For most of us, leap year is a day just like any other. So why do we go through all the trouble to have a leap year? Check out this video to learn all of the cool facts about this unique day.

Honda Comes Out Strong in Atlanta

A sold-out crowd of nearly 70,000 attended round eight of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship series this weekend in Atlanta, GA. Honda riders had an impressive showing with Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton finishing fifth and replacement rider Cole Seely finishing in sixth place in the Supercross class. It was also the second round of the East Lites class and GEICO Honda's Justin Barcia made it two wins in a row, while his teammate Justin Bogle finished third.

It was a frustrating start to the day for Team Honda Muscle Milk's Brayton, who is still recovering from his crash in San Diego. Brayton qualified eighth in practice but grabbed a sixth-place finish in his heat race. In the main, Brayton got a mid-pack start and battled the entire 20 laps, finishing a respectable fifth place.

Seely had a noteworthy ride aboard his Team Honda Muscle Milk CRF450R. After making a minor bike adjustment during practice, Seely was ready for the night. In the main he impressed everyone by grabbing the holeshot and leading the pack for the first seven laps. After falling back a few positions, he was still able to finish a solid sixth place.

"I felt confident with my performance going from the heat race into the main," said Seely. "In the main I got the holeshot and expected to see someone's front wheel within the first few laps but it didn't happen and I was able to lead for a while. I tried to hold a decent pace for as long as I could but I got a little tired and some of the other guys got by me. This race was good for me to see where I am in the Supercross class and it gives me more confidence going into next weekend."

GEICO Honda's Kevin Windham hit a milestone in his career with Atlanta marking his 200th Supercross start. Windham showed impressive speed with a fifth-place-overall qualifying time in practice, and a fourth-place finish in his heat. Unfortunately, a bad start in the main left Windham towards the back of the pack. He rode a noteworthy race, making his way up to eighth place.

"I knew as soon I came off the line that it was going to be a long night," said Windham. "Although it left a lot to be desired out there I am really focused on my accomplishment of being able to stick around this long. With such a competitive Supercross class it is hard to go out there and get a podium when you are up against a bad start. I am happy and grateful for everyone who has helped get me to this 200th start."

Current points leader and defending Lites East Champion Justin Barcia made his way to the podium as a winner for a second consecutive week. After posting the second-quickest qualifying time of the night, Barcia finished second in his heat race. In the main he dominated the field, grabbing the holeshot and never looking back.

"The night went really good for me," said Barcia. "I had good practices and a decent heat race, but I knew I could be up front in the main. The GEICO Honda CRF250R was running great and I felt awesome. I got the holeshot in the main and ran my own race. With two wins under my belt, I am ready to head into next weekend and make it a third."

GEICO Honda's newest rider Justin Bogle made his podium debut, finishing in third place in the Lites main. "The track was really good, a lot more technical than Arlington, which I think suits my riding style better," said Bogle. "I got a sixth-place start and was able to make some passes and capitalize on some mistakes. It was a great night and I'm excited for the rest of the season."

Supercross Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey
2. Ryan Villopoto  
3. James Stewart 
4. Davi Millsaps
5. Justin Brayton  (Honda)
6. Cole Seely (Honda)
7. Jake Weimer
8. Kevin Windham (Honda)
9. Brett Metcalfe
10. Nick Wey

Supercross Championship Points (after 8 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 180
2. Ryan Dungey 170
3. James Stewart 136
4. Chad Reed 128
5. Jake Weimer 106
6. Kevin Windham 105
7. Brett Metcalfe 100
8. Justin Brayton 96
9. Davi Millsaps 94
10. Mike Alessi 90

Supercross Lites East Main Event
1. Justin Barcia (Honda)
2. Blake Baggett
3. Justin Bogle (Honda)
4. Blake Wharton
5. Darryn Durham
6. Ken Roczen
7. Kyle Cunningham
8. Hunter Hewitt
9. Jake Canada (Honda)
10. Shane Sewell

Supercross Lites East Points (after 2 of 9 rounds)
1. Justin Barcia 50
2. Darryn Durham 38
3. Blake Wharton 36
4. Ken Roczen 35
5. Blake Baggett 28
6. Justin Bogle 27
7. Jake Canada 26
8. Hunter Hewitt 22
9. PJ Larsen 22
10. Lance Vincent 21

 

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom.

Thank you for this wonderful review!

"After disappointing experiences with other Honda dealers in West Houston/Katy area, did some dealer research and glad I did. Overall, the best new car buying experience I've ever had. The saleman Jon Moore was knowledgeable and honored the internet quoted price. The business manager, Ami Tran treated me like family and offered me a great financing package. I would highly recommend this dealer to all family and friends." -Frank1tx

Leap (year) into savings this weekend by redeeming our exclusive service coupon.

Print yours below today.

More outstanding reviews for Russell & Smith Honda!

"This dealer had tons of color/style choices in stock (unlike other dealers who only had 2-3 vehicles) and none of them had all of the "extra" stuff added." -KD

 

Read this full review and more on Google Maps.

Thank you to the author of this awesome review for providing their feedback!

"My reason for the glowing reviews is simple: R&S Honda put together an incredible deal on a CR-V in virtually no time. They beat out the competition and did it with style. At no time did R&S bring forceful or unfair pressure on me. They sold themselves and the SUV without having to trash other cars or the competition. To be frank, I was very impressed by both Micah and Memo who went above and beyond to keep in contact with me, answering their phones at all times, and working quickly and efficiently to get me a deal that floored every other dealership. I also want to make clear that this was an extraordinary deal and instead of telling me how lucky I was and what I was sacrificing to get it, R&S just told me they wanted my business. These salesmen were incredible professional and outperformed their peers. The same was true of Ami and the financing team who got me an extraordinary financing deal (literally half a percentage below my next best offer). Ami explained Honda's products to me, but never once pressured me." -Eduardo

2013 Honda Fit EV - Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program

If you’ve been following our posts on the 2013 Honda Fit EV, here is one you won’t want to miss! Check out this video below to see the Fit EV in motion and hear more about the program.

Take 10% off at your next service appointment

Four more amazing reviews for Russell & Smith Honda!

"We have received NOTHING BUT EXCELLENT care from the staff and maintenance with every visit." -cmkmolin

 

Read this review and more on DealerRater.

What Women Want at Car Dealerships

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, says WomenCertified

Treating women customers right is an issue that never seems to go away in the auto industry.

It’s not all about the hardware, says Delia Passi, an expert in marketing to women, the founder of WomenCertified and the CEO of Medelia Inc., of Hollywood, Fla. She’s also the former publisher of Working Woman and Working Mother magazines.

“She wants the same things he does. In the process, she wants to be treated with respect,” Passi said in a recent interview.

WomenCertified this month identified a list of dealerships that performed well with female respondents on customer satisfaction surveys, including the all-important measure whether they would recommend the dealership to others. Here’s a link to the WomenCertified list of car dealerships.

 

Courtesy of Forbes.

The Honda Presidents' Day Sale

Russell & Smith Honda is the place to be this Presidents' Day weekend for monumental savings!

Thank you for your feedback, Ellie.

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]"Ray Huddleston was very upfront about pricing and didn't try to hide any fees." -Ellie H.

RussHonda CR-V 2012 Commercial - 50 States

Have you started your leap list yet?

Tire Maintenance Tip

Using the simple penny test, you can determine if it's time to replace your tires. Depending on your driving conditions, there are 2 tests you can perform on your tires using a penny. For normal driving conditions, simply insert the penny into your tires with Lincoln pointing toward you and upside down. Insert the penny with Lincolns head pointed toward the tire. Then take the penny and stick it in several tread grooves on your tires. If part of Lincoln's head is always covered, then you have at least 2/32" tread wear left. Most state laws deem your tires to be worn out if the tread is less than 2/32".

For more extreme weather conditions, like driving in rain, ice or snow ... you will want to turn your penny around so that the Lincoln Memorial is facing you and is upside down. If your tread covers the top of the Memorial, then you've got at least 6/32" tread wear left. If it does not, then it's time to get new tires before making another trip out in these conditions.   Please stop by and visit with our expert service consultants to have your vehicle inspected by an expert.

A special thank you to Ray and Ami for giving this customer an exceptional experience!

"From the moment I submitted my inquiry online to Russell and Smith Honda for a 2012 Honda Civic EX-L, the service has been absolutely amazing! Ray Huddleston offered me a great quote online so I decided to come in and discuss further details. Ray took care of me and explained the drive out pricing concisely. I loved the car and price so much I decided to proceed with the financing. Ami took care of financing and explained all the options available. She was very detailed but never pushy, she is so friendly I felt like I was talking to one of my good girlfriends. Ami got me approved for a low interest rate to match the great price I was offered. So, as Ami said, I "autographed" all my paperwork and I was one step closer to driving out in my new car. After all the signing, Ray gave me a tutorial on my car's features. Overall the experience was stress-free and the customer service was superb. The experience could not have been more pleasant. I would highly recommend Russell and Smith Honda to all of my friends and family." -JSalinas

Honda Fit EV cars being tested by Google, Stanford and California city

Honda dropped off a fleet of 2013 Fit EVs last week to Google, Stanford University and the City of Torrance, Calif., as part of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program. All of the participants will conduct tests and log feedback for the company.

“The goal of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program is to better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with the advancement in battery-electric technology,” said Steve Center, vice president of the environmental business development office at American Honda.

“Honda's experience and the unique feedback that Google, Stanford University and the City of Torrance will provide will be valuable to the future introduction of battery-electric technology.”

Google will use the EVs as part of its G-Fleet, an employee car-sharing program that features a selection of plug-in vehicles. Google's portion of the test will analyze vehicle usage including carbon emissions, energy consumption and miles per charge.

Stanford will use the EVs to test recently developed theories about the psychological and physical reactions of using battery-electric vehicles and how they differ when driving a gasoline-powered vehicle. Honda says it hopes the research will help the company better understand customer acceptance of battery-electric vehicles and how to overcome obstacles related to the adoption of new technologies.

Honda introduced the 2013 Fit EV at the Los Angeles auto show in November and announced plans to lease the vehicle to customers in California and Oregon during this summer. An East Coast rollout is planned for spring 2013.

Honda says the Fit EV will go 123 miles per charge with its battery-electric powertrain. It has a 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a 92-kilowatt coaxial electric motor. It can be charged in three hours using a 240-volt circuit.

 

Courtesy of AutoWeek.

Valentine's Day Specials

Honda Odyssey Receives MotorWeek 2012 Drivers' Choice Award

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today that the 2012 Honda Odyssey has received the 2012 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award for Best Minivan. This is the sixth time the Odyssey has garnered the Drivers' Choice Award from MotorWeek, with Honda's benchmark minivan having won the award in back-to-back years in 1999/2000, 2005/2006 and now 2011/2012.

Designed and built¹ in the United States, the eight-passenger Odyssey features the highest EPA² highway fuel economy rating for an eight-passenger minivan of 28 mpg for Odyssey Touring. It has also earned the best possible safety ratings from both NHTSA (5-Star Overall Vehicle Score) and the IIHS (TOP SAFETY PICK), an achievement that no other currently-tested minivan can match.

"Beyond great packaging, class-leading fuel economy, unparalleled safety ratings and cutting-edge family-friendly features, the Odyssey was designed to be fun to drive." said Michael Accavitti, VP of marketing operations for American Honda. "Being honored with a Motorweek Driver's Choice Award for a second consecutive year confirms that the Odyssey remains the best minivan choice for those who truly enjoy driving."

 

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom.

Honda On Top Again At Anaheim Two

Round five of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship Series made its way back to Anaheim, California. For a second time this season Honda riders battled for the top podium position in front of a nearly sold-out crowd at Angel Stadium. Honda had an impressive night with GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac taking his third consecutive win, and TwoTwo Motorsports/Honda rider Chad Reed riding his way to a third-place finish. Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Brayton also had an impressive night, finishing in fifth.

After struggling the last few weeks to get the finishes he desires, Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Brayton was able to put together a very noteworthy ride at Anaheim Two. Brayton set the tone for the day during qualifying by laying down the fastest lap time, giving him first gate pick heading into the heat races. In his heat race Brayton got a good start, making his way to the front of the pack. He lead throughout the majority of the race but was eventually passed on the last lap, leaving him with a second-place finish. In the main, Brayton was able to put together a solid ride from start to finish. When the gate dropped he grabbed third place out of the first turn and battled the entire 20 laps, finishing a respectable fifth place.

“The day went really great for me, starting with a successful practice, which was able to set the tempo for the rest of the night,” said Brayton. “After the last few weeks of not placing where I know I belong, it was a great step in the right direction. We have been working really hard, especially on my starts because that is key to having a great race. This weekend was a confidence booster for me, but more than anything it was a relief knowing that all my hard work is starting to pay off.”

TwoTwo Motorsports/Honda rider Chad Reed had another successful night, leaving with a third-place finish and second place in the points chase. In heat one Reed finished second, followed by Supercross.com/Honda rider Andrew Short. Reed, who battled flu symptoms all day, got a second-place start in the main but was eventually passed and had to settle for third.

“It was a rough week for me, with myself and family being sick,” said Reed. “Despite not being 100 percent, I am happy with my third-place finish because I fought as hard as I could for a podium. We are ready to move forward and go into the next round positive and ready to take back the points lead and that red plate.”

For the third week in a row GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac dominated the Lites class and will go into San Diego with a 22-point lead. Tomac nabbed the holeshot in the Lites main event but was quickly passed by Cole Seely with Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda racing. Seely led the pack until going down on lap three but was able to recover and stay in second place, where he would remain the rest of the race. Tomac quickly capitalized on the mistake, taking the lead and running away with it.

“The day started off a little slow with practice. I wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be so that gave me a little fire going into the heat race,” said Tomac. “Going into the next round it is definitely nice having those 22 points as a cushion. I am going to try and keep getting good starts and try not to make any mistakes throughout the rest of the rounds. I am looking forward to San Diego since it is where I got my first Supercross win and is the home to my favorite football team.”
 
Supercross Main Event
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. James Stewart
3. Chad Reed (Honda)
4. Ryan Dungey
5. Justin Brayton (Honda)
6. Kevin Windham (Honda)
7. Davi Millsaps
8. Mike Alessi
9. Brett Metcalfe
10. Brock Tickle 

Supercross Championship Points (after 5 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 108
2. Chad Reed 105
3. Ryan Dungey 103
4. James Stewart 95
5. Kevin Windham 73
6. Jake Weimer 71
7. Andrew Short 59
8. Brett Metcalfe 57
9. Davi Millsaps 56
10. Justin Brayton 53

Supercross Lites West Main Event
1. Eli Tomac (Honda)
2. Cole Seely (Honda)
3. Marvin Musquin
4. Dean Wilson
5. Nico Izzi
6. Michael Leib (Honda)
7. Mat Moss
8. Vince Friese (Honda)
9. Travis Baker (Honda)
10. Martin Davalos

Supercross Lites West Points (after 5 of 9 rounds)
1. Eli Tomac 113
2. Dean Wilson 91
3. Marvin Musquin 84
4. Cole Seely 79
5. Zach Osborne 67
6. Nico Izzi 62
7. Tyla Rattray 60
8. Jason Anderson 54
9. Ryan Sipes 53
10. Matt Moss 53

 

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom.

Great job, team!

"I just purchased my 4th Honda (my 3rd from R&S) and my buying experience gets better with each purchase. Until I made the switch to R&S Honda, I had never thought of new car buying as something to look forward to. My "personal financial adviser" Janet Cousins, always goes the extra mile to make me feel like a VIP each time I come in to trade for a newer model or to just visit while having the car serviced. But this time was different. I did not intend to buy another car when I visited R&S that fateful afternoon. No, this time I only wanted to sell my Pilot for enough to pay it off and hopefully have a little cash left over. Circumstances were such that we had an extra vehicle in the family and certainly did not need another one at this time. So while the used car dept, was looking over my Pilot to come up with an offer, I stopped in to see my good friend Janet. When I told her what I was doing she suggested that "just for fun" I let her run the numbers. She asked what kind of deal she would need to come up with for me to change my mind and buy a new car that day. I gave her a set of criteria (low monthly payments, nothing down, and something that was fuel efficient and sporty). I was sure she could not meet the conditions I gave her. Never bet against Janet. The next thing I knew, John Huffman was showing me the Insight which met or exceeded all my conditions. And by the time he explained to me what a special car it is, and let me drive it, I was in love. My new bright red Insight is my answer to my "mid-life crisis" need for a sexy, fast, smart car. And at 41+ mpg, and payments that fit my "semi-retirement budget" once again R&S went above and beyond to make this buying experience even more enjoyable than the previous ones. Thanks again to Janet Cousins, John Huffman and Stephen Gonzales for also making it fun." -George E.

The 2012 DealerRater Honda Dealer of the Year is...

...Russell & Smith Honda!

 

Thank you to our loyal customers for your great feedback and to our amazing staff for all that you do.

Thank you to the author of this stellar review.

"My car buying experience with Russell& Smith Honda could not have been better. Everyone from the sales staff to the business department displayed the kind of professionalism that should serve as a model to anyone in sales. The sales team is relaxed but vigilant and attentive. I never felt pressured or anxious about buying my car. My salesman (Fred Leber)was knowledgeable about the models I looked at, made sure I understood the terms of the agreement once I made a decision, and ran through the car's control panels with me before I left the lot. The senior sales manager stopped by to greet me during the final stages of completing the deal. I would recommend this dealership to anyone. Ask for Fred." -laurasheehan

More great reviews for Russell & Smith Honda!

We are finalists for the 2012 DealerRater Dealer of the Year Award and are proud to have earned two more stellar reviews on DealerRater. Great job, team!

"Ray and Ami are certainly assets to the Russell and Smith Honda group and I highly commend them for their professionalism." -Cynthia S.

Click here to read more or leave your own review.

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

2012 U.S. News Best Cars Awards

The 2012 U.S. News Best Cars Awards are in! We're proud to carry these 2012 winners.

 

Best Cars for Families:

Best SUVs and Minivans for Families:

Russell & Smith Honda eCoupon

Our new coupon is up - exclusively for you. Come see us soon!