LaneWatch Wins Good Housekeeping's 2013 Very Innovative Products Award

      Another great article to have in your customer waiting area/service

      waiting area and on your sales consultants work stations.

            Honda's LaneWatchTM 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.

Accord vs. Fusion and Malibu

2013 Accord LX vs. Ford Fusion S

Top 5 reasons to buy Accord LX:

1.       Significantly Higher EPA Fuel Economy Ratings:  Accord LX Sedan is rated five mpg higher in city driving and two mpg higher on the highway for a combined advantage of four mpg.

2.       More Powerful Engine:  Accord LX’s 4-cylinder engine produces more horsepower and torque.  Its 173-pound lighter weight adds to its performance advantage.

3.       Standard Features/Greater Value:  Many popular features are standard on Accord LX, but Not Available on Fusion S, including automatic climate control, rear-view camera, alloy wheels, electronic brake distribution, and stereo anti-theft.

4.       High Quality Interior:  Customers spend a lot of time in their vehicles so a pleasant interior is important.  In its review of 2013 models, usnews.com commends Accord for its “comfortable, upscale cabin” when criticizing Fusion’s “bland interior styling.”

5.       Lower Ownership Costs:  While Accord LX’s MSRP is slightly higher than that of Fusion S, it maintains a higher residual value over time.  This is in addition to Accord’s significantly higher EPA fuel economy ratings.

2013 Accord vs. Chevrolet Malibu

Top 5 reasons to buy Accord LX:

1.       Significantly Higher EPA Fuel Economy Ratings:  Accord LX Sedan is rated five mpg higher in city driving and two mpg higher on the highway for a combined advantage of four mpg.

2.       Roomier Rear Seat:  Accord LX has 3.2 cubic feet more overall passenger volume than Malibu LS, reflected in 1.7 inches more rear-seat legroom as well as more rear-seat shoulder room and hip-room, making Accord more comfortable for adults and growing teenagers.

3.       Standard Features/Greater Value:  Popular features like hill start assist, automatic climate control, dual-zone climate control, rear-view camera, and variable assisted steering are standard on Accord LX, but Not Available on Malibu LS.

4.       Confident Highway Performance:  Despite Malibu’s higher horsepower and torque numbers, usnews.com reviewers said its “base engine struggles with hills and highway passing.”  Accord has confident performance on the highway.

5.       Significantly Lower Ownership Costs:  In addition  to its much higher EPA fuel economy ratings and lower comparably equipped price, Accord LX maintains a significantly higher residual value over time.

2013 Honda Fit Named Car and Driver 10 Best Vehicles

Honda Fit

Intelligence in five-door form.

With the Fit, Honda hands drivers a bargain-priced tool that is neither pretty nor powerful.  In place of all that is something rarer: density of thought.  There's more intelligence packed into a Fit than in many cars nearly twice the size.  It's the defining small car-mechanically precise, pared of excess fat, respectful of gasoline, and graced with fluid handling.  It's also hugely practical and affordable.  Like a genie lamp, it's small on the outside and remarkably cavernous inside.  An electric version priced itself out of connection, and the gas model is by no means perfect-the 117-hp engine needs more oats.  But the Fit's every component hums the song of high-quality machinery and that seduced us again. 

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon Base Price:  $15,425 Engine: SOHC 16-valve, 1.5-liter inline-4, 117 hp, 106 lb-ft Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic with manual shifting mode.  Wheelbase:  98.4 in Length: 161.6 in Width: 66.7 in Height:  60.0 in Curb Weight: 2496-2628 lb EPA City/Hwy Fuel Economy Ratings: 27 city/33 hwy mpg ratings for Fit and Fit Sport with manual transmission.  28 city/35 hwy mpg rating for Fit with automatic transmission.  27 city/33 hwy mpg rating for Fit Sport with automatic transmission. 

MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $790.00 destination charge and options.  Dealer prices may vary.

Based on 2013 EPA mileage ratings.  Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2013 Honda Accord Named Car and Drivers Top Ten for 27th Time

Let us get this straight: The new Accord has ditched its control-arm front suspension for struts; a CVT has displaced its four-cylinder's step-gear automatic; and gasoline direct injection is new this year-but only on the four-nine years after Audi first offered it in the U.S. So why is this car back on the list for a record 27th time? It's not because the Accord is a looker.  What it has is inner beauty: Luxury-car big inside and yet smaller outside than before, this ninth-gen version fully delivers on Honda's "man-maximum, machine-minimum" philosophy.  The Accord's greatness has always derived from its ability to disappear under it's driver, but this new car verges on the ethereal-it is so easy to see out of, so easy to point into a corner, so elegant and light and forgiving in its responses that one big fluid loop develops between man and machine. This is true whether you're talking about the base four-cylinder sedan or the six-cylinder coupe with its clock-work manual.  Its playful and graceful spirit takes taking grandma to the doctor and the kids to soccer practice and the boss to lunch no chore.  You only think it's a driving appliance until you drive it.  Then you understand.

Specifications:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe or 4-door sedan 

Base Price: $21,680 LX Sedan and $23,350 LX-S Coupe

Engines: DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 185-189 hp, 181-182 lb-ft; SOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, 278 hp, 251-251 lb-ft Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, continuously variable automatic Wheel Base:107.3-109.3 in Length: 189.2-191.4 in Width: 72.8 in Height:56.5-57.7 in Curb Weight:3186-3559 lb EPA City/Hwy Fuel Economy Ratings: 24 city/35 hwy mpg rating for Sport Sedan and 4-cylinder Coupe models with CVT. 21 city/34 hwy mpg rating for V-6 Sedan models. 18 city/28 hwy mpg rating for V-6 Coupe 6MT models.  21city/32 hwy mpg rating for V-6 Coupe 6AT models.

MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $790.00 destination charge and options.  Dealer pricing may vary. Based on 2013 EPA mileage ratings.  Use for comparison purpose only.  Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

HBCU Marching Bands Rock the Georgia Dome at the 2013 HBOB "House Part

Grammy Award winner Brandy electrifies the crowd.

Fans, students and alumni packed the Georgia Dome on Saturday adding to the energy generated by dynamic performances by eight of the nation’s top marching bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) at the one-of-a-kind “House Party,” known as the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.
An electrifying performance by Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Brandy and American dance music singer and songwriter, Crystal Waters, added additional spark to the Honda Battle of the Bands presented by Verizon Wireless and official banking sponsor SunTrust Bank, which celebrated its 11^th annual Invitational Showcase.
The unparalleled pageantry, musicianship and camaraderie of the HBCU marching band experience was on full display with spirited performances by Albany State University, Alcorn State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Jackson State University, North Carolina A&T University, Tennessee State University and Winston-Salem State University.
The Showcase also hosted a dance-off between participating HBCU dance teams which used songs selected by fan vote via social media. Additionally, fans helped amp up the “house party” theme in two dance contests presented by official presenting sponsor, Verizon Wireless: one for individual fans to show off their best moves on the Georgia Dome field; the other for couples who wanted to dance in an iconic “Soul Train” line-style contest.
Two lucky fans also left the Georgia Dome as proud owners of brand new Honda vehicles. One of the three finalists in the Honda Battle of the Bands Sweepstakes became the owner of the award-winning 2013 Honda Accord. Adding to the excitement, the crowd was surprised when a second lucky fan in attendance received a new 2013 Honda Civic.
“The Honda Battle of the Bands not only provides a national stage to showcase the talent of these outstanding student musicians, but also the success of the music education programs at each school,” said Marc Burt, assistant vice president, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda is honored to support these programs with grants that each school receives for participating in the program.”
The Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase is the largest and most popular music event of its kind. Widely known to fans as “The Honda,” the Showcase not only serves as a platform to highlight and celebrate the heritage and showmanship of HBCU marching bands, but also stands as the only national music scholarship program dedicated to supporting HBCU music education programs. The eight qualifying marching bands each earned a $20,000 grant for their school’s music education programs, along with an all-expense paid trip to perform at the Invitational Showcase in Atlanta.
The Honda Battle of the Bands actively engages with fans through social media, providing access to the latest updates, photos and videos. Fans can connect with the Honda Battle of the Bands at:
Twitter – @The_Honda, #HBOB2013 (http://twitter.com/The_Honda)
Facebook – (www.facebook.com/HondaBattleOfTheBands)
YouTube – (www.youtube.com/hondabotb)
Instagram – #HBOB2013
For more information on the Honda Battle of the Bands program and the Invitational Showcase, including photos and video footage, visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com.
For downloadable video and high-resolution photos please go to www.epklink.com/hondabattleofthebands2013.
About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., was founded in 1959 as the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda produces automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, lawn mowers and engines at its nine major U.S. manufacturing operations, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda’s long-standing commitment to the support and success of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities began more than 20 years ago with the establishment of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a program designed to showcase the academic gifts and prowess of HBCU students. American Honda established Honda Battle of the Bands 11 years ago as an effort to support HBCU music programs. 

All-New Accord and Civic Drive Sharp Honda Monthly and Annual Sales Gains; ILX and RDX Fuel Acura Jump; American Honda Posts Best Annual Sales Result Since 2008

Buoyed by strong December 2012 U.S. sales of 132,774 units, an increase of 26.2 percent compared with December 2011, American Honda posted annual vehicle sales of 1,422,785 units in 2012, up 24.0 percent compared with 2011. This makes 2012 American Honda's fourth-best sales year ever, and its best sales result since 2008.

Honda
The Honda Division posted December 2012 sales of 116,740 units, an increase of 26.8 percent compared with December 2011 and less than 500 units shy of an all-time December record. The Honda Division's 2012 annual sales of 1,266,569 increased 23.7 percent compared with 2011. The three top-selling Honda models for 2012 were Accord, 331,872; Civic, 317,909; and CR-V, 281,652.

- Civic sets all-time December record with sales of 33,118 units, up 61 percent from last year

- All-new 2013 Accord sales up 66 percent from last December with sales of 29,428 units

- CR-V sets an all-time annual sales record (281,652) and its tenth monthly sales record since launching last December, up 19 percent from last year to 25,733 sales

"Honda began the year intent on recovery," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of Sales. "We ended 2012 with multiple product awards, a host of sales records, Honda's second best December ever, and tremendous momentum as we head into 2013."

Acura
Acura U.S. December sales of 16,034 units represents an increase of 22.1 percent over December 2011. The Acura Division's year-end sales totaled 156,216, up 26.7 percent compared with 2011 results - and the brand's best sales results since 2007. The MDX led the division with annual sales of 50,854, followed by the TL with sales of 33,572 and the RDX with sales of 29,520.

- RDX sets its eighth-consecutive monthly sales record, up 155 percent from a year ago with 4,024 sales - setting monthly sales records in each month since going on sale in May 2012

- MDX was the top selling Acura model in December, with 5,069 sales, up 10 percent from 2011

- ILX is top selling Acura sedan in December with 2,485 sales

"December was another month of tremendous sales growth fueled by our newest products, the Acura ILX luxury compact sedan and the RDX crossover SUV," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura Sales, "Acura is primed for even more success in 2013, with the upcoming launch of the brand's flagship RLX sedan and the unveiling of the 2014 MDX Prototype at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show."

The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 26 days for December 2012 and 27 days for December 2011. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 307 days for 2012 and 307 days for 2011. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

Ed Voyles Honda Named TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee

Ed Voyles Honda is being named a TIME Dealer of the Year nominee!

The TIME Dealer of the Year program honors new-car dealers in America who exhibit exceptional performance in their dealerships and perform distinguished community service. Dealers are nominated by members of the ATAE (Automotive Trade Association Executives) and the winner is acknowledged at the annual NADA convention.  The 2013 awards will be presented at the opening business session of the NADA annual convention in Orlando on February 9, 2013. At the convention, all Dealer of the Year nominees will be included in the Dealer of the Year photo display at the convention center.

The Ed Voyles Automotive Group is honored to be in a position to give back to our community and the people that everyday shape the minds and lives of our children - our teachers. The Cobb Chamber’s Teacher of the Year Program, now in its 22nd year, honors the Teachers who have won the admiration and respect of students, parents and their peers with a new car.  Through a new partnership with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Ed Voyles Automotive Group will grant a free one-year vehicle lease to the Teachers of the Year.  Ed Voyles Automotive Group intends for the partnership to be long-lasting and to provide teachers with a very real and valuable award for their commitment to excellence in education.