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