Honda’s new Scooter

Afternoon to everyone, this is be a quick post. Some of this post has been taken from the Honda Worldwide website. Click here for more details

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. revealed the latest prototype of the EV-neo electric scooter and announced plans to begin lease sales in Japan in December 2010 to businesses and individual business owners that provide mainly delivery services.

Design of the EV-Neo

Honda developed the EV-neo, an electric scooter designed to provide the durability necessary for commercial use, envisioning a wide range of uses by businesses such as delivery services. Equipped with a lithium-ion battery and a brushless motor, EV-neo realizes excellent environmental performance with zero CO₂ emissions in use. The battery is rechargeable using a household power source with attention given to the range per charge. Moreover, EV-neo provides performance equivalent to that of mass-market under-50cc gasoline engine motorcycles realizing a powerful ride even with cargo by leveraging the characteristics of a high-torque motor even at a low speed ride.

Eco-Friendly
Under the key words of “quiet and clean” Honda held the world premier exhibition of the EV-neo concept model (under the name EVE-neo) at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show in 2009 as one of Honda’s new-generation personal mobility products which will contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society while transporting people and cargo. The mass-market model of EV-neo is currently under development.

Honda will continue providing products with excellent environmental performance to more customers in order to contribute to global CO₂ emission reduction efforts.

Hopefully is feedback is good enough that Canadians will be able to purchase the EV-Neo. The only problem is that this is “Canada”, where we encounter snow as high as our knees. Of course Japan and Canada are two different markets and landscape, but having the EV-Neo for commercial use seems like a good idea.  Having a scooter is much cheaper than a car. In a landscape such as Canada, people tend to take public transit during the winter seasons, but tend to walk, cycle or purchase a scooter during the warmer months.

But we must ask certain questions.

Is it worth it for Canadians to purchase the EV-neo if they will be only able to use it for less than half a year?

How much cargo can this scooter carry?

There has been an increase of the use of scooters in other markets; does this mean that success will translate into the EV-neo coming to Canada?

It’s going to be interesting to see the development of the EV-neo and if it’ll make its way to Canada.

Until next time,

Remember not to text and drive!

Honda EV-Neo

Honda EV-Neo

More Awards For Honda Canada

More awards have been given out to Honda recently. This time by ALG who is the “leading source for automotive residual values and analytical data products, as well as consulting services for automotive manufactures, finance companies, and fleet companies”

Recently it was the ALG’s 2^nd Annual Canadian Residual Value Awards for Segment Leaders and Top Brand Overall, in other words they honour mainstream and luxury brands. Honda Canada Inc. was the runner-up to Subaru, but they received the most individual segment awards. The Honda CR-V, the Honda Odyssey, the Honda Ridgeline, and the Honda Insight all took home top awards. “Honda’s luxury brand was ranked 3^rd for the luxury Brand Canadian Residual Value Award”

Here is part of the summary for the rest of the 2010 Canadian Residual Value Awards:

Mainstream Brand: Subaru

Luxury Brand: Infiniti Entry

Compact Car: Nissan Sentra

Mid-Compact Car: Subaru Impreza

Midsize Car: Subaru Legacy

Fullsize Car: Nissan Maxima

Compact Utility Vehicle: Honda CR-V

Midsize Utility Vehicle Mazda CX-7

Large Utility Vehicle: Toyota Sequoia

Minivan: Honda Odyssey

Compact/Midsize Pickup:Honda Ridgeline

Fullsize Pickup: Toyota Tundra

Sporty Car: Subaru Impreza WRX/STI

Near Luxury Utility Vehicle: Land Rover LR2

Luxury Utility Vehicle: Land Rover Range Rover

Sport Hybird/Alternative Powertrain: Honda Insight

Near Luxury Car:BMW 1 Series

Luxury Car: BMW 6 Series

Luxury Sports Car: Nissan GT-R

To read more and see the other winners click here and you’ll be able to read more of this article via Auto-Mobi.info.

Congrats to Honda Canada and remember that our award winning vehicles can be found at Newmarket Honda

2009 Honda Odyessy

2009 Honda Ridgeline

Junior Red Riders

Junior Red Riders

Spring is in the air and the weather is continuing to get better. Pretty soon we’ll be seeing more cyclists on the roads; motorcycles and the kids will be off from school. And when they’re off from school it’s time to find them activities to keep them busy. One of Honda’s partners, the Junior Red Riders, is a camp for children who love to ride motor bikes. Junior Red Riders are for children ages 6-12 and teaches the members of the club the essentials of off-road riding, allowing kids to make new friends, and teaches them independence. This program is fun and shows both kids and parents the rule for off-road safety.

This is the Junior Red Riders website. They explain the prices, basic camp days, safety & tips about off road riding and even show how the Junior Red Riders help the environment as well.

Honda is proud to be a part of something that teaches children road safety and experience, this is a great trait that these kids can take with them into adulthood, and they’ll become great drivers in the future.

If you have any questions about enrollment or anything else concerning Junior Red Riders click here.

The year was 1984

1984 was the year the first Mac, then called Macintosh was introduced, Sony and Phillips were producing the 1^st commercial CD Players, The Terminator, Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop and Gremlins were some of the top movies and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love got to do with it” was on top of the musical charts.

1984 was also the beginning of something that has now become a country-wide and international phenomenon that is the Civic Nation with the 3^rd Generation of Civics. This unknowingly began with the 4 Civics that Honda (3^rd Generation) introduced to the world in 1984. Honda unveiled a 4-door sedan, a hatchback, a “tall-boy” wagon and the CR-X (2 seater). People had 4 different choices of which Honda they preferred, which is smart marketing, people could choose which Civic model best suited their lifestyle and personality.

1984 Honda Civics

They were compact, quick, and great on gas (although at that time gas wasn’t over a dollar/litre). With these four Civics, Honda was able to dominate the market, above Toyota and Nissan. Soon after Honda brought forth many other cars that were “top of the line” at the time they were unveiled. It was the start of good things from Honda Inc. Today, Honda makes top quality vehicles that many people rely on and these vehicles can be found at the Newmarket Honda dealership and other Honda dealership.

To see other articles about the great things Honda is doing, besides making cars you can follow us on Twitter or our Fan Page on Facebook

It’s amazing to see where the Civic has started from and where it is now

2009 Honda Civic Hybird

1978-1979 Honda Civic 3-door hatchback

Earth Rangers

Earth Rangers

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization that empowers kids to improve the health of the planet. Honda Canada has been part of Earth Rangers since 2004 and provided 6 Odyssey vans to help the Earth Rangers increase their ability to travel to more places in order to make their presentations.

Since 1999, Earth Rangers has been reaching out to children through a range of programs, including school shows, action programs and outdoor camps. Our programs have evolved but our commitment has always remained the same – to inspire children to protect the environment.

Earth Rangers was founded by Robert Schad; who believes in, and focuses their mission on these core areas: outreach, online and environmental technologies.

Outreach

Earth Rangers travel to many schools with their “Ambassadors” and educate many children on the environment, the impact humans have on the environment and also show students various ways on how they can help keep the environment intact and healthy. If you would like to book an Earth Rangers school show or know anyone that would be interested in booking a show click here.

Online

Earth Rangers have created EarthRangers.com. On EarthRangers.com, children can become an official Earth Ranger. “They can play environmentally-themed games, learn more about the Animal Ambassadors and connect with other kids who have the same interest in the environment.”

Environment Technologies

Quoted from Robert Schad,”Implementing innovative technologies will play a key role in providing relief for our stressed environment. The Earth Rangers Centre is a model environmental building with leading technologies in construction, and energy and water conservation.” Earth Rangers have constructed an environmentally friendly facility which is actually host to the World Green building Council Secretariat, who is responsible for “developing green building councils around the world”.  The Earth Ranger Centre has some of the latest technologies that are eco-friendly. The centre has an onsite well; this well supplies portable water healthy for drinking, dish washing and showering. The heating and cooling of the building is a testament to itself. The Earth Ranger Centre was “one of the first 100% radiant heated and cooled building in North America. Click here to read the entire overview of the environmentally-theme Earth Rangers Centre

Bring Back the Wild

Earth Rangers have also started a campaign called Bring Back the Wild, which is a powered by children and their goal, is to create animal habitats by funding the planting of 100,000 in Ontario Provincial Parks.

Every $5 that they raise, Earth Rangers will plant a tree in Bronte Creek or Sandbanks Provincial Parks on behalf of the donor. Not only will they plant a tree, part of that $5 will also go towards supporting Earth Rangers education programs. For more information on how you can help the Bring Back the Wild campaign click here.

Earth Rangers also have a permanent studio at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

To find out more about Earth Rangers and how to donate check out the Earth Rangers website.

Making the family vehicle better!

On the heels of releasing the new Honda Crosstour, Honda has unveiled the Honda Odyssey Concept at the Chicago Auto Show. It looks sharper, and “edgier” (See image below). There are few adjustments to this Odyssey. Such as enhanced aerodynamics and advanced powertrain technologies, this will help increase fuel efficiency. The Odyssey has been America’s best selling minivan since 2002, and has been providing families in North America with safe driving. Even after the prediction that minivans were going to eventually die out, and make way for CUV’s and SUV’s, it’s good to see Honda moving forward and bringing out the 4^th generation of the Honda Odyssey concept minivan.

We’ve posted various articles reviewing the new Honda Odyssey Concept, so you can read other opinions on this new concept minivan.

Simply click here to read an article by Auto123.com. This is another article by Truck Trend, and finally a review from Inside Line.

To view more images of the Honda Odyssey Concept Minivan click here.

Honda Odyssey Concept

Personal Gas Station?

Solar Hydrogen Station with the Honda FCX Clarity

Honda has started action in creating the next generation of solar hydrogen station prototypes. This operation is based at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. So would we be expecting to see change at our local gas stations anytime soon? Probably not for a few years, in fact this is designed to be a “home refuelling appliance capable of an overnight refill of fuel cell electric vehicles.”

A few posts ago in the “2 Green Thumbs Up for Honda Canada”, we mentioned the Honda FXC Clarity. The Honda FCX Clarity has an electric engine and uses fuel cells that deliver 100 kWh of energy, and is known as a “green car” which is safe for the environment. Well this solar hydrogen station is what the FCX Clarity would use to refuel. In the future, owners of the solar hydrogen station can perform an 8 hour overnight fill which should last about a day’s worth of driving (10,000 miles per year). Although plans for the station isn’t only for overnight fuelling; the station has been developed in order to “complement a public network of fast fill hydrogen stations” A vehicle like the Honda FCX Clarity is “fast fill capable”, and having fast fill public stations allow for 5-minute fuelling time, thus allowing for longer trips instead of just the regular daily drive to work or the mall. Some of you may think Honda has been bias by creating this station; furthermore only for the FCX Clarity, but the solar hydrogen is compatible for any fuel cell electric vehicle.

The designers of the solar hydrogen station have made sure it’s easy to use, unlike the tangled and wrapped gas hose coils many drivers face at the pump, the solar hydrogen station won’t cause any stress.

The designers have made this station user-friendly, easy to lift and remove and drivers won’t have to worry about the hose getting tangled and coiled up. Space was always a factor when creating the solar hydrogen station. It has been “Designed as a single, integrated unit to fit in the user’s garage, Honda’s next generation Solar Hydrogen Station reduces the size of the system, while producing enough hydrogen (0.5kg) via an 8-hour overnight fill for daily commuting (10,000 miles per year) for a fuel cell electric vehicle.”

To read more about the development and process of the solar hydrogen station check the World Honda website and take a look at this article here taken from Honda.com

Touch Screen

Solar Hydrogen Station

User-friendly

Go for the Gold with Newmarket Honda

As it stands right now, Canada has won 4 medals (1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze). Hopefully we will win many more, Go Team Canada!

In the spirit of the 2010 Winter Olympics we at Newmarket Honda decided to create a great opportunity starting from this Thursday, February 18^th to this Saturday, February 20^th, called Go For The Gold.

The same rules as our Winter Warm Up Event apply BUT we’ve added a gift portion as well.

It involves 3 easy steps. First you pick your vehicle, next you pick your purchasing method and last (the fun part) you get to pick your gift. The gifts consist of an iPod Nano, a Navigation (GPS) Unit or a 2010 Olympic Team Canada Jersey.

Check out our Newmarket Honda website for more details or click here to go directly to our Go For The Gold promotion!

Go Canada!

Go For The Gold

Winter Warm Up Event!!!

Winter Warm Up Event

Newmarket Honda along with other participating Honda dealerships is having their Winter Warm Up Event. This event just announced Purchase Financing for 5 Years 0.9%* on all 2010 CR-V Accord and Civic Models. Along with that there are new lower lease rates on selected 2010 Honda models.

Taken from “The Driving Blog” is a quote from Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc.

“Now that confidence in the Canadian economy seems to be improving, we want
to keep that momentum going,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president
of Honda Canada Inc.  ”So as part of our commitment to Canadians, we have
decided to create more value for our customers with a series of price
reductions on our most popular models — Civic, Accord and CR-V.”

So for those who have seen the plethora of 2010 Accords on the road, which happens to be one of the most selling vehicles in past years, now is your chance to purchase your own Honda Accord. Or if the Accord isn’t your style, and need something a little bigger, try the CR-V which has tons of great features such as heat-rejecting green-tinted glass or tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Such features like these make driving the 2010 CR-V such a great pleasure.  But if the Accord and CR-V are not your “speed”, then try the Honda Civic instead.

The Civic Nation isn’t a “make-believe” group, there something about Civics that people love. With the new 2010 Civic (either Coupe of Sedan or Hybrid) you can look forward to great safety features, and depending on which model of Civic you decide to purchase, you’ll realize that each model has its own independent features.

Come in to 75 Mulock Drive, Newmarket Ontario and test drive any of these vehicles or and make your own decision on which one you prefer best. The Winter Warm Up Event won’t last forever, time flies quickly, so remember to mark March 1^st, 2010 on your calendars as the last day for this event!

And if you’re not looking for 2010 models, remember we a great variety of pre-own vehicles starting from 2005 to 2009. Go to our Newmarket Honda website to view our entire list of pre-own vehicles.

*Limited time financing offers based on new 2010 Honda model available through Honda Financial Services on approved credit. 0.9% financing available on all new 2010 Civic, Accord and CR-V models for up to 60 months on approved credit. Retailer may sell for less. Retailer order/ trade may be necessary. Offer valid from January 27^th, 2010 through March 1^st, 2010 at participating Honda retailers. Offer valid only for Ontario resident at Ontario Honda Dealers. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. See dealer for full details.

2010 Honda Civic

2010 Honda CR-V

Haiti and Honda

After seeing the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake that shook the country of Haiti, it’s a very humbling reminder of how lucky some people are just to live in the places they live. But that reminder should also reminds us that we must give and donate in order to help. Before the earthquake Haiti was the second poorest country, and they were always going through much social distress. This earthquake has made things worst! Many people have come out to support and do whatever they can in order to help the people of Haiti.

We want to help address the dire human need that Haiti is experiencing as a result of this disaster,” said Tetsuo Iwamura, president & chief executive officer of American Honda Motor and chief operating officer of Honda’s North American region. “Honda has a longstanding relationship with the Red Cross, and we will work continuously with them to assist with the effort to provide much-needed relief.“

And with being said, Honda has made a donation of $300,000. The money that Honda was able to raise came the Honda families of companies in North America. This donation, along with countless other donations;  gives hope to the chance of aide for the people of Haiti. Although food and water are great necessities, the country needs power and energy in order to use machines and tools to operate;  in order to rescue people and give medical assistance. With that in mind Honda has also given power equipment such as generators, water pumps and other Honda products to assist the Red Cross.

We must do what we can to help this situation; no human should be alone in a time like this. Donate to the Red Cross, help Haitian born musical artist Wycelf Jean with his organization as well, whether it’s $1, $100 or $1,000 every little bit counts and does help.

Click here to be directed to the Red Cross website to learn what you can do to help

To see what Wyclef’s organization is doing click here.

Let’s do what we can and never give up!

Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti

Canadian Red Cross