Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe Defies Its Critics

The most maligned hybrid on the market today is the Honda CR-Z. It comes down to false expectations. Take one look at the sporty design of the coupe, and you might expect it to be a rip-roaring fast automobile. The people who complain most about the CR-Z—as if it’s some kind of personal attack on their worldview—say the same old thing over and over again: “It’s nor fast enough, nor fuel efficient enough.”

But they’re looking at the wrong cues for an understanding of the car, and therefore miss the charms and benefits of the Honda CR-Z—which we rediscovered after another few days of driving the six-speed manual version last week. You need to look at the price tag, and at its three driving modes.

First, the price tag. The base MSRP is $19,345—by many standards an entry car for a young person wanting a mix of fun, technology and efficiency. Sure, you could buy more horsepower for the dollar. The CR-Z only serves up 122 ponies. But it’s the total package: its low-slung position, tight handling, sharp dashboard graphics, and hybrid system mated to a stick shift that makes it a kick to drive. That compelling set of features for an attractive price made the CR-Z the third most popular hybrid in America in April (behind the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight). The 5,000 people who bought CR-Zs aren’t crazy. They see value.

Honda helpers hit Temecula

Honda helpers hit Temecula | Temecula | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California
Members of the Honda Helpful Team assisted with events in Temecula over the weekend.

Known as The Guys in Blue, they spent most of Saturday helping with the Temecula's Got Talent event, which raised awareness that May is National Youth Traffic Safety Month.

The event included a talent competition, a car show, children's activities, food, drinks and prizes. The Guys in Blue, Edgar Lanchippa, at left, and Tess Kielhamer, served pizza to talent show participants. The pair also helped get the stage ready.

Source: PE.com

All-New 2012 Honda Civic Sedan Receives IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Award - Honda.com

All-New 2012 Honda Civic Sedan Receives IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Award - Honda.com
The all-new, redesigned 2012 Honda Civic sedan models have just received the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) under its more-stringent testing guidelines implemented this year, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The IIHS award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting vehicle occupants involved in front, side and rear crashes, plus rollover performance based on ratings in the Institute's tests. All TOP SAFETY PICK vehicles must also include a standard electronic stability control system. The Civic earned the highest-possible score of GOOD in all four ratings, including the more rigorous roof-strength test.

blink-182 and My Chemical Romance to Co-Headline 2011 Honda Civic Tour

blink-182 and My Chemical Romance to Co-Headline 2011 Honda Civic Tour
Celebrating 10 years of bringing the hottest acts in music across the country, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is proud to present the 2011 Honda Civic Tour featuring blink-182 and My Chemical Romance. The annual summer concert series is marking its deca-versary by bringing back blink-182, the inaugural artist from the first Honda Civic Tour in 2001, along with My Chemical Romance for a 40-plus date nationwide trek beginning on Friday, August 5. Support acts for the anniversary tour include Manchester Orchestra, Rancid and Matt & Kim.

The Honda Civic Tour will offer tickets priced for maximum affordability for all fans, providing an awesome musical experience at an incredible value. Members of the blink-182 and My Chemical Romance fan clubs will have access to exclusive pre-sale tickets on Monday, June 6. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, June 10 at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. Become a fan today and "like" the Honda Civic Tour Facebook profile to gain access to presale tickets on Wednesday, June 8 as well as tour updates, at www.Facebook.com/HondaCivicTour.

Minivan market is weirdly fierce: Putting 6 to the test - USATODAY.com

The 2011 Honda Odyssey was just named the Ultimate Minivan by the editors at Cars.com, USA Today and "MotorWeek."

All of the redesigned minivans faced off this spring in a head-to-head shootout to determine which was best and the Odyssey beat out all of its competitors.

Cars.com and the MotorWeek TV show convened the Ultimate Minivan Shootout, a comparison test among well-equipped vans priced from about $34,000 to $43,000, without shipping charges.

A suburban Atlanta family was recruited to help judge the vans, ensuring that real-world considerations weren't overlooked. And the family — Travis and Heather Weatherby and their three children ranging from 15 down to 1 year old — made the point about high-price vans perfectly.

In the end, their highest scores went to the Honda Odyssey.

DCH Temecula's Got Talent

DCH Auto Group Temecula will host its 2nd Annual DCH Temecula’s Got Talent event in support of National Youth Traffic Safety Month on Saturday, May 21. This is a FREE event that highlights local talent while spreading a positive message about safe driving.

May is an important time for teens to be focused on driving safety. With prom, graduation, and summer trips just ahead, youth-led teams from Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapters work together with DCH Auto Group to educate teens, parents and community leaders about the risks faced by teen drivers.  To achieve this goal, local dealerships sponsor programs that will encourage teens to make choices that will decrease their likelihood of an auto-related tragedy. 

Join DCH Auto Group Temecula, SADD chapters and our local community to have some fun and to bring awareness to youth traffic safety.  This year’s event will be highlighted by a talent competition, a car show, kids activities, food, drinks, and prizes.

Hosting the event will be Kim Horn.  Kim is an accomplished musician and singer who's smooth, romantic style sets the standard for Jazz music. His style is reminiscent of Jazz and Big Band singers of old such as Billy Ekstine, Nat King Cole, Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock, Lou Rawls, and Johnny Hartman.

For more information visit www.TemeculasGotTemecula.com

DCH Auto Group Supports 2011 National Youth Traffic Safety Month

DCH Auto Group is calling attention to teen driving safety this May as part of National Youth Traffic Safety Month.  Throughout May, all DCH Auto Group Dealerships in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and California will be holding and sponsoring events to raise awareness about how to keep young drivers safe on our roads and highways.

May is an important time for teens to be focused on driving safety. With prom, graduation, and summer trips just ahead, the potential for traffic-related deaths and injuries that involve young drivers and passengers increases alarmingly.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says traffic crashes are the leading killer of teens, with more than 5,000 dying annually. That's why DCH Auto Group and its partners, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), and numerous likeminded organizations across the country are raising awareness all month long to educate teens about safe driving habits.

DCH Auto Group dealerships and DCH-sponsored High School SADD Chapters will be holding events to educate teens about driving safety, including:

• DCH Dealerships in Temecula, CA will be holding their annual talent competition DCH Temecula's Got Talent (www.temeculasgottalent.com) on Saturday, May 21. The popular carnival-like event hosted by DCH Honda of Temecula, DCH Acura of Temecula and DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula along with SADD Chapters from Great Oak High School, Chaparrel High School, and Temecula Valley High School,  gives area residents the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain knowledge about safe driving issues.