Honda tops ALG's 2012 Percieved Quality Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (May 31, 2012) – Ford and Hyundai have had the highest level of improvement in perception of quality among all automakers during the last 5 years according to ALG, the industry benchmark for vehicle values. Since 2008, Ford’s perception of quality has improved nearly 37%, while Hyundai’s perception of quality has increased by 25% during that time period. The release of ALG’s 2012 Perceived Quality Study (PQS) shows Ford ranking fourth, with Hyundai above the mainstream average.

Honda ranks highest among mainstream brands with a perceived quality score of 81.3, followed closely by Toyota, whose perception of quality continues to recover from its drop in 2010. Toyota showed the largest year-over-year perception improvement of any brand. Honda and Toyota continue to be the perception of quality standard bearers among mainstream brands, with Subaru ranking third.

Among luxury brands, Lexus is highest ranked for the second consecutive year, with a perceived quality score of 85.4. Three European brands – Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche round out the top four.

“Changing the perception of quality is a long-term proposition,” said Eric Lyman, ALG’s Vice President of Residual Value Solutions. “Consumers recognize the product improvements made by Ford and Hyundai. Honda and Toyota are still widely recognized as being the quality leaders, but as more consumers increasingly consider brands like Subaru, Ford and Hyundai, that perception gap erodes.”

Other brands showing significant year-over-year improvement include Fiat, Scion, Dodge and Kia.

“Kia and Dodge are great examples of perception improvement based on product and marketing,” said Lyman. “Both brands have launched exciting new product and impactful messaging. While they both face significant history to overcome, consumers are beginning to recognize their improvement.”

Now in its fifth year, ALG’s Perceived Quality Study is a semi-annual consumer survey measuring the perceived quality of automotive brands. PQS reports the opinions of more than 3,000 U.S. consumers in order to gauge perceptions of mainstream and luxury brands. PQS is one of the metrics ALG examines in calculating our industry benchmark residual values, helping companies and consumers understand the future value of their vehicles.
The complete list with scores and details is available here.

About ALG
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is the benchmark of vehicle value information to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the “Residual Value Guidebook” – the standard for residual value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for nearly 50 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. For more information, visit www.alg.com.
Promotional use of this information may be used only with the express permission of ALG. Contact marketing@alg.com for additional information.

Source (via www.autoblog.com);
https://www.alg.com/press-releases/ford-hyundai-show-long-term-improvement-in-perceived-quality.html

Honda Earns Multiple Honors in AutoPacific's 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards and Total Car Score's 2012 Top Scoring Car Awards

05/24/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif

Honda has captured three of AutoPacific's 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards for the 2012 Honda CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot, and four of Total Car Score's inaugural Top Scoring Car Awards for the 2012 Honda Ridgeline, Fit, Odyssey and CR-V.
"It's fantastic to have so much of Honda's outstanding product line represented in these awards," said Michael Accavitti, vice president of marketing operations for American Honda. "AutoPacific's awards tell us we're creating truly satisfied owners, and the Total Car Score awards demonstrate how widely and well regarded Honda's products are among top authoritative sites."
AutoPacific's 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) are based on over 75,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first quarter of 2012.The VSAs are based solely on owner input, and are an accurate measurement of how satisfied new car and light truck buyers are with their recently purchased vehicle.
The Top Scoring Car Awards are based on Total Car Score's ranking formula, which utilizes the ratings from trusted automotive sites converted into a simple percentage. These ratings are translated into a single Total Car Score that allows car shoppers to quickly and easily compare cars.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/-20

TrueCar.com Identifies 10 Most Popular Cars for Moms (Honda CRV Tops!)

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Just in time for Mother's Day, TrueCar.com, the authoritative voice in new car pricing and industry trend information, has identified the 10 Most Popular Cars for Moms. Based on 2011 data received from women with children about the cars they drive, the findings place the Honda CR-V at the top of the list, followed by the Nissan Altima, Honda Odyssey, Subaru Outback, and Honda Pilot.

"The data shows moms prefer vehicles that combine practicality with style," said Kristen Andersson, Senior Analyst at TrueCar.com. "Bigger is not always better when it comes to moms' favorite vehicles as evidenced by the lack of any Large SUVs and only one minivan in the overall top ten."

Some of the key findings of the data include:

Honda has five vehicles in the top 10 most popular cars for moms, including the CR-V, Odyssey, Pilot, Accord, and Civic.

Nissan has three vehicles in the top 10 most popular cars for moms, including the Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Odyssey ranked the highest among moms with two or more kids, thanks to its ability to hold up to eight people as well as 38.4 cubic-feet of cargo. The Honda Pilot, which ranked fifth overall, came in second place among moms with two or more kids, also attributable to its ability to carry up to eight passengers and 18 cubic feet of cargo.

With manufacturer's suggested retail pricing of $37,855 and $40,200, the Honda Odyssey and Pilot are the two most expensive vehicles on the list.

The two least expensive vehicles on the list were the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra small sedans, with MSRPs of $21,445 and $19,140, making them favorites among small families with small budgets.

Only one minivan made the overall top 10, showing that most moms still prefer to drive a sedan or SUV. However, three minivans -- the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Chrysler Town & Country -- ranked among the top five most popular vehicles for moms with three or more children. 

Source;

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/truecarcom-identifies-10-most-popular-cars-for-moms-2012-05-10

Honda Named Automotive “Brand of the Year” in Harris EquiTrend Poll

Honda has had a rough go as of late, with reduced sales in 2011 due to production shortages as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Prior to that, there were criticisms of the new 2012 Honda Civic.

None of that, however, has phased consumers it would appear, with Honda being named the full line Automotive Brand of the Year in the latest Harris EquiTrend Poll. Measuring brand leadership in a total of 127 different categories, Harris Interactive surveyed 38,529 U.S. consumers aged 15 and older.

Ranked second overall is Toyota, another Japanese automaker that’s had its share of bad press over the past few years. This would seem to indicate the long term reputation of each of those brands hasn’t been affected by these most recent events.

In third place is Ford Motor Company, which topped the list last year followed by Chevrolet, then Honda, Toyota and Nissan. For 2012, Chevrolet has dropped two spots to fourth, while Nissan remains in fifth place.

In terms of luxury automotive brands, Mercedes-Benz tops the list followed by BMW and then Lexus.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/03/honda-named-automotive-brand-of-the-year-in-harris-equitrend-poll.html

2012 Honda Odyssey and CR-V Win ALG Canadian Residual Value Awards

Fourth-annual ALG awards honour 2012 vehicles that demonstrate ability to hold value in Canadian market

MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Two of Honda Canada's most popular vehicles have received Canadian Residual Value Awards from automotive insights company ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values. The 2012 Honda Odyssey won in the MPV category while the 2012 Honda CR-V, Canada's top-selling import SUV, won in the Compact Utility category.

"These awards are a testament to the quality and reliability that customers have come to expect from Honda," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. "Odyssey and CR-V play very important roles in the lives of many Canadians and these awards should reassure our customers of the investment they are making when choosing Honda."

About the ALG Residual Awards
The annual ALG Residual Value Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in producing vehicles that demonstrate the ability to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a three-year period. Awards are given in 19 vehicle categories and two brand categories (mainstream and luxury). This year's awards are based on 2012 model year vehicles.

Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance, industry trends, and economic conditions. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies remain the key factors that impact ALG's residual value forecasts.

About the 2012 Honda Odyssey
Ample space, dramatic exterior styling and engaging driving experience are among the well-deserved impressions people get from Honda's eight-passenger, luxurious family-mover that continues to be a class leader in fuel efficiency and safety. For a family on the go, Honda's Odyssey is the ultimate recreation room on wheels.

"Honda has kept incentives and fleet penetration to a minimum on the Odyssey, which is a rolling showcase of emerging technology and smart packaging," said Geoff Helby, Canada Regional Director for ALG. "Always versatile, the Odyssey can transform from upscale family transporter to voluminous cargo carrier in a matter of seconds."

The Odyssey is unsurpassed for safety with an extensive list of safety equipment including the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure - a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Combining that with a 248 horsepower, i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management for enhanced fuel efficiency, and the highest estimated highway fuel economy in its class, the Odyssey balances power, fuel efficiency, safety and fun.

About the 2012 Honda CR-V
All new for 2012, the fourth-generation Honda CR-V embraces a sophisticated styling direction in conjunction with improved interior comfort, improved fuel economy, a smoother and quieter ride, and more innovative features as part of a 'total package' approach. Long established as the benchmark vehicle in its class with high levels of quality, refinement and value, the 2012 CR-V is designed to exceed customer expectations in the compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with increased value resulting from lower MSRPs across the entire CR-V lineup and added content.

"With improved styling and feature-rich content, the redesigned CR-V provides a strong value proposition for consumers," said Geoff Helby, Canada Regional Director for ALG. "In a hyper-competitive segment, adding competitive features and drivetrain to an already class-leading vehicle and the strength of the Honda brand deliver great value for consumers."

All CR-Vs are powered by a 2.4-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition, a new ECON operating mode increases the potential for drivers to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency when the system is activated. The 2012 Honda CR-V is built at Honda's assembly plant in Alliston, Ontario.

About Honda Canada
Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969 and currently employs approximately 4,700 associates in addition to more than 15,000 dealership personnel across the country. Honda Canada has built close to 6 million cars and trucks since 1986. Honda's two vehicle assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario, produce Honda CR-V, the Civic Coupe, Sedan and Si models, and the Acura MDX and ZDX. An adjacent engine plant produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines for Civic. All three plants have achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status. Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada, and annually sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers.

About ALG
(www.alg.com)Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is the industry standard for residual values and a leading provider of insights and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the Automotive Lease Guide - the benchmark for residual value expectations in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for nearly 50 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Image with caption: "Geoff Helby, Canada Regional Director, ALG, presents the 2012 Residual Value Award for the Honda Odyssey to Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice President, Honda Canada Inc., at the Canadian International Auto Show. (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120216_C4893_PHOTO_EN_10212.jpg

Source;
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/589146

Honda Odyssey Named One of the Smartest Car for Family

Smartest Cars for Families 2012
We test-drive the smartest, tech-iest family cars hitting the carpool lane this year.
By Scott Steinberg

Honda Odyssey Touring Elite

By the numbers: Three rows, eight seats, 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway

Game-changer for lane-changers: The Blind Spot Information System provides an extra pair of eyes on the road (in the form of radar sensors). The door-mounted indicators illuminate when the sensors detect trouble.

One DVD screen, two happy siblings: The split-screen monitor helps you entertain two kids at once.

Source;

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/best-family-cars-suvs?pnid=517378

Honda Civic Named to About.com's Best New Cars of 2012 List

01/11/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today that the 2012 Honda Civic has been named as one of About.com Cars' Best New Cars of 2012.

"Ranging from a gas-sipping hybrid to a kick-in-the-pants Si, the Civic lineup provides a variety of fun, fuel-efficient options to satisfy a wide range of customers," said Michael Accavitti, vice president of marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We are thrilled to receive this award that recognizes the many advantages of the Civic."

In describing the award-winning Civic, About.com's Aaron Gold called the 2012 Civic hands-down the most comprehensive compact car on the market. "You can get a sedan or a coupe; a high-fuel-efficiency version; a high-performance version; a leather-lined version; a hybrid version; even an alternative-fuel version that runs on clean natural gas," Gold said. "And whichever Civic you choose, you're virtually guaranteed years of trouble-free motoring."

The award from About.com adds to the 2012 Honda Civic's growing list of accolades that include being named Green Car of the Year (Civic Natural Gas), capturing Best Resale Value for a Compact Car by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, and earning a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.
About.com is one of the largest providers of original content on the web, with over 60 million unique visitors per month in the United States.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-civic-named-to-about-com-s-best-new-cars-of-2012-list

Honda Pilot Receives "Family Car of the Year" Award From Cars.com

01/17/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 17, 2012 – American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced that the 2012 Honda Pilot has received the Cars.com"Family Car of the Year," award. The Pilot SUV received a wide range of upgrades for 2012, including a sleeker front-end design, enhanced interior features and improved fuel economy. The 2012 Pilot had already earned the top spot in the"USA Today, MotorWeek and Cars.com $37k and Under SUV Shootout,"with the editor-in-chief touting the Pilot as"the perfect SUV for buyers who want to comfortably haul the entire family and all of their gear."

"We're delighted to see the eight-passenger Pilot's versatility and family-friendly attributes recognized with this prestigious award,"said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning, American Honda Motor Co. "The newly refined and more fuel-efficient Pilot provides real value and surprising sophistication for anyone shopping in the segment."

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Cars.com Family Car of the Year award, which was presented last year to the Honda Odyssey. Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is an online destination for car shoppers that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. For more information on the Best of the Year Awards, visit http://www.cars.com/awards/.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-pilot-receives-family-car-of-the-year-award-from-cars-com

Edmunds.com Announces True Cost to Own(R) Award Winners: Honda and Ford Vehicles Shine

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jul 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Honda Motor Co. won five categories in the 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own(R) Awards, given by Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. The awards name the 2011 model year cars and trucks in 23 categories that offer the lowest True Cost to Own(R) (TCO(R)), which is the projected ownership cost over a five-year period.

The 2011 Honda Accord earned victories in two categories: Coupes $25-$35K and Sedans $20K-$30K. Honda's other award winners are the Honda Civic Hybrid (Hybrids), the Honda Ridgeline (Large Light Duty Truck) and the Honda Pilot (SUV $35K-$45K).

Ford Motor Co. also had a strong showing in this year's awards, with Edmunds.com recognizing the Ford Ranger (Compact Truck), the Ford Flex (Wagon Over $35K), the Ford Fiesta (Sedan Under $20K) and the Ford Transit Connect (Van/Minivan).

The other automotive brands receiving at least two awards were Chevrolet and Cadillac.
"One of the key factors that pushed many of this year's award winners over the top was their free maintenance plans, which can save car owners hundreds or even thousands of dollars over a five-year period," said Danny Zhou, senior director of data products and operations at Edmunds.com. "The 2011 Volkswagen CC, for example, edged past its closest competitors in the Sedan $30K-$40K category in large part because it offers free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles."

To calculate the Lowest True Cost to Own(R) winners, Edmunds.com uses an algorithm that takes into account depreciation, interest on financing, taxes and fees, insurance premiums, fuel, maintenance, repairs and any federal tax credit that may be available. In order to estimate certain mileage-dependent costs, Edmunds.com assumes that vehicles will be driven 15,000 miles per year. Only vehicles launched during the period from July 29, 2010 to April 14, 2011 were considered for the 2011 awards.

To see the full list of all 23 winners this year, please visit the award page at http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/2011-lowest-cost-to-own.html .

Consumers can learn more about Edmunds.com's True Cost to Own(R) (TCO(R)) before they buy their next car at http://www.edmunds.com/tco.html .

About Edmunds.com, Inc. ( http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html )
Edmunds.com Inc. publishes Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.edmunds.com , makes car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and otherwise on the go. InsideLine.com is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.insideline.com , features the wireless Web's highest quality car photos and videos. AutoObserver.com provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds.com Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/edmunds .

Source;
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/edmundscom-announces-true-cost-to-ownr-award-winners-honda-and-ford-vehicles-shine-2011-07-25?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Honda Greensburg plant gets survey's highest award

Honda Greensburg was named one of the world's best car assembly plants

.J.D. Power and Associates, a research firm that hands out an annual prize likened to the Academy Awards of vehicle manufacturing, on Thursday singled out the southeast Indiana factory.

Honda Greensburg received the researcher's highest rating, the Platinum Plant Quality award.The Greensburg plant, which assembles the Civic car, scored 24 problems per 100 vehicles, compared with an industry average of 107 problems per 100 vehicles.

"It's a real feather in the cap for a plant that is that new," said Ed Miller, American Honda Motor Co. senior manager for corporate affairs.

Honda opened the plant in 2008 after selecting 900 workers from about 30,000 job applications. Honda is now recruiting a second shift of about 1,000 workers to start late this year.

Honda plants differ from Toyota's and General Motors' by relying slightly less on automation and more on hands-on effort on the assembly line.

To obtain the results, J.D. Power surveyed 73,000 cars and trucks of all makes in the hands of buyers. The survey covers initial problems detected within 90 days of purchase of model year 2011vehicles.

Greensburg was tied for the Platinum award by Toyota's Lexus RX assembly line at Cambridge, Ontario, and Toyota Kyushu 2 in Japan, which produces the Lexus ES, IS and RX. Each plant scored 24 defects per 100 vehicles."

These results are an important demonstration of our focus on the customer and the tireless efforts put forth by Honda associates throughout our organization -- in R&D, in manufacturing and in sales -- toreflect the voice of our customers and to exceed their high expectations of Honda and Acura," Tetsuo Iwamura, chief executive of American Honda Motor Co., said in a statement.

Source;
http://www.indystar.com/article/20110624/BUSINESS/106240345/Honda-Greensburg-plant-gets-survey-s-highest-award

Fun to Drive Honda Fit Wins a Multitude of Auto Awards – Troy Honda

(OPENPRESS) March 8, 2011 -- The Honda Fit, a subcompact five-door hatchback, is a super-metro champion. For 2011 the Honda Fit offers exceptional space efficiency and fuel economy in an affordable and stylish package. The vehicle has already won a multitude of awards that prove the Fit’s dominance.

Most recently, the magazine Consumer Reports named the Honda Fit as the small car with the best overall value. Over 200 different vehicles were analyzed, and the Honda Fit surpassed them all to take the lead. The winning score was determined by a variety of factors including performance, reliability, and ownership cost data.

This latest win, is just one of the many the Honda Fit has been honored with. The small car has also been awarded ALG’s Residual Value Award for the Best Sub Compact Car. This award showcases that the Fit retains its value over time which is an important aspect drivers consider when purchasing cars. The Honda Fit is a very versatile car, so it is able to hold its value whether new or used. This award goes along with Kelly Blue Book’s award for ‘Best Resale Value Award’ in the sub-compact car category. KBB gives this award to a vehicle in each category that has the best resale value after five years.

Car and Driver’s praised the Honda Fit for its fun to drive experience and named the vehicle on its 10 Best Cars list. U.S. News and World Reports also named the Fit on its list of 2011 Best Cars for the Money due to its impressive fuel economy, spacious cabin and affordable price tag.

The award winning Honda Fit is available at Troy Honda, a Honda dealer serving the Detroit, MI area. Visit http://troyhonda.com/new-cars.aspx to view the Honda car dealer’s extensive inventory of new and used Honda Fits.

About Troy HondaTroy Honda, http://www.TroyHonda.com, of the Detroit area carries an extensive inventory of new and used Honda cars, trucks and SUVs. In addition the service department at Troy Honda handles general maintenance to large repairs and the parts department keeps a large selection of OEM certified parts. Troy Honda’s primary goal is 100% customer satisfaction.

Source;
http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=98272

Honda scoops European Excellence Award

Honda Motor Europe's crowd-sourced, social media activated film project, Live Every Litre, has been recognised by the European Excellence Awards hosted in Prague last week (9 December, 2010).

Short-listed in a total of three separate categories - Best Campaign, Social Media and Automotive and Transport - Live Every Litre was rewarded in the Automotive and Transport category.

Laura Price, Social Media Manager for Honda Motor Europe, said: "Live Every Litre gave those who consume media online the chance to do something unique and different. This was such an exciting project for Honda because the crowd sourced nature of the campaign allowed the online community, rather than us, to mould the final outcome thereby tearing up the rule book on traditional car launches."

Marc-Oliver Voigt, Communications Director and Chairman of the Jury for the European Excellence Awards, commented: "As one of only 58 winners from a field of over 1,450 projects, Live Every Litre has been recognised as one of the best projects in European public relations over the past year."

Live Every Litre is a social media activated, European road trip documentary project which encouraged people to submit their dream journey to http://www.liveeverylitre.com, where the public could rate their stories. The best journeys were chosen and the participants invited to join the pan-European odyssey, having their experiences recorded as they drove a new Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe on their trip of a lifetime. Over 1000 applications were received from 28 countries. Filming took place over 38 days, starting in the Netherlands, heading down through Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and finishing at the infamous Nurburgring circuit in Germany.

All of the short films that introduce the cast and their individual stories can be viewed on http://www.liveeverylitre.com. Or join the conversation on www.facebook.com/liveeverylitre.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1641-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Honda Accord and Fit Receive Car and Driver Magazine's "10Best Cars" Awards

Car and Driver magazine has named the 2011 Honda Accord and the 2011 Honda Fit as two winners of its prestigious and highly competitive, annual "10Best Cars" award. Now in its eighth generation, the Accord has achieved "10Best" status 25 times in the 29 years that Car and Driver editors have been conducting the competition, more than any other vehicle in the award's history. The Honda Fit has been honored with 10Best status in each of the five years that it has been on sale in the United States.

"The Car and Driver '10Best' awards are among the most coveted awards in the industry," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "These awards recognize the company's ongoing emphasis on performance, quality and safety, and Honda is honored to have its vehicles regarded so highly over the years."

Honda Car and Driver "10Best" Award History

Accord
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994,1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983

Civic
1996, 1991,1990, 1989, 1988

CRX
1988, 1985

Fit
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

Prelude
1998, 1997, 1996, 1995,1994,1993, 1992, 1986, 1985, 1984

S2000
2004, 2002, 2001, 2000

Source;

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-accord-and-fit-receive-car-and-driver-magazine-s-10best-cars-awards

Car and Driver: 2010 Editors Choice Awards

Are you in the market for a new car or truck? Now you can see what we at Car and Driver would choose to drive if we were shopping for new wheels today. We conducted rigorous instrumented testing and editorial evaluation of hundreds of 2010 model-year vehicles, including all the Editors' Choice picks and their competitors.

These alphabetical lists aren’t static. We will adjust our rankings continuously to reflect the merits of new vehicles as they come on the market, providing a real-time look at what we consider to the top entries in any given market segment. To that end, you may notice that we’ve marked several vehicles as Ones to Watch. Those are vehicles we have yet to either fully test or directly compare against the competition, but that we feel show a lot of promise.

Winners are chosen based on three criteria: practicality, value, and driver satisfaction, and they highlight our editors’ favorite rides in 20 vehicle categories, ranging from small cars to family sedans to exotic sports cars—and more. Click on a vehicle name below to go directly to our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide, where you can get full specs, pricing, capsule reviews, and more on every vehicle chosen as a 2010 Car and Driver Editors' Choice.


SMALL CARS
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Mazda 3
Nissan Versa
Volkswagen Golf

FUEL SIPPERS
Ford Fusion hybrid
Honda Fit
Honda Insight
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Jetta TDI

ENTRY LUXURY
Acura TSX
Audi A4
BMW 3-series
Cadillac CTS
Infiniti G37

FAMILY SEDANS
Chevrolet Malibu
Honda Accord
Ford Fusion
Mazda 6
One to Watch: Hyundai Sonata (2011)

SPORTS SEDANS
BMW M3
Cadillac CTS-V
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Porsche Panamera

SUPERCARS
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

LUXURY SEDANS
Audi A6
BMW 5-series
BMW 7-series
Mercedes-Benz S-class
Infiniti M (2011)

PERFORMANCE COMPACTS
BMW 1-series
Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Mazdaspeed 3
Subaru Impreza WRX
Volkswagen GTI

CONVERTIBLES
Audi A5/S5
BMW 1-series
BMW 3-series/M3
Ford Mustang
Mercedes-Benz SL-class

AMERICAN MUSCLE
Cadillac CTS-V
Chevrolet Camaro
Dodge Challenger SRT8
Ford Mustang GT
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

SPORTS CARS
Audi TTS
Chevrolet Corvette
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Nissan 370Z
Porsche Boxster

PREMIUM COUPES
Audi R8
BMW M3
Maserati GranTurismo
Porsche Cayman
Porsche 911

TRACK STARS
Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR
Lotus Elise/Exige
Nissan GT-R

SUPERCARS
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano
Ferrari 458 Italia
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

SMALL SUVs
Chevrolet Equinox
Honda CR-V
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

MID-SIZE SUVs
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Murano
One to Watch: Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011)

LARGE SUVs
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban
Ford Expedition/EL
Ford Flex
Nissan Armada
Toyota Sequoia

LUXURY SUVs
Acura MDX
Audi Q5
BMW X5
Land Rover Range Rover
Mercedes-Benz GL-class

PICKUPS
Chevrolet Silverado
Dodge Ram
Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Titan

VANS
Ford Transit Connect
Honda Odyssey
Mazda 5
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Toyota Sienna

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/2010_editors_choice-awards

10Best Surprise: The Honda Accord May be an Oldie, But It’s Still a Goodie

We’re spending the week driving 60-plus new cars in order to decide our 2011 10Best list. When that many cars are gathered in one place, many of which we haven’t driven before, there are bound to be some unexpected discoveries. Be sure to check back throughout the week for more 10Best surprises, and look for our annual 10Best issue to hit newsstands on December 7.

I’d love to tell you that the shockers at 10Best are the cars I’d most like to write about: the Lotus Evora, the Corvette Grand Sport, the Shelby GT500. For me, however, it’s usually the lesser lights that sneak up from behind to snap the wet towel. In years past, for instance, cars like the Saturn Astra and Suzuki SX4 earned a bonus tour of our 15-mile test route. This year, what most surprised me is the aging Honda Accord, now within roughly a year of a wholesale makeover.

And among the Accord coupes and sedans—fours and sixes, manuals and automatics—it’s the no-options, no-mascara, everyday base EX sedan with do-it-yourself five-speed that leaves me speechless. Its steering is light and willing, its shifter seems to intuitively migrate to the appropriate gear even before your hand summons the motion, and the structure magically manages to feel simultaneously feather-light yet Germanic in its solidity. All of that for an as-tested price of $24,855. What this car is, is dead honest. Here is everything you need for a gratifying driving experience. It’s so rare these days to make a purchase and, on the drive home, say out loud, “Jeez, I think the clerk must’ve undercharged me.” Of this year’s 60-some 10Best candidates, I defy anyone to find better value for money than the base Accord EX. Boring to look at? Maybe. But I had a Kenmore refrigerator that, for 24 happy years, reliably made ice faster than a Russian icebreaker. I loved that plain-Jane appliance—nicknamed it Jane, in fact. Fantastic value is never boring.

Source;
http://blog.caranddriver.com/10best-surprise-the-honda-accord-may-be-an-oldie-but-its-still-a-goodie/

J.D. Power and Associates Names 2007 Model Year Honda CR-V, Fit and Ridgeline as Most-Dependable Vehicles in Their Segments

04/02/2010 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
J.D. Power and Associates has named the 2007 Honda CR-V, Fit and Ridgeline as the "most-dependable" vehicles in their respective segments in its 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study℠ (VDS).

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old vehicles (2007 model year), includes 198 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The industry average for all vehicles in the 2010 VDS survey measured 155 PP100.

The CR-V compact multi-activity vehicle received an overall score of 113 PP100. The Fit subcompact received an overall score of 137 PP100, and the Ridgeline midsize pickup received an overall score of 109 PP100. The Honda Accord was also among the top three models in the midsize car segment with a score of 103 PP100.

J.D. Power and Associates also measures initial quality of new vehicles. Last year the CR-V and the Honda Ridgeline pickup ranked highest in their respective segments in the company's 2009 Initial Quality Study℠ (IQS). The Honda CR-V ranked highest for IQS in its segment for the third consecutive year, with an IQS score of 93 PP100, and the Honda Ridgeline truck ranked highest in the midsize pickup segment, with an IQS score of 81 PP100.

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on cell phone ratings, car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/5411

Honda EU3000i Handi Portable Generator Earns Most Innovative Product Award

02/22/2010 - ALPHARETTA, Ga. -
Rental Equipment Register (RER) magazine has named the Honda EU3000i Handi portable generator as a recipient of the prestigious 2009 Innovative Product Award. The EU3000i Handi tied for first place in the magazine's generators and welders category, selected by RER editors as displaying innovation in rental industry products.

The RER Innovative Product Award was established in 2003 to honor excellence in new product development in the equipment rental industry. This year, the awards were given to the magazine's selections for the most innovative rental products introduced between August 1, 2008 and July 31, 2009.

The new EU3000i Handi adds increased portability to the fuel efficiency and reliability of Honda's existing EU3000i generator. The lightweight and extremely user-friendly EU3000i Handi provides customers with dependable, portable power for use at home, work or play.

In an all-new design for Honda, the EU3000i Handi features built-in wheels, two fixed handles and a folding handle to allow for easy movement of the generator from place to place and from job to job. When one person uses the foldable handle to wheel the generator, its total towing weight is a slight 17.6 pounds – easily manageable by people of many statures. Two people can conveniently carry the EU3000i Handi with the unit's fixed handles, or one person can more easily load and unload the unit from a storage spot using both handles for optimal leverage.

"Being named an innovative product by the editors of RER Magazine is truly an honor, and we appreciate the recognition," said Honda Power Equipment vice president, Steve Bailey. "The EU3000i Handi is a dependable power package. Our newest generator provides consumers an innovative way to help easily move a portable power source to any location as well as offers durability, ease of operation and fuel efficiency."

Honda received the award at the American Rental Association Rental Show in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month.

Honda is the world's largest engine manufacturer, having sold over 23 million units in 2009 across all of its global product lines. Its generators are characterized by the same fuel-efficient technology that is behind the company's reputation for unparalleled durability, quality and reliability.

Editor's Note:
Honda Power Equipment, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outdoor power equipment, including outboard marine engines, general purpose engines, generators, lawnmowers, pumps, snowblowers, tillers and trimmers for commercial, rental and residential applications. Its comprehensive product line is powered exclusively by 4-stroke engines.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/5382

First Ever Pre-Owned Vehicle Award Goes to Honda’s Reliable Mid-Size Sedan

2003-2007 Honda Accord Takes inaugural WheelsTV POV of the Year February 9, 2010

Acton, MA (PRWEB) February 9, 2010 -- WheelsTV today announced that the seventh generation of the Honda Accord, 2003-2007, has been named 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year. This year marks the inaugural year for this first of its kind award; recognizing the most outstanding pre-owned vehicle on the road today.

"With pre-owned vehicles outselling new by as much as four to one, we at WheelsTV feel that it’s essential to recognize automotive excellence that extends beyond the new car showroom to where the rubber literally meets the road,” said Jim Barisano, CEO of WheelsTV. “Every new car ultimately has to prove its worth through thousands of miles of driving and years of service.

After careful consumer research, testing and deliberation, The WheelsTV panel of automotive writers and analysts are pleased to name the seventh generation Honda Accord The 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year.”

Competition for the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award was fierce with European, Asian and Domestic makes narrowing the gaps in quality, safety and dependability. But, in the end, one pre-owned car came out on top. The 2003 to 2007 Accord with Honda’s three-liter V-6 engine has generated virtually no major consumer complaints while delivering peppy response and good fuel economy, hitting 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Accord’s ride is silky smooth. It’s also one of the safest mid-size sedans on the road with top ratings for frontal and side impact protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

WheelsTV’s writers and analysts test-drive hundreds of vehicles each year and conduct exhaustive consumer research which is used in video programs viewed by millions of consumers every day when shopping for cars and light trucks. This research is studied by the panel of judges when considering recipients of the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award.

The WheelsTV judging panel evaluates each vehicle using five key criteria:

Dependabililty: Perhaps the most important vehicle attribute for every pre-owned vehicle owner is reliability. Can I depend on my vehicle to always get me where I want to go? How well will the vehicle stand up under regular use and with proper care? Will the vehicle cause me worries or will my ownership experience be trouble-free?
Performance: How well does the engine, powertrain and suspension perform under all driving conditions? Does the vehicle have enough power to comfortably merge on to highways, cruise and pass comfortably?
Safety: How well does the vehicle standup in crash tests? Is it equipped with the latest airbags, restraints and braking technology?
Fuel Economy: How well does the vehicle perform in EPA mileage tests against vehicles of similar class, weight and engine size?
Overall Build Quality: Every vehicle comes from the factory in top shape, but how well does the vehicle hold up in day-to-day use? Do squeaks and rattles develop? What breaks? What wears-out over time?Contenders for the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award included a number of well-built models that offer good quality for the dollar. While Japanese automaker Honda took the award this year, domestic and European carmakers are constantly improving their products. Automakers with vehicles that can stand-up to years of wear and tear include entries from Ford, BMW, Nissan and Kia.

WheelsTV is the leader in providing video reports and reviews on new and pre-owned vehicles to web portals and cable VOD services.

With the inaugural 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award, WheelsTV has focused its knowledge and behind-the-wheel experience to recognize and award vehicles that truly fulfill the promise of good, solid, reliable, safe and enjoyable motoring.

“The automobile is an essential element in the day-to-day lives of most Americans,” states Lehel Reeves, president of WheelsTV, “With Americans so reliant upon the automobile, we at WheelsTV are pleased to recognize the vehicle that our research and experience has shown provides the most dependable, enjoyable and trouble-free service. Our congratulations to American Honda for winning the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award with the 2003-2007 Honda Accord.”

ABOUT WheelsTVWheelsTV (www.WheelsTVnetwork.com) is the first multi-platform television network in the U.S. devoted exclusively to consumers’ interests in cars, trucks and motorcycles—serving both the general audience and the enthusiast with a wide spectrum of vehicle-based entertainment, information and news. Top 200 Test Drives, 1:00 on One Vehicle Profiles and POV Reviews are the standards of excellence for independent automotive video reports and reviews. Distribution partners include MSN, AOL, Yahoo, JDPower.com, Vehix, AutoTrader, Comcast, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable.

WheelsTV is a program service of Automotive Networks Corporation, headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts. The network is dedicated to celebrating the beauty, action, fun, and excitement of the world’s love affair with the automobile.

Source;
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3581994.htm

Car and Driver: 2010 Honda Fit - 2010 10Best Cars

Car and Driver: 2010 Honda Accord - 2010 10Best Cars - Car and Driver