honda Accord from Ms. Maine, Ashley Marble.
The city of Saco was the venue for a one-block-long celebratory "Million Mile Joe" parade that featured:
- giant odometer float powered by six people spinning life-sized hamster wheels;
- airplane banner congratulating Joe;
- Biddeford High School student-made floats;
- Westbrook High School marching band and color guard;
- Saco Middle School Marching Band;
- Shoestring Theater stilt walkers; and
- over-the-top costumed characters.
While the typical driver clocks about 14,000 miles per year, Joe does that in about three months. Joe's 1990 Honda Accord has taken him one million miles over the past 15 years, a feat that speaks to the reliability of his Honda as well as the dedication of its driver to reach this unique milestone. As Joe approached the one-million-mile mark, Honda fans have been following his journey on www.millionmilejoe.com.
Joe's million-mile journey is a showcase for the reliability of Honda automobiles, a quality that has been a part of the automaker's DNA for over 50 years. Joe's model, the Accord, continues to lead industry reliability rankings and recently was named Best Resale Value in its class by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Additionally, the Accord has been named to the prestigious Car and Driver 10Best list a record 25 times.
"Joe's journey is a testament to his Honda's reliability and how people have come to count on Honda for more than 50 years to get them to where they need to go," said Tom Peyton, Honda brand manager for American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda wanted to tell Joe's story because of his astonishing driving habits and detailed record keeping. Joe drives an average of 62,500 miles a year and began keeping detailed records at around 300,000 miles. Joe has taken more than 661 photos of his odometer.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Honda revamps its Insight Hybrid with new design, engine enhancements
Cheapest hybrid available in U.S. boasts best fuel economy for under $20,000
Honda's revamped Insight Hybrid claims to add more value to a car that boasts the best fuel economy for under $20,000.
The 2012 Hybrid, from $18,350, has been treated to a new look inside and out, with more high-tech styling reminiscent of the Chevrolet Volt, including a restyled grille and restyled bumpers which add a two percent increase in aerodynamic performance.
Inside, interior refinements include better head and leg room in the rear, new premium fabrics and a redesigned dashboard 'with a more technically sophisticated appearance.'
The model is powered by a 1.3-liter gasoline engine and a 10-kW electric motor, which has been enhanced with friction-reducing measures and a new transmission system to make it more efficient.
The new Insight Hybrid offers a combined fuel economy rating of 42 mpg (5.6 l/100km), up from 41 mpg and -- in Honda's words -- "the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000."
Those willing to push past the $20,000 mark to splurge on the Insight EX model ($23,540) will also get an upgraded navigation system complete with rear-view camera and more memory for music files.
NY Daily News
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Civic Natural Gas—formerly known as the Civic GX—is now easier for drivers to enjoy than ever
Designed with the same attention to detail and customer satisfaction found in the rest of the 2012 Honda Civic family, the Civic Natural Gas—formerly known as the Civic GX—is now easier for drivers to enjoy than ever. Not only does it offer affordability, with an MSRP of just $26,155, but it’s also currently on sale at 200 dealerships in 35 states across the country; the 2011 version was sold only in California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma.
That makes the car a strong alternative for drivers who want to dramatically reduce their carbon footprints without dramatically reducing their bank balances. Consider: Just by running on clean-burning compressed natural gas, the vehicle is able to reduce CO2 emissions by some 25 percent as compared to one with a traditional gasoline-powered engine. In fact, the Civic Natural Gas is the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is so eco-friendly that it qualifies for single-occupant access in the “carpool” lanes in California and other states.
Further, Honda engineers also worked diligently to get more mileage out of the car’s fuel source. The 2012 Civic Natural Gas owns EPA ratings of 27 mpg city/38 mpg highway/31 mpg combined, representing improvements of 12.5 percent in city mileage, 5.5 percent in highway driving and 10.7 percent in combined fuel-economy performance. The car incorporates Honda’s latest ECO Assist technologies as well, allowing drivers to get the most out of these increased capabilities with a selectable driving mode specifically tuned for enhanced efficiency and a suite of feedback resources that “coach” more economical driving.
The Honda Civic Natural Gas is still the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger vehicle manufactured and sold in the U.S.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana Starts Production of All-new 2012 Civic Natural Gas Model
Greensburg plant to increase production of the natural gas-powered Civic
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) today marked the start of mass production of the all-new 2012 Civic Natural Gas as it moves to increase production of the alternative-fuel Civic to support an expanding network of certified Civic Natural Gas dealers across the U.S. Engines for the Civic Natural Gas will continue to be supplied by Honda's engine plant in Anna, Ohio.
HMIN will ramp-up production of the Civic Natural Gas (formerly the Civic GX) during the 2012 model year to meet anticipated increasing demand for alternative-fuel vehicles. The added production will support Honda's growing network of U.S. Honda dealers qualified to provide retail sales and service support for the Civic Natural Gas, expanding from 72 Honda dealers in four states to nearly 200 dealers in 36 states, including one new Honda dealer in Indiana.
The 2012 Civic Natural Gas is powered by the cleanest internal combustion engine ever certified by the U.S. EPA and is the only OEM-made natural gas vehicle available for retail purchase in America. It is part of Honda's growing portfolio of advanced environmental technology vehicles which include three hybrid models, the world's most advanced fuel cell electric vehicle, the FCX Clarity, the Fit EV electric vehicle and a Honda plug-in hybrid car, both launching in 2012. The fully redesigned 2012 Civic Natural Gas model goes on-sale October 18, 2011, with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $26,155.
"We're extremely proud Indiana is the home for this all-new Civic Natural Gas," said Jun Nishimoto, HMIN President. "As the sole producers of the Civic Natural Gas, our associates in Greensburg are making an important contribution to Honda's global effort to reduce CO2 emissions and advance the deployment of vehicles that can help the transition away from gasoline to cleaner and more sustainable alternative fuels."
Honda's Greensburg, Indiana, plant is one of only three auto plants globally to earn a Platinum Award for quality from J.D. Power and Associates in 2011. The plant began production of the all-new 2012 Civic Sedan in April of this year and reached full, one-shift production of new Civic Sedans in early September, following the parts supply disruption caused by the earthquake in Japan in March.
HMIN is now making final preparations to double its capacity, from 100,000 to 200,000 vehicles annually, with the start of two-shift production on October 24, 2011. HMIN has hired nearly 1,000 new associates to support the move to two-shift production.
Multiple Benefits for Civic Natural Gas Owners
The Indiana-made Civic Natural Gas offers multiple user benefits, including significantly reduced operating costs compared to gasoline. In Indiana, for example, natural gas from public refueling stations currently costs on average $1.85 (on gasoline-gallon-equivalent basis) or roughly half the cost of gasoline. Also, public entities in Indiana—such as school corporations, municipalities, cities and townships—are eligible for $2,000 state-issued grant for each new alternative-fuel vehicle purchase.
As an alternative-fuel vehicle with extremely low smog-forming emissions, the Civic Natural Gas currently also qualifies for single-occupant access to High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) "carpool" lanes in California and several other states. And natural gas, as a low-carbon fuel, emits 25 percent less CO2 emissions than gasoline when used to power an internal combustion engine.
Featuring new styling, enhanced performance and increased fuel economy, the redesigned 2012 Civic Natural Gas can now also be equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System featuring an exclusive database of publicly-accessible Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling stations across the United States.
The 2012 Civic Natural Gas is powered by a specially designed version of the same 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine found in the 2012 Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe models and has an EPA-rated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 27/38/31 miles per gallon (gasoline-gallon equivalent), up 12.5 percent in city driving and 5.5 percent on the highway compared to its predecessor. The 2012 Civic Natural Gas also incorporates the Honda ECO Assist™ system, an innovative technology that can enhance efficient vehicle operation at the touch of a button, while also providing visual feedback to the driver to promote and confirm a more fuel-efficient driving style.
Standard equipment on the 2012 Civic Natural Gas includes the new "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that provides a convenient platform for integration of vehicle information and compatible personal electronics with a driver-oriented, 5-inch color LCD display and intuitive steering wheel controls.
All models also come equipped with Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for wirelessly connecting compatible mobile phones, and a USB audio interface for compatible music players.
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana
Honda Manufacturing Indiana, LLC (HMIN) in Greensburg, Indiana, became Honda's fourth auto plant in the U.S. and its seventh in North America when it began production of Civic Sedans in October 2008. The plant marked production of its 100,000th Civic in February 2010. With employment approaching 2,000 associates and capital investment exceeding $550 million, HMIN today produces the Civic Sedan for markets within and outside of North America. HMIN is also the exclusive manufacturer of the Civic Natural Gas. HMIN started operations as a zero-waste-to-landfill factory and maintains one of the lowest environmental footprints of any automobile plant in Honda's global production network.
Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to the Civic Natural Gas, Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, including vehicles powered by advanced gasoline engines, as well as gasoline-electric hybrid, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicles.
Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.
In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Ridgeline Is Here to Stay
I would like to lay to rest any rumors about the future of the Honda Ridgeline. In no uncertain terms, the reports in the media that we have plans to discontinue the Ridgeline pick-up truck are false. To the contrary, Ridgeline has a significant role in the Honda line-up and it is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Ridgeline was developed to meet the needs of our customers. They have told us that it is important to offer a pick-up truck and Honda will remain committed to both the vehicle and the segment. Evidence to that fact is that we have announced the new 2012 Ridgeline will receive fresh styling cues, improved fuel efficiency, and even a new Sport model that promises to attract attention.
Winning both North American and Motor Trend Truck of the Year, Ridgeline was launched to critical acclaim. It offers a combination of passenger and cargo-hauling capability, on-road dynamics, and great packaging with its exclusive in-bed trunk, which remains completely unique in the truck marketplace. Most recently the 2011 Ridgeline has continued to receive industry-leading scores in the midsize pickup segment, achieving a #1 rating in 2011 J.D. Power IQS and APEAL studies.
And, while it is too early to talk publicly about the details of our future plans for Ridgeline, I can reassure that it will continue to build onto its fundamental strengths, and will remain an important part of the Honda product portfolio.
Sincerely,
Sage Marie
Manager, Honda Truck Product Planning
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Don't forget about these great incentives going on through October 31st.
We have tons of great deals going on NOW thru October 31, 2011.
Please visit our website for more details! (see link for website below) http://rshonda.com/view/Ho nda-Incentives
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
2012 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe Promotes Performance and Fuel Economy
The CR-Z is available in two models – the well-equipped CR-Z and the feature-rich CR-Z EX. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available. Standard features on the CR-Z include Vehicle Stability Assist, an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, and more.
The CR-Z EX adds High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights with Auto-On/Off, fog lights, a 360-Watt AM/FM/CD Premium Audio System with seven speakers including subwoofer, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System3 with voice recognition.
Technological Sophistication Inside and Out
The exterior’s “one-motion” wedge form begins at its low-slung hood to form a broad forward stance. A side profile with a deeply inset beltline adds a dynamic element, while the short wheelbase and large, wide front grille accent the vehicle’s athletic look. Exterior colors include Crystal Black Pearl, Milano Red Pearl, North Shore Blue Metallic (exclusive to CR-Z), Premium White Pearl and Storm Silver Metallic.
A high-tech appearance and intuitive controls define the interior. Instrument panel meters illuminate with a three-dimensional blue color theme resulting in a multi-layered appearance. Set against textured black materials and aluminum-style trim accents, the upper portion of the dashboard extends toward the driver to provide a wraparound cockpit environment. Premium sport-oriented seats are designed to provide firm lateral support along with everyday driving comfort. A mid-ship console behind the front seats optimizes cargo space, and a hard-shell separator can be closed to create additional hidden storage.
The CR-Z features a six-speaker, 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with an auxiliary input jack for connection to a portable audio player, and all models include a USB audio interface4 for connecting an iPod5 or other compatible audio device. Other audio features include speed-sensitive volume control and CD/MP3 text readout. The radio data system shows supplemental programming information from participating radio stations while also offering search-by-genre capability (not available on the CR-Z EX with navigation).
The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™3 is available on the CR-Z EX model and features a 6.5-inch display. The navigation system database includes more than 7-million points of interest and integrates the audio system. The voice recognition feature is capable of inputting numbers, street names and cities, in addition to more than 600 commands. Data storage is via a single DVD that contains information for the entire United States.
Performance and Efficiency
The CR-Z hybrid powertrain is a unique variation of Honda’s original IMA technology , which originally debuted on the 2000 Honda Insight, the first hybrid vehicle available for sale in North America. The system utilizes a four-cylinder, 16-valve, single-overhead cam engine with “intelligent” Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) that receives additional power from the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system’s DC brushless electric motor. The system delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower at 6000 RPM and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 1000 to 1750 RPM (123 lb-ft. at 1000 to 2000 on CVT-equipped models).
The 10-kilowatt electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to improve efficiency. When starting on steep inclines from a stop with the manual transmission, hill start assist temporarily prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards during the moment between releasing the brake, depressing the throttle and releasing the clutch.
EPA-estimated fuel economy6 is 35/39/37 city/highway/combined mpg on CVT-equipped models and 31/37/34 city/highway/combined mpg on manual models. The CR-Z is rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) in states that adhere to California Air Resource Board (CARB) ZEV standards (EPA Tier 2, Bin 2 in all states).
Three-Mode Drive System
Activated via three backlit buttons to the left of the steering wheel, the three-mode drive system allows the driver to select between individual modes of performance for Sport, Normal and Economy driving styles:
- Sport mode enhances engine throttle responsiveness, electric power steering effort and the electric motor power assist.
- Normal mode standardizes steering, engine response, motor assist and air conditioning settings.
- Econ mode can increase the potential for enhanced fuel efficiency by optimizing throttle angle for smooth acceleration, lower engine rpm and limiting power and torque by approximately 4 percent (except at wide-open throttle). It can also reduce the air conditioning’s overall load on the engine and modify the cruise control to operate more efficiently.
Safety by Design
The CR-Z demonstrates a commitment to safety in its design and construction. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure helps protect vehicle occupants in a frontal collision. Additional safety technologies include: standard dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; standard front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbags, active head restraints; an anti-lock braking system (ABS); a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle.
Sport-Tuned Chassis
The front MacPherson strut and rear H-shaped torsion beam suspension are tuned to provide a sporty driving experience. All models are equipped with 16x6-inch aluminum wheels with 195/55R16 86V tires, while accessory 17x7 alloy wheels with 205/45R17 84V tires are available. The standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) uses ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. The low vehicle height and placement of the battery and other hybrid components beneath the rear cargo area further contribute to a low center of gravity and responsive, sporty handling. Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering enhances steering performance and improves efficiency.
Warranty
The 2012 Honda CR-Z is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new-car limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.
CR-Z Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing2
CR-Z (6MT) $19,545
CR-Z (CVT) $20,195
CR-Z EX (6MT) $21,105
CR-Z EX (CVT) $21,755
CR-Z EX (6MT) with Navigation $22,905
CR-Z EX (CVT) with Navigation $23,555
Additional media information, including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of the 2012 Honda CR-Z, is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.
Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda CR-Z (for consumers): automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/
Honda CR-Z on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hondacr-z
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
1Environmental Protection Agency list of 2011Most and Least Fuel Efficient Vehicles, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml
2MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $770 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
3The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the CR-Z EX in the United States, except Alaska. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
4The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
5iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPod not included. Compatible devices include fifth-generation iPods and later and iPod Nano.
6Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
Third-party trademarks: The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.