To Infinity … and beyond

Birchwood Honda sees bright future

By: Myron Love

http://autos.winnipegfreepress.com/index.php?action=news&step=article&id=1408

Birchwood Honda West had a double celebration on Wednesday, April 22.

On that date, more than 200 guests were on hand for both the grand re-opening of the greatly expanded Pointe West Auto Centre dealership and the official launch of Honda’s 2010 Insight Hybrid.

“The 2010 Insight Hybrid is going to be a huge car for Honda,” says Birchwood Honda West sales rep Damien Burns. “Sales in Japan have been so brisk that Honda has already doubled production.”

Burns notes the only feature in common the new model has with its predecessor is its name. The original Insight Hybrid, which was introduced in 1999, was a two-seater. The 2010 version seats five and looks like a cross between a hatchback and a wagon.

“Our new Insight is built with third-generation hybrid technology,”

Burns says. “Under ideal conditions — such as a flat road and at a certain speed — the Insight runs on electric power alone.”

The battery, he notes, is smaller than in previous models and is stored under the floor in the trunk alongside the spare tire. That creates considerably more storage capacity in the trunk.

Among the new model’s features is IMA (Integrated Motor Assist), which means that the electric motor adds power when needed and recharges itself by recapturing the energy released during braking.

Burns also points out the green ECON button — on the dashboard — which, through Honda’s Eco Assist technology, improves fuel efficiency and reduces overall energy use. The Eco Guide feature encourages better driving practices. The guide is displayed in the form of a tree, which grows leaves as a reward for better driving decisions.

Burns further notes the 2010 Insight’s aerodynamic design, which is aimed at reducing wind resistance and minimize coefficient drag.

Burns points out that with a base price of $25,210 (including freight and pdi), the 2010 Insight Hybrid LX is $3,000-$5,000 less than competing hybrid models (depending on the option package). The EX version starts at $28, 810.

Birchwood Honda West also looks quite different from its former self.

The dealership was originally built in 1999, the same year the Insight was launched. It was the first dealership built at the new Pointe West Auto Centre in Headingley.

“Since then, we have built 11 other dealerships (most of which are part of the Birchwood Auto Group) and remodelled two of them,” said Birchwood Auto Group president Steve Chipman in his address to the staff and guests gathered for the rededication of Birchwood Honda West.

“We had built-in room for expansion,” he noted, “but we didn’t expect to be expanding quite this soon.”

Expansion, he pointed out, was driven by a tremendous growth in sales.

He noted that the west-end Honda dealership is one of the top 10 dealers in Winnipeg as measured by total sales.

The $2.7-million expansion, which was completed late last year, has more than doubled the size of the Pointe West Auto Centre dealership.

The 13,000-square-foot addition brings the number of service bays to

13 and adds two new detailing areas, two new quick-lube bays, a delivery pod indoors and enough space in the showroom for 11 vehicles. “We can now showcase every vehicle in our lineup,” Chipman said.

“We hope that this expansion will hold us for another 10 years as we look forward to further growth in Honda sales.”

Waverley Chrysler general manager Steve Dennis reports that his dealership is once again supporting the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon (21.08 km), which is scheduled for this coming Sunday at the Running Room. Dennis notes the event is sold out and that the run is expected to raise $100,000 for cancer research. Waverley Chrysler dresses up a Challenger RT model to help promote the event, which is now in its fifth year.

TORONTO (January 7, 2009) – Based on its all-time record annual sales of 72,463 units in 2008, Honda Civic became the first passenger car in 15 years to achieve status as the top-selling vehicle, including all cars and trucks, in Canada. The Civic also remained Canada’s top-selling passenger car for an 11th consecutive year, outselling its nearest competitor by 14,727 units.”We thank Canadian consumers for their continuing vote of confidence in the Civic with its strong value resulting from its excellent fuel efficiency, class-leading standard safety features and fun-to-drive character,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc.

“And with the exception of the Civic Hybrid, all other Civic models sold in Canada are produced right here in Canada. We are proud of our investment in Canada as a vehicle manufacturer with virtually half of all the vehicles we sell in Canada being built in Canada.

“Our manufacturing facility in Alliston, which opened in 1986, represents an investment of $2.6 billion in Canada and currently employs 4,600 Associates. In 2008, out of a total production of 383,011 vehicles at the Alliston facility, almost 300,000 were Civics. In fact, of the nearly 5 million vehicles that our Canadian assembly plant has produced over the past 22 years, about 3 million of those have been Honda Civics.”
Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Civic and Civic Si sedan and coupe, and the Acura CSX sedan and MDX luxury utility vehicle at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario, and produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines at its new engine plant adjacent to its Canadian manufacturing facilities. With 135 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda attracts more than 24 million customers annually.

http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/Splash_Default?L=E#

TORONTO (February 2, 2009) – The Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, will make its Canadian debut on February 11 to members of the press at the press preview of the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto which opens to the public on Friday, February 13.The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology – already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan – and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.

“The Honda FC Sport explores new ways to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. “People who enjoy sports cars will not be forgotten by Honda in a hydrogen-powered future.”

The high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle’s performance potential. A modular approach to fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain contribute to the FC Sport’s low center of gravity with the majority of vehicle mass distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars.
The ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific, hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The FC Sport is configured to accommodate a custom-formed high-power fuel cell stack, located between the rear seats, and a battery pack placed low in the middle of the vehicle. The electric motor resides just forward of the rear axle. Two fuel storage tanks, visible from above, are located above the rear axle.

The optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver’s left and right side.

The sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and convey the vehicle’s racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks, visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology in much the same way that a “naked bike” motorcycle showcases its engineering technology.

The glacier white body color conveys the FC Sport’s clean environmental aspirations while the dark wheels and deeply tinted glass provide a symbolic contrast befitting of the vehicle’s unique combination of clean power and high performance. Green construction techniques further contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.

The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas in Pasadena, California, developed the FC Sport design study vehicle with the primary objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.

Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Civic and Civic Si sedan and coupe, and the Acura CSX sedan and MDX luxury utility vehicle at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario, and produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines at its new engine plant adjacent to its Canadian manufacturing facilities. With 135 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda attracts more than 24 million customers annually.

http://www.honda.ca/default#

TORONTO (January 8, 2009) – Honda Canada Inc. received top honours from ALG as the winner of the “Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award” as part of ALG’s Canadian Residual Value Awards that honour vehicles that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional retail lease.

Honda was ranked the best overall brand out of 19 mainstream automotive brands in Canada. Acura, the luxury division of Honda Canada Inc., received a second-place award in the Luxury Brand Residual Value category, placing ahead of 11 other luxury brand competitors.The awards are based on 2009 model year vehicles. The awards are derived after carefully studying segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry trends, and are based on analysis using only Canada-specific data. ALG, based in Santa Barbara, California, provides data and consulting services to the automotive industry and publishes the “Automotive Lease Guide” in both Canada and the U.S.

In addition to winning the overall Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award, Honda Canada also received individual segment awards for the Honda Odyssey (Minivan segment); the new Honda Fit (Entry Compact Car); and the Honda Ridgeline (Compact/Midsize Pickup Truck).

“We are very excited to announce the inaugural Canadian Residual Value Awards,” said John Blair, Chief Executive Officer of ALG. “Honda clearly set itself apart by winning the overall Mainstream award and three segment awards. Honda benefits from its disciplined production, consistent high quality and value pricing, and its shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles has also helped the brand.

“We firmly believe that Residual Value is the best metric for evaluating the overall strength of an automotive brand, and congratulate all of the winners for their successful products and marketing strategies.”

Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Civic sedan and coupe, and the Acura CSX sedan and MDX luxury utility vehicle at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario, and produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines at its new engine plant adjacent to its Canadian manufacturing facilities. With 135 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda attracts more than 24 million customers annually.

http://www.honda.ca/default#

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr112508.html

ARLINGTON, VA – Seventy-two vehicles earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2009. This is more than double the number of 2008 recipients and more than 3 times the number of 2007 winners. TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also have to have electronic stability control (ESC), which research shows significantly reduces crash risk.

For the first time ever, winners represent every class of vehicle the Institute tests except microcars. Most car, minivan, and SUV models, midsize convertibles, and small and large pickups are eligible. Ford and its subsidiary Volvo have 16 winners, including the Ford F-150 large pickup. Thirteen winners are from Honda and its Acura division. The Honda Fit with optional ESC is the first minicar to earn TOP SAFETY PICK.

Honda, Acura, and Subaru, which picked up 4 awards, are standouts for 2009 because they have at least 1 TOP SAFETY PICK in every vehicle class in which they compete.

“Consumers are the biggest winners,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “No matter what kind of vehicle buyers may be considering, now they can walk into just about any dealership and find one that affords the best overall protection in serious crashes.”

Front and side impacts are the most common kinds of fatal crashes, killing about three-quarters of the 28,896 passenger vehicle occupants who died in 2007. Rear-end crashes usually aren’t fatal, but they result in a large proportion of crash injuries. Neck sprain or strain is the most commonly reported injury in two thirds of insurance claims for injuries in all kinds of crashes.

Automakers improve protection: TOP SAFETY PICK provides an incentive for manufacturers to offer safer vehicle designs that go far beyond basic federal standards.

“In order to win, automakers have beefed up the side structures of vehicles and added side airbags to do a better job of protecting people in serious side crashes,” Lund says. “They’re rapidly adding ESC to prevent crashes, and they’re designing seats and head restraints that do a better job of protecting against whiplash.”

The changes are evident in the safety equipment that is increasingly standard. For the 2009 model year, 84 percent of passenger cars, 99 percent of SUVs, and 23 percent of pickups have standard side airbags with head protection. The same is true for ESC. It’s standard on 74 percent of passenger cars, 99 percent of SUVs, and 37 percent of pickups.

Crash avoidance is required: The Institute began the TOP SAFETY PICK program in 2006, initially giving out 2 tiers of awards. Gold winners scored good ratings for front, side, and rear crash protection. Silver winners had good ratings in front and side tests and acceptable ratings in rear evaluations.

For 2007, the Institute raised the bar to win by requiring good rear impact results and ESC as either standard or optional equipment. ESC helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles in the worst situation – loss of control at high speed – by engaging automatically when it senses vehicle instability and helping to bring a vehicle back in the intended line of travel. ESC lowers the risk of a fatal single-vehicle crash by about half, and it lowers the risk of a fatal rollover crash by as much as 70 percent.

Rear, side performance still lags: Crash tests have driven major improvements in the designs of all kinds and sizes of passenger vehicles. The Institute began conducting frontal tests for consumer information in 1995. Side tests were added in 2003 and rear tests in 2004. Most vehicles earn good ratings based on the frontal crash test, but significant differences remain among vehicles’ performance in side and rear tests.

Twenty-six models fall short of earning TOP SAFETY PICK because of inadequate head restraint designs. The Smart Fortwo, the only microcar in the US market, missed because of its head restraints. The same goes for Toyota’s hybrid Prius, which performed well in the Institute’s front and side crash tests but came up short for rear crash protection.

Chrysler is the only major automaker lacking a single TOP SAFETY PICK. It could have picked up 5 awards if the head restraints were better in the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, the Sebring convertible, and the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.

A 2008 Institute analysis of insurance claims found that, all other factors being the same, drivers of vehicles with seat/head restraint combinations rated good in Institute evaluations were 15 percent less likely to sustain neck injuries in rear-end crashes than drivers of vehicles with poor head restraints.

Eleven vehicles missed the mark because they didn’t earn a good rating for occupant protection in side crashes. Many of these vehicles are smaller cars whose size puts them at a disadvantage in the challenging test compared with larger, heavier vehicles.

Still, the sheer number of this year’s winners indicates that automakers have made huge strides to improve crash protection to achieve TOP SAFETY PICK designation,” Lund says. “For years Toyota had more also-rans than winners. For 2009 this automaker has come on strong by updating seats and head restraints in the Avalon, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, and RAV4 to earn good ratings. Volkswagen has done the same with the Eos, Jetta, Passat, and Rabbit.”

Winners include 8 large cars, 13 midsize cars, 6 small cars, 1 minicar, 3 midsize convertibles, and 3 minivans. Among SUVs, 19 are midsize, 10 are small, and 5 are large. The 2008 Toyota Tundra was the first large pickup to earn TOP SAFETY PICK. For 2009, the Tundra is joined by the Ford F-150 and the Honda Ridgeline. The Toyota Tacoma is the only small pickup winner.

Each year the Institute offers to test TOP SAFETY PICK candidates early in the model year. The policy is for manufacturers to reimburse the Institute for the cost of vehicles if the tests aren’t part of the group’s regular schedule. TOP SAFETY PICK is presented by vehicle size because size and weight are closely related, and both influence how well occupants will be protected in serious crashes. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford better protection in crashes than smaller, lighter ones.

“Just because small cars are TOP SAFETY PICKs doesn’t make them as crashworthy as larger vehicles,” Lund says. “Rather, it’s all the more important to choose a small car that rates highly for safety because you give up the protection of size and weight.”

How vehicles are evaluated: The Institute’s frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on two instrumented SID-IIs dummies, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle’s structural performance during the impact.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry – the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average-size man. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall because they can’t be positioned to protect many people.

ALL 72 WINNERS

Large cars
Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Acura TL, TSX
Audi A3, A4
BMW 3 series 4-door models
Ford Fusion with optional electronic stability control
Honda Accord 4-door models
Mercedes C class
Mercury Milan with optional electronic stability control
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen Jetta, Passat

Midsize convertibles
Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Eos
Volvo C70

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Mitsubishi Lancer with optional electronic stability control
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control
Toyota Corolla with optional electronic stability control
Volkswagen Rabbit

Minicar
Honda Fit with optional electronic stability control

Minivans
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Large SUVs
Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook

Midsize SUVs
Acura MDX, RDX
BMW X3, X5
Ford Edge, Flex, Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe, Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M class
Nissan Murano
Saturn VUE
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser, Highlander
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V, Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large pickups
Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra

Small pickup
Toyota Tacoma

ALSO-RANS
These 26 vehicles earn good ratings in front and side crash tests. They have ESC, standard or optional. They would be 2009 TOP SAFETY PICK winners if their seat/head restraints also earn good ratings:

Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler Sebring, Sebring convertible, Town & Country
Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan
Infiniti G35, M35
Kia Amanti
Lexus ES, GS,IS
Mazda CX-7, CX-9
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Endeavor
Nissan Altima, Pathfinder, Quest, Xterra
Saturn AURA
Smart Fortwo
Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Prius, Sienna

http://www.honda.ca/HondaCorp/en/innovation1.asp?navIndex=2&subNavIndex=1

At Honda, what started with a dream now moves and improves people’s mobility in every conceivable way.

Today, Honda innovation takes many forms: from a range of award-and-race-winning motorcycles, automobiles and trucks, to generators and the first full line of fuel efficient low emission 4-stroke outboard motors, to the high-flying efficiency of the HondaJet. There’s even ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, and the Honda FCX Concept car – a zero emissions fuel-cell vehicle that only emits water vapour.

What’s more, Honda is also at the forefront of safety innovation with a “Safety for Everyone” commitment that strives to provide the highest level of standard safety features regardless of vehicle price or size. So as long as people have places to go, or tasks to perform, Honda will continue to invent and innovate safer, cleaner products for a better future.

http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/StoryPopUp.asp?L=E&P=Splash_Storyboard&N=4

TORONTO (September 18, 2009) – Honda Canada announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Andretti Green Toronto for the title sponsorship rights to the Toronto-based IndyCar Series event to be named “Honda Indy Toronto.” Scheduled for July 10-12, 2009, the Honda Indy Toronto will be part of next year’s 18-race IndyCar Series schedule and will also feature the Firestone Indy Lights Series as part of the weekend’s diverse activities.

“Working with the Andretti Green Toronto team, we intend to make the Honda Indy Toronto a world-class event . . . one that Toronto and the province of Ontario can be proud of,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc.

Michael Andretti, co-owner and chairman of Andretti Green Toronto, added, “This is a great day for everyone who is a fan of IndyCar racing in Toronto. Honda has been a great partner of ours for years and this will take that partnership deeper into the future. Andretti Green and Honda Canada plan to do great things with this event, and everyone associated with the event is very excited for July 2009 to get here.”

Information about the Honda Indy Toronto, including ticket sales, is available at www.hondaindytoronto.com.

Ticket information is also available by contacting the Andretti Green Toronto office at (416) 588-7223.

http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/StoryPopUp.asp?L=E&P=Splash_Storyboard&N=1

TORONTO (September 5, 2008) – Honda will reveal a concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle, to be named Insight, at the 2008 Paris International Auto Show on October 2. The new Insight Concept shares styling cues with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle and provides an early look at the new five-passenger hybrid vehicle due to arrive in Canada next spring.

The all-new, purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price below current hybrids available today. From this unique position in the marketplace, the Honda Insight will advance the affordability and accessibility of hybrid technology to a new generation of buyers.

“The original Honda Insight pioneered hybrid technology in North America and remains a symbol of Honda’s commitment to innovative technology and fuel efficiency,” said Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Chief Executive Officer. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value.”

The Insight Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology by utilizing a more cost-efficient version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist^TM (IMA^TM) hybrid technology, resulting in a new level of affordability for hybrid customers worldwide. Evoking the innovative styling cues first seen in the FCX Clarity, the Insight Concept is designed with a low center of gravity and a generous five-passenger cabin, offering the kind of driving pleasure and roomy interior that customers have come to expect from Honda.

While the Insight Concept’s aerodynamic design clearly identifies its fuel-efficient purpose, its five-door access and folding rear seats speak to functionality that is designed to meet the needs of customers with an active lifestyle. The Insight Concept is a small, fuel-efficient hybrid car that delivers big style and functionality with a healthy dose of fun.

Honda has achieved a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components which will allow Insight to be most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. The production Insight will be offered as a five-door, five-passenger hatchback. Numerous technologies, including a function to assist customers in achieving more fuel-efficient driving habits, will be applied to achieve a further improvement in real world fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.

The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year with half of those in North America. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce a unique sporty hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. All together, Honda’s global sales of hybrids are expected to increase to approximately 500,000 units a year (more than 10 per cent of its total worldwide annual automobile sales).

The original Honda Insight was introduced in December 1999 as North America’s first gasoline-electric hybrid car. It was designed to demonstrate the ultimate potential for fuel-economy in a two-seater subcompact automobile.

Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduction of CO2 emissions, including advanced gasoline engines, gasoline-electric hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars.

http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/Financing/Graduate.htm?L=E

School’s Out. Driving’s in.

When you graduate, the world’s your oyster. New adventures. New challenges. Maybe even a new job awaits you. And there’s no better way to start a new chapter of your life than in a new or certified pre-owned Honda. In fact, we’re so sure about it, The Honda Graduate Program is offering a $500 credit towards the lease or financing of a new Honda Accord, CR-V, and Element or a Honda certified pre-owned vehicle. We’re also offering $750 towards S2000, our exhilarating two-seat roadster! You see? Earning a diploma is paying off already.

Program Details:

·Get up to a $750 cash allowance or credit towards vehicle lease or finance.
·Honda Graduate program can be used in addition to current Honda incentives in effect at the time of delivery, unless specified under the rules of another incentive program or contest.
·Graduates of a police or military school.
·This credit includes GST, HST, or QST as applicable. Any tax liability imposed on the value of an award received in this campaign is the sole responsibility of the Purchaser.
·This offer is non-transferable.
·This offer can only be used once.

Program Eligibility:

·Vehicle must be registered in the name of the Honda Graduate Program applicant.
·In the circumstance of marriage or name change, documentation of the name change may be required.
·A graduate is only eligible for one Honda Graduate Program Allowance per vehicle and is limited to a one-time lifetime approval per individual.
·Applicant must meet post-secondary requirements.

Ineligible Vehicles:

·Fleet sales will not be eligible for the Honda Graduate Program
·Any vehicle sold to a broker, middleman or third-party other than a retail customer and subsequently sold to another dealership business or purchased with the intent of exporting outside of Canada.

Eligible Vehicles:

·All new an unregistered Honda Accord, CR-V, Element and S2000 models and dealer demonstrators of the eligible models delivered to the customer by an authorized Honda dealer.
·All Honda Certified Used Vehicle delivered by an authorized Honda Dealer.

Eligible Customers:
·Canadian residents who have graduated within the last four years or are within 4 months of graduating from an accredited post-secondary institution.

Minimum Post-Secondary Requirements:

·A two-year Canadian College of Applied Arts and Technology
·A three-year CEGEP D.E.C. program in Quebec
·A three-year Canadian University Bachelor Program
·Canadian Registered Nursing Program
·Canadian Trade School
·Canadian Service Academy
·Canadian Master’s or Doctoral Program
·Please see the list of all accredited post-secondary institutions valid for the Honda Graduate Program
·Certificate and adult education courses do not apply
·Applicant will be required to provide a copy of an original official transcript and/or letter from the Registrar’s Office confirming graduation within the stated program guidelines.

Final Decision:

·In all matters relating to the interpretation and application of any rule or phrase of this program, the decision of Honda Canada Inc. shall be final. Honda Canada Inc. reserves the right to cancel, amend or revoke the program at any time. All matters of program eligibility and qualification will be conclusively resolved by Honda Canada Inc.
·All claims are subject to review by Honda Canada Inc.

http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/StoryPopUp.asp?L=E&P=Gateway_Storyboard&N=6

MONTREAL, June 4, 2008 – Clean Air Champions (CAC) today announced a major two-year funding partnership with Honda Canada and the earthdreams program, created by the Honda Racing F1 Team. Clean Air Champions (CAC) is a Canadian charity that works with respected athletes to educate and inspire Canadians to adopt practices and lifestyles that enhance personal and environmental health. The Champions are made up of over 120 national team, Olympic and Paralympic athletes, each passionate about our environment and the health of Canadians.

CAC’s school program, Clean Air Achievers (CAA), is at the centre of this new partnership. Honda Canada and earthdreams have committed up to $200,000 CDN to the program over the next two years. The funds provided will expand the CAA program into three new provinces, including Quebec, 14 new cities and 100 new schools.

CAA targets youth in grades 6 to 9 and educates them about the interconnections between air quality, climate change and health. It currently runs in five provinces. The program’s two main goals are (1) to encourage youth to choose less polluting forms of travel and (2) to increase their level of physical fitness by walking, rolling or cycling to their destinations.

This new partnership is a joint funding agreement between Honda Canada and earthdreams. Honda Canada introduced CAC to earthdreams and, at the same time, is extending its own existing partnership with the charity. Honda Canada has been a proud sponsor of the Clean Air Achievers’ Program for the last two years.

earthdreams is a global initiative that is supporting and empowering a range of environmental projects. earthdreams’ global network of environmental projects focuses on the themes of mobility, technology, sustainability and education. earthdreams plans to be supporting 30 projects worldwide by 2009. Today, Clean Air Champions becomes the ninth earthdreams project partner.

Through the earthdreams network, Clean Air Champions will receive exposure on a global scale and the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other like-minded charities, businesses and social entrepreneurs around the world.

“As a national charity with a mission to promote cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, we are pleased to be partnering with Honda Canada and earthdreams,” said Christian Weber, Chair of Clean Air Champions. “Honda is truly a world leader in integrating the environment into its business practices as well as a pioneer in the manufacture of cleaner, more efficient engines.”

“What we at CAC are committed to is making change happen and inspiring others to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. We believe that every choice and every step does count, added Weber.

Clean Air Champion Nancy Drolet, an Olympic Medallist and a six-time World Champion in Women’s Hockey, added that “from an athlete’s perspective, I hold the environment extremely close to my heart. The capacity to avoid injury, illness and to be able to breathe at full capacity has a direct impact on performance. My life mission is to make a difference, which I feel today’s announcement can achieve. I am proud to be a part of the team work between Honda Canada, earthdreams and Clean Air Champions, as it’s a winning combination.”

“Honda has always considered it our responsibility and commitment for the future to ensure ‘blue skies for our children’. To achieve this, we will continue to advance technologies for the benefit of today’s customer and future generations. We welcome our new partnership with Honda Racing F1 Team’s earthdreams program to fund Clean Air Champions Clean Air Achievers program to build awareness of, and drive action for, environmental concerns.” said Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice-President, Honda Canada Inc.

Nick Fry, chief executive officer of Honda Racing F1 Team, said “Honda Canada has supported CAC for the past two years and as a charity, it is a perfect fit with the aims and ambitions of our earthdreams program. Supporting environmental education projects is integral to earthdreams and preparing the next generation for their environmental responsibilities.”

Click on the link below to view the press confrence video
http://www.hondacanadamedia.com/video.php?vid=15