Honda is Highest-Ranked Non-Premium Brand!

The J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) ranked Honda Accord, Civic, Fit, Insight, Crosstour, Element and Ridgeline as the highest performers in defined car and truck segments within the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. Awards included “Highest Ranked in Initial Quality for Sub-Compact Car, Compact Car, Compact Crossover/SUV, Midsize Car, Midsize Crossover/SUV, Midsize Pickup.” That’s more than any other automaker.

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Honda Cars...Back on Track...Some sweet Stuff on the Horizon

There's no question about Honda being a leader in the Global Automotive Market. Next year is going to be a big one in terms of New designs, advances in technology, and the introduction of advanced and refreshing new styling across the board. While the Earthquake set the company back in terms of production, Honda remains at the forefront of that creative/technological curve. The redesigned Civic has trickled into dealership up to now, but inventories will grow swiftly in the weeks ahead. And availability is power in the car industry.

Of the twelve Models that are available globally, the CR-V with be the first to follow the Civic, with a 'new' look and feel this winter. Next to appear will be a redesigned Accord in the spring.

These three models represent 70% of the U.S. Sales, that's huge!

Here's a tidbit of news, rumor has it that Honda has developed a large-car hybrid power train system. This may be introduced as early as next year. So for those that have wondered when our
larger models will be available with a hybrid option....looks like that may be on the horizon.

Here's a summary of what one may expect to see from Honda in the months/years ahead. Let me know if there's anything you've heard, seen or expect.


Fit

• Hybrid version in Europe only. It's only fair, the Fit aka Jazz in Europe was introduced there five years before here in the States.



• Redesign due in the summer of 2013



• Fit EV: this may be the rumored "battery-electric commuter car". Look for it in 2012

Insight

• Face lift next spring.

Civic

• Minor setback in production due to the earthquake



• Natural Gas version in the fall

CR-Z

• The first Hybrid sports car may benefit for a higher-performance edition
  


• A SEMA edition with 200 hp was developed by the Mugen unit last year

Accord

• Redesigned model in the spring, shorter, narrower track, same wheelbase
  


• Back to one 2.4L engine, maybe



• De-emphasis on the V6, still available



• A four cylinder hybrid Accord? Maybe?
  


• A plug-in hybrid by he end of 2012

Accord Crosstour

• A four cylinder edition!
  

FCX Clarity

Hydrogen powered fuel cell technology in The Clarity is in a beta test in Southern California...

Don't look for a production version of this until 2018

CR-V

• Redesigned for introduction in November



• Available with a 201-hp 2.4L engine



• No V-6



• But maybe a Hybrid

Element

• No Element in sight...but something like it, Fall 2012

Pilot

• Minor face lift in the fall



• Followed by a full redesign in 2013
  

Odyssey

• Redesigned and introduced in 2010

Ridgeline

• Fuel economy enhancement for 2012



• Discontinued in 2013



• Maybe replaced with a compact pickup, derived from the CR-V

The Real Deal!....not the Real Steal...

The Honda Accord...the 'One'. The Honda Civic, something for everyone...even car thieves? I heard the rumor a year or so ago, and only now do I have any convincing evidence that it's true. A new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau found that 1994 Honda Accords were the most stolen cars in the United States in 2010.

The 'Bureau' shows that the 1994 Accord topped the list...and surprisingly the Accord is followed by the 1995 Honda Civic. Wow! Talk about supply and demand! By the way, the Accord has been at the top of the list for the last three years.

Funny thing is, the thieves preferences are shifting somewhat. For the first time since 2002, domestic brands are being favored over the foreign brands. Ford has three slots, Dodge two, and Chevrolet one. When you count the Acura Integra(1994), Honda has Four spots...#1, #2, and #8. I'm amazed. This may just be just another untapped source of Market Research.

The FBI claims that overall automobile thefts are down this past year, about 7.2 percent since 2009. If this is true, this will be the lowest level since 1967.

I don't know all the reasons for the thefts and the reduction overall, some attribute it to the new anti-theft technology that we find in newer cars.

The fact remains...the best deal is a 'Real Deal'...not a 'Real Steal'.

When Times are Tough the Tough Start Giving...

Hendrick Automotive Group is not an organization to brag about it's many contributions to the community. I'm sharing what follows, simply as an example of the fact that some big companies do pitch in locally to help their own. Honda Cars of Bradenton is one of two dealerships that are part of the Hendrick organization here in Florida. We're proud to be associated with the Hendrick Organization! And proud of what they've recently done for a local school district near our Corporate Headquarters.

Earlier this month Hendrick Automotive Group agreed to a $250,000 dollar sponsorship program that will allow Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to offer a complete program of middle school sports for the 2011-2011 academic year. The District was facing, due to budget cuts, an extreme reduction to the number of middle school sports being offerred.

The Hendrick sponsorship, combined with a contribution fram an unidentified donor, provides the remaing amount necessary to fund the full lineup of 13 sports at all 32 middle schools for more than 6,500 students participating in athletics across that school district. This is awesome. Can't imagine not having sports programs throughout middle school when I was a kid!