Honda Civic is Top Choice for Californians in 2013

Individual car purchases by Californians make Honda Civic the most popular vehicle in the Golden State in 2013

And I think why not? Why not in Florida too?

Is it the climate, the demographics, the culture? Or is it the marketing, the product, the people that
bring the product to the customer.

The fact is more individual Californians purchased a Honda Civic than any other vehicle in 2013, according to new-vehicle registration data now available from Polk, which was recently acquired by IHS. Individual California car buyers purchased 65,910 Civics in 2013, more than any other vehicle in the state when subtracting sales to government and corporate fleet buyers. California is the largest vehicle market in the United States.

RICK HENDRICK HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Hendrick, 64, tireless philanthropist, creator of an automotive empire and the most successful NASCAR owner of the modern era, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at The Washington Auto Show.

"Rick has become an auto industry icon through his charity, hard work, grit and determination," said Keith Crain, Chairman of Crain Communications and Editor-in-Chief of Automotive News. "He has achieved unimaginable success as an automotive dealer and NASCAR owner and he has persevered through unspeakable grief and continues to give back and that combination makes him unique and the perfect recipient of the lifetime achievement award."

Hendrick is the founder and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, the nation's second-largest privately held automotive dealership group and the sixth-largest automotive dealership group overall andHendrick Motorsports, winners of 13 NASCAR owner's championships and more than 200 victories in the elite Sprint cup Series.

Hendrick Automotive Group operates 87 dealerships representing 28 nameplates, 121 franchises and 24 collision centers and three accessories distributor installers in 13 states. The company employs more than 9,000 people. Hendrick Motorsports currently fields four teams that are in embroiled in NASCAR's playoffs, The Chase for the Sprint Cup, with drivers Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne.

Hendrick also established the Hendrick Marrow Program in 1997 after he was diagnosed with leukemia. Even though he did not need a marrow transplant himself, he wanted to help other patients waiting to find a marrow match and a second chance at life.

The Hendrick Marrow Program works with Be The Match Foundation to support the work of the National Marrow Donor Program®. Specifically it raises money to add more potential marrow donors to the Be The Match Registry, increasing the chances that more patients can find their match. It also helps patients with uninsured transplant costs, which are often a barrier to treatment.

Since inception, the Hendrick Marrow Program has raised more than $12 million, added more than 100,000 marrow donors to the Be The Match Registry, and eased the financial burden of over 8,000 patients with grants from the Hendrick Family Fund for Patient Assistance.

"We are pleased to honor Mr. Hendrick, whose ingenuity and achievement reflects the ingenuity of a true entrepreneur," said Kevin Reilly, president of Alexandria Hyundai and chairman of the 2014 Washington Auto Show.

The Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the close of the 2014 Washington Auto Show Public Policy Preview Day at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where thousands of industry and government leaders will convene for key announcements, networking and an evening Sneak Peek reception. The award presentation will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a dinner and program at 8:15 p.m.

Previous recipients of the Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award include: Edsel Ford II, Roger Penske, Carroll Shelby, Ralph Nader and Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI).

The 2014 staging of the 71st Washington Auto Show in Washington, DC, known in the industry as "The Public Policy Show", will offer a showcase of more than 700 vehicles from over 42 domestic and import manufacturers and a special exhibit of the world's most luxurious rides. In addition, The Washington Auto Show has been accredited by OICA, the industry credentialing organization for the top auto shows in the world, as one of the five top tier Auto Shows in America.

Honda has been an engine of growth for the U.S. economy for more than 50 years

In 2012 the Honda Crosstour was fifth on the top 10 list of cars manufactured in the U.S.A. Assembled in East Liberty, Ohio with 80% of it's part manufacture in the U.S. The 2012 Accord was number four on that list and is assembled in Marysville, Ohio. No other midsized vehicle comes close to having as much U.S. parts and labor thrown into it as the Accord

A nice little backstory:

Honda: Investing in America from Honda Government Relations on Vimeo.

Here's a synopsis of where Honda's at now in the U.S.A.:

Following an operational strategy of building products close to its customers, Honda has invested $1.2 billion into its U.S. manufacturing plants over the last two years alone, bringing Honda¹s total U.S. capital investment to more than $14 billion.

MANUFACTURED IN AMERICA$14 billion capital investment in the U.S.
90% of vehicles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America in 2012
9 manufacturing facilities in America
1.21 million cars and light trucks built in the U.S. in 2012
Honda and Acura products are built using domestic and globally sourced parts

14 R&D facilities in America
First international automaker with the capability to perform "complete product creation" in America
One-third of MY2012 Honda and Acura models sold in America were researched, designed, and developed in the U.S.
The new Acura NSX supercar will be developed in the U.S. and manufactured in Ohio

147,000 jobs created by American Honda dealerships
1,300 Honda and Acura U.S. dealerships sold more than 1.42 million vehicles in 2012
Honda ranked #1 mass-market brand in 2012 JD Power & Associates Initial Quality StudySM

$22 billion in U.S. parts and materials purchases in 2012
More than 500 U.S. OEM suppliers in 34 states provide parts and materials to Honda production facilities
13,500 companies supply maintenance, repair and operational (MRO) services to Honda's U.S. operations

Now is the time - Here's why

Have you been considering a practical, versatile, fuel efficient car? Honda is skipping the 2014 Model year for the Honda Fit and we have a great inventory of 2013s that will not last long. Why?

The 2015 Fit has been completely reimagined, and we’re excited to share even more details with you. The new Fit features a sleek modern exterior, sporty, fun-to-drive handling and plenty of forward-thinking technology. Additionally, we’re proud to announce that it will be produced at an all-new North American facility.

Here’s what you can expect from our most stunning hatchback yet.

Aggressive new styling

Aerodynamic body constructed from high-tensile steel

Striking new grille and headlights

Available 16-inch, alloy wheels

Interior evolution

52.7 cubic feet of cargo space[1] with the Honda-exclusive Magic Seat®

Increased passenger volume and rear legroom

Available leather-trimmed seats

Performance machine

i-VTEC® engine with Earth Dreams Technology generates 130-horsepower (SAE net) at 6600 rpm and 114 lb.-ft of torque at 4600 rpm

6-speed manual or available Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Revised, sport-tuned suspension

Packed with technology

Standard Bluetooth® connectivity[2], rearview camera and Expanded View Driver’s Mirror

Available Smart Entry with push button start, Honda LaneWatch™[3] and 7-inch Display Audio touch-screen

Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) II Body Structure

When you join First Look, you'll get the details before the general public. You'll also receive exclusive updates, and an authorized retailer may contact you before its release.