Friday, November 30, 2012

Redone 2013 Honda Civic seems to appease Consumer Reports

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2013 Honda Civic undergoing first testing by Consumer Reports - video screencap

Consumer Reports and the Honda Civic appear to have kissed and made up. Following the compact's substantial "emergency refresh" after just one year on the market, CR got its hands on the vehicle for a quick drive. While the evaluation was far from the standard CR test, the organization found the 2013 Civic to offer a better tuned suspension and less vague steering at first blush. While the split-tier dash still hangs around for another few years, the cabin has ditched much of its oddly textured plastic bits in favor of soft touch materials with nicer detailing. That fact also won the new model points over its predecessor.

As you may recall, the 2012 Civic scored too low in Consumer Report evaluations to earn a "Recommended" rating. That fall from grace marked the first time the Honda model failed to make the cut, though that news didn't stop buyers from flocking to the vehicle. Consumer Reports will buy its own Civic and evaluate it once again soon. In the interim, you can check out the organization's initial impressions by scrolling down, as well as the brief writeup in the link below.

Continue reading Redone 2013 Honda Civic seems to appease Consumer Reports

Redone 2013 Honda Civic seems to appease Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: Art St. Cyr American Honda Vice President Product Planning and Logisistics, introduces the 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show Press Conference

Art St. Cyr American Honda Vice President Product Planning and Logisistics, introduces the 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show Press Conference

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: John Mendel American Honda Executive Vice President of Sales introduces Honda's 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show Press Conference

John Mendel American Honda Executive Vice President of Sales introduces Honda's 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show Press Conference

Source: hondanews.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

2013 Honda Crosstour tiptoes onto the floor

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2013 Honda Crosstour live reveal at 2012 LA Auto Show

Honda has pulled the sheet on the redesigned Crosstour here in LA, showing a car that is more refined, perhaps, than the outgoing model, but still not exactly what we'd call "a looker."

The usual suspects have been addressed in this refresh: the Crosstour's front fascia, fenders and side skirts have all been tweaked. The 2013 Crosstour will be available with both a 2.4-liter, 192-horsepower four-cylinder engine, and a more powerful, 278-hp 3.5L V6. Both engines are from Honda's new Earth Dreams family of powerplants and deliver better fuel economy - 22/31 city/highway miles per gallon for the four-banger - than last year's offerings.

Whether or not you care for the Crosstour's new mug (take a look at it on Honda's LA show stand in our attached gallery) you have to give it up to the company for making it easier than ever to buy, thanks to a lower MSRP. The Crosstour now starts at $27,230, which is $525 less than last year's model. Scroll down for a press release.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Crosstour tiptoes onto the floor

2013 Honda Crosstour tiptoes onto the floor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show


2013 Honda Civic at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan


2013 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan

Source: hondanews.com

Honda debuts the 2013 Civic that will fix everything

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Honda has officially unveiled the 2013 Civic at the 2012 LA Auto Show, complete with its substantially revised interior and exterior, which the Japanese automaker hopes will stem the tide of criticism levied at the completely redesigned 2012 model. Designers did away with the short-lived front and rear ends found on last year's ill-received Civic in favor of a look that borrows heavily from the attractive Accord line.

Buyers will now find Bluetooth hands free calling and streaming audio as standard equipment alongside a rear-view camera, USB port and redundant controls on the steering wheel, among other goodies. The price will jump by $160 across the line, however, which means the 2013 Honda Civic carries an entry MSRP of $18,165, plus a $795 destination fee.

The option sheet has bulked up a bit as well, with safety tech like lane departure warning and forward collision warning systems now part of the party. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as if the trick LaneWatch blind spot camera from the new Accord will make it to the mix.

Inside, designers gave the cabin more soft touch materials than before, though the dash still appears to suffer from a disjointed design, complete with multi-tier displays and a smattering of vents. Honda also claims its engineers took a crack at sharpening up the steering and suspension for a little more precision. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading Honda debuts the 2013 Civic that will fix everything

Honda debuts the 2013 Civic that will fix everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Honda Automobiles: 2013 Honda Civic Debuts at L.A. Auto Show Packed with Additional Features, Cementing its Class-Leading Status

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 29, 2012 – The 2013 Honda Civic debuted today at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show sporting extensive interior and exterior design upgrades, enhanced dynamics, and a host of new standard features. Honda also announced that the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid earned a class-leading EPA-certified 115 MPGe rating and will go on sale in New York and California on January 15 with an MSRP of $39,7801. Separately, the Accord Hybrid, featuring Honda's new two-motor hybrid system, will launch nationwide next summer with anticipated class-leading2 fuel economy of 49/45/47 city/hwy/combined. The thoroughly revised 2013 Honda Crosstour and 2013 Honda CR-Z also made their auto-show debuts.

"Our industry has never been more competitive or fast changing, and a significant refresh of Civic, America's best-selling compact car, just one model year after its debut as an all-new model shows true speed to market," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of Sales. "Our corporate direction is to provide our customers with great products with speed, affordability and low CO2 emissions. There is no better example of this direction than today's introduction of the 2013 Honda Civic."

The 2013 Honda Civic Sedan, the nation's best-selling compact car which celebrates its 40th anniversary in America next year, goes on sale today with extensive changes to further reinforce its market leadership. While still maintaining all the efficiency and value that has made the Civic an automotive icon, the 2013 Honda Civic Sedan receives all-new front and rear exterior styling, while all Civics sport extensive interior upgrades including more luxurious finishes, and a host of new standard equipment.

Retuned steering and suspension sharpen the Civic's handling, extensive chassis upgrades including Honda's ACE™ II body structure improve safety, ride comfort and interior quietness, and every Civic model has more popular standard features including Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, rearview camera, Pandora® Interface, SMS text message feature, and steering wheel audio controls. The 2013 Civic arrives with even greater value for money, adding highly desired feature with an MSRP increase of only $160 across the lineup. Pricing for the exceptionally well-equipped 2013 Civic LX Sedan begins at $18,1651.

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In and Accord Hybrid

Honda announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show today that the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid will be available for retail sale and lease beginning January 15 in California and New York, with an MSRP of $39,780.1 The 2014 Accord Plug-In has earned the highest EPA MPGe rating3 in its class (115 MPGe), surpassing plug-in-class competitors including the Ford C-Max Energi (100 MPGe), Chevy Volt (98 MPGe), and Prius Plug-in (95 MPGe). The 2014 Accord Plug-in has been rated by the EPA with a maximum all-electric EV mode range of 13 miles, and a fuel-economy rating of 47/46/46 mpg (city/hwy/combined). The Accord Plug-in is the first production car in America to meet the more stringent new LEV3/SULEV20 emissions standard, and it will also qualify for single-occupant carpool-lane access in California.

The two-motor Accord Hybrid will launch nationwide next summer, with anticipated class-leading2 fuel economy ratings of 49/45/47 mpg (city/hwy/combined). Unlike the unique styling of the Accord Plug-In, the Accord Hybrid will share styling much closer the conventional Accord Sedan. More details on the Accord Hybrid will be released closer to launch.

2013 Honda Crosstour and CR-Z

The thoroughly revised 2013 Honda Crosstour and 2013 Honda CR-Z made their auto show debuts today, both vehicles having gone on sale the previous week. The 2013 Honda Crosstour arrives with extensive updates to both four-cylinder and V-6 models, and a starting MSRP $525 lower than in 2012. The 2013 Crosstour offers more purposeful exterior styling, significant upgrades to the interior design and materials, and a more powerful, more fuel-efficient available Earth Dreams™ V-6 engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift control. The 2013 Crosstour is one of the first Honda models available with the new keyless Smart Entry with Push Button start and Honda's new LaneWatch™ blind-spot display. Other standard visibility-enhancing features include a rearview camera and new re-shaped rear headrests.

The 2013 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe arrives with more power and better fuel efficiency thanks to an all-new Lithium-Ion battery pack, and a new Plus Sport System™ allows improved passing performance via additional on-demand electric boost, activated by a steering wheel-mounted "S+" button. Styling upgrades include revised interior trim, a new front fascia and a new aerodynamically functional rear diffuser. The CR-Z's standard equipment list – which already includes automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry and cruise control – adds Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, rearview camera and an Expanded View Driver's Mirror for 2013.

For more media information and images from Honda's 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show debuts, please visit HondaNews.com.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): http://www.hondanews.com/
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
On Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Honda

1MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $790 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

2Among available mid-size hybrid sedans

3Based on 2013 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. 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; Pandora is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc

 

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Source: hondanews.com

Monday, November 19, 2012

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign


Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda Launches Annual Happy Honda Days Campaign, 'More Happiness with Every Honda'

The latest rendition of the "Happy Honda Days" holiday campaign begins today and features various amusing thank-you letters to Honda dealers from "Happy Honda Days" shoppers and their loved ones. These personalized stories playfully illustrate the happiness that comes with every Honda.

Developed by Honda's long-standing agency of record, RPA, six comical TV spots showcase the Honda product line and various standard features such as rearview camera, Pandora® internet radio or Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®.

"It's critical for our holiday campaign to break through the clutter during this time period, and we're confident that these lighthearted spots will stand out," said Susie Rossick, senior manager, regional marketing, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Because this is the ninth chapter of 'Happy Honda Days,' the phrase has become shorthand for dealers who rally around the concept each year and consumers who instantly recognize the name from a trusted brand and know it's a great time to buy."

Each spot opens on someone thanking Honda for giving their friend or relative a great deal on a new car. The narrator gives a detailed account of why the car is such a great purchase. For example, precocious Samantha loves getting rides in her big sister Laura's new Civic while rocking out to her USB-connected iPod® or doting Nancy loves her son Steve's new Pilot with its Bluetooth and rearview camera

Spots will air on high-profile network programs such as "Modern Family," "The Good Wife," "How I Met Your Mother," "The Office," "X-Factor," and on ESPN, TNT and TLC.

Creative will also be integrated on display ads running on car-shopping sites, network radio, two Spanish-language TV spots and print ads in national publications, including Entertainment Weekly, People, Sports Illustrated, TIME, Us Weekly, USA Today and Wall Street Journal. Dealers have access to customizable TV, print, radio, banners and social media assets. The campaign runs through January 2.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+honda

1Honda products are produced using domestic and globally sourced parts.

 

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Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days'holiday sales campaign.

Source: hondanews.com

Updated 2013 Honda CR-Z priced at $19,975*

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2013 Honda CR-Z - US spec. Blue, in studio shot.

Honda unveiled its updated CR-Z hybrid hatchback at the Paris Motor Show a couple of months ago in its Euro-spec configuration, and with improved performance and fuel economy promised to us under the bright Parisian lights, we have been waiting to see how the changes will affect CR-Z's US version. It looks like Honda has come through by giving the hybrid hatch more power, better fuel economy and refreshed styling, and it has done so while keeping its starting price under $20,000. The 2013 CR-Z goes on sale this week priced slightly higher at $19,975 for the base model and $21,655 for the CR-Z EX, (*neither price including a $790 destination charge). The outgoing 2012 model carried a base MSRP of $19,695, so Honda has almost managed to hold the line on pricing despite the content increases.

The biggest improvements to the CR-Z come courtesy of a once-over to many of the car's drivetrain elements, but the most important is a new lithium-ion battery pack. Compared to the nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) system previously used in the CR-Z, the 2013 model's Li-Ion battery has a higher 15 kW output which in turn helps increase the overall system output to 130 horsepower and up to 140 pound-feet of torque (increases of eight horses and 12 lb-ft). Even with this increased output, the fuel economy has also gone up a little, with manual transmission models now rated at 31 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, while CVT-equipped cars achieve 36 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. Other key drivetrain updates include a reworked manual transmission with a larger clutch and lower final drive ratio, and drivers can now take advantage of the new Plus Sport System that gives the hybrid system an extra boost of acceleration under certain conditions (battery charged to more than 50 percent and vehicle speed above 19 miles per hour) at the push of a button.

These upgrades are in addition to a handful of styling tweaks made to the car. Outside, the CR-Z has a fresher face with a reworked fascia and optional LED daytime running lights. Two new exterior colors, new wheels and a rear diffuser include the other main changes for the new model year. Honda has made similar small changes inside the CR-Z with new trim, redesigned door panels and added standard features like a rearview camera for that tricky split rear window, along with Bluetooth. As far as options go, new technology includes available Pandora and text messaging features, and the EX trim level's cabin now gets a sportier black-and-red color scheme.

It will be interesting to see if these changes can improve the car's frankly dismal sales. Honda has only sold 3,705 units being sold through October (down 64.7 percent year over year) making it Honda's worst-selling model this year. Scroll down to read the automaker's official press release on its new CR-Z.

Continue reading Updated 2013 Honda CR-Z priced at $19,975*

Updated 2013 Honda CR-Z priced at $19,975* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign.

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign.

Source: hondanews.com

Will Hyundai's MPG malfunction give ground to Honda?

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Hyundai sign with shadowy figure

One man's loss is another man's gain. The same notion can be applied to the automotive marketplace, where bad press for one brand presents an opportune time to capitalize for another. A new Bloomberg puts forth a potential automotive example of this - fallout stemming from the recent Hyundai and Kia fuel economy debacle. The Korean automakers were recently marred for incorrectly calculating their fuel economy data, resulting in the downward adjustment of the fuel economy figures for many of their most popular models.

While this represents a setback for Kia and Hyundai, brands like Toyota and Honda are looking to gain ground on the two Korean marques, which have been catching up to Japan's volume automakers thanks to their radically improved lineups.

In 2010, Hyundai began touting its lineup as the most fuel-efficient in America. This stirred emotions at Honda, a brand that had been the nation's top performer in fuel economy for 33 years. With this recent adjustment by Hyundai, Honda is evidently hoping to wear the fuel efficiency crown once again.

According to the report, the Korean automakers' errors came in the EPA's "coastdown" test, in which a test car is driven to 80 mph, put in neutral and "coasted" to 9 mph. Hyundai admits this part of the test was not performed correctly. According to Sung Hwan Cho, president of Hyundai's US technical center, "These were just honest procedure errors in a very complex testing process."

Adding to Honda's opportunity is the recently previewed 2013 Honda Civic, set to go on sale the same day it is revealed at this month's LA Motor Show. The 2012 model came in for harsh criticism from the automotive press, though the model's sales proved largely unaffected by the controversy. Industry analysts suggest that Honda's new (and presumably improved) 2013 Civic should put the automaker in prime position to reclaim both consumer mindshare and the industry's MPG crown.

Will Hyundai's MPG malfunction give ground to Honda? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: www.autoblog.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign


Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign


Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign


Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Source: hondanews.com

Honda Automobiles: Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign

Honda launches 2012 'Happy Honda Days' holiday sales campaign.

Source: hondanews.com