Honda Automobiles: Executive Changes Reflect Evolving Role for Honda in North America

Honda today announced several key executive changes
effective April 1, 2013, that reflect the increased and evolving responsibilities that the Honda
North American Regional Operations have assumed within Honda's global business.

- Tetsuo Iwamura will remain as president of Honda North America, Inc. (HNA), COO of
North American Regional Operations and president and CEO of American Honda Motor
Co., Inc. Iwamura, who serves concurrently as the executive vice president, executive
officer and representative director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will add new responsibilities
as the COO of Automobile Operations and risk management officer for Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd.

- Hidenobu Iwata will become president of Honda North America Services, LLC (HNAS), a
new shared services company to be established effective April 1, 2013. Iwata will remain
in his current positions as president of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. (HAM) and senior
managing officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

- Bob Nelson will become president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) in
Greensburg, Ind. Nelson is currently a senior vice president at HMIN and has been with
Honda for 25 years, including 23 years with Honda of America Mfg., Inc. in Ohio.

- Jon Minto will become president of Honda Engineering North America, Inc. (EGA),
Honda's production engineering company in North America. Minto is currently a senior
vice president with EGA, which is based in Marysville, Ohio, and has been with Honda for
more than 20 years, including at Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM)

- Dan Smith will become president of Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, Ontario, a
division of Honda Canada Inc. (HCI). Smith is currently a senior vice president at HCM
and has been with Honda for 28 years, including 26 years with Honda of America Mfg.,
Inc. and Honda Engineering North America, Inc. in Ohio.

- Jerry Chenkin will become president and CEO of Honda Canada Inc. (HCI) in Markham,
Ontario, outside Toronto. Chenkin, currently executive vice president of HCI, has been
with Honda for 38 years.

In conjunction with these executive appointments, Honda will strengthen the leadership
function of its North American regional operations under HNA and HNAS to enhance the ability
to deliver high quality products to the customer more quickly and efficiently.

The changes will help achieve this through more efficient management and quicker decision
making, and by merging some of the support functions common to multiple Honda companies
in North America under one roof. Both HNA's leadership function and HNAS will be located on
Honda's Marysville, Ohio, campus.

In 2012, Honda outlined key strategies that increased the role played by Honda's sales,
manufacturing and R&D operations in North America within Honda's global business. The
changes announced today are the next step in this direction.

"These organizational changes will improve the speed of decision-making and the
efficiency of our business operations," said Tetsuo Iwamura, chief operating officer of Honda's
North American Regional Operations, which includes the U.S, Canada and Mexico. "Our global
customers desire new, exciting and affordable automobile, motorcycle and power equipment
products, and these changes will enhance our ability to quickly bring our customers' dreams to
the market."

Since its founding in 1987, HNA has served as a coordinating entity for such operations
as legal services, corporate audit and risk management. In its evolving role, HNA will house
several members of senior executive management responsible for strategic oversight over
North American sales, manufacturing and R&D for the company's product lines. HNA has
offices in Torrance, Calif., Marysville, Ohio, Detroit, Mich., New York, NY and Washington, D.C.

HNAS, the new shared services company, will be based in Marysville, Ohio, with an
additional office in Torrance, Calif. HNAS will provide many of Honda's common support
functions in North America, and streamline coordination of Honda's R&D, manufacturing,
purchasing and sales functions as they relate to the introduction of new products.

Most Honda associates (employees) assigned to these entities will be located on the
Marysville campus in Ohio, but others will remain at other facilities throughout North America.
Current Ohio-based associates will remain in Ohio. It is anticipated that fewer than 50
associates involved in support and strategic functions at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in
Torrance, Calif., will transfer to HNA and HNAS over the course of the next fiscal year
beginning April 1, 2013. The formation of HNAS and changes to HNA are not expected to
result in additional employment.

About Honda

Honda established operations in America in 1959, and now employs more than 33,000
associates in its North American sales, R&D and manufacturing operations with a capital
investment of more than $22 billion.

Based on its longstanding commitment to "build products close to the customer" Honda
operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda
and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and
power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines,
using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Seven Honda auto plants in the North American region, including four in the U.S., have the
capacity to produce 1.63 million automobiles each year. In 2012, 90 percent of the Honda and
Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America. This will increase to 1.92
million vehicles per year in 2014, when the sales percentage of locally produced automobiles is
expected to rise to more than 95 percent.

Honda R&D Americas, Inc., (HRA) operates 14 facilities in North America and is responsible
for "complete product creation," of advanced automobile, powersports and power equipment
products and technologies. Since 1990, HRA has researched, designed and developed more
than 20 all-new automobile models.

Honda media contacts:

Jeffrey Smith, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (310) 781-5062 Jeffrey_Smith@ahm.honda.com

Ron Lietzke, Honda of America, Mfg., Inc., (937) 644-6627, ron_lietzke@ham.honda.com

Connect to Honda:

Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com

Honda of America Mfg., Inc. (Press Room): www.ohio.honda.com

Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news

Honda in America: http://www.hondainamerica.com

Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/americanhonda

Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/honda

Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda

Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews

Honda Website: http://www.honda.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/

On Google+

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/e48c417b-0f87-4f8f-941a-958cdfd736c6

Honda Automobiles: Honda Fit Wins Two "Best Cars For The Money" Awards From U.S. News & World Report

The 2013 Honda Fit has won two U.S. News & World Report "Best Cars for the Money" awards. The highly-versatile and fun-to-drive Fit was named "Best Subcompact for the Money" and "Best Hatchback for the Money" among 2013 vehicles sold in the United States.

"The Fit brings truth to the concept that big things can come in small packages," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With an amazingly roomy interior, snappy styling, great driving dynamics and industry-leading Honda quality, Fit proves that small cars can provide value well beyond their size."

The "Best Cars for the Money" methodology combines quality and value data into a composite score. Within each of 21 award categories, the vehicle with the highest score is named the "Best Car for the Money" in that category. Quality is measured by the overall score a vehicle achieved in the U.S. News car rankings at the time the awards are published. The rankings, updated monthly at www.usnews.com/cars, compare cars on the basis of safety, reliability and a consensus of industry experts' opinions. Value is measured by a combination of a vehicle's five-year total cost of ownership and the average price paid for the vehicle at the time the awards are published.

Winner of multiple industry awards due to its class-leading safety scores, fuel economy ratings, versatility, residual value and overall excellence, the Honda Fit has built a loyal following over seven years and two generations. The 2013 Honda Fit earned a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), received a 2013 Residual Value Award from ALG and a 2013 Best Resale Value Award from KBB.com; was recognized as a "greener choice of 2013" by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE); and Fit is a seven-time Car and Driver magazine "10Best Cars" award winner.

Though the Fit has an overall exterior length of just 161.6 inches, a surprisingly roomy and versatile interior provides an impressive 90.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. There's comfortable seating for up to five passengers, and behind the rear seats, there's 20.6 cubic feet of storage space - much more than you'd find in a typical sedan.

For enhanced versatility, the exclusive 60/40 split rear Magic Seat® offers multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations. With its one-motion dive-down functionality, it can fold flat into the floor to provide a maximum 57.3 cu-ft. of rear cargo volume. Compared to any other vehicle in the subcompact class, the five-passenger Fit provides the lowest, flattest cargo floor and the most cargo volume. The Fit's interior thus can easily be converted to tall-object mode or long-object mode based on the shape of the cargo.

Standard comfort and convenience features include air conditioning, cruise control, remote entry, a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, a USB audio interface3, an auxiliary audio input jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), power windows, power mirrors, power door locks and a security system.

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

 

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/9c974aaf-4755-44fc-aa3a-fc159fe7e7f8

Honda Automobiles: All-new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Earns Highest Safety Ratings in Midsize Class

The completely redesigned 2013 Honda Accord Coupe has earned the highest available safety rating – a 5-Star¹ Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2013 Accord Coupe is the only vehicle in its class to earn a NHTSA 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating with GOOD ratings in all test modes. For model year 2013, all tested Honda models have earned a TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS (only the Civic Coupe, FCX Clarity and Fit EV have not been tested).

"The Honda comprehensive approach to vehicle safety is validated by these top-level safety ratings," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. "The 2013 Honda Accord truly excels in all areas, delivering the best overall safety ratings, while also providing exhilarating performance, outstanding comfort and top-class fuel economy."

The Accord Coupe earned the 5-star Overall Vehicle Score by garnering a 5-star rating in each seating position in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) frontal, side-barrier, and side-pole crash test categories, as well as a 5-star rollover rating. The 2013 Coupe joins the Honda Accord Sedan in earning an Overall 5-Star Safety Rating under NHTSA's testing.

In addition to its NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score designation, the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan is the only car in its class to earn a GOOD rating in all IIHS test modes, including the Institute's aggressive, new small overlap frontal crash test. Under the IIHS' testing program, the new small overlap frontal crash test—sometimes called a "narrow offset" test—is designed to replicate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole at high speed.

Beginning with the 2013 Honda Accord, Honda is applying the second generation of the Honda Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™ II) body structure to its models. This reinforced frontal structure further enhances frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique collision modes.

New standard and available safety and visibility technologies in Accord models such as Back-Up Camera, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Watch help increase driver awareness in the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle.

In addition to the Honda next-generation Advanced Compatibility (ACE II) body structure, passive-safety features offered as standard equipment on the 2013 Accord include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, and new SmartVent™ front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. The new SmartVent side airbag construction helps mitigate the risk of injury to occupants that may be positioned in the deployment path of the side airbag. SmartVent also allows heating of the passenger seatback on EX-L and Touring models.

Honda Safety Leadership

Honda has a long history of leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies and designs to enhance the safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians. The company operates two of the world's most sophisticated crash test facilities and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, airbag technology, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety. This commitment to safety is rooted in the longstanding Honda goal to be a company that society wants to exist, and it complements the company's leadership in reducing vehicle emissions, improving fuel efficiency and advancing alternatives to gasoline.

Connect with Honda:

Media Newsroom (for journalists) http://www.hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-fit-ev

For consumers: www.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

Instagram: http://instagram.com/honda

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+honda

¹Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side-impact air bags (SABs). Vehicles tested under this program cannot be compared to model-year 2010 and earlier vehicles. Ratings can only be compared with similar ratings on model year 2011 and later vehicles if rated under the new program

Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/2db3083a-7d8d-421c-8c9e-a0ea395ebbb6

Honda Automobiles: Honda Expands Fit EV Leasing to Select East Coast Markets

The all-electric 2013 Honda Fit EV, first launched in California and Oregon in July 2012, is coming to select East Coast markets later this month, American Honda announced today. The Fit EV will be available for lease at Honda dealerships in selected markets in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. Customers will be able to lease the ultra-efficient, spacious and fun-to-drive Fit EV for a period of three years at a cost of $389 per month.

The 2013 Honda Fit EV, part of Honda's diverse portfolio of alternative-fuel vehicles, has a combined adjusted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe¹, an EPA-rated driving range of 82 miles, and a low energy-consumption rating of just 29 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles.  

"Expanding the availability of the ultra-efficient Fit EV to the East Coast is the next logical step in Honda's strategic and customer-focused approach to growing the market for low-CO2, sustainable mobility technologies," said Steve Center, vice president of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office. "Combining Honda's extensive EV experience with customers–which began 15 years ago with the Honda EV Plus–with the real-world feedback from early Fit EV lessees in several different markets will help us prepare for growing adoption of electric vehicles."

Based on the award-winning five-door, five-passenger Honda Fit, the 100-percent electric Fit EV features a 20-kilowatt-hour (kWh) Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery and a compact 92-kilowatt (123 horsepower) AC synchronous electric motor that generates 189 ft-lb of torque. This efficient powertrain is teamed to a chassis with a fully-independent suspension and a driver-selectable 3-mode drive system. The result is a fun-to-drive EV with an EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82-miles¹.

An onboard charger allows the vehicle to be plugged into any household-type 120-volt outlet (dedicated GFCI outlet recommended) or an available 240-volt AC power supply. When connected to a 240-volt circuit, the Fit EV battery can be recharged in less than three hours from a low charge indicator illumination point³. When connected to an outlet, charging can be started or stopped with an included Fit EV interactive remote control, through an available smartphone application or through the internet on a personal computer.

Already available since July 2012 for lease-only in select California and Oregon markets, the Fit EV is offered at a lease price of $389 per month² over a three-year term, computing to a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,625. Customers interested in leasing or learning more about the Fit EV are encouraged to sign up at www.FitEV.Honda.com.

Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to the Fit EV, Honda's diverse portfolio of alternative fuel vehicles has included numerous technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions including the first EV leases in California (1997 Honda EV Plus), the retail introduction of America's first hybrid (1999 Honda Insight), delivery of the first fuel-cell electric vehicle in the U.S. (2002 Honda FCX), four generations of the Civic Natural Gas (first introduced in 1998) and the first gasoline-powered vehicles in the hands of consumers to meet stricter emissions standards. Honda has also 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 15 consecutive years.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists) http://www.hondanews.com/channels/honda-automobiles-fit-ev
For consumers: www.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
Instagram: http://instagram.com/honda
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+honda

¹132/105/118 city/highway/combined miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) rating; 82 mile combined (city/highway) driving range rating (adjusted).  Ratings determined by U.S. EPA.  Your MPGe and range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.  For additional information about EPA ratings, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-electric-label.shtml.

²Subject to limited availability through October 2014 in designated market regions on approved credit through American Honda Finance Corp. Closed end lease for 2013 Honda Fit EV for well-qualified lessees meeting specific use and operation requirements. Not all applicants will qualify. No purchase option at lease end. MSRP $37,415 (includes destination). Excludes tax, title, license, registration, options and insurance. Zero capitalized cost reduction. Total monthly payments $14,004.00. Lessee responsible for non-routine maintenance, excessive wear/tear and up to $0.20/mi. over 12,000 mi./yr. Lease includes collision coverage, routine maintenance, roadside assistance and navigation system updates

³ From low-charge indicator illumination point to full charge

 

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/276fbe38-0e11-4dc0-bae0-a4ef7a161c2b

Honda Automobiles: Honda ECO Assist™ Named to Green Car Journal's Top 10 Green Car Technology List for 2013

Honda's innovative and interactive ECO Assist™ fuel-efficiency coaching technology has been named to Green Car Journal's Top 10 Green Car Technology List for 2013. Short for "Ecological Drive Assist System", Honda's ECO Assist™ is available on some of the most popular Honda models, including the 2013 Civic, CR-V and Accord.

Honda's ECO Assist™ technology can help drivers develop driving habits that enhance fuel efficiency by observing the speedometer background's response to driving practices. Fuel-saving behaviors like smooth acceleration and braking make the meter glow green. Less fuel-efficient driving habits will cause the meter glow blue-green, while aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel cause the meter to glow blue. In addition to the ECO Assist™ technology, drivers can also engage the green, dash-mounted "ECON" button to further optimize control of the transmission, engine and other powertrain elements to help conserve additional fuel.

"Honda developed the driver guidance and driver feedback functions of ECO Assist to help drivers improve their fuel economy, and in turn, to also benefit our environment," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. "The visual nature of the technology is intended to help drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making it a more fun and rewarding experience."

On Honda hybrid and alternative fuel models, a fuel efficiency scoring function located in the gauge-cluster's Multi-Information Display (MID) provides further feedback about cumulative, long-term driving style. The MID also allows drivers to view fuel economy figures for the past three trips, as well as instantaneous and average fuel economy statistics. The scoring function encourages drivers to take an interest in developing fuel efficient driving habits over the long term and rewards their efforts with growing foliage.

The Green Car Technology Award™ honors important enabling technology helping to create a new generation of fuel-efficient, alternative-fuel, or low-emission vehicles. Technologies considered for the award range from advanced powerplants and drivetrain components to on-board systems that work toward increasing efficiencies, reducing petroleum use or improving environmental impact. Qualifying technologies must be in use by vehicle models currently on the market today.

"Honda's ECO Assist system was selected as a Green Car Technology Award finalist for its innate ability to help drivers enhance their fuel efficiency," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and www.CarsOfChange.com. "In an era of increased demands on environmental performance from consumers and government alike, we wanted to highlight the innovative technologies like ECO Assist™ that make their incredible achievements possible."

Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to the ECO Assist™ system, Honda is committed to further advancements in fuel efficiency, with a focus on the broad application of technologies such as VTEC™ and Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™), and the expanded application of Honda hybrid technology. In October 2011, Honda debuted a new lineup of advanced gasoline engines using new 'Earth Dreams' powertrain technology, which will serve as the foundational technology to advance the fuel efficiency of Honda and Acura vehicles. Honda has also 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 15 consecutive years.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): 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+

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/3c9ba5e2-508f-4c4f-982c-1e94e9554d9a

Honda Automobiles: Honda January Sales Gain Powered by Award-Winning Accord; Acura Sales Increase Again Fueled by RDX and ILX

American Honda today reported January 2013 U.S. sales of 93,626 units, an increase of 12.8 percent compared with January 2012. The Honda brand posted January 2013 sales of 84,137 units, an increase of 12.7 percent compared with January 2012. Acura U.S. January sales of 9,489 units increased 13.2 percent compared with January 2012.

Sales of the all-new 2013 Honda Accord were up more than 75 percent from last year - with 10,000 more Accords sold this January than in January 2012. The totally revised Accord has already become one of the most decorated vehicles in Honda history, garnering a host of awards that include being named for a record 27th time to Car and Driver magazine's 10Best Cars list, as well as winning key comparison tests against its mid-size rivals in comparisons from Car and Driver and Cars.com/USA Today/"MotorWeek".

Honda
- Sales of the all-new Accord are up 75.2 percent from last January with sales of 23,924 units
- Reflecting key changes, the new 2013 Crosstour sees sales jump 38.2 percent from last January
- Pilot sales are up 16.3 percent compared with last January, with sales of 7,405 units

"The all-new Accord has the Honda brand right where we left off in 2012 - powering significant sales gains in the new year," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of Sales. "With our strongest vehicle lineup ever and continued sales momentum, we're optimistic 2013 will be a great year for the Honda brand."

Acura
- RDX sets its ninth-consecutive monthly sales record, up over 181.6 percent from last January with sales of 2,489 units
- MDX was the top selling Acura model in January, with sales of 2,575 units
- ILX was again the top selling Acura sedan in January with sales of 1,558 units

"Acura's newest products continue to drive our sales momentum as we begin a new year," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura Sales.  "With the positive reception of the all-new Acura MDX Prototype in Detroit, and the upcoming launch of our new flagship RLX sedan, Acura is poised for even greater success in 2013."

The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 25 days for January 2013 and 24 days for January 2012. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 25 days for 2012 and 24 days for 2011. All percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.automobiles.honda.com. For media inquiries please visit www.hondanews.com. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries please visit www.acuranews.com.

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/b05b9fb9-5d99-42ed-852a-d6d114b54758

Honda Automobiles: Honda Brings Forza Horizon Racing Action to 2013 Chicago Auto Show

Honda is bringing the year’s biggest racing game to the 2013 Chicago Auto Show with the launch of Forza Horizon on Xbox 360. Chicago Auto Show attendees will have the opportunity to play the game’s new downloadable Honda Challenge Car Pack  in the Honda booth located in the South Hall Feb. 7 thru 10. With the Honda Challenge Pack, players will have the option to race three, distinct performance-oriented Honda models: a new 2013 Civic Si Coupe, an original 1986 Civic Si, and the Honda Performance Development B-Spec Rally Fit.

In addition to playing the new game, attendees can virtually race against Honda IndyCar driver Scott Dixon and try to beat his fastest time in a 2013 Honda Civic Si. The "2013 Civic Si Challenge" contest awards the fastest racer the opportunity to meet the Indianapolis 500® winner in-person and receive a custom Civic Si-themed Xbox 360 gaming console.

Starting on Feb. 15, a photo contest will launch on the Forza Horizon online community encouraging players to submit photos taken in-game of the 2013 Civic Si. The best photo will be featured on Honda social media channels and on the Honda web site. Winners of the photo contest will also receive a custom Civic Si-themed Xbox 360 gaming console.

About Honda

Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. In 2013, Honda marks 40 years of the Civic model, with more than 30 years of producing automobiles in the region, which began with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio in November 1982. Having produced more than 25 million vehicles in North America through 2012 using domestic and globally¹ sourced parts, Honda currently operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.

Connect with Honda:

Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com

For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/civic/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HondaCivic

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.

About Forza

Celebrate speed, music and style at the Horizon Festival! Forza Horizon combines legendary Forza authenticity with the freedom of the open road. Forza Horizon is exclusively on the Xbox 360 and is now available in a Limited Collector’s Edition ($79.99 U.S.) and a Standard Edition ($59.99 U.S). The game is rated "T" For Teen by the ESRB. According to MetaCritic.com Forza Horizon is the highest-rated racing game on the Xbox 360 this holiday season.

Connect with Forza:

Web: www.forzamotorsport.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/forzamotorsport

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Turn10Studios

YouTube: www.youtube.com/Turn10Studios

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/a48fde72-967d-4fa9-bc50-20e7b707b9b8

Honda Automobiles: Honda Highlights Six Inventors in #HondaInnovator Series Social Media Campaign Featuring 2013 Honda Civic

The new Civic TV campaign connects Honda's philosophy—a passion for innovative thinking and continuous improvement—to other real inventors, makers and explorers in the world who are never satisfied and always working to develop better solutions. The campaign has sparked curiosity about the innovations featured in the new Civic TV spot. Capitalizing on that momentum, Honda is launching a collection of live chats, the #HondaInnovator Series.

The #HondaInnovator Series uses Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube to drive curiosity and conversation. At http://www.hondainnovator.com, users are able to tweet questions to several inventors featured in the Civic TV spot, participate in scheduled one-hour innovator tweet chats and see #HondaInnovator feeds from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Schedule, topics and speakers for the "Innovator Series" tweet chats are as follows:

• Tues., Feb. 5: Phoenix Fly with pro wingsuiter James "Macca" Macdonald at 10 a.m. PT
• Thurs., Feb. 7: 4moms Origami Stroller with co-founder Henry Thorne at 10 a.m. PT
• Tues., Feb. 12: Billabong V1 Wetsuit with pro surfer/inventor Shane Dorian at 10 a.m. PT
• Fri., Feb. 15: 2013 Honda Civic Sr. Product Planner Jay Guzowski at 10 a.m. PT
• Wed., Feb. 20: Waterfall Swing with inventors Ian Charnas and Drew Ratcliff at Noon PT
• Tues., Feb. 26: Laser Keyboard with visionary Prashanth Shantharam at 10 a.m. PT

"The 'Innovator Series' is designed to applaud all visionaries—the dreamers who are always contemplating what could be—and provide an opportunity to engage with them," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The 2013 Civic speaks to our passion for innovative thinking and continuous improvement, and through social media we're inviting all creative thinkers to come together to talk about how to make things better."

On YouTube, Honda has created an innovation playlist featuring innovator-created video showcased in the Civic TV spot. Facebook posts will introduce fans to the "Innovator Series" and related album. Instagram will host behind-the-scenes photos from the Civic TV commercial and an assortment of Civic photos. And Pinterest will feature a "Things Can Be Better" board.

Also in February, the social news leader, Buzzfeed will feature sponsored posts highlighting the creative theme of the Civic campaign of true inventors, makers, explorers and engineering.

The "Innovator Series" program will be supported with promoted tweets, promoted posts on Facebook, YouTube ads and search.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. In 2013, Honda marks 40 years of the Civic model, with more than 30 years of producing automobiles in the region, which began with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio in November 1982. Having produced more than 25 million vehicles in North America through 2012 using domestic and globally1 sourced parts, Honda currently operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.

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

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

 

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/ee85eac1-769c-4c38-a563-c16e61a4b54e

Honda Automobiles: Honda Highlights Six Inventors in #HondaInnovator Series Social Media Campaign Featuring 2013 Honda Civic

The new Civic TV campaign connects Honda's philosophy—a passion for innovative thinking and continuous improvement—to other real inventors, makers and explorers in the world who are never satisfied and always working to develop better solutions. The campaign has sparked curiosity about the innovations featured in the new Civic TV spot. Capitalizing on that momentum, Honda is launching a collection of live chats, the #HondaInnovator Series.

The #HondaInnovator Series uses Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube to drive curiosity and conversation. At http://www.hondainnovator.com, users are able to tweet questions to several inventors featured in the Civic TV spot, participate in scheduled one-hour innovator tweet chats and see #HondaInnovator feeds from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Schedule, topics and speakers for the "Innovator Series" tweet chats are as follows:

• Tues., Feb. 5: Phoenix Fly with pro wingsuiter James "Macca" Macdonald at 10 a.m. PT
• Thurs., Feb. 7: 4moms Origami Stroller with co-founder Henry Thorne at 10 a.m. PT
• Tues., Feb. 12: Billabong V1 Wetsuit with pro surfer/inventor Shane Dorian at 10 a.m. PT
• Fri., Feb. 15: 2013 Honda Civic Sr. Product Planner Jay Guzowski at 10 a.m. PT
• Wed., Feb. 20: Waterfall Swing with inventors Ian Charnas and Drew Ratcliff at Noon PT
• Tues., Feb. 26: Laser Keyboard with visionary Prashanth Shantharam at 10 a.m. PT

"The 'Innovator Series' is designed to applaud all visionaries—the dreamers who are always contemplating what could be—and provide an opportunity to engage with them," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The 2013 Civic speaks to our passion for innovative thinking and continuous improvement, and through social media we're inviting all creative thinkers to come together to talk about how to make things better."

On YouTube, Honda has created an innovation playlist featuring innovator-created video showcased in the Civic TV spot. Facebook posts will introduce fans to the "Innovator Series" and related album. Instagram will host behind-the-scenes photos from the Civic TV commercial and an assortment of Civic photos. And Pinterest will feature a "Things Can Be Better" board.

Also in February, the social news leader, Buzzfeed will feature sponsored posts highlighting the creative theme of the Civic campaign of true inventors, makers, explorers and engineering.

The "Innovator Series" program will be supported with promoted tweets, promoted posts on Facebook, YouTube ads and search.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. In 2013, Honda marks 40 years of the Civic model, with more than 30 years of producing automobiles in the region, which began with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio in November 1982. Having produced more than 25 million vehicles in North America through 2012 using domestic and globally1 sourced parts, Honda currently operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.

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

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

 

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/ee85eac1-769c-4c38-a563-c16e61a4b54e

Honda Automobiles: Honda Brings Forza Horizon Racing Action to 2013 Chicago Auto Show

Honda is bringing the year’s biggest racing game to the 2013 Chicago Auto Show with the launch of Forza Horizon on Xbox 360. Chicago Auto Show attendees will have the opportunity to play the game’s new downloadable Honda Challenge Car Pack  in the Honda booth located in the South Hall Feb. 7 thru 10. With the Honda Challenge Pack, players will have the option to race three, distinct performance-oriented Honda models: a new 2013 Civic Si Coupe, an original 1986 Civic Si, and the Honda Performance Development B-Spec Rally Fit.

In addition to playing the new game, attendees can virtually race against Honda IndyCar driver Scott Dixon and try to beat his fastest time in a 2013 Honda Civic Si. The "2013 Civic Si Challenge" contest awards the fastest racer the opportunity to meet the Indianapolis 500® winner in-person and receive a custom Civic Si-themed Xbox 360 gaming console.

Starting on Feb. 15, a photo contest will launch on the Forza Horizon online community encouraging players to submit photos taken in-game of the 2013 Civic Si. The best photo will be featured on Honda social media channels and on the Honda web site. Winners of the photo contest will also receive a custom Civic Si-themed Xbox 360 gaming console.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. In 2013, Honda marks 40 years of the Civic model, with more than 30 years of producing automobiles in the region, which began with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio in November 1982. Having produced more than 25 million vehicles in North America through 2012 using domestic and globally¹ sourced parts, Honda currently operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/civic/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HondaCivic
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.

About Forza
Celebrate speed, music and style at the Horizon Festival! Forza Horizon combines legendary Forza authenticity with the freedom of the open road. Forza Horizon is exclusively on the Xbox 360 and is now available in a Limited Collector’s Edition ($79.99 U.S.) and a Standard Edition ($59.99 U.S). The game is rated "T" For Teen by the ESRB. According to MetaCritic.com Forza Horizon is the highest-rated racing game on the Xbox 360 this holiday season.

Connect with Forza:
Web: www.forzamotorsport.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/forzamotorsport
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Turn10Studios
YouTube: www.youtube.com/Turn10Studios

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/a48fde72-967d-4fa9-bc50-20e7b707b9b8

Honda Automobiles: Honda January Sales Gain Powered by Award-Winning Accord; Acura Sales Increase Again Fueled by RDX and ILX

American Honda today reported January 2013 U.S. sales of 93,626 units, an increase of 12.8 percent compared with January 2012. The Honda brand posted January 2013 sales of 84,137 units, an increase of 12.7 percent compared with January 2012. Acura U.S. January sales of 9,489 units increased 13.2 percent compared with January 2012.

Sales of the all-new 2013 Honda Accord were up more than 75 percent from last year - with 10,000 more Accords sold this January than in January 2012. The totally revised Accord has already become one of the most decorated vehicles in Honda history, garnering a host of awards that include being named for a record 27th time to Car and Driver magazine's 10Best Cars list, as well as winning key comparison tests against its mid-size rivals in comparisons from Car and Driver and Cars.com/USA Today/"MotorWeek".

Honda
- Sales of the all-new Accord are up 75.2 percent from last January with sales of 23,924 units
- Reflecting key changes, the new 2013 Crosstour sees sales jump 38.2 percent from last January
- Pilot sales are up 16.3 percent compared with last January, with sales of 7,405 units

"The all-new Accord has the Honda brand right where we left off in 2012 - powering significant sales gains in the new year," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of Sales. "With our strongest vehicle lineup ever and continued sales momentum, we're optimistic 2013 will be a great year for the Honda brand."

Acura
- RDX sets its ninth-consecutive monthly sales record, up over 181.6 percent from last January with sales of 2,489 units
- MDX was the top selling Acura model in January, with sales of 2,575 units
- ILX was again the top selling Acura sedan in January with sales of 1,558 units

"Acura's newest products continue to drive our sales momentum as we begin a new year," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura Sales.  "With the positive reception of the all-new Acura MDX Prototype in Detroit, and the upcoming launch of our new flagship RLX sedan, Acura is poised for even greater success in 2013."

The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 25 days for January 2013 and 24 days for January 2012. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 25 days for 2012 and 24 days for 2011. All percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.automobiles.honda.com. For media inquiries please visit www.hondanews.com. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries please visit www.acuranews.com.

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Source: http://hondanews.com/releases/b05b9fb9-5d99-42ed-852a-d6d114b54758