Time Flies...2014 Honda Odyssey on the horizon?

2014 Honda Odyssey to Debut with Innovative New Features at the 2013 New York International Auto Show

2014 Odyssey, 2013 Honda Fit EV and 2013 Accord Plug-In Hybrid to highlight Honda's New York auto show display

 

Honda will reveal details of the refreshed 2014 Odyssey, including some innovative new features, at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The 2014 Odyssey further strengthens the Honda minivan's position as the segment's most coveted family-friendly vehicle, and adds to its status as the strongest overall ownership value in its class.
The 2013 Odyssey is already an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK, an AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Award winner, an ALG Residual Value award winner, and one of the Best Family Cars of 2012 according to the editors of Parents Magazine/Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.
The 2014 Odyssey along with Honda's complete line-up of fuel efficient, innovative and fun-to-drive cars and trucks, including the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid and 2013 Fit EV, will be on display at the Honda booth during NYIAS press and public days. Both the 2014 Accord Plug-In and the fully-electric Honda Fit EV were recently launched at select Honda dealerships in New York.
With an EPA fuel economy rating of 115 MPGe in electric-only mode, the Accord Plug-In is the most efficient sedan in America, and also the first production car to meet the U.S. EPA's more stringent LEV3/SULEV20 vehicle emissions standard. The five-passenger all-electric 2013 Honda Fit EV delivers 189 lb-ft of torque from its electric motor and features a fully independent, multi-link rear suspension that serves as the foundation for Honda's fun-to-drive EV with an EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82 miles.

PLUS!!!! Not Just TOP SAFETY PICK...but TOP SAFETY PICK "PLUS" +

2013 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe First Small Cars to Achieve TOP SAFETY PICK+ Rating in IIHS Safety Testing

Honda leads industry with four TOP SAFETY PICK+ rated vehicles

3/7/2013 2:00:00 PM

 

 

 

The new 2013 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe have received the highest available safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This recognition makes the Civic Sedan and Coupe the first and only IIHS Small cars in the industry to earn a TOP SAFETY PICK+.

Honda leads all other brands in achieving TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings with four models – Civic Sedan and Coupe, and Accord Sedan and Coupe.  Further, for the 2013 model year, all Honda and Acura models tested¹ by the IIHS have received a TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating.

"If you want a compact car with a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating, the 2013 Honda Civic is the only choice," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. "We believe this is a distinct competitive advantage, especially as more and more consumers place a premium on crash rating performance."
The new Civic Sedan, equipped with the second generation of the Honda Advanced Compatibility Body Structure™ (ACE™II), is not only the first Small car to earn TOP SAFETY PICK+ in the industry, but also the first and only to earn the highest possible rating of GOOD on the IIHS' new small overlap frontal crash test (sometimes called a 'narrow offset' test). This aggressive test is designed to simulate 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.  The ACE™II reinforced body structure found on the 2013 Civic further enhances frontal crash energy through a wider range of these offset and oblique collision scenarios.
Additional standard safety equipment on all Civic models include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and driver and front passenger side airbags.
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 Honda's 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.
2013 American Honda TOP SAFETY PICK+:

Honda                 Honda Accord Coupe Honda Accord Sedan Honda Civic Coupe Honda Civic Sedan

Acura Acura TL

2013 American Honda TOP SAFETY PICKS:

Honda                 Honda Fit Honda Crosstour Honda Civic Sedan Honda CR-Z Honda CR-V Honda Insight Honda Pilot Honda Odyssey Honda Ridgeline

Acura Acura ILX Acura TSX Sedan Acura MDX Acura RDX

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

Connect with Acura:
Acura (for consumers): www.acura.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Acura
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Acura_Insider
YouTube: www.youtube.com/acura

¹Acura ZDX, Honda FCX Clarity and Honda Fit EV have not been completely tested by the IIHS for the 2013 Model Year.

Plus + Plus + Plus...AKA...ABOVE AND BEYOND!

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Here is a recent News Release From Honda.  What's your 'Safety' Story!!!!

...turns out... this story was prologue to my next post

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

2013 Accord Coupe joins Accord Sedan in earning 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from NHTSA; all Accord models now boast top overall NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings

2/21/2013 1:00:00 PM

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

It's all so easy...Once you know how to use it! (Technology)

What was once called 'Ownerlink' is now called the 'Honda Owners Site'.   The site has been entirely revamped for ease of use and access.  The level of content has also increased and been enhanced to include chart, diagrams, photos, even video clips.  This due largely to the fact that Honda has introduced many new interactive technologies in each new generation of vehicles.  The 2013 Honda Accord for example boasts a long list of standard features and is the first vehicle to benefit from a substantial increase in the amount and quality of supportive media.

Customers and Sales personnel alike can benefit from a browse through the pages of the  'Honda Owners Site' and a review of the all new Delivery Support Guide.   Topics included int he new 'guide' include: 'pairing your phone', 'using bluetooth handsfreelink', 'sms text messaging and e-mail', 'tpms calibration', 'lanewatch', 'lane departure warning(LDW)', 'HONDALINK featuring AHA'.  We'll all reap the benefits of the synergy of these to sources.

Owner Link has a new look. If you had a vehicle account on Owner Link, simply sign in as usual. All your information is here. (visit:  http://owners.honda.com/)

• We know you'll like the Honda Owners Site!

Below, I'm showing just three screen images that I hope will encourage everyone to visit the new site.  IThe new Owners site is very well structured and full of indispensable information.  Here are the three screens that will get you to all the 'new technology' information that you'll need to understand what's embodied in the New Accord:

Select the 'Vehicle Information' menu just to the right of the Honda Owners Logo (top left) and you'll be taken to the next screen:

To get to your specific model select the 'View Model Information' button and Voila....welcome to Honda Technology 101:

Sales associates will introduce customers to all the bells and whistles right from the start, on the demo drive. Customers will be shown the diverse interfaces and controls for setting up, customizing and interfacing with the various tech goodies on your car or truck.  Customers will revisit these controls once the vehicle has been purchased when the Sales Associate and the customer follow the 'Personalized Settings Worksheet' to customize the various features to the customer's liking.  And as a final effort to reinforce all the information that has been conveyed during the vehicle delivery process..the sales associate will provide the customer with the all new 'Delivery Support Guide'.  In paper or PDF format.

It's all so easy...once you know how to use it.  And we're here to make that learning process easy!

2013 Accord, CR-V and Odyssey Take Top Pick in 3rd Party Testing

Honda has what it takes to make the Top Picks list in ConsumerReports 2013 Annual Auto Issue.   This year Honda picked up three slots on Consumer Reports Top Picks list.   Including the redesigned Accord and the CR-V and Odyssey.  While the Accord took top honors this year....our entire product line shares the same DNA, so to speak.  All top class in our estimation.  But you can be the judge by driving one or any Honda today here at Hendrick Honda Bradenton.

Consumer Reports put together a comprehensive set of tests that include:

• Road testing
• Reliability testing/polling
• Safety testing

Each model’s overall road-test score, predicted-reliability Rating, overall fuel economy, detailed pricing, and much more is available on the pages of the current .

And Honda's Flagship, the 2013 Accord took the Midsize Sedan Category, the CR-V took the Small SUV category and the Honda Odyssey to the Minivan category.

Midsize SedanHonda Accord
As a sales person the redesign was phenomenol.  In many ways a big surprise to many of us.  Features and technology we had not even considered viable are now in the 2013 Accord.  The Accord was redesigned for 2013, now at the top of its class, Honda was right on target..matching customer wants and needs without sacrificing everything that's familar and expected to our many loyal Accord owners.  It's roomy, fun to drive, well equipped, and very fuel efficient. On a recent test drive the vehicle had personaility attributes that can only be experience by driving in one.  There's that sense that this car doesn't not want to leave the road...yet it's light and agile.  With its four-cylinder engine, the Accord squeezes out 30 mpg overall and 40 on the highway.  This being comparable to the Honda Fit.  Higher-trim models have safety features seldom found in this category.  You'll be amazed to know that the Accord’s price remains very reasonable.

Small SUV
Honda CR-V

The CR-V has not only moved into the category this yeart but it has taken over as the top small SUV category.  Honda's own design objective manifest in virtues that include a smooth, responsive powertrain, exceptional fuel economy, a driver adaptive ride, balanced and effiecient braking, a rear seat that is both spacious and comfortable, and reliability?...that goes without saying.  Stop in for a test drive...once again you can be the judge...and you just might be surprised at the competiveness of the pricing.

Minivan
Honda Odyssey
This evolution of the 'base camp' minivan, is much desired in the family domain.  You can expect reliability and you'll get it as it has improved over previous years.  I guess it's earned it's spot as a top family hauler. The ride is first and foremost quiet, quieter than ever and comfortable.  It's also extremely roomier than it's streamlined and sculpted exterior would lead one to believe.  Honda just doesn't cut corner on comfort in any of their third row amenities including the comfort factor.  Imagine a minivan delivering 19 mpg and you've imagined the Honda Odyssey.  Visibility is superb, and enhanced by a rear camera in every model.

 

Hendrick Honda Bradenton - Congrats to Team Hendrick

For all the latest on the Hendrick Motorsports victory at this years Daytona 500 please visit the website:
http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news

Here are just a couple of inspirational quotes from this years Winner, Jimmie Johnson:

"It is just awesome. There’s no other way to describe it; 400 starts, every one of those starts with Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports. To be the first to win in a Gen-6 car, and that car is a Chevy SS, just a very proud moment," said Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet SS.

"The way our cars work, there’s more help from someone pushing you than somebody towing you along. Some guys call it the beach ball effect. When the front bumper gets close to the rear bumper, there’s bubble effect that shoots the car ahead," said Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet SS.

It's a proud moment for all of us here at Hendrick Honda Bradenton too.  That spirit of winning, and finding new ways to do better is just part of the Hendrick culture here at the Bradenton dealership.  I hope you can come and visit us here soon and get the spirit!

Product Design Challenge - Keeping It Simple



Early Benz



Automobiles and automotive technology have evolved from simple machines that provide a level of mobility to simply move passengers and cargo from point A to point B.  They've become more and more complex. Generally speaking, overly complex products tend to intimidate customers, and the better manufacturers balance maximum functionality with maximum ease of use.  Honda is one of the best at striking that balance.




Horseless Carriage

 

K.I.S.S.,  one of my all time favorite acronyms for "Keep It Simple Stupid"...   Keeping things simple is a challenge to every engineer....as complexity can often correlate to cost, and high cost can have the effect of taking a good feature, worse, a great product out of the market.





2013 Accord Interior

  

As the trend for improved human factors is pervasive in all aspects of product design, including graphical and analog interfaces to that technology, I am curious how our customers feel about the latest advances in our latest Honda Cars and Trucks.  The Civic, The Accord and The Odyssey boast many creative and 'user friendly' technology based features, especially as viewed from  the driver's seat.  To be more specific the New 2013 Honda Accord introduces the following:

 



Honda Lane Watch

Forward Collision Warning

Rearview Camera

Lane Departure Warning

Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID)

Audio with Touch Screen

ECON Button

ECO Assist

Steering Wheel Mounted controls

Bluetooth HandsFreeLink

HondaLink

 

  

2013 Accord Sedan



 





I'll use the 2013 Accord as an example.  Each of the advanced features that are itemized under the dashboard photo have various interfaces for activation, modification and customization.  And many are layered with profuse heirarchical structures.   How is that simple.  While it's all surprisingly 'INTUITIVE'.  Another one of my favorite idioms is, "anything is simple once you know how to use it."  Good Human Factors design is both Intuitive and Easy to Use.  Honda seems to be coming at that goal from all directions.  And we're bringing all that to you!