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The 2014 Odyssey is officially here!

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Honda Named Most Trusted Brand, Best Value Brand and Best Overall Brand by Thousands of New-Car Shoppers in KBB.com's 2013 Brand Image Awards

New-car shoppers have once again recognized the Honda brand as the 'Most Trusted Brand' and 'Best Value Brand' in Kelley Blue Book's 2013 Brand Image Award study. This is the second year Honda was named the 'Most Trusted Brand' and the third consecutive year as the 'Best Value Brand'. Additionally, Honda captured the top honor of 'Best Overall Non-Luxury Brand,' thus receiving more awards than any other brand in the 2013 Kelley Blue Book study.

"We are honored to be recognized by American car buyers for two tenets of the Honda brand: trust and value," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "These awards demonstrate how customers recognize the tremendous quality and value of our products, reflecting the incredible competitive strength of the Honda brand."

The 2013 Brand Image Awards are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence's Brand Watch™ study. Brand Watch taps into more than 12,000 in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. The Brand Watch study offers insight into in-market new-vehicle shoppers' perceptions of brands, including important factors driving their purchase decisions while they are in the midst of the shopping process.  Honda was named 'Best Overall Non-Luxury Brand' by securing the highest average score across ratings of all non-luxury models, and the weight of importance of each of the factors in the study.

"Honda was named Best Overall Brand by non-luxury shoppers, which speaks to Honda's stellar reputation and brand leadership in the minds of consumers," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "In addition, Honda was awarded Most Trusted Brand for the second year in a row, and Best Value Brand for the third year running. Receiving consecutive awards in key categories like 'Trust' and 'Value' demonstrates the positive attributes of the Honda brand continue to resonate with the new-car buying public."

Additional comments from the Editors of Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com regarding Honda's Brand Image Award Wins:

2013 Honda - Best Value Brand
"Affordability, reliability and good resale value are key facets of new-car value, and Honda scores at or near the top in all three, earning from KBB.com visitors another Best Value Brand award."

2013 Honda - Most Trusted Brand
"This is the second year we've asked visitors to name their Most Trusted Brand, and it's the second year in a row they've named Honda.  With a reputation that precedes it and vehicles that seemingly never fail to deliver on the promise, Honda is like the perpetual motion machine of brand trust."

2013 Honda – Brand Image Awards: Best Overall Brand
"We saved the biggest award for last, but after its wins in the Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand categories, Honda's win as Best Overall Brand among non-luxury shoppers hardly comes as a surprise.  We admire the refined and reliable vehicles, but also the manner in which Honda promotes itself.  You do too, apparently."

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom

Alright, folks, it's time for a March Madness Check-In! How's your bracket doing?!

Throwback Thursday: Bringing you your daily dose of nostalgia with this 1988 Civic commercial. Enjoy!

Wallpaper Wednesday: Would you like to play in the sandbox with this 2013 Ridgeline?

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

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.

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom

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(5) Star Review on DealerRater

• "No pressure and worked to meet my needs. A positive experience compared to the experience I had at other dealers earlier in the day." -Dmg1

“Erin go Bragh!” Do you know the meaning of this Irish phrase?

Today is a significant day for two reasons: it's Einstein’s birthday and Pi Day! Hooray science!

Wallpaper Wednesday: Who doesn't love a small Honda hatchback? Freshen up your desktop with this very clean Fit!

Honda CR-V and Odyssey Win "Best Cars For Families" Awards From U.S. News & World Report

The 2013 Honda CR-V and the 2013 Honda Odyssey were both honored by U.S. News & World Report among its "Best Cars for Families." The efficient and capable CR-V was named "Best Compact SUV for Families" and the stylish up to 8-passenger Odyssey was named "Best Minivan for Families" among 2013 model year vehicles sold in the United States.

"If you're looking for a top safety-rated, fuel efficient, fun-to-drive family vehicle, you can't really go wrong with a Honda," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Both the CR-V and the Odyssey exemplify 'family friendly' with top safety ratings, proven Honda quality and loads of smart features to keep the driver and all passengers comfortable and connected."

The "Best Cars for Families" methodology combines quality, size and family-friendly features into a composite score. Quality is measured using a weighted average of scores from the U.S. News rankings at the time the awards are published. The rankings compare cars on the basis of safety, reliability and a consensus of automotive critics' opinions. Size is based on a vehicle's seating capacity and interior space. For family-friendly features, the availability of features deemed to be helpful to families by U.S. News editors is factored in.

The 2013 Honda CR-V provides upscale styling, excellent fuel efficiency, and a host of standard convenience features, making it one of the most fun and functional compact SUVs in America. The CR-V is rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as a TOP SAFETY PICK and is distinguished by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-star Overall Vehicle Score.¹ Compact on the outside and roomy inside, the CR-V represents an unparalleled balance of size and capability in the entry SUV segment. With its car-like interior comfort, a smooth and quiet ride, plus innovative features, the versatile CR-V is a great fit for families or individuals with an active lifestyle.

The 2013 Honda Odyssey minivan continues to lead its class in fuel economy and safety ratings, while providing spacious accommodations for up to eight passengers and a refined and engaging driving experience. The Odyssey Touring is rated at a remarkable 28 mpg,² the highest EPA highway fuel economy rating of any eight-passenger minivan. All Odyssey models are an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK, and the Odyssey has earned the best possible overall safety rating from NHTSA with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score.¹

 

¹ Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). Model tested with standard side airbags (SABs). Vehicles tested under the new program cannot be compared to MY10 and earlier vehicles.

² 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.

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom

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

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.

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom

Is it just us or do all keys play hide and seek in the morning?

Throwback Thursday: Old school or new school? Either way you've got class!

Wallpaper Wednesday: Show us your war face, Civic!

Come into Paragon Honda and find out why the 2013 Odyssey is the van of your dreams!

Executive Changes Reflect Evolving Role for Honda in North America

Honda announced several key executive changes effective April 1, 2013, that reflect the increased and evolving responsibilities that the Honda North American Regional Operations have assumed within Honda's global business.

- Tetsuo Iwamura will remain as president of Honda North America, Inc. (HNA), COO of North American Regional Operations and president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Iwamura, who serves concurrently as the executive vice president, executive officer and representative director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will add new responsibilities as the COO of Automobile Operations and risk management officer for Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

- Hidenobu Iwata will become president of Honda North America Services, LLC (HNAS), a new shared services company to be established effective April 1, 2013. Iwata will remain in his current positions as president of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. (HAM) and senior managing officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

- Bob Nelson will become president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) in Greensburg, Ind. Nelson is currently a senior vice president at HMIN and has been with Honda for 25 years, including 23 years with Honda of America Mfg., Inc. in Ohio.

- Jon Minto will become president of Honda Engineering North America, Inc. (EGA), Honda's production engineering company in North America. Minto is currently a senior vice president with EGA, which is based in Marysville, Ohio, and has been with Honda for more than 20 years, including at Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM)

- Dan Smith will become president of Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, Ontario, a division of Honda Canada Inc. (HCI). Smith is currently a senior vice president at HCM and has been with Honda for 28 years, including 26 years with Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and Honda Engineering North America, Inc. in Ohio.

- Jerry Chenkin will become president and CEO of Honda Canada Inc. (HCI) in Markham, Ontario, outside Toronto. Chenkin, currently executive vice president of HCI, has been with Honda for 38 years.

In conjunction with these executive appointments, Honda will strengthen the leadership function of its North American regional operations under HNA and HNAS to enhance the ability to deliver high quality products to the customer more quickly and efficiently.

The changes will help achieve this through more efficient management and quicker decision making, and by merging some of the support functions common to multiple Honda companies in North America under one roof. Both HNA's leadership function and HNAS will be located on Honda's Marysville, Ohio, campus.

In 2012, Honda outlined key strategies that increased the role played by Honda's sales, manufacturing and R&D operations in North America within Honda's global business. The changes announced today are the next step in this direction.

"These organizational changes will improve the speed of decision-making and the efficiency of our business operations," said Tetsuo Iwamura, chief operating officer of Honda's North American Regional Operations, which includes the U.S, Canada and Mexico. "Our global customers desire new, exciting and affordable automobile, motorcycle and power equipment products, and these changes will enhance our ability to quickly bring our customers' dreams to the market."

Since its founding in 1987, HNA has served as a coordinating entity for such operations as legal services, corporate audit and risk management. In its evolving role, HNA will house several members of senior executive management responsible for strategic oversight over North American sales, manufacturing and R&D for the company's product lines. HNA has offices in Torrance, Calif., Marysville, Ohio, Detroit, Mich., New York, NY and Washington, D.C.

HNAS, the new shared services company, will be based in Marysville, Ohio, with an additional office in Torrance, Calif. HNAS will provide many of Honda's common support functions in North America, and streamline coordination of Honda's R&D, manufacturing, purchasing and sales functions as they relate to the introduction of new products.

Most Honda associates (employees) assigned to these entities will be located on the Marysville campus in Ohio, but others will remain at other facilities throughout North America. Current Ohio-based associates will remain in Ohio. It is anticipated that fewer than 50 associates involved in support and strategic functions at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in Torrance, Calif., will transfer to HNA and HNAS over the course of the next fiscal year beginning April 1, 2013. The formation of HNAS and changes to HNA are not expected to result in additional employment.

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom