Man Close to 1,000,000 Mile Goal in His Honda Civic

Man Close to 1,000,000 Mile Goal in His Honda Civic

Posted by Blog Honda on March 1, 2012 in Civic, Honda, Honda Production

Man Close to 1,000,000 Mile Goal in His Honda Civic

The only thing bringing down this 2006 Honda Civic with 750,000 miles on it? A deer.

“I’ll keep driving this car ’till I hit another deer. After that it’s getting put up in the garage where I’ll start rebuilding it from the ground up as my daily driver,” Paul Habib, Jr. said.

Habib, Jr. purchased his beloved Honda Civic USED (whoa!) in 2007 and promptly started putting the miles on. In his job as a salesman, he puts about 3,600 per week! After about five years, that car now has more than 750,000 miles on it. Habib, Jr.’s goal is to reach 1 million nukes using owner/mechanic heroics, planning and luck (mostly by missing the ‘kamikaze’ deer that jump across the roads as he’s driving around Kentucky).

“The measures Habib, Jr. goes to to maintain and upkeep his Honda Civic are amazing,” said Rich Elsensohn, Service and Parts Manager at Apple Valley Honda dealership in Wenatchee. “Obviously he knows a thing or two about cars that the average person doesn’t…I mean, he took the engine out of his car when he thought it died…but he also doesn’t let things like not having a garage keep him from taking care of it himself. He’s devoted to his Honda and that’s just great!”

Hondas are known for being long-lasting and taking care of their owners, especially when their owners take care of them! The story of Habib, Jr. speaks to the fact that certified used Hondas and the quality pre-owned vehicles sold by Honda can serve their owners well…really well.

“We have people bringing their cars in here with hundreds of thousands of miles on it,” Elsensohn said. “They love their Hondas. Not only that, but people aren’t as afraid to buy a certified used Honda because they know they last for such a long time if you take care of them.”

Habib, Jr.’s (unfinished) story isn’t just a story about the 8^th generation Honda Civic that he ‘fell in love with,’ it’s also the story of how loyal Honda customers are! There are whole web sites dedicated to high-mileage Hondas and why would any drive their car that long unless they loved it?

And we appreciate our loyal customers right back.

“We love our loyal Honda customers,” says Alicia Jones, Honda’s Public Relations Manager. “Stories like these are a testament to how people have come to count on their Hondas for more than 50 years to get them to where they need to go.”

Even if you’re not looking to put 1 million miles on a car, a new or certified used Honda is a great investment…because you know you could put 1 million miles on it if you really wanted to. Head to Apple Valley Honda,Northwest Honda or Sims Honda today to find the Honda that will take you 1 million miles.

http://jalopnik.com/5885287/how-i-put-750000-miles-on-my-honda-civic-in-just-five-years

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/mechanical-problems-technical-chat/96765-700-000-miles-still-going-strong.html

http://automobiles.honda.com/mile-makers/

The Benefits to Buying a Honda with the Navigation System Included

The Benefits to Buying a Honda with the Navigation System Included

Posted by Blog Honda on March 2, 2012 in Honda, Honda Certified Used Cars, Honda Navigation System

The Benefits to Buying a Honda with the Navigation System Included

If you decide to buy a new vehicle from Apple Valley Honda, Northwest Honda, or Sims Honda then it is worth considering opting to have a model with GPS built-in to the dashboard.  It’s possible to have fully-integrated GPS with the following ranges; Accord, Civic, Crosstour, CR-Z, CRV, Element, Fit, Insight, Odsyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline.  But why pay a small bit extra for GPS?  There are a number of reasons, both economical benefits and also green-living factors.  Here’s why you should consider this added extra.

No Need to Buy a Standalone GPS

If you have the Honda Navigation System then there is no need to spend money on a separate device such as a Garmin or TomTom.  In addition to that, the GPS will be fully integrated into your dashboard with no messy wires visible, plus some models even come with a rear-view camera installed so you can get in and out of those tricky small spaces a lot easier.

Using a GPS Device Saves You Money

Recent research conducted in Germany monitored the driving habits over a year of one thousand people.  Half of them used a GPS, and the remaining half relied on instinct and road knowledge.  The ones using a GPS satellite navigation product on average made the following savings over a 12 month period:

• Overall drove shorter distances
• They spent less time driving and behind the wheel
• Their fuel efficiency was increased by a factor 12%
• Gas consumption fell from a high of 8.3 to 7.3 liters every 100km
• This better fuel economy equated to a .91 ton reduction their C02 emissions annually per driver
• They manage to reduce their annual driving distances 2,500km for each driver

The reason these savings are made in both the wallet and environment is because a GPS like the Honda Navigation System will always try to route you the quickest or shortest route possible.  The new Honda Navigation units also come with Real-Time Traffic alerts.  This means you will know about a traffic jam before you reach it, and the GPS will re-route you to avoid it.  Traffic jams are the number one place for high fuel consumption and gas costs due to the “stop-start” nature of the driving style adopted.

For more information on Honda Navigation System updates and the savings you can make with the Honda dashboard devices please visit: http://www.hondanavigationdvd.net/.  Also please make sure that you speak to you local dealer about the price options available should you wish to opt for the system in your new Honda purchase.

Big Week for the Honda Odyssey

Big Week for the Honda Odyssey

Posted by Blog Honda on March 9, 2012 in Civic, Honda, Odyssey

Big Week for the Honda Odyssey

One of Honda’s most popular vehicles, the Honda Odyssey, has earned two awards in one week: the MotorWeek “2012 Driver’s Choice Award for Best Minivan” and Parenting Magazine’s “Smartest Family Car of 2012.”

“These awards tell us what we’ve known all along,” said Paul Binder, Sales Manager at Northwest Honda dealership in Bellingham. “The Odyssey is just a great minivan for families. It’s extremely functional and doesn’tfeel like minivan…except that you can get so much done with it.”

This is the sixth time the Odyssey has won the Driver’s Choice Award from MotorWeek, including in 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006 and 2011! The Odyssey is an American product, designed and built in Alabama and Ohio. The eight-passenger Odyssey Touring has the highest EPA rating with for a vehicle in that class with 28 mpg.

Of course, safety is important when you’re driving around your children, so it’s notable that the Odyssey also received the best possible safety rating from NHTSA (5-Star Overall Vehicle Score and was a Top Safety Pick for the IIHS, an achievement no other currently-tested minivan can match.

“Beyond great packaging, class-leading fuel economy, unparalleled safety ratings and cutting-edge family-friendly features, the Odyssey was designed to be fun to drive.” said Michael Accavitti, VP of marketing operations for American Honda. “Being honored with a Motorweek Driver’s Choice Award for a second consecutive year confirms that the Odyssey remains the best minivan choice for those who truly enjoy driving.”

Besides being friendly on your wallet when it comes to getting gas, extremely safe, and fun to drive, the Odyssey is the smartest choice for families. Just ask Parenting Magazine. The magazine picked the Honda Odyssey Touring Elite as one of the year’s “Smartest Family Cars.”

“By recognizing today’s smartest cars, Parenting hopes to make it easy for families to use technology on the road, whether it’s for a quick run to the store or for an extended road trip vacation,” said Ana Connery, Editorial Director for The Parenting Group. “Our editors’ top picks have thought of everything so that parents don’t have to.”

Some of this technology includes its Blind Spot Information System that indicates when there may be something in the driver’s blind spot, which is very helpful when you’ve got kid number two and three going at it in the back seat. Honda’s DVD Rear Entertainment System has a 16.2 inch screen that allows you to view video from two different sources simultaneously; again, great for solving arguments over what the kids want to watch.

“The Odyssey was conceived as the ultimate family vehicle, and the Odyssey Touring Elite takes that concept to an unprecedented new level,” said Michael Accavitti, vice president of marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Being listed among the ‘Smartest Family Cars’ pays tribute to the Honda R&D team in Ohio and manufacturing team in Alabama responsible for designing and building the best minivan on the road.”

Northwest Honda, Sims Honda and Apple Valley Honda have a great supply of Honda Odysseys, so if you are in the market for an award-winning family vehicle, head there first!

Honda Uses Own Solar Panels to Charge Plants

Honda Uses Own Solar Panels to Charge Plants

Posted by Blog Honda on March 19, 2012 in Honda, Honda Production, Recycling

Honda Uses Own Solar Panels to Charge Plants

With the slumping economy, like many businesses, Honda found it a little tougher to sell its CIGS thing solar panels (the thinnest solar panels in the world). Instead of pulling the plug, so to speak, Honda has decided to put those solar panels to use on its own buildings powering manufacturing plants and dealerships alike.

What a great idea!

Not only is this a way to show off its own technology, it’s a great way to cut down on energy costs and pollution. Instead of sitting on a perfectly good product while the economy recovers, Honda is putting its good ideas and engineering to work…for itself!

Here in the Northwest, we love being green and we love Honda! For more information about this great program, check out the article on  especially the video at the end of the article, which gives more details on the solar panels and how they are affecting Honda!

http://www.greenchipstocks.com/articles/honda-solar-panels/1510

Honda CRZ Named Wheels Car of the Year!

Honda CRZ Named Wheels Car of the Year!

Posted by Blog Honda on March 21, 2012 in 2012 CRZ, Honda

Honda CRZ Named Wheels Car of the Year!

Congratulations to the Honda CRZ! The Honda CRZ was named picked to be Wheels Car of the Year, which is Australia’s most prestigious automotive award. Want to bring this winner to your driveway? The CRZ is available now at Northwest Honda, Sims Honda and Apple Valley Honda dealerships!

“We love the CRZ,” said Brent Crowder, Sales Manager at Apple Valley Honda dealership in Wenatchee. “Not only does it have a ton of torque, it’s also small and light. This makes it much for fun to drive, as the judges in the article noted.”

Some have noted that 2011 was a tough year for Honda and, in some respects, it certainly was. But with this award added to Honda’s list of other awards that it won for 2011, Honda still seems to be on the top of its game by creating and producing fantastic new models and continuing to be a top seller of certified used/quality pre-owned vehicles.

According to the article, “the secret behind the CRZ’s performance is IMA Boost, providing immediate torque from the electric motor, combined with high end power from the SOHC i-VTEC engine.”

“Winning such a prestigious industry title helps to validate the CRZ’s position as the ultimate sporty vehicle,” said Graeme Meyer, Head of Marketing for Honda NZ.

While it may be a surprise to some people that the Honda CRZ beat out cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco, Audi A6, Ford Focus, Range Rover Evoque and Skoda Yeti, it certainly isn’t to us. Not only does this car look fast and cool, its peak torque performance at 1000rpm and impressive fuel efficiency of 4.7 litres per 100km (Australian talk for lots of torque and good gas mileage to go with that pretty face it has).

Real-World Testers Choose Honda Fit as Best Sub-Compact Car – USA Today

Real-World Testers Choose Honda Fit as Best Sub-Compact Car – USA Today

\Posted by Blog Honda on March 26, 2012 in 2013 Fit, Honda

Real-World Testers Choose Honda Fit as Best Sub-Compact Car

In a neat little feature for USA Today, a real-world married couple tested seven sub-compact vehicles. Their choice? The Honda Fit (now available at Sims Honda, Northwest Honda and Apple Valley Honda dealerships).

After testing cars like the Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, and Nissan Versa “they settled on the Honda Fit hatchback as their clear favorite for its power, comfort and visibility.”

While this ‘regular’ couple, Robyn and Erik Rose, noted that they do not particularly like the look of the Honda Fit, they admitted it was a great car and would be their choice over the seemingly ‘cheap’ Nissan Versa and said that if someone gave them a Rio, they would “trade it in for a motorcycle” (ouch).

“Just like this couple noted, the Honda Fit really is a great car,” said Dave Pitcher, sales manager at Sims Honda dealership in Burlington. “It handles awesome; it’s really fun to drive. It is a really a great choice for individuals and couples who don’t need a bigger vehicle. Just like almost all of Honda’s vehicles, it gets good gas mileage and is a solid, dependable car.”

In fact, this couple said “thought the Honda Fit could do little wrong during their drive.”

“As soon as you sit in it and drive it, you feel at home,” Erik said.

This is a funny little article because this couple’s commentary is very honest and colorful. I love how Robyn (the wife) said that in driving the Ford Fiesta, it seemed like, “They want you to forget that it’s a Ford.” (Again, ouch)

If you are looking for a ‘great’ sub-compact car, head to Sims Honda in Burlington, Northwest Honda in Bellingham or Apple Valley Honda in Wenatchee. Maybe you will find yourself feeling “at home” in the Honda Fit, too.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/story/2012-03-19/subcompact-shootout-family/53620420/1

Sheriff's Department Participating in National Night Out Against Crime

The Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station event will take place at the Kroc Center Recreation Field in La Mesa.

• July 30, 2012

The San Diego Sheriff's Department is inviting neighborhoods throughout the county to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 29th Annual National Night Out Against Crime.
Sheriff's Stations and Substations will hold events on Tuesday, Aug. 7, from noon until 7:30 p.m. at various locations. Activities include:

• Barbecues or picnics (free food and drinks)
• Neighborhood walk (free t‐shirts for first 150 walkers in Vista)
• Displays from Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit, Off‐Road Enforcement Team, Search and Rescue
• Free shredding (Santee only)
• Free disposal of unwanted prescription drugs
• Safety displays (crime prevention, I.D. theft, neighborhood watch information, fire prevention, personal safety)
• Free child fingerprinting
• Children can also enjoy face painting, games, raffle prizes and explore patrol cars and fire trucks.

National Night Out is designed to build partnerships with Sheriff's deputies; heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support and participation in local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
More than 37 million people from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide are expected to take part in National Night Out.
The following Sheriff's Stations and Substation are taking part in the event:
Lemon Grove Station ‐ 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Kroc Center Recreation Field
6845 University Avenue, San Diego
(619) 287‐5762
San Marcos Station – 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
San Elijo Hills Park – Gazebo Area, 1105 Elfin Forest Road
(760) 798‐1784
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Buelow Park, 300 Autumn Drive
(760) 510‐5255
Valley Center Substation ‐ 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Valley Center Substation, 28201 N. Lake Wohlford Road
(760) 751‐4408
Vista Station ‐ 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Vista corner of Main Street and Indiana Avenue
(760) 726‐1340 ext. 1481
Poway Station ‐ 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Outside the Target store located at 14823 Pomerado Road
(858) 513‐2807
Encinitas Station ‐ 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Outside the Target store located at 1010 N. El Camino Real
(760) 966‐3587
Imperial Beach Station ‐ 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Robert Egger Sr. South Bay Recreation Center
1885 Coronado Avenue
(619) 498‐2435
Santee Station ‐ 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Woodglen Vista Apartments, 10450 N. Magnolia Avenue
(619) 956‐4022
To print a flyer for each Sheriff's Station or Substation, visit www.sdsheriff.net
thanks you to Lemon Grove Patch.com

Man texts, 'I need to quit texting,' before driving into ravine

DCH Honda of Lemon Grove - Safe Teen Driving  - reminds you to please do not text and drive.

Man texts, 'I need to quit texting,' before driving into ravine

via WAFF

By TODAY.com staff

A Victoria, Tex. college student believes he is lucky to be alive after a terrible crash. He was texting and driving the 30-some miles back to his hometown of Ganado when his truck drove off the road and into a ravine.
One of the last things 21-year-old Chance Bothe texted before his crash nearly happened to him. He was having an argument with his friend via text when he typed, "I need to quit texting, because I could die in a car accident."
After the crash, Chance had an open compound fracture to his left ankle, a punctured right lung, multiple facial fractures along with lacerations, and a severe skull fracture with some apparent head trauma. Now, six months later, he's finally able to talk about what happened.

"They just need to understand, don't do it. Don't do it. It's not worth losing your life," he said, according to NBC-affiliate WAFF in Huntsville, Ala. "I went to my grandmother's funeral not long ago, and I kept thinking, it kept jumping into my head, I'm surprised that's not me up in that casket. I came very close to that, to being gone forever."
According to WAFF, Chance's father said that if his child was just learning to drive, he would disable texting and Internet on their phone.
This story has been updated, and contains reporting from Tricia Forbes, WAFF in Huntsville, Ala. Here is a link to her original piece, which first ran in this space.

dchlg.com
 

Honda and Mercedes-Benz Top Harris Interactive Brand Rankings

Written by: Ben Timmins [G+] on June 26 2012 10:30 AM

It was a tough 2011 for Honda, with two natural disasters crippling the company’s sales and a poorly received refresh to the famed Civic. But American survey respondents have apparently read past that story: a survey by Harris Interactive named Honda the most-loved automotive brand in the nation, edging out top luxury brand Mercedes-Benz.

Harris Interactive’s annual EquiTrend study looks at brand equity, a proprietary measure of a brand’s health and standing with consumers and the general public. In 2011, it named Ford the full-line manufacturer with the most brand equity and put Chevrolet in second place; Honda came in third. In the luxury carmaker category, Mercedes-Benz topped Lexus and BMW.

This year, the luxury landscape looks much the same: Mercedes-Benz sits atop the group of luxury car brands with a 61.02 equity score. BMW managed to edge out Lexus this year, 58.71 to 58.4. Other top brands include Cadillac (58.39), Acura (56.32), and Audi (55.36).

But fortunes have turned in the full-line category: Honda managed a two-place jump in a year, topping the full-line category with a 62.55 score. Toyota took second place with a 62.51 score, and last year’s number one, Ford, took third place with a 62.1. Chevrolet, last year’s second place, fell to number four with a score of 61.95.

What does this mean? A high brand equity number signals good brand health and a good standing with potential buyers, so these numbers suggest that Japanese brands are back in a big way. It also shows that many brands have a lot of work to do: Chevrolet’s sibling brand Cadillac made the top eight spots in luxury cars, but Buick ranked below average; likewise, Lincoln faltered while Ford continued its reign as the best American brand. Conversely, Hyundai scored an above-average ranking (showing lots of improvement over last year, when it rated below average) while Kia didn’t make the cut.

In the meantime, it looks like there’s some competition on the horizon: if Harris Interactive’s metrics are an accurate predictor of sales success, Honda’s new Accord sedan could prove an even more serious competitor for the Toyota Camry than it already is. Honda’s obviously thinking the same thing: American Honda VP of National Marketing Operations said “the combination of strong brand equity and a fresh line-up of new models that resonate with customers will drive strong growth for us this year.”

Source: Harris Interactive