Why did Alex Ovechkin want to win a Honda Accord?

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals competed in the Honda NHL Breakaway Challenge in hopes of winning one of the Accords that Honda was giving away.  Unfortunately, he was not picked as one of the last two players, which meant he lost his chance at getting an Accord.  Or so he thought.  Honda officials learned why he lobbied to be one of the final two and made sure that he won an Accord.  Why? 

Here is the scoop:  Ovechkin did not want the Accord for himself, he wanted to donate it to the Washington Ice Dogs, a hockey team for children with developmental disabilities.  Thanks to Ovechkin and Honda, the Washington Ice Dogs have a shiny new Accord.

http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/why-did-alex-ovechkin-so-want-to-win-a-free-car-at-all-star-game-012615?cmpid=tsmfb%3Afscom%3Afox

2015 is "The Year of Honda"

This year will surely be a demonstration of Honda’s innovation and cutting-edge technology.  To start off, the Honda FCV Concept car made its debut earlier this week at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, showing off the next generation of fuel cell technology.   Honda also showed off the all-new Acura NSX supercar, which is expected to be available to order in late summer this year.  The HondaJet made an appearance as well, and will be expected to be available for delivery later this year.  

American Honda also announced that it has some bold plans for the future, to include an electric vehicle and an all-new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2018, the launch of the all-new 2016 HR-V crossover, a redesigned 2016 Pilot, a completely new 2016 Ridgeline pickup truck, and they will begin introducing new 4-cylinder VTEC® Turbo engines before the end of the year.

"No other automaker in the world has the depth of R&D know-how and experience to create such a diverse array of advanced technology products, let alone bring them to market," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "These all-new products and technologies represent significant advancements for our customers and for the future of mobility everywhere; innovations that only a comprehensive mobility company like Honda can truly achieve."

You will want to keep a close eye on Honda this year, as they move forward on new technologies and products that are sure to peak your interest.

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=8258-en

http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/detroit-auto-show/2015/01/13/honda-auto-show-detroit/21687573/

2016 HR-V Debuts, Coming Soon in Spring of 2015

Honda debuted the all-new 2016 HR-V at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.  The HR-V will be coming spring of 2015, and it is packed with new technology and has plenty of versatility for all.  There are three different ways to configure its interior and the available Real Time AWD gives you more control on the road.  The sleek, modern exterior makes the HR-V a perfect vehicle to take on the town while it still has the versatility to take on more rugged terrain.  You will find plenty of technology inside the cabin as well as room for whatever you may need to take along in the HR-V.  Stay up to date on this all-new design from Honda by going to http://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v/#news.  

http://automobiles.honda.com/hr-v/#intro

Honda HR-V Coming Soon!

Honda will be debuting their all-new HR-V at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19th.  The HR-V will be the point of entry into the lineup of Honda light trucks.  It is anticipated to launch this winter and is built on the Fit platform.  Due to an innovative center fuel tank layout, the HR-V will have a roomy and all-purpose interior.  Further information and details will be released at the Los Angeles Auto Show, this announcementcomes shortly after the 2015 CR-V was named 2015 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year.  Honda truly offers a great line-up of vehicles that have proven to be reliable and fun to drive for all.

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=7988-en

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=7984-en

2015 CR-V Revealed

Honda has recently released the all-new 2015 CR-V with an updated body style along with a new trim level and plenty of new technology.  The new CR-V has been improved and enhanced, starting with the more sleek and stylish exterior as well as the many new crash-avoidance technologies.  The fuel economy has improved from the previous year and with an updated suspension the drive is quiet and smooth.  Adding in the new Touring trim level with stylish 18-inch alloy wheels gives consumers a top of the line SUV with a lot to love.  

http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v/

The Supercharged CR-Z

You can now get a dealer-installed supercharger for the Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe, which takes it up to 197 horsepower, almost 50% more than the stock horsepower.  The kit includes a centrifugal supercharger, intercooler, high-flow injectors, air-filter system and a recalibrated electronic control unit and was developed by Honda Performance Development.  Not including dealer installation, this kit costs about $5,495 and is onlycompatible with CR-Zs that come with a manual transmission. There are other kits out there made my third party companies that cost about the same but once installed, they void the warranty.  Honda’s kit turns the CR-Z into more of what they had originally intended, a small and nimble car that is fast and efficient.

”This new push from Honda Performance Development harkens back to Honda’s glory days and hopefully is only the beginning of a larger move within the company to return to its sporty root.” –forbes.com

http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewdepaula/2014/08/31/honda-rekindles-performance-heritage-with-new-supercharger-kit-for-cr-z-hybrid/

The shift from levers to buttons

For some time now, having a vehicle with an automatic transmission meant having a shift lever either on the console or steering column that was used to change gears.  With the arrival of a variety of new technology in vehicles has also come the arrival of electronic transmission controls.  Gone are the days of gear shift familiarity in all cars, as consumers are now learning how to use toggles, knobs and push buttons.  Among some of the automakers who have started to employ electronic transmission controls are Acura, Chrysler, Jaguar, Lincoln and Mercedes Benz.

These new controls are giving cars a more high-tech feel, though this is not the first time that auto makers have integrated push-button shifting.  Chrysler in particular has had models in the past with push-button controls and even Ford had shift buttons in itsEdsel sedan.  Automakers are moving to electronic shifting, which is controlled by computers and thus enables the change from traditional shift levers (which require a lever control with mechanical links to the transmission) to buttons and toggles.

This change is aesthetic and practical for automakers, though for drivers it means learning a new system and adjusting to a new normal when it comes to their car’s transmission.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/08/10/cars-shifting-knobs-buttons/13721433/