Tuesday, April 30, 2013

2013 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe are First Compact Cars to Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award


Everyone likes a good comeback story. When the 2013 Honda Civic emerged redesigned after just one year on the market, most of us were expecting some nicer interior materials and some sound deadening. Honda didn’t just settle for on-the-surface improvements, however, and it shows.



With new structural bracing that was added for the refresh, the 2013 Honda Civic sedan and coupe have earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s “Top Safety Pick+” designation, becoming the first compact car to do so.

The IIHS has designated “Top Safety Picks” for years, with each automaker successively improving designs until the award became fairly ubiquitous. In its offset crash testing procedures, it tested for a 40-percent front overlap, which centered most of a simulated impact on the bumper of a car. In August, the IIHS started testing for small-front overlap crashes, in which only 25 percent of a car’s front is hit, putting the same impact on a much smaller area. This weeded cars out from one another.




Honda first got word of the new IIHS testing in 2009 when most of its engineering had already been finished on the 2012 Civic as well as the larger Accord. But with the quick refresh on the Civic, it gave Honda some time to improve the structural design of the 2013 Civic and make it stronger.

“There’s very little chance of a life-threatening injury to the head or chest,” says Honda’s Chuck Thomas, Chief Engineer of Automotive Safety for Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Raymond, Ohio, responsible for continuous safety improvements.



Honda has created a novel structure called ACE II–Advanced Compatibility Engineering–that’s designed to be “compatible” with safely crashing both larger and smaller vehicles into one another without the hazards typically associated with the size differentials. In the ACE II designed for the 2013 Honda Civic and larger Accord, the crash structure is set up relatively high within the body; Honda lowers its impact absorption point in larger vehicles like trucks, crossovers, and minivans.


Differentiating from standard car structures, the ACE front bumper beam is part of the body structure, aided by tertiary supports. This helps disperse forces across the whole body, using more high-tensile steel than what’s been used in previous-generation cars. Normal bumper beams are typically mounted at two low points and take front impacts well, but have suffered with the small-front overlap testing when more force has been distributed to the outside of the vehicle structure.

Honda boasts that not only does it have the first compact car to earn the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ designation, but it also has five cars total that have earned that title–Civic coupe and sedan, Accord coupe and sedan, and the Acura TL. Across all of Honda and Acura, 19 models are Top Safety Picks.

Check out the 2013 Accord & 2013 Civic Inventory!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Honda to Become First Automaker in Brazil to Undertake Wind Power Generation


-Generating Renewable Energy to Cover Entire Electricity Needs for Local Automobile Production-


SÃO PAULO, Brazil, April 25, 2013 - Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda. (HAB), the Honda automobile production and sales subsidiary in Brazil, today announced plans to invest in wind power generation to be more proactive in using renewable energy to minimize the environmental footprint of its business activities. HAB will be the first automobile manufacturer in Brazil to invest in wind power generation.
With a goal to begin the operation in September 2014, Honda will build a wind farm in the city of Xangri-lá in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil (approximately 1,000 km south of HAB's automobile production plant in Sumaré, São Paulo). Equipped with nine wind power turbine units, the wind farm is expected to generate approximately 85,000 MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to HAB's annual electricity needs for automobile production. By generating renewable energy to cover the entire electricity needs of the plant, HAB is expecting to reduce CO2emissions by approximately more than 2,200 t annually. The total investment in this wind farm is expected to be approximately 100 million Brazilian reais (approximately 4.6 billion yen*).
In order to evolve wind power generation business in Brazil, HAB established a new subsidiary, Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda., specialized in wind power generation business. Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda. will be responsible for the management and operation of all areas related to Honda's wind power generation business in Brazil.

About Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda.
Establishment:March 21, 2013
Capital Investment:1,000 reais (approximately 46,000 yen*)
Capitalization Ratio:99.99% Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda.
0.01% Others
Representative:Carlos Eigi, President
Number of wind turbines:9 units (1 unit: maximum output of 3MW)
Generation capacity:Maximum output of 27MW (9 units total)

Comment by Carlos Eigi, president of Honda Energy do Brasil Ltda.

"Ever since Honda began local production in Brazil in 1976, Honda has been cooperating with the local community and striving to minimize the environmental footprint of our production activities. Wind power generation has proven to be very effective in reducing CO2 emissions. Through the utilization of renewable energy, Honda will continue to be proactive in pursuing environmental conservation activities in Brazil."
Honda has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions from its global products by 30 percent by the end of 2020 compared to year 2000 levels. Striving to attain this goal, Honda has been strengthening its initiatives on a global basis to reduce CO2emissions from all business activities, including production and the supply chain.
*
Calculated based on the exchange rate of 1 Brazilian real = 46 yen

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Honda LaneWatch™ Blind Spot Display Wins A 2013 VIP (Very Innovative Products) Award from Good Housekeeping

Innovative system helps the driver locate objects in the right-side blind spot

Honda's LaneWatch™ blind spot display has won a Good Housekeeping 2013 "Very Innovative Products" (VIP) Award, the only automotive product to earn this distinction for 2013 and one of only nine innovative new product winners overall. 


Good Housekeeping's 2013 VIP award winners were chosen from more than 1,500 new products evaluated by the scientists and engineers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute during the past year in the magazine's state-of-the-art product-testing laboratory. Before any product can be named a VIP award winner, it must also pass the Research Institute's evaluations for performance and safety.



Debuting on the all-new 2013 Accord, which recently achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) new TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, and now also available on the versatile 2013 Crosstour, LaneWatch uses a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror to display real-time images of the vehicle's right-side blind spot on an 8-inch color dashboard display. The image appears when the right turn signal is activated, or when a button on the end of the turn signal stalk is pressed.



"LaneWatch is an intuitive visibility technology that represents the sort of innovation that consumers have come to expect from Honda," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Automotive products don't often win Good Housekeeping's VIP awards, and that makes it even sweeter to have LaneWatch listed among the best new consumer products of 2013."



The typical field of view for a passenger-side mirror is approximately 18 to 22 degrees, but the LaneWatch field-of-view is about four times greater, or approximately 80 degrees. The system helps the driver to see traffic, as well as pedestrians, bicycles or other objects in the vehicle's blind spot. To help make judging distance easier, the display has three reference lines. Drivers are encouraged to visually confirm roadway conditions prior to changing lanes.


What's your take on Honda's #LaneWatch ?
Let us know!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Honda Odyssey's New Onboard Vacuum

A Honda Odyssey with a vacuum cleaner? What' s not to love?



Surprisingly, the idea came from the 6 year-old daughter of a Honda engineer.  While on a family road trip in her family's Honda Odyssey, she lamented there was no vacuum cleaner aboard to clean up her spilled food.  Her father, a Honda engineer, brought the idea to the company's development team.  Three years later, Honda has installed a vacuum cleaner in the Touring Elite trim level of its 2014 Odyssey due at dealerships this summer called the HondaVac.



While you may find this to be a humdrum advancement, any parent who has ever cleaned up crushed Cheerios from the inside of a car will rejoice.  Designed with some help from the good folks at Shop-Vac, the vacuum is housed in a small compartment on the left side of the trunk.  The hose is long enough to reach even the front of the car.  It has a one-gallon collection tank along with an on-off switch.  Spilled a snack up by the drivers side? No worries, it comes along with two attachments, perfect for reaching those crevices in between the seats.  It works for up to eight minutes with the car turned off. It works indefinitely when the engine's running.


In our monthly Route 23 Honda Newsletter, we were interested to know what you all thought about the HondaVac....


We were actually shocked at the results, it was rather close! 58.8% of the voters gave it a Thumbs Up while 41.2% gave it a Thumbs Down!

Interested in an Odyssey? Check out our Odyssey Inventory!


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Why Nitrofill?


It’s not what nitrogen is that makes it such a beneficial inflation medium, but what it is not. Nitrogen is an “inert” gas, which basically means it is “nothing”…completely free of any properties. Essentially, it is the nothing that oxygen is combined with in our atmosphere so we humans can survive.



“Regular air,” the air that we breathe and compress to fill tires, is about 79.1% nitrogen and roughly 20% oxygen. While oxygen, again, is essential for us and almost every other living organism, it is detrimental to almost everything else, think “oxidation.” Oxidation, also known as rust and corrosion, is the absolute enemy of anything composed of rubber or steel. Without oxygen, it is impossible for oxidation to occur, i.e., no rim rust or corrosion, no TPMS sensor oxidization and no tire rot. Further, without the presence of oxygen, water or condensation cannot form in a tire, the “O” in H2O. Hence, no oxygen means no rust, no corrosion and no water or water related issues.

The greatest disadvantage of oxygen, however, is its molecular size. Air filled tires, as you probably know, lose pressure at the rate of at least one psi per month through normal “permeation.” Nitrogen filled tires, on the other hand, typically loses NO pressure over a one month period. This is because the size of a molecule of oxygen, which again comprises about 20% of regular air, is roughly ¼ of the size of a molecule of nitrogen. Under inflated tires run warmer, wear out faster and increase rolling resistance, which wastes energy, i.e. fuel…and nitrogen inflated tires stay properly inflated much longer.

A recent study indicates that oxygen free, or nitrogen inflated, tires can last up to 50% longer, provide up to 10% better fuel economy and fail much less frequently. Knowing these facts, no one can refute the value of keeping tires oxygen free.



Here's a summary of Nitrogen in Tires:
  • Improves steering
  • Improves handling
  • Improves Braking
  • Reduces chance of tire failure
  • Dramatically slows pressure loss from permeation
  • Improves fuel economy
  • Reduces tire oxidation
  • Eliminates interior wheel corrosion
  • Reduces running temperatures
  • Decreases false alarms and activation of Tire Pressure Monitoring System






Friday, April 12, 2013

EZ Referral Network @ Route 23 Honda




We would like to welcome you to the EZ Referral Network, the ultimate referral program. We know that buying a car can be challenging and, although there is a ton of product information available at customer's fingertips, there is nothing like having a friend who sells cars to make the process easier.

The EZ Referral Network lets you easily:
  • Log in to your personal website or smart phone application.
  • Enter your friend's or relative's contact information. Their information is sent directly to the dealership and to your salesperson friend.
  • Follow whether your friend purchased a vehicle or not.




The EZ Referral Network lets you easily;


  • Track the status of your referral fee.
  • Get paid in one of three ways;

1. Electronically via a prepaid card.**
2. Kept on account at the dealership for future use at parts, sales or service.*
3. Donate the money toward your favorite charity!



Everyone wants a friend in the car business and you're lucky because you do! The EZ Referral Network is easy to use and you'll earn a small referral fee if your friend purchases a vehicle!




Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Route 23 Honda to Run the Rock & Run for Education 5k



We are very proud & excited to be participating in this great cause!

Join us in this 5k on Sunday, April 28th @ 930AM!


They'll have live music from local artists throughout the 5K course. “the Provisional” is the feature band and will be playing near the finish line. They will also kick off the 1 mile fun run and play a concert. Come Rock, Run and Have Fun with us on April 28th!


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8:00 AM: Rock’n Registration opens.

9:00 AM: Registration Closes / Pre-race Warm up with Angelica Ulliana from the Wyckoff YMCA

9:30 AM: 5K RUN/WALK START SHARP!!!!(Rain or Shine)

10:30 AM: 1 Mile FUN RUN & the Provisional Concert begins! Enjoy Music at the finish line with awards to follow!

__________________________________________________________________________
AWARDS
Trophies:
***Top 3 Overall Finishers M/F
***Top 3 North Haledon Residents M/F
***Top 3 North Haledon Teachers

Medals:
***Top 3 M/F in the following Age Groups:
8 & under * 9-12 * 13-16 * 17-19 * 20-70+ (in 10 yr increments)

Ribbons:
To ALL 1 Mile Fun Run Finishers

10:30 AM: 1 Mile FUN RUN & the Provisional concert; Enjoy music at the finish line! Awards to follow.

Post Race: Refreshments, raffle prizes, awards and a whole lot more!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Earth Day 2013 with Route 23 Honda


What are you doing for Earth Day 2013? Why not spend it with us?!



On Saturday, April 20th at the Pearl R. Miller School in Kinnelon from 12 Noon to 4PM Route 23 Honda will be a sponsor at the annual Earth Day Fair Celebration.

We’ll be offering test-drives on two Honda Hybrids, the CR-Z and the Insight! These vehicles are great Green alternatives.

CR-Z: The philosophy of a fun, lightweight 2-seat coupe continues with the CR-Z. Featuring a mode for every mood, the 3-mode drive system lets you change how the car performs in real time. If you want efficiency, simply push the ECON button; for more thrills, go for Sport mode; and for a combination of the two, remain in Normal. Using the latest generation of IMA technology, the 2013 CR-Z set the standard for nimble small cars of the modern era, just like its predecessors did back in their day.


Insight: The original Honda Insight 2-seat coupe, introduced in late 1999, broke new ground as the first gasoline-electric hybrid car sold in America. Aerodynamic and innovative, the Insight redefined the way the industry thought about fuel-efficient vehicles. The centerpiece of this groundbreaking car was the compact and efficient Integrated Motor Assist IMA® hybrid powertrain.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

So what's new for 2014 you ask? The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is an all-new model!



Introduction

Honda recently redesigned the Accord for its ninth generation, improving the sedan's interior and exterior styling. For 2014, the Honda Accord gains a new model, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid. With this new addition to the lineup, Honda becomes one of the few automakers to offer a midsize family sedan in a plug-in hybrid configuration.
Unlike Honda's other hybrids such as the Insight, the Plug-In has an all-new hybrid system that's capable of accelerating the car using pure electric power. And as its name implies, the Plug-In can be recharged externally, thereby minimizing gas usage. Honda says the Accord Plug-In provides about 10-15 miles of pure electric range, after which point it switches over to normal hybrid operation. In regular hybrid mode, this Accord earns EPA estimates of 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.
Like the standard Accord, the plug-in hybrid offers similar features and comes in one well-appointed trim level based on the standard Accord Touring trim. That includes LED headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a navigation system and monitoring of vitals like charge status, charging stations and even enabled remote charging controlled by smartphone apps. Honda says a full battery charge on a 120-volt outlet will take three hours, while charging on a 240-volt outlet takes less than one hour.
For now Honda will only sell the Accord Plug-In Hybrid in California and New York, so consider yourself lucky if you're interested in the car and happen to live in one of those states. We've yet to fully test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In, but check back for a complete evaluation in the coming months.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes in one well-equipped trim level.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, foglamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, full power accessories, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, special "bio-fabric" upholstery, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), driver memory settings and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Electronic features include Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, voice recognition, a navigation system and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an iPod/USB interface and smartphone app integration (HondaLink). Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and a blind-spot monitor are also standard.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor. Together, they send a total of 196 horsepower to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor.
The Accord Plug-In Hybrid offers three driving modes: full electric, gas/electric (switches when battery capacity depletes to a specific threshold) and gasoline (for higher speeds or under high demand for acceleration). Additionally, two sub-modes tailor the Accord Plug-In's hybrid mode. "HV" acts as a conventional hybrid, blending gasoline and electric power for optimum fuel efficiency, while "HV Charge" does the same, while feeding energy back into the battery.
The EPA estimates stand at 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems are also standard.
Of note is the LaneWatch blind-spot system, which instantly switches the 8-inch screen's display to a low and expansive view of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is engaged. A camera in the right-side mirror dedicated to this function provides a confidence-inspiring view, and acclimating to catching the view in the center-dash display is quick and natural.

Interior Design and Special Features

With a few exceptions, the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid features an elegant and well-constructed cabin trimmed with high-quality materials that you could almost mistake for an Acura. The center stack embraces the spirit of legibility with an effective three-tier layout, capped at the top with an 8-inch display.
Despite the new Accord's slightly smaller exterior dimensions compared to the previous generation, its interior room remains impressive. There is plenty of leg and shoulder space for front occupants, and rear-seat passengers should be quite comfortable and happy. Road and tire noise -- often among Honda's traditional weaknesses -- are noticeably reduced in the 2014 Accord thanks in part to two active noise-cancellation systems plus improved aerodynamics.
We're also fond of the visibility afforded by the Accord cabin, which offers a lower beltline, slimmer roof pillars and a generous amount of glass. Unfortunately, the presence of the plug-in hybrid's battery pack means the rear seat does not fold down, thus limiting the Accord's cargo usefulness. The trunk, at 8.6 cubic feet, is also considerably smaller than the regular Accord's.

Driving Impressions

We've yet to test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, so check back for impressions on the car's new plug-in hybrid powertrain and handling capabilities.