Hondanews Online Newsroom

Corporate: Fiolek and Barcia on the Podium in Hangtown Season Opener

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:07:00 -0700

Round one of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and Women's Motocross Championship kicked off this weekend at the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic held in Sacramento, CA. Team Honda Muscle Milk's Ashley Fiolek and GEICO Honda's Justin Barcia both had impressive starts to the season, placing second overall aboard their Honda CRF250Rs.

The Race

Tommy Hahn joined the Team Honda Muscle Milk squad, making his debut this weekend aboard a factory-prepared CRF450R. After placing a solid seventh in qualifying, Hahn rode his way to an eighth-place finish in moto one. After getting another good start in moto two, Hahn went down hard, causing him to fall to the back of the pack. He earned a respectable 13th overall. "I am really happy to have this first race out of the way, and overall am pleased with the results," said Hahn. "Apart from going down in the second moto, I felt good and was having fun. I am looking forward to building off this and improving my results throughout the rest of the season."

In moto one, Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton grabbed a mid-pack start and rode a consistent race until going down on the last lap, sending him back to 24th. Still recovering from his crash in the first moto, Brayton rode his way to a 16th-place finish in moto two.

In the 250 class, Justin Barcia grabbed the holeshot in both motos, racing his GEICO Honda CRF250R to third in moto one and securing second in moto two for a second overall. "As much as I want to win, being on the podium is a great way to start the season," stated Barcia. Teammate Eli Tomac put together a solid ride in moto one, finishing in fourth. Unfortunately, Tomac went down in the first turn of moto two and was forced to charge his way through the pack. He rode a notable race, making his way up to 10th and clinching fifth overall. GEICO Honda's Wil Hahn rounded out the top 10 with a seventh in moto one and 13th in moto two.

In the Women's Motocross Championship (WMA), Team Honda Muscle Milk riders had an exciting start to the season. Ashley Fiolek grabbed the holeshot in moto one and rode an inspired race all the way to the finish, nailing down the win. She got another great start in moto two but went down, sending her to the back of the pack. She charged her way through the field, finishing in fifth place for second overall. Sayaka Kaneshiro, the newest addition to the team, had the best finish of her WMA career, going 5-4 for fifth overall. Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda's Tarah Gieger went 3-3 for third overall.

The Focus: D.I.D

D.I.D® has been a longtime Honda racing team sponsor and puts what it learns in competition into the OE products it supplies to Honda and other manufacturers. Spokes, rims and drive chains take an unbelievable beating in the world of professional motocross, which is why the Honda team puts its trust in D.I.D to provide components that can take the abuse of the hardest-riding pro-racers in the country.

450 Class Overall Results
1. James Stewart 1-1
2. Ryan Dungey 3-2
3. Mike Alessi 7-3
4. Andrew Short (Honda) 5-4
5. Brett Metcalfe 4-5
6. Broc Tickle 6-7
7. Davi Millsaps 2-14
8. Jake Weimer 10-6
9. Josh Grant 9-8
10. Nico Izzi 11-10

450 Class Championship Points (after 1 of 12 rounds)
1. James Stewart 50
2. Ryan Dungey 42
3. Mike Alessi 34
4. Andrew Short 34
5. Brett Metcalfe 34
6. Broc Tickle 29
7. Davi Millsaps 29
8. Jake Weimer 26
9. Josh Grant 25
10. Nico Izzi 21

250 Class Overall Results
1. Blake Baggett 1-1
2. Justin Barcia (Honda) 3-2
3. Ken Roczen 2-3
4. Ivan Tedesco 6-5
5. Eli Tomac (Honda) 4-10
6. Martin Davalos 14-4
7. Kyle Cunningham 9-8
8. Jason Anderson 8-9
9. Marvin Musquin 5-14
10. Wil Hahn (Honda) 7-13

250 Class Championship Points (after 1 of 12 rounds)
1. Blake Baggett 50
2. Justin Barcia 42
3. Ken Roczen 42
4. Ivan Tedesco 31
5. Eli Tomac 29
6. Martin Davalos 25
7. Kyle Cunningham 25
8. Jason Anderson 25
9. Marvin Musquin 23
10. Wil Hahn 22

WMA Overall Results
1. Jessica Patterson 2-2
2. Ashley Fiolek (Honda) 1-5
3. Tarah Gieger (Honda) 3-3
4. Meghan Rutledge 8-1
5. Sayaka Kaneshiro (Honda) 5-4
6. Kasie Creson 6-6
7. Mariana Balbi 7-8
8. Sara Pettersson 11-9
9. Lindsey Palmer 10-11
10. Hailey Larson 9-13

WMA Championship Points (after round 1 of 8)
1. Jessica Patterson 44
2. Ashley Fiolek 41
3. Tarah Gieger 40
4. Meghan Rutledge 38
5. Sayaka Kaneshiro 34
6. Kasie Creson 30
7. Mariana Balbi 27
8. Sara Pettersson 22
9. Lindsey Palmer 21
10. Hailey Larson 20

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda's Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.

Corporate: Honda Turns Up the Heat at the Summer's Hottest Music Festivals

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:57:00 -0700

In support of the 2012 Civic, Honda is sponsoring several music festivals this summer – including Sasquatch! (May 25-28) in George, WA, The Governors Ball in New York City (June 23-24) and Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, TX (Oct. 12-14). These events each feature a Honda Stage and a Honda Zone, which will showcase the 2012 Civic and numerous fan-friendly activities. Additionally, festival attendees will have the opportunity to register for a chance to win a 2012 Civic Si Coupe. For more info and to register for the chance to win now visit civicmusicsweeps.com.

"Gen Y Honda owners are passionate about music and we are excited to be a part of three of the top summer festivals," said Tom Peyton, senior manager of Honda national advertising. "Music fans can see the hottest musical talent on the Honda Stages and have the opportunity to drive away in the hottest car on the road, the Civic Si Coupe."

Honda returns to Sasquatch! for the third year and Austin City Limits Music Festival for the fourth consecutive year. New for 2012, Honda joins The Governors Ball Music Festival in New York. Among many other great artists, the Honda Bigfoot Stage at Sasquatch! will feature The Roots, Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai and at The Governors Ball, Kid Cudi, Beck and Cage The Elephant.

About the Honda Civic
One of the best-selling compact cars in the United States, the Civic features a lineup of six distinct models: the conventional gasoline-powered Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe, two high-performance Civic Si models, gasoline-electric Civic Hybrid, the Civic Natural Gas and Civic HF high fuel economy model. The Civic lineup embodies the Honda brand values of 'clean, safe and fun' with two Civic models achieving EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings¹ of over 40 mpg on the highway. The Civic sedan has earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and a 'TOP SAFETY PICK' designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Now in its ninth-generation, the Civic remains one of the most fun-to-drive compact cars on the road today.

For high-resolution photos, broadcast quality video and media information of the entire 2012 Civic lineup visit: www.hondanews.com. For information on the Civic Si Coupe giveaway, please visit www.civicmusicsweeps.com.

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda Civic for consumers: www.automobiles.honda.com/Civic
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Google+
Honda on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Facebook: http://facebook.com/honda
Honda Civic on Facebook: http://facebook.com/hondacivic

Connect with the Festivals:
Sasquatch! Music Festival: http://sasquatchfestival.com
Governor's Ball: http://governorsballmusicfestival.com
Austin City Limits: http://www.aclfestival.com

¹Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
²MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $750.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

Corporate: Statement by Acura Regarding Power Steering Hose Recall: 2007-2008 Acura TL

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Acura will voluntarily recall 52,615 model-year 2007-2008 TL sedans in the United States to replace the power steering hose. Over time, the power steering hose may deteriorate and develop a fluid leak. Leaking power steering fluid could lead to loss of power steering assistance or, if it leaks onto a catalytic converter it may result in smoke, or in the worst case, fire. No crashes, injuries or fires have been reported related to this issue.

Acura is announcing this recall to encourage owners of all affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Acura. Mailed notification to customers will begin in mid-June 2012. In addition to contacting customers by mail, in mid-June, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.acura.com or by calling (800) 382-2238, and selecting option 4.

Corporate: Team Honda Muscle Milk announces Tommy Hahn for the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:05:00 -0700

American Honda announces today that Tommy Hahn will be filling in for Team Honda Muscle Milk's Trey Canard throughout the entire 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series. Hahn will join Justin Brayton aboard a factory CRF450R for all 12 rounds of the nationals.

"For Honda to pick me is an amazing opportunity," said Hahn. "It is a confidence booster knowing I have such great support from Team Honda Muscle Milk."

"We have known Tommy for a very long time, and we are excited to have him back on the team for the 2012 Motocross series," said Team Manager Erik Kehoe. "He is naturally talented and we believe he possesses all the tools needed to run at the front of the pack."

About Honda

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda's Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to www.powersports.honda.com.

Corporate: Honda Announces New UNI-CUB Personal Mobility Device Designed for Harmony with People

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:14:00 -0700

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the new UNI-CUB personal mobility device, designed for harmony with people. Featuring a compact design and comfortable saddle, UNI-CUB offers the same freedom of movement in all directions that a person enjoys while walking.

Representing the evolution of the U3-X personal mobility device that Honda announced in 2009, UNI-CUB features Honda's proprietary balance control technology and the world's first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System). These technologies allow the rider to control speed, move in any direction, turn and stop, all simply by shifting his or her weight. Since the rider can freely move forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally, he or she can quickly and easily maneuver among other people.

Moreover, UNI-CUB's compact saddle-style packaging makes it easy for the rider's legs to reach the ground and maintains eye-level height with other pedestrians. This configuration promotes harmony between the rider and others, letting the rider travel freely and comfortably inside facilities and among moving people.

Starting in June 2012, Honda will jointly conduct demonstration testing of UNI-CUB with Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. In addition to testing the feasibility of using UNI-CUB indoors, this project will explore the practical applications of the device in a wide range of environments in Japan and other countries.

The balance control technology of UNI-CUB is part of the Honda Robotics family of technologies, which originates with Honda's research into humanoid robots, including the world-famous ASIMO.

Going forward, Honda will continue its proactive research and development of next-generation mobility technologies, aiming always to offer more and more people the joy and fun that comes from freedom of movement.

Key specifications of UNI-CUB

Size (L x W x H)	520 x 345 x 745 mm
Seat height	745 – 825 mm
Battery type	Lithium-ion battery
Maximum speed	6 km/h
Range	6 km
Application environment	Barrier-free indoor environments

Key features of UNI-CUB:
Maneuverability promotes compatibility with people in many environments:
1. Omni-directional freedom of movement similar to human walking
UNI-CUB has a two-wheel configuration with a minimal wheelbase. The front wheel features the Honda Omni Traction Drive System that Honda first announced in 2009. The rear wheel moves laterally to facilitate turning. By leveraging the different rotational speeds of the front and rear wheel treads during lateral movements, UNI-CUB can move forwards and backwards, side-to-side and diagonally and also turn in place, making possible quick, nimble movement.

2. Movement in harmony with other people
Honda's proprietary balance control technology makes it possible for the rider to freely control the wheels of the UNI-CUB, much as human beings maintain their balance. With a design that takes into consideration the rider's environment, this system allows the rider to maneuver while moving side by side with or holding hands with another person.

3. Compact size for moving and climbing gradients in barrier-free indoor environments
Thanks to UNI-CUB's compact saddle-style packaging, the rider and vehicle together are about the same width as a person when walking. Optimized wheel design and high-precision drive/balance control enhance UNI-CUB's ability to climb gradients in barrier-free indoor environments.

Ease of control promotes freedom of movement:
4. Weight shift control combined with touch panel control
When the rider is using weight shift control, UNI-CUB's incline sensor detects the direction in which the rider is leaning, allowing UNI-CUB to calculate the direction and speed intended by the rider. And touch panel control via smartphone and other devices is another convenient control option.

Connect to Honda:
Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com
Honda in America: http://www.hondainamerica.com
Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/americanhonda
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/honda
Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Website: http://www.honda.com
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Corporate: Fourth FAA-Conforming HondaJet Achieves Its First Flight

Sun, 13 May 2012 04:00:00 -0700

Honda Aircraft Company today announced that its fourth conforming HondaJet aircraft, referred to as "F3," successfully completed its first flight last week on May 4, 2012. This first flight milestone was a key highlight amongst many, in an overall program update the company reported in a briefing at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, underscoring the HondaJet's progress and momentum toward certification.

The F3 aircraft, painted in a unique and striking yellow and white signature HondaJet paint scheme, began its first flight with engine startup at 10:40 am Eastern Time and lift-off at 10:57 am, on May 4, 2012, from Honda Aircraft Company's world headquarters at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Stefan Johansson, pilot-in-command, and Howard Judd, co-pilot, completed several checks during the flight, including: takeoff and climb; landing gear and flap operations; aircraft handling; air data system checks; and an Instrument Landing System approach using the flight director. Overall, the aircraft performed smoothly during its 74-minute flight, according to the pilots and telemetry teams, flying as high as 11,500 feet and as fast as 313 Knots True Air Speed (KTAS).

"The first flight of F3 shows the steady advancement on our course toward delivering to our customers an aircraft that offers not only superior performance, efficiency and comfort, but also superior quality," said Michimasa Fujino, President and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company. "We continue to see refinement in reliability and quality of our aircraft. We are successfully establishing our manufacturing foundation and process that contribute to creating high quality product, as well as to a great flying performance and experience, as our pilots report from just our first week of flying F3."

Honda Aircraft has now completed four FAA-conforming aircraft. Three of these aircraft are in its flight test fleet, plus one additional aircraft is in its structural ground test program. Earlier FAA-conforming HondaJet flight test aircraft have already achieved key benchmarks that meet or exceed the aircraft's designed performance goals of a maximum speed of 420 KTAS, maximum cruise altitude of 43,000 feet, climb rate of 3,990 feet per minute, and more.

The F3 aircraft is to be used primarily for avionics and electrical system flight testing elements within the HondaJet certification program. The aircraft has begun its test mission work in earnest.

"With regard to our new color choice for F3, yellow may be unconventional for a business jet, but the HondaJet is a new generation, advanced light jet with high performance and efficiency." continued Fujino. "HondaJet represents sportiness with high efficiency, so my choice of this special yellow for F3 expresses Honda's passion for, what we call, our ‘sports car in the sky.'"

About HondaJet
HondaJet is the most advanced light business jet aircraft, with best-in-class advantages in performance, comfort, quality and efficiency. The HondaJet is the fastest, highest-flying, most quiet and most fuel efficient in its class. The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including a unique over-the-wing engine-mount configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. This airframe design reduces cabin noise and ground-detected noise when overhead and allows for a more spacious cabin and greater cargo capacity. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines, and is equipped with the most advanced glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customized Garmin® G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system with a class-leading layout of three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers. The HondaJet is Honda's first-ever commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, and value.

About Honda Aircraft Company
Honda Aircraft Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Company, Inc., was founded in 2006 though has its heritage in more than 20 years of ground-breaking aeronautical research and development. At Honda Aircraft's World Headquarters campus in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation, the company's associates work in more than 500,000 square feet of state-of-the-art R&D, Manufacturing and Administration Headquarter buildings to develop, produce, market and support the HondaJet with HondaJet dealers. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motors is still alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda's long-standing dreams to advance human mobility skyward.

www.hondajet.com

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Corporate: HondaJet Product, Program and Entry-Into-Service News at EBACE

Sun, 13 May 2012 04:00:00 -0700

Honda Aircraft Company today made several announcements during its media briefing at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, that underscore progress and momentum toward certification of the HondaJet light business jet.

Honda Aircraft announced and demonstrated key new product enhancements in the HondaJet's avionics and cabin management systems. The company announced the first flight of its fourth conforming flight test aircraft and reviewed progress in structural testing and system testing, such as landing gear drop testing and icing wind tunnel testing, for certification. The company also shared progress in preparing for the aircraft's entry into service with news regarding the HondaJet flight training and groundwork on its new Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) 54-acre site.

"Honda Aircraft is advancing toward certifying the HondaJet and delivering the aircraft to customers," said Michimasa Fujino, President and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company. "We are committed to deliver the world's most advanced light jet to our customers. We continuously improve product details to exceed customers' expectations, as today's product enhancements exemplify. Plus our program milestones in testing and manufacturing, and our progress in preparing for entry into service, illustrate Honda's commitment to provide an unsurpassed customer ownership experience."

New Product Enhancements
Honda Aircraft is the first manufacturer to announce and demonstrate plans for a new 40/60 display configuration on the Garmin® G3000 Primary Flight Displays for the HondaJet. This enhancement provides pilots a more user-friendly visual scan of additional flight information in a concise format that contributes to improved situational awareness and safety. The pilot or co-pilot can select and see more information within a tile that uses 40% of the width of each of the 14-inch wide, high-resolution primary flight displays.

Honda Aircraft unveiled plans for a new Cabin Management System (CMS) and updated production aircraft interior. The new CMS will enable passengers to use a wireless mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone, to view real time flight information and to control the HondaJet cabin's lighting, temperature, music, and window shades for enhanced comfort and productivity.

The updated HondaJet fuselage model, on display at EBACE this week, uses production components, and showcases the new 40/60 primary flight display, the new CMS, and the latest HondaJet seating, cockpit and cabin interior appointments.

Recent Certification Program Milestones
Honda Aircraft announced the first flight of its fourth FAA-conforming HondaJet at today's briefing, as noted in a related press release. The company also announced other important milestones in its certification and manufacturing program.
Honda Aircraft is conducting several FAA structural tests and has passed the ultimate load structural testing with the HondaJet's conforming structural test aircraft.

This ultimate load structural test placed loads of up to 150% of design limit load on the entire aircraft with various conditions. The company also has conducted several system tests and completed major tests in areas such as landing gear drop certification testing. It also has conducted wind tunnel icing test for verification of the HondaJet's ice protection system.

Progress in Preparation for Entry into Service
Honda Aircraft announced that manufacturing began for the first full motion, Level D HondaJet flight simulator at FlightSafety® International's production facility near Tulsa, Oklahoma. This first simulator will be based at the HondaJet Training Center at Honda Aircraft headquarters campus in Greensboro, North Carolina, in the first half of 2013, and will play a vital role in HondaJet pilot training. FlightSafety International is the official HondaJet pilot training and maintenance training provider.

"The design and manufacture of the new HondaJet full flight simulator is underway," said Bruce Whitman, President & CEO, FlightSafety International. "We appreciate and value our close working relationship with Honda and together look forward to providing training in conjunction with aircraft deliveries."

Honda Aircraft also unveiled renderings and announced it has begun the process to build the new $20 million state-of-the-art service center (Maintenance Repair Overhaul facility) at its world headquarters campus at Greensboro, North Carolina. Site preparation, began in February 2012 on the 54-acre extension to Honda Aircraft's now 133-acre campus and continues in earnest. Groundbreaking for construction is on track for this summer, with completion of the building in summer 2013, prior to the aircraft's entry into service.

www.hondajet.com

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Corporate: Statement From Steve Eriksen, Vice President, Honda Performance Development, Following Wednesday's Ruling by an Appeals Judge Concerning a Protest Filed with Indycar by General Motors:

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:35:00 -0700

"We are pleased that Justice Boehm's ruling has again confirmed INDYCAR's initial step to address parity of the Series-mandated single and twin turbochargers. This has been INDYCAR's intention ever since the matter first came under discussion in late 2010.

We eagerly look forward to continuing our battle with Chevrolet and Lotus as practice sessions for the Indianapolis 500, 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing', begin this weekend."

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Corporate: Honda Readies Robust Indy 500 Challenge

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:10:00 -0700

An accomplished 15-driver lineup, including two previous race winners and nine graduates of IndyCar training-ground series, makes up the Honda-powered effort for the 2012 Indianapolis 500, as the company seeks its third consecutive "500" victory with engine-manufacturer competition.

Manufacturer competition last took place at the fabled "Brickyard" in 2005 – a race won by the late Dan Wheldon, the first of his two Indianapolis 500 triumphs with Honda power. Previously, Buddy Rice scored Honda's first Indy 500 victory in 2004.

After six years of Honda supplying engines to the full Indianapolis 500 field – marking the only six times in "500" history with no in-race engine failures – manufacturer competition returns to IndyCar competition in 2012, with Chevrolet and Lotus joining Honda to supply new, turbocharged V-6 racing engines for this year's 96th running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, and the entire IZOD IndyCar Series championship.

"We're excited by the return of competition to the Indianapolis 500," said Art St. Cyr, President, Honda Performance Development (HPD). "We take a great deal of pride in the unprecedented record of performance and reliability achieved by our Indy V-8 engine these past six years, but the challenges provided by Chevrolet and Lotus validate Honda's reason for racing. It would be entirely fitting for Honda to score its first victory in this new era of IndyCar competition at our most important race of the year."

Seven teams will utilize the all-new Honda Indy V-6 engine, which is designed, manufactured, developed and maintained by HPD, the racing arm of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The Chip Ganassi Racing organization serves as Honda's anchor team, and is led by two-time '500' winner and four-time/defending series champion Dario Franchitti, All of Franchitti's 30 career IndyCar wins have come with Honda power, making him the manufacturer's most successful driver in North American open-wheel racing.

Franchitti is partnered by two-time series champion Scott Dixon, who also includes an Indianapolis 500 victory among his 27 race wins. Dixon's most recent title came in 2008, making the Ganassi organization the team to beat for the past four seasons.

In 2011, a second two-car Ganassi team made its Indianapolis 500 debut, featuring Graham Rahal, a product of the Formula Atlantic Championship, partnered with Indy Lights graduate Charlie Kimball. Both young American racers return with Ganassi and Honda in 2012.

The lineup at Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing includes two of the most recent graduates of IndyCar training-ground series: 2011 Indy Lights champion Josef Newgarden and USAC champion Bryan Clauson. The pair, this year's most promising American newcomers, are both expected to contend for Indy's Rookie of the Year honors.

Another rookie contender, and winner of the 2006 Formula Atlantic Championship, is Simon Pagenaud, driving for Schmidt Hamilton Racing. Pagenaud is currently fourth in the IndyCar Drivers' Championship points standings, highlighted by a second-place finish at the recent Grand Prix of Long Beach. Pagenaud will be paired with veteran '500' racer Townsend Bell, the 2001 Indy Lights champion, who owns a pair of top-ten finishes in five starts at the Brickyard, including a fourth-place run in 2009.

Veteran Mike Conway moves to Indy legend A.J. Foyt's team in 2012 and will be making his second start at Indianapolis, paired with 2005 Indy Lights champion Wade Cunningham, who has won three times in Lights events at Indianapolis, and will be making his 500 debut this year.

A contender for victory in several early-season races this year, Takuma Sato will lead the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing effort at Indianapolis, as team owner Bobby Rahal seeks his third 500 win, his second as a team owner. As Rahal Letterman Racing, the team brought Honda its first Indianapolis 500 victory with driver Buddy Rice in 2004. At Indy, Sato will be joined by Michel Jourdain Jr., an open-wheel racing veteran who will be making his second Indianapolis start.

Veteran Justin Wilson made his Indianapolis debut in 2003, but not on the famous 2.5-mile oval. Instead, Wilson's first race at Indy was on the circuit's road course in the U.S. Grand Prix, driving for the Jaguar Formula One team. Now an established IndyCar veteran with six career wins, Wilson returns to the Brickyard with Dale Coyne Racing. His teammate is the fifth Honda-powered Indy rookie, James Jakes.

The 2012 Honda Indianapolis 500 lineup is completed by Team Barracuda-Bryan Herta Autosport, a team noted for winning last year's 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 in just its second attempt, with the late Dan Wheldon collecting his second Indy victory in an unforgettable finish. Alex Tagliani, the pole qualifier for last year's 500, will drive for the Herta organization in 2012.

Honda has been a fixture in North American open-wheel racing since 1994, and has played an active role in the growth of the IZOD IndyCar Series – as both a Manufacturers' Championship competitor and single engine supplier – since joining the series in 2003.

The company scored its first Indianapolis 500 victory in 2004 with Buddy Rice; Manufacturers' Championships in 2004 and '05; and became engine supplier to the entire IZOD IndyCar Series in 2006. Honda supplied racing engines to the full, 33-car Indianapolis 500 field every year from 2006-2011, and for a record-six consecutive years, the '500' ran without a single engine failure. The 2010 Indianapolis 500, won by Dario Franchitti, marked Honda's 100th race win as a manufacturer and engine supplier in IZOD IndyCar Series competition.

Founded in 1993, HPD is the technical operations center for high-performance Honda racing cars and engines and operates at race circuits around the world from its headquarters in Santa Clarita, California.

In addition to its efforts in Indy car racing, HPD spearheaded championship-winning efforts in the 2009-2010 American Le Mans Series, 2010 Le Mans Series and the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans. HPD offers a line of race engines for track applications from prototype sports cars to karting; and showcases 'fun products' for professional, amateur and entry-level efforts.

2012 Honda Indianapolis 500 Lineup

Team	Car	Driver
Chip Ganassi Racing	# 9 Honda Dallara	Scott Dixon (W)
	#10 Honda Dallara	Dario Franchitti (W)
	#38 Honda Dallara	Graham Rahal
	#83 Honda Dallara	Charlie Kimball
Dale Coyne Racing	#18 Honda Dallara	Justin Wilson
	#19 Honda Dallara	James Jakes (R)
A.J. Foyt Racing	#14 Honda Dallara	Mike Conway
	#41 Honda Dallara	Wade Cunningham (R)
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing	#15 Honda Dallara	Takuma Sato
	#45 Honda Dallara	Michel Jourdain Jr.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing	#67 Honda Dallara	Josef Newgarden (R)
	#39 Honda Dallara	Bryan Clauson (R)
Schmidt Hamilton Racing	#77 Honda Dallara	Simon Pagenaud (R)
	#99 Honda Dallara	Townsend Bell
Bryan Herta Autosport	#98 Honda Dallara	Alex Tagliani

(W) – Previous Indianapolis 500 Winner
(R) – 2012 Indianapolis 500 Rookie

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Corporate: Honda to Power Bryan Herta Autosport

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:06:00 -0700

American Honda and its Honda Performance Development (HPD) subsidiary will power a single-car effort from Team Barracuda-Bryan Herta Autosport for veteran Canadian driver Alex Tagliani at the 2012 Indianapolis 500 and for the remainder of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series, Honda and the team announced today.

Under terms of the agreement, HPD will provide its new, turbocharged 2.2-liter Honda Indy V-6 engines to Team Barracuda-Bryan Herta Autosport's single, full-time entry for Tagliani, a 12-year IndyCar veteran and the pole qualifier at last year's at Indianapolis 500.

Founded in 2009 by former IndyCar driver Bryan Herta and veteran race engineer Steve Newey, Team Barracuda-Bryan Herta Autosport made its Indianapolis 500 debut in 2010 and last year won a thrilling 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 with the late Dan Wheldon driving.

Bryan Herta Autosport joins multi-car entries from A.J. Foyt Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing as Honda-powered teams at the 2012 Indianapolis 500.

The addition brings the number of Indianapolis 500 entries supported by the manufacturer to 15, a record number of entries for Honda during years of manufacturer competition at the Speedway. The previous high total, 14 Honda-powered Indianapolis entries, was established in 2005, when the manufacturer was in competition with Chevrolet and Toyota.

"We're pleased to be able to renew our relationship with Bryan Herta and his team. Bryan has long been associated with Honda and HPD, and he served as our primary development driver during the last era of IndyCar manufacturer competition," said Steve Eriksen, vice president of HPD. "His team's victory in the 2011 Indianapolis 500 was the stuff of legend, and all of us at HPD and American Honda are delighted to have a hand in helping him defend that championship.

"Beyond that, we look forward to a successful partnership with Bryan Herta Autosport through the remainder of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season."

"My time as a Honda driver in both the IndyCar Series, as well as the time spent driving factory Acura LMP2 in the American Le Mans Series, were among my most rewarding and memorable years in racing," Herta commented. "So, it is with great personal pleasure that we are returning to the Honda family for the remainder of the 2012 season. We look forward to joining the other Honda-powered teams on track this weekend in preparation for the 2012 Indianapolis 500, and working to defend last year's memorable and popular win by Dan Wheldon. I know that Alex Tagliani and the entire Team Barracuda - BHA crew are brimming with confidence and excitement going into the 'Month of May.' "

Honda has been a fixture in North American open-wheel racing since 1994, and has played an active role in the growth of the IZOD IndyCar Series - as both a Manufacturers' Championship competitor and single engine supplier - since joining the series in 2003.

The company scored its first Indianapolis 500 victory in 2004 with Buddy Rice; Manufacturers' Championships in 2004 and '05; and became engine supplier to the entire IZOD IndyCar Series in 2006.

Honda supplied racing engines to the full, 33-car Indianapolis 500 field every year from 2006-2011, and for a record-six consecutive years, the '500' has not seen a single engine failure. The 2010 Indianapolis 500, won by Dario Franchitti, marked Honda's 100th race win as a manufacturer and engine supplier in IZOD IndyCar Series competition.

Founded in 1993, Honda Performance Development (HPD) is the Honda racing company within North America. HPD is the technical operations center for high-performance Honda racing cars and engines and operates at race circuits around the world from its headquarters in Santa Clarita, California.

In addition to its efforts in Indy car racing, HPD spearheaded championship-winning efforts in the 2009-2010 American Le Mans Series, 2010 Le Mans Series and the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans.

HPD offers a line of race engines for track applications from prototype sports cars to karting; for professional, amateur and entry-level efforts.

# # #

Corporate: GEICO Honda Dominates in Las Vegas

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:31:00 -0700

The final stop of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship series, took place Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Sam Boyd Stadium. It was an exciting night for Honda, with GEICO Honda teammates Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac topping the podium in both Lites East and West main events, as well as going one-two in the East/West shootout. Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton put in an impressive performance aboard his CRF450R, finishing third overall. Brayton also scored Bret Michaels' Rock Hard-Ride Hard Award for the season after overcoming incredible odds and finishing strong despite fracturing his leg in San Diego.

The Race

Posting the quickest qualifying time in practice, Brayton seemed to have found his groove on the challenging Las Vegas track. After grabbing a good start in his heat, Brayton put together a solid ride to win, giving him a good gate pick heading into the main. In the main event, he got away to a midpack start but quickly started working his way through the field. Brayton put together a great ride to make his way to the podium in third.

"Getting a good start is key in Supercross," said Brayton. "I got a great start in my heat race, and was able to come out with the win, but unfortunately, in the main I wasn't so lucky. I didn't get the greatest start and was forced to work my way through the pack. I made my way up to third, which is pretty good, but I have been really itching to get on that top podium position and grab my first win. The entire Team Honda Muscle Milk crew worked really hard all season with me, and although I'm a little bummed to be taking fourth in the championship, this is my best season finish yet, and I couldn't have done it without everyone's support."

In the 15-lap East and West main events, GEICO Honda teammates Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia dominated the night. The pressure was off for the two, who had already wrapped up both titles; however, they came out strong reminding everyone of how they won those titles in the first place. Both riders grabbed the holeshot in their mains and quickly checked out from the rest of the pack. In the shootout, Barcia ran up front for a majority of the race followed closely by Tomac. Tomac charged hard and was able to catch Barcia, but never got close enough to make the pass.

"What a crazy night," stated Tomac. "Being able to come into Vegas this year and not have to worry about the championship was really nice. I felt really good today and am glad to take the win in the West main and second behind Justin in the shootout. It was great to race with my teammate and be able to put the GEICO Hondas on top."

"This is such an amazing feeling, it's almost unreal," said Barcia. "Even though the championship title is already wrapped up, I still wanted to come to Vegas and win, which is exactly what I did. The shootout was a lot of fun and everyone was riding really strong. The GEICO Honda team did a great job setting up my bike, and I can't thank everyone enough for all the support. I am looking forward to moving up next season and riding with a new group of guys on the 450."

Teammate Wil Hahn rode a respectable race, finishing third-place overall in the Supercross Lites West main event and sixth in the East/West shootout.

The Focus: VP Racing Fuels

The 2012 season marks the 11th year that VP Racing Fuels® has been a Honda racing team sponsor. VP's experience in blending championship-winning fuels dates back 32 successful years, and in addition to its Motocross and Supercross titles with Team Honda, the company also boasts several NHRA Pro Stock titles, plus championships in off-shore, off-road, circle-track and aviation competition.

Supercross Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey
2. Davi Millsaps
3. Justin Brayton (Honda)
4. Jake Weimer
5. Josh Grant
6. Nico Izzi
7. Mike Alessi
8. Weston Peick
9. Andrew Short (Honda)
10. Nick Wey

Supercross Championship Points (after 17 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 323
2. Davi Millsaps 266
3. Ryan Dungey 257
4. Justin Brayton 257
5. Jake Weimer 229
6. Mike Alessi 206
7. James Stewart 178
8. Brett Metcalfe 177
9. Broc Tickle 171
10. Kevin Windham 166

Supercross Lites West Main Event
1. Eli Tomac (Honda)
2. Dean Wilson
3. Wil Hahn (Honda)
4. Martin Davalos
5. Jason Anderson
6. Marvin Musquin
7. Matt Moss
8. Ryan Sipes
9. Scott Champion
10. Landon Powell

Supercross Lites West Points (after 9 of 9 rounds)
1. Eli Tomac 184
2. Dean Wilson 154
3. Marvin Musquin 142
4. Cole Seely 119
5. Jason Anderson 111
6. Matt Moss 106
7. Ryan Sipes 96
8. Martin Davalos 89
9. Billy Laninovich 85
10. Nico Izzi 78

Supercross Lites East Main Event
1. Justin Barcia (Honda)
2. Ken Roczen
3. Blake Baggett
4. Malcolm Stewart
5. Blake Wharton
6. Kyle Cunningham
7. Hunter Hewitt
8. Jake Canada
9. Matt Lemoine
10. Kyle Peters

Supercross Lites East Points (after 9 of 9 rounds)
1. Justin Barcia 210
2. Ken Roczen 165
3. Blake Wharton 158
4. Blake Baggett 148
5. Darryn Durham 143
6. Jake Canada 131
7. Justin Bogle 117
8. Kyle Cunningham 85
9. Matt Lemoine 78
10. Malcolm Stewart 77

Supercross Lites East/ West Shootout
1. Justin Barcia (Honda)
2. Eli Tomac (Honda)
3. Martin Davalos
4. Ken Roczen
5. Marvin Musquin
6. Wil Hahn (Honda)
7. Ryan Sipes
8. Malcolm Stewart
9. Blake Wharton
10. Matt Moss

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda's Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.

Corporate: Justin Barcia Signs with Factory Honda

Mon, 07 May 2012 09:03:00 -0700

American Honda is proud to welcome Justin Barcia to Team Honda Muscle Milk for the 2013-2014 seasons. Barcia will contest both the AMA Supercross Championship and AMA Motocross Championship aboard a factory-prepared Honda CRF450R race machine.

Barcia has been a part of the Honda family for many years, riding several models as he rose through the amateur ranks. After winning numerous amateur titles, Barcia made his professional motocross debut in 2009 aboard a GEICO Honda CRF250R. The GEICO Honda Race Team program allows top amateurs to take the next step into their careers as professional Lites riders. The team has proven quite successful with Trey Canard, Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia all coming through the ranks to win AMA Lites Championships.

"It has taken a lot of hard work to get our program where it is today," stated Factory Connection President and GEICO Honda Team co-owner Rick Zielfelder. "We pride ourselves on having an elite program that offers support to top amateur racers and gives them the opportunity to further their careers in the professional ranks. The GEICO Honda Team has given riders the tools to reach their ultimate goal of winning professional championships. It also creates a seamless integration for the rider to make the move to racing the 450s with the Honda factory team. And like Trey Canard, we are pleased to see Barcia make the transition to Team Honda Muscle Milk."

In the 2011 AMA Supercross season, Barcia appeared on the podium at every round of the nine-race series and was able to clinch his first Lites East Championship title. During the 2011 outdoor motocross season, Barcia was given the opportunity to ride the last four rounds aboard a factory CRF450R. He showed that he could run up front by taking third place overall at both Unadilla and Pala, and grabbing a moto win in Southwick. Barcia's 2012 season has proven just as successful as he earned five race wins and wrapped up his second Lites East Championship in New Orleans with one round remaining.

"It's an awesome feeling to sign with Team Honda Muscle Milk," said Barcia. "It is something that I have dreamed of since being an amateur. I've been riding and winning on Hondas for years because it's the bike I feel best on. I am excited to continue my career with Honda aboard the CRF450R. I got a glimpse of what I have to look forward to after getting the opportunity to race the 450 last year. After working with Jeff Stanton I have learned that hard work really pays off and I plan to continue that work ethic into my 450 career. With a great team behind me and an amazing bike, I believe I can be a contender for the championship."

Team Manager Erik Kehoe welcomes Barcia to the Honda lineup. "We are pleased to have Justin on board for the 2013 season. With two Lites East championships under his belt, Justin has proven time and again that he has what it takes to run up front and win races," said Kehoe. "He has also shown that he can be a front runner aboard a CRF450R. We believe that with his pure determination to win, Justin will be a consistent threat to climb the podium. His focus and drive make him a great fit for our team."

Corporate: 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Race Report

Sun, 06 May 2012 13:13:00 -0700

6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Race Report

Circuit:Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (4.35-mile road course) Stavelot, Wallonia, Belgium
Weather:Overcast, scattered showers early, cool, 51 degrees F

Top 10 Race Results:

Ps.	Class.	Drivers	Team	Engine Chassis	Laps/Notes
1.	1-LMP1	Romain Dumas/Loic Duval/Marc Gene	Audi Team Joest	Audi R18 TDi Ultra	160 laps
2.	2-LMP1	Marcel Fassler/Andre Lotterer/Benoit Treluyer	Audi Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	160
3.	3-LMP1	Marco Bonanomi/Oliver Jarvis	Audi Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	159
4.	4-LMP1	Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish	Audi Team Joest	Audi R18 TDi Ultra	159
5.	5-LMP1	Nick Heidfeld/Neel Jani/Nicholas Prost	Rebellion Racing	Lola B12/60 Toyota	156
6.	6-LMP1	Andrea Belicchi/Haral Primat	Rebellion Racing	Lola B12/60 Toyota	155
7.	7-LMP1	Jonny Kane/Nick Leventis/Danny Watts	Strakka Racing	HPD ARX-03a	154
8.	1-LMP2	Simon Dolan/Sam Hancock	Jota Racing	Zytek Z11SN Nissan	151
9.	2-LMP2	Tor Graves/Robbie Kerr/John Martin	ADR-Delta Racing	Oreca 03 Nissan	151
10.	3-LMP2	Jody Firth/Brendon Hartley/Warren Hughes	Murphy Prototypes	Oreca 03 Nissan	151

12.	8-LMP1	David Brabham/K. Chandhok/P. Dumbreck	JRM	HPD ARX-03a	150 Running
34.	12-LMP2	Ryan Dalziel/E. Potolicchio/S. Sarrazin	Starworks	HPD ARX-03b	123 Running

Strakka Trio Leads HPD Effort at Spa

Strakka Racing continues to impress in its first year of LMP1 competition with Honda Performance Development, as the driving trio of Jonny Kane, Nick Leventis and Danny Watts finished seventh Saturday to lead the HPD effort at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, second round in the 2012 World Endurance Championship.

After qualifying sixth, starting driver Kane moved up to fifth overall – and first in the “privateer” order for non-manufacturer works entries – as Strakka’s HPD ARX-03a ran in a high-downforce configuration that paid dividends during the wet opening hours of the contest.

But when the forecast afternoon showers failed to materialize and the circuit dried mid-race, the Strakka trio lost its setup advantage. Kane, Watts and Leventis continued to battle for privateer honors with the Pescarolo Racing Dome Judd, and a pair of Lolas run by Rebellion Racing throughout the contest. At the finish, Strakka cross the line seventh overall, and third in the privateer category.

JRM Racing, fielding a second HPD ARX-03a, overcame a spin and contact with the crash barrier on the formation lap to finish 12th overall and fourth in the privateer category.

After the glancing contact, starting driver Karun Chandhok was able to pilot his HPD back to the JRM pits, where repairs were quickly completed. But series regulations required the team to take the start from pit lane, one lap down. An hour into the contest, contact with a slower GT car in the “bus stop” chicane resulted in another unscheduled stop for repairs, dropping the JRM squad to 21st overall.

As the 4.35-mile long Spa circuit began to dry, co-drivers David Brabham and Peter Dumbreck combined to claw back some of the ground lost as a result of the early incidents. Brabham had the HPD up to 15th overall at the three-hour mark, with Dumbreck making up additional ground in the final hours to finish eighth in LMP1.

In LMP2, it was a difficult race for the Sebring-winning, US-based Starworks team. Starting driver Enzo Potolicchio lost time with an off-course excursion – the result of possible contact from an LMP1 Audi prototype – in the opening hour. Additional repairs, to replace the engine drive belts, cost the Starworks HPD ARX-03b more than 20 laps, leaving co-drivers Ryan Dalziel and Stephane Sarrazin unable to make up much ground. The trio took the checkers 12th in the large LMP2 field.

The World Endurance Championship continues with next month’s signature event: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where all three HPD-equipped WEC teams, plus the American Le Mans Series LMP2 effort of Level 5 Motorsports, are scheduled to compete. The North American-based American Le Mans Series resumes next weekend with the May 13 race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Jonny Kane (#21 Strakka Racing HPD ARX-03a) Started 6th, Finished 7th: "The start was tricky, really wet with a lot of spray. It was difficult to see until it all began to settle down after a couple of laps. The car felt good in the wet and I overtook a Rebellion [Lola-Toyota] and was able to run behind the Audis quite comfortably. We were putting in some good lap times, despite having to look after the wet tires from very early on. We were very competitive with all the other ‘petrol’ cars and finished third privateer, so it was a pretty good day’s work, really.”

Roger Griffiths (Technical Director, Honda Performance Development) on this weekend’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: “It was a race of mixed fortunes for HPD. Well-deserved congratulations to the Strakka team for a solid seventh place; the team didn’t put a wheel wrong all race. They were particularly unfortunate during the caution periods, losing ground to the Audis due to the timing of the yellows. Despite this, they maintain a strong position in the privateer teams’ championship. JRM was extremely unlucky coming the grid, the slippery conditions caught out Karun [Chandhok] and – just as at Sebring in March – they had to start from the pit lane.

“We were hoping for a repeat of the Sebring victory in P2, but unfortunately an early race spin put the team out of contention. Stephane [Sarazzin] was able to display the potential of the HPD car, running very competitive lap times during his stint. In just a month’s time we will be back in Europe, this time for Le Mans, a race that HPD has achieved significant success in the past. Our Le Mans development is very encouraging for both cars and we are optimistic of success there.”

Corporate: 2012 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe Recognized by USAA as a Best Value

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:03:00 -0700

USAA, a leading financial services provider to the U.S. military and their families, today named the 2012 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe to its second annual Best Value vehicles list, which identifies the top 2012 automobiles in 16 categories that give consumers the most bang for their buck. In addition, today USAA named the CR-Z to its "Top 10 for Teens List," which focuses on traits parents said they cared about most: reliability, safety and affordable insurance costs.

The Honda CR-Z rose to the top in the coupe category, recognized for offering best-in-class EPA fuel economy ratings, achieving the "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and offering reasonable maintenance and ownership costs.

Best Value automobiles offer the best financial value of all vehicles USAA evaluates as part of a broader rating system called USAA Preferred, which uses quantitative data to evaluate vehicles' cost, safety and reliability, among other key factors. There are nearly 80 cars, trucks and minivans that are currently designated as USAA Preferred vehicles, and the Best Value list represents the vehicles that rose to the top of each category.

"The CR-Z creates a whole new value category as the first true sport hybrid, offering great fuel economy, a low entry price, an available 6-speed manual transmission and a feisty change of character with the push of the Sport button," said Mike Accavitti, Vice President of National Marketing Operations for American Honda. "It's like having two cars for the price of one."

"The goal of the list is to help members identify vehicles that typically offer better safety ratings, lower insurance premium costs, higher fuel economy, better overall reliability and lower MSRP compared to other vehicles in the same category," said Steve Thompson, an assistant vice president at USAA. "The Honda CR-Z rose to the top as a vehicle that offers these key elements, making it a great buy for the value-minded consumer."

For more information about the USAA Best Value list, and the specific automobiles featured, visit www.usaa.com/bestvalue.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
On Google+

###

Corporate: Honda Marine Names 2012 Certified 'Master Tech'

Fri, 04 May 2012 06:00:00 -0700

Honda Marine congratulates Mark Dawley, dealer technician from Soundside Marine, Inc. in Edenton, North Carolina for achieving 'Master Tech' status for 2012. Mr. Dawley has secured his 'Master Tech' certification following a rigorous eight-hour test administered at a Honda Marine training center. Obtaining this exclusive certification designates a Honda Marine service technician as possessing the highest level of professional qualification within the company's service training program.

To achieve 'Master Tech' status, Honda service technicians specifically undergo a series of rigorous tests of their Honda-specific skills, including technical processes, maintenance procedures, service diagnostics and repair support resources.

"Our Master Techs represent the brightest and most dedicated professionals among Honda Marine service technicians," said Paul Sabourin, national service manager, Honda Marine. "Their vast knowledge base offers customers the best service experience possible."

Mr. Dawley will hold the title of 'Master Tech' for four years, after which he will be re-tested to retain his status.

Honda Marine exclusively features four-stroke outboard engine technology for high fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions. Honda's outboards share the same unparalleled durability, quality, and reliability of its legendary automobiles. With models ranging from 2.3 to 250 horsepower, the full line of Honda Marine current production models all certify to California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-Star standards, ensuring their availability and regulatory compliance in all 50 states.

# # #

Editor's Note:

Honda Marine, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outboard marine engines. Its comprehensive product line is powered exclusively by four-stroke engines.

Information for media regarding Honda Marine products is available at www.hondanews.com.

Consumer information, including model overviews and updates, video clips, and complete specifications regarding Honda products, is available at www.honda.com.

For product inquiries and dealer locations, please visit www.hondamarine.com.

Connect with Honda Marine on Facebook by visiting http://facebook.com/hondamarine.

Corporate: American Honda Reports April Auto Sales: CR-V Sets April Record, Accord Sees 41-Percent Gain, All-New 2013 Acura RDX Fast Out of the Gate

Tue, 01 May 2012 10:46:00 -0700

American Honda today reported April 2012 U.S. sales of 122,012 units, an increase of 10 percent based on the daily selling rate*. The Honda division posted April 2012 sales of 109,837, an increase of 9.2 percent compared to April 2011. Acura's U.S. April sales of 12,175 were up 18 percent compared to April 2011.

Honda
- Honda Accord sales up more than 40 percent compared to April 2011, demonstrating the strength of Accord, even as an all-new version is set to debut this fall.

- New April sales record for CR-V. Accord, CR-V, Odyssey and Ridgeline all post double-digit percentage sales gains compared to last year.

- Honda Civic Hybrid sales up more than 600 percent on heightened fuel-price sensitivity.

"With double-digit sales growth in April, the Accord continues to be the retail sales leader in the mid-size segment," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "As other manufacturers resort to fleet sales, the quality and value of the Honda Accord continues to win new customers even as we prepare to launch an all-new model this fall."

Acura
- 2013 Acura RDX is fast out of the gate, with sales of the all-new SUV up more than 65 percent compared to same period last year.

- All core Acura models (TL, TSX, RDX and MDX) post double-digit increases compared to 2011, while MDX remains Acura's best selling model.

- The all-new ILX compact luxury sedan goes on sale May 22.

"We're delighted to see customers embrace the right-sized 2013 Acura RDX," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "It's great to see so many new owners recognizing the remarkable combination of class-leading fuel economy, performance and luxury in our new SUV."

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 24 days for April 2012 and 27 days for April 2011. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 101 days for 2012 and 102 days for 2011. All percentages reflect DSR.

For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.automobiles.honda.com. For media inquiries please visit www.hondanews.com. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries please visit www.acuranews.com.

Corporate: Tomac Wraps Up the Lites West Championship

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:37:00 -0700

Rice-Eccles Stadium was filled Saturday night for Round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship series in Salt Lake City, UT. It was an exciting night with GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac taking the win and wrapping up the Lites West Championship with one round still remaining. Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton rode a solid Supercross race, finishing in fourth place to gain valuable points.

The Race

Brayton rode an impressive heat race aboard his factory CRF450R, finishing second after leading throughout the majority of the race. In the main, Brayton got a mid-pack start and spent the race charging forward through the pack to finish fourth.

"Today was a little frustrating for me. I had a hard time finding my rhythm on the track during practice but in the heat race things started to feel really good. I led the majority of the race but after a good battle, Millsaps got by me," said Brayton. "In the main I got a bad start, which made it really tough to get to the front where I needed to be to battle with the leaders. After being on the podium so many times it's hard not to be up there, and I'm determined to get on the top of the box. With one more round I am hoping to make it all count and take the win in Vegas."

After an impressive win in Seattle, Andrew Short finished a respectable seventh place aboard his new Chaparral Honda CRF450R.

In the Lites West class, GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac grabbed his fourth win of the season and wrapped up his first-ever Supercross title. Tomac got a mid-pack start in the main but quickly made his way through the field. Once in the lead, Tomac never looked back, checking out and taking the checkered flag. Both Tomac and teammate Justin Barcia will head into the final round in Las Vegas with the number one plates.

"This is an awesome feeling. Honestly, I didn't even know I had won the championship at first. I came off the track and had no idea. Then when someone told me I couldn't believe it. I have worked so hard this season, so knowing it has paid off is great," stated Tomac.

Teammate Wil Hahn finished second in his heat, and a solid fourth in the main.

The Focus: GEICO

GEICO Motorcycle Insurance is underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company and has been designed to meet the unique insurance needs of all powersports fans. In addition to covering street bikes and scooters, GEICO also specializes in insuring off-road vehicles, boats and personal watercraft. If you use an RV to tow your favorite ride, GEICO can handle your RV insurance needs as well. GEICO has been a factory Honda sponsor for two years, and is also the title sponsor of the GEICO Honda team that recently swept both the 2012 Lites championships.

Supercross Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey
2. Davi Millsaps
3. Jake Weimer
4. Justin Brayton (Honda)
5. Mike Alessi
6. Broc Tickle
7. Andrew Short (Honda)
8. Josh Grant
9. Robert Kiniry
10. Tyler Bowes

Supercross Championship Points (after 16 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 323
2. Davi Millsaps 244
3. Justin Brayton 237
4. Ryan Dungey 232
5. Jake Wiemer 211
6. Mike Alessi 192
7. James Stewart 178
8. Brett Metcalfe 174
9. Kevin Windham 166
10. Broc Tickle 161

Supercross Lites West Main Event
1. Eli Tomac (Honda)
2. Jason Anderson
3. Martin Davalos
4. Wil Hahn (Honda)
5. Marvin Musquin
6. Matt Moss
7. Billy Laninovich
8. Topher Ingalls
9. Vince Friese
10. Scott Champion

Supercross Lites West Points (after 8 of 9 rounds)
1. Eli Tomac 159
2. Dean Wilson 132
3. Marvin Musquin 127
4. Cole Seely 119
5. Jason Anderson 95
6. Matt Moss 92
7. Billy Laninovich 84
8. Ryan Sipes 83
9. Nico Izzi 78
10.Travis Baker 75

Corporate: Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 Race Report

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:21:00 -0700

Circuit: Parque Anhembi (2.54-mile street circuit) Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
2011 Winner: Will Power (Team Penske Honda) 76.733 mph average [rain]
Weather: Mostly cloudy, mild, 72 degrees F

Top 10 Race Results:

Fn.	St.	Driver	Team	Engine Chassis	Laps	Average Speed/Notes
1.	1.	Will Power	Team Penske	Chevrolet Dallara	75	88.945 mph avg.; led 63 laps
2.	5.	Ryan Hunter-Reay	Andretti Autosport	Chevrolet Dallara	75	-0.9045 seconds
3.	25.	Takuma Sato	Rahal Letterman Lanigan	Honda Dallara	75	-2.3905 seconds
4.	18.	Helio Castroneves	Team Penske	Chevrolet Dallara	75	-4.5489 seconds; led 2 laps
5.	2.	Dario Franchitti	Target Chip Ganassi	Honda Dallara	75	-5.1722 seconds; led 1 lap
6.	4.	James Hinchcliffe	Andretti Autosport	Chevrolet Dallara	75	-6.2615 seconds; led 1 lap
7.	14.	JR Hildebrand	Panther Racing	Chevrolet Dallara	75	-8.3764 seconds
8.	15.	Charlie Kimball	Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda Dallara	75	-8.5905 seconds
9.	13.	E.J. Viso	KV Racing Technology	Chevrolet Dallara	75	-10.3449 seconds
10.	12.	Rubens Barrichello	KV Racing Technology	Chevrolet Dallara	75	-10.8477 seconds

Other Honda-Powered Results:

12.	16.	Simon Pagenaud-R	Schmidt Hamilton	Honda Dallara	74	Running
15.	17.	James Jakes	Dale Coyne Racing	Honda Dallara	74	Running
16.	6.	Graham Rahal	Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda Dallara	74	Running
17.	3.	Scott Dixon	Target Chip Ganassi	Honda Dallara	74	Running; led 8 laps
19.	7.	Mike Conway	A.J. Foyt Racing	Honda Dallara	73	Running
22.	26.	Justin Wilson	Dale Coyne Racing	Honda Dallara	66	Did not finish - mechanical
23.	8.	Josef Newgarden-R	Sarah Fisher Hartman	Honda Dallara	61	Did not finish - contact
R - IndyCar Series Rookie

Sato Finishes Third in Sao Paulo

After running near the front of the IZOD IndyCar Series field throughout the early season - but with scant reward - Takuma Sato led the Honda-powered field Sunday with a third-place finish at the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Starting on the back row of the grid after missing qualifying Saturday due to an engine change, Sato also received a drive-through penalty for exceeding the pit lane speed limit during his first stop. As a result, he was still only in 20th place after 25 of the scheduled 75 race laps.

But excellent strategy by his Rahal Letterman Lanigan team and several opportunistic passes moved Sato up the order to eighth place on Lap 56, and fifth with just 10 laps to go. On the final Lap 71 restart, Sato got the jump on both third-place Dario Franchitti and fourth-running Helio Castroneves, passing them both with a single move that netted the Japanese driver his best finish of 2012.

For his part, Franchitti survived a hit from behind that spun the defending series champion out of second place on a Lap 26 restart. Falling to the rear of the field, Franchitti and his Target Chip Ganassi Racing team also used a mix of strategy and speed to move into third place before the final restart, and a fifth-place finish at the checkers.

Teammate Scott Dixon ran near the front of the field throughout the first 50 laps, and then led eight laps before a late-race stop for fuel dropped him down the order. Along with several other Honda-powered drivers, he was caught up in a multi-car crash on Lap 67 that dropped him a lap off the lead pace and resulted in an unrepresentative 17th-place finish.

Charlie Kimball had his best result of 2012, and second top-ten result of the season, with an eighth-place run in his Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing Honda-Dallara. Josef Newgarden had the consolation of running up front early and setting fastest race lap, before being one of several Honda-powered drivers caught up in collisions today. Simon Pagenaud, Mike Conway, Graham Rahal and James Jakes all had potential top-10 finishes spoiled by contact.

After four road races to start the 2012 season, the IZOD IndyCar Series now returns home to the U.S. for the season's signature event: the Indianapolis 500.

IZOD IndyCar Series Drivers' Championship (after 4 of 16 races):

1. Will Power	180 points (3 wins)	6. Scott Dixon	109
2. Helio Castroneves	135 (1 win)	7. Takuma Sato	83
3. James Hinchcliffe	123	Ryan Briscoe	83
4. Ryan Hunter-Reay	121	JR Hildebrand	83
5. Simon Pagenaud	118	10. Dario Franchitti	82

Manufacturers' Championship:		Rookie of the Year:
1. Chevrolet	36	1. Simon Pagenaud	118
2. Honda	24	2. Josef Newgarden	54
3. Lotus	16	3. Katherine Legge	46

Takuma Sato (#15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda) started 25th, finished 3rd: "It's great to finally finish on the podium, especially here in Brazil where we came so close to victory last year [Sato led 23 laps in the 2011 race, but a late pit stop dropped him to an eighth-place finish]. To be honest, the weekend did not start very well for us. We started at the back, and it was difficult to overtake in the early laps. But our team had great strategy, and overtaking became possible later in the race. On the last restart, I saw an opportunity to pass both Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti up the inside, and it worked out beautifully. It's the first time we've seen the checkered flag this season, and we earned a podium result. We know we have the speed, now we need more results like today."

Dario Franchitti (#10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) started 2nd finished 5th: "Our car was very fast today, Honda gave us great speed. I also have to thank the Holmatro [IndyCar] Safety team. Those guys were awesome today after I was hit and spun out. They were able to bump-start me almost immediately and it kept me in the hunt. Today's finish was an improvement for us, but there was so much more that was left on the table. We still have some work to do, but we know where we need to improve now, so that's encouraging."

Charlie Kimball (#83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) started 15th, finished 8th: "It was a good day for us. There was a lot going on out there all day today, but I was having fun. The team gave me great stops today, and we had a good race strategy. With all the rain last night, the track was green at the start and it was hard to pass, but as more rubber was laid down it became possible to get around some guys. We had a fast car in clean air today, and that made for an enjoyable race."

Roger Griffiths (Technical Director, Honda Performance Development) on today's race: "We very pleased for Takuma Sato and the Rahal Letterman Lanigan team. They produced a strong performance to both come from the back and score an excellent finish. For Honda, once again it was a case of missed opportunities. It seemed like every time I looked up, there was a multi-car crash involving several of our cars! I'm hoping we've gotten all of our bad luck for the year out of the way as we head to Indianapolis. Our speed was much improved this weekend, and the associates back at Honda Performance Development are working extremely hard right now on the other things we still need to improve."

Corporate: Statement From Steve Eriksen, Vice President, Honda Performance Development, Following Thursday’s Ruling By An Independent Panel Convened By Indycar Regarding A Protest Filed By General Motors

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:43:00 -0700

We are gratified that an independent panel has upheld INDYCAR’s ruling of April 18, 2012, which approved use of the 0.74 A/R compressor cover for single-turbocharged engines competing in this year’s IZOD IndyCar Series. INDYCAR committed well in advance of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season to structure engine regulations that would ensure parity in turbocharger performance for both single and twin turbo configurations, and this commitment played a significant role in our decision to adopt a single turbocharger configuration for the new HI12RT Honda Indy V-6.

The new compressor cover helps to offset the performance disadvantage of the current IndyCar single turbo hardware as measured by INDYCAR's turbo supplier. This correction was designed and provided by the turbo supplier under the direction of IndyCar and was approved prior to the 2012 season.

We look forward to deploying the new compressor cover to optimize performance of the Honda Indy V-6, as we continue to do battle with our worthy adversaries from Lotus and General Motors.

Corporate: Honda Riders Top the Podium, Regain Lites Points Lead in Seattle

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:35:00 -0700

Race fans filled Century Link Field in Seattle, WA, on Saturday night to see Honda riders take on Round 15 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship series. Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton rode a strong race to place fourth overall, while L&Mc Racing's Andrew Short put in an impressive ride aboard his Honda CRF450R to grab his career-first Supercross win. GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac had another solid ride aboard his CRF250R, finishing third overall to regain the Lites West points lead.

The Race

After placing third overall in his heat race, Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton was ready to take on the main. On the first lap, Brayton began working his way towards the front of the pack and was able to stay consistent under the pressure of multiple riders to finish fourth. "I'm happy to finish fourth and be able to get some valuable points," said Brayton. "I'm just ready to be in that top position. The bike was running great, so I'm ready to go home, continue my training this week and head into Salt Lake City strong."

In the main event, L&Mc Racing's Andrew Short was quick to find his groove on the challenging Seattle track after grabbing the holeshot aboard his Honda CRF450R. Despite being pressured early in the race, Short was able to maintain his lead. He rode a consistent and solid race all the way to the checkered flag to take his first Supercross class win.

"This feeling is completely unreal to me, and I don't even know what to say," Short stated. "After my heat race, I knew track position off the start was huge, so I really tried to dig deep to grab a good start and maintain it the entire race. I have been close to winning before but was never able to pull it all together. Now to be able to get this win after coming off an injury is huge. I was really nervous the whole race, so being able to see that checkered flag while being in the lead is unreal. I'm so excited for my team, myself and my family."

In the Supercross Lites West competition, GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac had an exciting race, exchanging hard passes with another rider. Tomac was able to battle his way to a third-place finish, despite having a bent shifter. "That was the wildest race of my entire life," said Tomac. "It started a little rough, obviously, with the battle between me and Wilson. We made a few contact passes, but unfortunately there weren't many places to pass on the track. My focus is just to be smart and finish strong the rest of the rounds. I'm here for the championship."

Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda's Cole Seely rode a solid race to finish fourth, followed by GEICO Honda's Wil Hahn.

The Focus: Dunlop

Dunlop has an unequaled win record in virtually every form of AMA racing and as a Honda racing team sponsor for more than two decades, has contributed immensely to the motocross team's record 61 national titles. Working hand in hand with Honda's factory riders and technicians guarantees cutting-edge tire technology for the Honda team, and the partnership pays dividends for weekend warriors through the development of off-road tires for riders of every level.

Supercross Main Event
1. Andrew Short (Honda)
2. Ken Roczen
3. Jake Weimer
4. Justin Brayton (Honda)
5. Davi Millsaps
6. Ryan Dungey
7. Mike Alessi
8. Broc Tickle
9. Weston Peick
10. Nick Wey

Supercross Championship Points (after 15 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 323
2. Davi Millsaps 222
3. Justin Brayton 219
4. Ryan Dungey 207
5. Jake Wiemer 191
6. James Stewart 178
7. Mike Alessi 176
8. Brett Metcalfe 173
9. Kevin Windham 166
10. Broc Tickle 146

Supercross Lites West Main Event
1. Ryan Sipes
2. Marvin Musquin
3. Eli Tomac (Honda)
4. Cole Seely (Honda)
5. Wil Hahn (Honda)
6. Jason Anderson
7. Dean Wilson
8. Billy Laninovich
9. Travis Baker (Honda)
10. Vince Friese

Supercross Lites West Points (after 7 of 9 rounds)
1. Eli Tomac 134
2. Dean Wilson 130
3. Cole Seely 119
4. Marvin Musquin 111
5. Ryan Sipes 78
6. Nico Izzi 78
7. Matt Moss 77
8. Travis Baker 75
9. Jason Anderson 73
10. Billy Laninovich 70

Corporate: Honda Begins Production of All-New 2013 Acura ILX at Indiana Plant

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:26:00 -0700

GREENSBURG, Ind. (April 23, 2012) – Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN), celebrated the start of mass production of the all-new 2013 Acura ILX today. The first ILX, built exclusively in Indiana, rolled off the assembly line at 10:30 a.m. EST and was greeted by Honda associates, community partners and elected officials, who gathered to mark its launch.

"Acura has a sparkling reputation and we are thrilled to build the gateway vehicle to this brand at our Greensburg facility," said Jun Nishimoto, president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. "As the exclusive builder of the ILX, HMIN has a big responsibility. Our associates meet this challenge by working together as one team and today we are ready for our customers to share our pride in this beautiful new product."

The new Acura ILX sedan symbolizes the gateway to the Acura lineup and comes with both gasoline and gas-electric hybrid powertrain options. HMIN produces three versions of the Acura ILX – a 150-horsepower, 4-cylinder 2.0-liter model, a 201-horsepower 2.4-liter model with 6-speed manual transmission, and the ILX Hybrid, with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. The gasoline engines for the 2,0- and 2.4-liter versions of Acura ILX come from the Anna, Ohio, engine plant of Honda of America Mfg., Inc.

The Acura ILX hybrid version is Acura's first-ever hybrid model, the first hybrid vehicle to be made in America at a Honda plant, and the first Acura model to be produced in Indiana. The Acura ILX joins the TL sedan, ZDX crossover vehicle, and the MDX and RDX sport-utility vehicles as the fifth Acura model produced exclusively in North America. Acura finished second among all luxury brands in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study.

"This all-new Acura luxury sedan is closely linked to the future of Acura," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura for American Honda. "Just as the Acura ILX is the gateway to the Acura brand, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana is a gateway to Acura customers."

# # #

About HMIN
Honda Manufacturing Indiana, LLC (HMIN) in Greensburg, Ind., earned the platinum award in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study. HMIN began operations with production of Civic Sedans in October 2008. HMIN added production of Honda's natural gas-powered Civic Sedan in May 2009, and began producing Civic for export to markets outside North America in September 2009. It began producing the all-new Acura ILX in April 2012. With employment of approximately 2,000 associates and capital investment exceeding $550 million, HMIN started operations as a zero-waste-to-landfill factory, meaning no waste is sent to landfills, and maintains one of the lowest environmental footprints of any automobile plant in Honda's global production network.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

About Honda in America
This year, Honda will celebrate 30 years of producing automobiles in America. Based on Honda's longstanding commitment to build products close to the customer, Honda currently operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and automatic transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and Honda power equipment products, such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines. Honda products are made in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Today, the company has four auto plants in the U.S. and seven in North America with a new auto plant under construction in Celaya, Mexico, which will begin producing subcompact cars in 2014. Honda's total automobile production capacity in the region, currently at 1.63 million vehicles per year, will grow to more than 1.87 million vehicles annually in 2014. In 2010, more than 87 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. were built in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Honda media contacts:
Anita Sipes (Honda Manufacturing of Indiana): (812) 560-8535, anita_sipes@hmin.honda.com
Edward Miller (Honda North America, Inc., Detroit): (313) 202-3150, ed_miller@hna.honda.com

Acura media contacts:
Gary Robinson (Acura Public Relations): (310) 783-3165, gary_robinson@ahm.honda.com

Corporate: Honda Announces Leviton as Preferred Electric Vehicle Charging Solution

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:56:00 -0700

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that Leviton Manufacturing Company, the global leader in connectivity solutions, has been selected as Honda's preferred Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment provider for customer and dealer EV charging.

"As leaders in the fields of advanced technology for mobility and energy solutions, Leviton and Honda both have unique missions to create a more sustainable future," said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. "Pairing Leviton's EV charging solutions with Honda's advanced Fit EV and Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan electric vehicles will enable a more convenient and seamless ownership experience for our customers."

Honda will be introducing two battery-electric vehicles beginning with the 2013 Honda Fit EV this summer, and the Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan next winter. The 2013 Honda Fit EV battery-electric commuter car, based on the popular Fit, targets an estimated 123 city-mile range per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)¹ and can fully recharge its battery in as little as three hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit. The Honda Plug-In Hybrid Sedan uses an all-new, two-motor hybrid system which continuously moves through three different modes - all-electric, with up to a 15 mile per charge range; gasoline-electric; and direct-drive - to maximize driving and fuel efficiency, especially during city driving.

"Leviton is excited to work with American Honda as they launch their electric vehicle program here in America. At a high level we share a very similar overall mission; to supply products of the highest quality at a reasonable price for complete customer satisfaction," said Michael Mattei, Vice President and General Manager for Leviton's Commercial and Industrial Business Unit. "In addition, we hope to continue to enable the electric and hybrid electric industry through simple, easy to purchase, easy to install and easy to use products, while providing the highest level of consumer safety."

About Honda
Honda offers a diverse range of cars and trucks that include the mid-sized Accord, the compact Civic line-up with seven individual trim-levels, CR-V crossover SUV and Odyssey minivan. Honda also includes a wide range of fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles such as the Insight hybrid, Civic Natural Gas (compressed natural gas-powered vehicle), Civic Hybrid, CR-Z (sport hybrid coupe), FCX Clarity (fuel cell-electric vehicle) and the soon-to-be-released Fit EV (electric vehicle). Honda's 2013 Fit EV battery-electric commuter car, based on the popular Fit, targets an estimated 123 city mile range per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)1 and can fully recharge its battery in as little as three hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit. For more information about the Honda Fit EV battery-electric vehicle and to sign up to become a potential Honda lessee, please visit Honda's Fit EV consumer page at http://automobiles.honda.com/fit-ev/.

About Leviton
Leviton Manufacturing Company is the largest privately held global provider of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. Founded at the turn of the 20th century in America, Leviton has grown to become one of the preeminent leaders in the electrical industry. Today Leviton's product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Proven to be a smart choice, nine out of 10 homes throughout North America have Leviton products installed in them. Builders, electrical contractors and other industry professionals rank Leviton products No. 1 in brand preference. To request more information about Leviton, please visit www.leviton.com.

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda Fit EV (for consumers): http://automobiles.honda.com/fit-ev
Honda Fit EV on Facebook
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Google+
Honda on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda

¹123 city/95 highway mile range (unadjusted); 76 combined mile range (adjusted). Preliminary estimates determined by Honda using EPA methods. Your range will vary. For additional information about EPA test methods, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-electric-label.shtml

Corporate: Acura Announces $25,900 Starting Price for 2013 ILX

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:57:00 -0700

The all-new 2013 Acura ILX will go on sale at Acura dealerships May 22, 2012, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP*) starting at $25,900 Acura announced today. The ILX offers remarkable value for the money with robust feature content and premium appeal.

"The 2013 Acura ILX will serve as the gateway to the Acura brand," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "At the leading edge of a new, sporty compact segment, the ILX delivers style, value, performance and connectivity to younger buyers looking to move into the luxury market.

"The all-new Acura ILX features a windswept exterior design with 5-passenger cabin, a choice of three powertrain options, including Acura's first-ever gasoline-electric hybrid, and a well appointed interior that is smart, spacious and sporty. It will offer a number of new, premium features including a standard Keyless Access System with smart entry and pushbutton start, along with Pandora® internet radio interface and SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world. Like all Acura models, the ILX is equipped with a rich list of standard features including a power moonroof, aluminium wheels and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®.

The entry-level ILX (starting at $25,900) is powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower paired with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking a more dynamic driving experience, the ILX can be equipped with a 2.4-liter engine ($29,200, includes the Premium Package) with an output of 201 horsepower featuring a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission. The ILX Hybrid (starting at $28,900) makes use of a 1.5-liter inline engine and an Integrated Motor Assist® electric motor. Paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the ILX 1.5L Hybrid has an EPA estimated** city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 39/38/38 mpg.

As with all Acura models, the ILX will have a long list of standard features, multiple trim levels (a Premium Package and Technology Package), and excellent standard safety features— including Acura's acclaimed Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, front, side and side-curtain airbags, 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®). Although yet to be tested, Acura anticipates that the ILX will achieve top crash safety ratings from both NHTSA and the IIHS.

The Premium Package (available as a $3,300 option; not available on the ILX Hybrid model) features leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, an upgraded 360 watt stereo system with XM® radio, HID headlights, foglights, 17-inch aluminium wheels, a multi-view rearview camera and an Active Sound Cancellation system to make for a quieter cabin.

Building on the Premium Package, the Technology Package (available on the ILX with 2.0-liter engine for $2,200) adds Acura's award winning ELS Surround® audio system and a full complement of relevant technologies, including AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with radar image maps and HomeLink®. The navigation system makes use of a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity— including 15 gigabytes that can be specifically allocated for music storage. The Technology package is also available on the ILX Hybrid for $5,500 and includes all Premium Package features except 17-inch aluminium wheels.

The Acura ILX will be manufactured (using U.S. and globally sourced parts), exclusively at the company's state-of-the-art Greensburg, Indiana plant, one of only three plants worldwide to receive J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Platinum Award for outstanding product quality, and the top award for any factory in North America.

TRIM	MSRP*	EPA**
ILX	$25,900	24/35/28
ILX with Premium Package	$29,200	24/35/28
ILX with Technology Package	$31,400	24/35/28
ILX 2.4 L with Premium Package	$29,200	22/31/25
ILX Hybrid	$28,900	39/38/38
ILX Hybrid with Technology Package	$34,400	39/38/38

Ways to connect with Acura:
Media Information: www.acuranews.com
Consumer Information: www.acura.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Acura
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Acura_Insider
YouTube: www.youtube.com/acura

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, vehicle options and destination charge of $895.00. Dealer prices may vary.
**Based on 2013 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Corporate: Honda's Gresham, Oregon and Davenport, Iowa Facilities Earn U.S. EPA Energy Star Awards

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:56:00 -0700

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that its regional parts distribution centers in Gresham, Oregon, and Davenport, Iowa, each have earned a U.S. EPA Energy Star award for energy-efficient operations. The Oregon and Iowa parts centers join two Honda automobile manufacturing plants in Ohio that recently received Energy Star recognition from the U.S. EPA.

The Gresham facility, which in 1999 became the first mixed-used industrial building in America to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, is one of eleven LEED-certified Honda "green buildings" in North America. The 211,000 -square-foot facility was upgraded to LEED-Platinum status in 2008, the first building in the U.S. automotive industry to reach platinum status

The Davenport, Iowa facility now utilizes more energy-efficient T8 lamps in office areas and T5 lamps with motion sensors in the warehouse. Exterior lighting is controlled by a state-of-the-art digital lighting management system connected to the building automation system. Since the completion of these upgrades, annual energy consumption at the 291,600-square-foot facility has been reduced by more than 922,000 kWh, or 31 percent, from previous levels, cutting yearly CO2 emissions by an estimated 766 metric tons.

Employing a number of innovative design features including rainwater harvesting, passive heating, and an air-conditioning system that can be driven by roof-mounted wind turbines, the Gresham facility also has an east-west orientation to reduce solar loading, radiant in-floor heating, and sensor-controlled lighting and air-conditioning systems that turn themselves off when people are absent. Recycled and recyclable materials are used throughout the facility. Chair seats are made from recycled seatbelts; conference table tops from crushed sunflower seeds; flooring from recycled automobile tires; and wallpaper from recycled telephone directories.

Since receiving LEED-Platinum certification in 2008, Honda has completed several projects to further reduce energy consumption at the Gresham facility. These include more energy-efficient, sensor-activated warehouse lighting; zone lighting controls in the office area; a sub-metering electricity monitoring system to track energy consumption in the warehouse, office, training center and mechanical equipment areas; and intelligent control of exterior lighting. Since 2008, average yearly energy consumption at the facility has been reduced by 384,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for a total reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 150 metric tons over the past five years.

More than 2,200 individuals have toured the facility since 2002, including visitors from the Harvard Business School, the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and General Services Administration, and various private companies, and from as far away as Japan, China and India.

Over the past two decades, Honda has been incorporating sustainable concepts into facility construction and operation, including the use of locally harvested and manufactured construction materials, cool roofs, dual-paned glass, high-recycled-content materials, and energy-efficient lighting. In 2011, Honda certified three new facilities under the U.S. and Canada Green Building Councils' Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Honda now has 11 LEED-certified green buildings in North America, the most of any automaker operating in the region. Click here to learn more about Honda's "Green Building" and "Green Factory" initiatives.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

Quote
"Our Gresham facility has long been at the forefront of Honda's 'green building' initiatives in the U.S., and it is breaking new ground again as one of the first non-manufacturing Honda facilities in America to earn an Energy Star award," said Garth Sellers, corporate manager of national facility services at American Honda Motor Co, Inc. "These awards reflect positively on Honda's longstanding effort to reduce the environmental impact of our business operations in North America."

Media Contact Information:
Marcos Frommer (American Honda Motor Co., Inc.): 310-781-5542

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Facebook: http://facebook.com/honda

Corporate: Honda Earns Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Award for the Second Consecutive Year

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:17:00 -0700

Honda has captured the 2012 Best Retained Value Award for the second consecutive year from Edmunds.com. Honda was named the top non-luxury brand in the Best Retained Value Awards for maintaining the highest projected residual value after five years of ownership as a percentage of value when new.

"Honda's focus on retail sales has always benefitted our most important client: Honda customers," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "This valuable award from Edmunds.com is recognition of Honda's unending mission of providing true value to customers - one that extends well beyond the showroom."

"Honda has long had a reputation for dependable used vehicles, and that is reflected in today's booming used car market," said Joe Spina, director of remarketing at Edmunds.com. "Honda's family of vehicles continues to expand the company's status as one of the best values available to car buyers today."

For more information about the Edmunds.com Best Retained Value Awards, visit http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/best-retained-value-cars.html.

Corporate: “Green” Dealers Making A Difference

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0700

I’m excited to launch our Honda Environmental Leadership Award and Acura Environmental Leadership Award programs. The awards go to Honda and Acura dealers who have voluntarily reduced their energy use by 10 percent or more, developed water conservation measures, and implemented a recycling program.

The Environmental Leadership Award programs are the logical next step in our effort to reduce our company’s environmental footprint in North America. Of course, Honda is known for its fuel-efficient vehicles. But we’ve also spent years continuously improving the energy-efficiency of our manufacturing plants and logistics operations for the shipment of vehicles and parts. From achieving 10 zero-waste-to-landfill manufacturing facilities in North America, to deploying fuel-saving technologies on our delivery trucks, we’ve taken a variety of steps both big and small to reduce our environmental impact.

Now we are asking our independently-owned Honda and Acura dealers to join us in reducing the environmental impact of their dealerships. Many of them have already taken us up on this challenge. So far, nearly a dozen dealers have earned the award, and many more have applied to be in the program.

Some of our dealers have taken independent steps to minimize their environmental impact by installing solar panels, planting rooftop gardens, installing more energy-efficient air-conditioning and lighting systems, and setting up water-reclaiming car washes. Others have gone so far as to seek or achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for their facilities.

Of course, saving energy is also a good business strategy for our dealers. In addition to reducing their environmental impact, we believe our dealers will save money on their energy bills due to reduced use of electricity and water.

We’ve designed this program around what we feel are both challenging but achievable targets that are within the reach of most of our 1,300 U.S. Honda and Acura dealers. Now our goal is to engage as many of them as possible in our program, and together achieve the broadest possible benefit for our environment.

Steven Center
Vice President
American Honda Environmental Business Development Office

Corporate: Honda Launches New Environmental Leadership Award "Green Dealer" Program for Honda and Acura Dealers in the U.S.

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:55:00 -0700

Demonstrating a comprehensive approach to environmentally-responsible operations that extends beyond its fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-efficient manufacturing operations, American Honda Motor Co, Inc. today announced the establishment of a "green dealer" program for its independently-owned Honda and Acura automobile dealers in the United States.

The Honda Environmental Leadership Award and Acura Environmental Leadership Award will be given to dealers who quantifiably reduce their environmental impact, beginning with a minimum 10 percent reduction in total energy use at their dealerships. Ten dealers have already received the award, 18 more have applied to be in the program, and more than 200 dealers have independently developed initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. Consumers who are interested in locating a Honda Environmental Leadership Award winning dealer can visit the Honda.com site for more information. Click here to see what dealers did to reduce their energy use.

The program offers three achievement levels – Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Silver-level dealers must achieve a 10 percent reduction in total energy use, develop a water use reduction plan, and implement a comprehensive recycling program. Gold level dealers must achieve continuous improvement in their reduction and conservation goals above and beyond the Silver level. The top-level Platinum award is reserved for dealers whose facilities earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The required 10 percent energy reduction is in line with the U.S. EPA's Energy Star Award / National Automobile Dealers Association program.

Honda introduced the voluntary program to its dealers at national sales meetings held last fall, generating interest among hundreds of Honda and Acura dealers. The company uses a third party evaluator to conduct environmental audits of participating dealers and recommend strategies for reducing their energy use.
Dealers who have already earned the Honda or Acura Environmental Leadership Award are:

Honda - Platinum Level
Headquarter Honda (Clermont, FL)

Honda - Silver Level
Rock Honda (Fontana, CA)
Joe Morgan Honda (Monroe, OH)
Rossi Honda (Vineland, NJ)
Honda of Burleson (Burleson, TX)
Diamond Honda (City of Industry, CA)
Voss Honda (Tipp City, OH)

Acura - Silver Level
McDaniels Acura (Columbia, SC)
Norm Reeves Acura of Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, CA)
Acura of Peabody (Peabody, MA)

In addition to the dealers who received the Environmental Leadership Award for their quantifiable energy reductions, a number of Honda and Acura dealers have independently taken steps to address their environmental impact by replacing their lighting with low-energy lamps, installing motion sensors that turn lights off when not in use, replacing older air conditioning and heating systems with newer, more energy efficient equipment, installing solar panels, adding rainwater collection systems, and planting native vegetation to reduce irrigation water use. Dealers, which are independent businesses, are responsible for developing strategies to reduce their environmental impact.

For example, Headquarters Honda planted a garden on the roof as natural insulation to reduce energy use, and installed a rain water collection system to conserve water; Rossi Honda installed solar panels to significantly offset electricity use; and Rock Honda installed an energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system and a water- reclaiming car wash.

Over the past three decades, Honda has been working to reduce the environmental impact of its products, manufacturing and logistics operations, and facilities in North America. These initiatives are reported annually in the company's North American Environmental Report. Expanding its environmental initiatives to its dealer body is the logical next step in the company's effort to reduce waste, energy use and CO2 emissions across the full spectrum of its operations and throughout the lifecycle of Honda and Acura products, including at the point of sale.

Honda Environmental Leadership
Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists(UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for eleven out of the past twelve years. The company leads all automakers with eleven LEED-Certified "Green Buildings" in North America, and last year announced that ten of its 14 North American manufacturing facilities are zero-waste to landfill.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, power sports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

Executive Quote
"We've designed this program around what we feel are both meaningful and achievable targets that are well within the reach of most of our 1,300 U.S. Honda and Acura dealers," said Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office, which is responsible for Honda's new environmental technology and business initiatives in the U.S. "Our goal is to engage as many of our dealers as possible to reduce their environmental impact in order to have the broadest possible impact in communities throughout the nation. And we heartily congratulate our first group of Honda and Acura Environmental Leadership Award winners."

Media Contact Information:
Marcos Frommer (American Honda Motor Co., Inc.): 310-781-5542

Corporate: 2012 Honda Civic Named One Of The 10 Best Green Cars of 2012 By Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:00:00 -0700

The 2012 Honda Civic sedan is one of the 10 Best Green Cars of 2012, according to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. The Civic's latest accolade is particularly timely due to rising gas prices, but standout fuel efficiency alone is not enough to win a spot on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com annual 10 Best Green Cars list, as its editors also weigh factors such as value, features and comfort.

"The 2012 Honda Civic sedan is the complete package for any consumer, and one that also provides a host of fuel-efficient powertrain options," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of corporate planning for American Honda. "We're delighted that Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com editors acknowledged the most versatile offering in the class."

The editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com provided their own sweet reference for the award-winning Honda: "The Civic has long been the vanilla ice cream of compact sedans; it's easy to fall back on due to its remarkable reliability and exceptional value. But for 2012, the Civic has evolved into more of a Neapolitan option as it presents a choice of three different engine types: gasoline, natural gas and hybrid gas/electric. Considering all of them achieve nearly 40 highway mpg or better, the Civic is an excellent choice no matter what flavor you pick."

For more information about the 10 Best Green Cars of 2012, visit http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/10-best-green-cars-2012/.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
For consumers: http://automobiles.honda.com/civic/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hondacivic
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/honda/
On Google+

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Corporate: Podiums and a Championship in New Orleans

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:41:00 -0700

It was an exciting weekend for Honda at round 14 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, an FIM World Championship series. Fans filled the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans to see Honda Red Riders make their way to the podium, with Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton and GEICO Honda's Justin Bogle each placing third. GEICO Honda's Justin Barcia wrapped up the Supercross Lites East Championship with a fourth-place finish. New Orleans also marked the return of L&Mc Racing's Andrew Short aboard his factory-spec CRF450R.

The Race

Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Brayton had an impressive night, rounding out the podium with a third-place finish. After getting a midpack start, Brayton put in a hard charge making his way through the field all the way up to third. "Today definitely wasn't my best day, but I am very thankful to be up on the podium again," said Brayton.Wil Hahn finished a respectable ninth place after getting tangled in the first turn.

GEICO Honda had a sensational night with Bogle making his second podium appearance of the season and Barcia wrapping up the Lites East Championship. "I am so happy to be back up on the podium," said Bogle. "It's been a roller coaster season for me, so it feels great to head into Vegas on a positive note. The track was pretty difficult and it definitely kept you on your toes but I felt comfortable and my bike was running great."

After posting the second-quickest lap time in practice and winning his heat race, Barcia grabbed a second-place start in the main. He rode a consistent 15 laps to take the title. "Winning this second championship is truly mindblowing and I am so excited," said Barcia. "It was a tough race tonight, I couldn't get in a good flow and everybody was riding really well. I wanted to just stay consistent and finish in a good enough position to win the championship, which is exactly what I was able to do. This season took a lot of hard work and dedication but it all paid off." L&Mc Racing's Andrew Short had a noteworthy first race back, finishing in fifth place aboard his CRF450R.

The Focus: Engine Shipping

With 17 rounds in the AMA Supercross series, and most of the races spread far apart, it's crucial to get the team the proper equipment needed each week. In order to do this, the team uses special injection-molded hard plastic cases to ship engines from race to race. The inside of the case is filled with custom-cut foam that is contoured to fit the CRF450R engine, with enough padding to protect it during shipping. The shipping boxes are similar to those used by the military for weapons and supplies, or by production companies for carrying cameras or lights.

With only a week between races, engines are pulled Sunday after the race, shipped to the Honda race shop in Torrance, CA, to be rebuilt and prepared then overnighted out to the next round. Each race bike has three engines in rotation at all times, one in the bike, one spare in the truck and one at the shop being built. During Supercross season each engine gets two races under its belt before being rotated through the process, depending on the conditions. For outdoor motocross, the engines are rotated every week due to the extreme conditions and heat they endure.

Supercross Main Event
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Josh Grant
3. Justin Brayton (Honda)
4. Brett Metcalfe
5. Andrew Short (Honda)
6. Davi Millsaps
7. Weston Peick
8. Kyle Chisholm
9. Wil Hahn (Honda)
10.Broc Tickle

Supercross Championship Points (after 14 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 321
2. Davi Millsaps 206
3. Justin Brayton 201
4. Ryan Dungey 192
5. James Stewart 178
6. Brett Metcalfe 172
7. Jake Weimer 171
8. Kevin Windham 166
9. Mike Alessi 162
10. Broc Tickle 133

Supercross Lites East Main Event
1. Darryn Durham
2. Blake Baggett
3. Justin Bogle (Honda)
4. Justin Barcia (Honda)
5. Ken Roczen
6. Kyle Cunningham
7. Jake Canada
8. Tyler Bowers
9. Austin Politelli
10. Phillip Nicoletti

Supercross Lites East Points (after 8 of 9 rounds)
1. Justin Barcia 185
2. Darryn Durham 143
3. Ken Roczen 143
4. Blake Wharton 142
5. Blake Baggett 128
6. Jake Canada 118
7. Justin Bogle 107
8. Kyle Cunningham 70
9. Alex Martin 67
10. Mathew Lemoine 66

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda's Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.

Corporate: Linkin Park and Incubus Co-Headline 2012 Honda Civic Tour

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:55:00 -0700

Honda announced today that multi-platinum alternative rock bands Linkin Park and Incubus will be co-headlining the 2012 Honda Civic Tour. The tour will kick off August 11th in Bristow, Virginia at the Jiffy Lube Live amphitheatre. In addition to the two headliners, the Civic Tour will also feature the Grammy®-nominated electrorock band Mutemath.

Tickets go on-sale to the general public the weekend of April 27, but those who pre-order the new Linkin Park album, "Living Things" through their website will be able to buy tickets for the tour beginning April 24. Additionally, Linkin Park fan club members will be able to buy tickets starting April 23 and will have the opportunity to gain early access to the venues and are eligible for meet and greets with the band.

Now entering its 11th year, the Honda Civic Tour has provided music fans with an amazing concert experience at an affordable price. Continuing a Civic Tour tradition, fans will have an opportunity to check out Linkin Park's customized and autographed Honda Civic Si Coupe and Honda CBR250R motorcycle, which will be displayed at every tour stop.

For pre-sale information, "like" the Honda Civic Tour Facebook page and visit www.hondacivictour.com to receive tour news, sign up for email updates and see the entire Civic Tour schedule.

Honda Civic Tour Dates:
United States:
8/11 Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live*
8/12 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena*
8/14 Boston, MA @ Comcast Center
8/17 Camden, NJ @ Susquehana Bank Center
8/19 Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
8/21 Detroit, MI @ The Palace
8/22 Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
8/24 Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank
8/25 Indianapolis, IN @ Klipsch Music Center
8/27 Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Center
8/28 Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Pavillion
8/30 Denver, CO @ Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
9/5   Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
9/7   Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
9/10 San Diego, CA @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
*Incubus will not appear at this event

About the Honda Civic
One of the best-selling compact cars in the United States, the Civic features a lineup of six distinct models: the conventional gasoline-powered Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe, two high-performance Civic Si models, gasoline-electric Civic Hybrid, the Civic Natural Gas and Civic HF high fuel economy model. The Civic lineup embodies the Honda brand values of 'clean, safe and fun' with two Civic models achieving EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings1 of over 40 mpg on the highway. The Civic sedan has earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and a 'TOP SAFETY PICK' designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Now in its ninth-generation, the Civic remains one of the most fun-to-drive compact cars on the road today.

¹ Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
² MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $750.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

For high-resolution photos, broadcast quality video and media information of the entire 2012 Civic lineup visit: www.hondanews.com.

For photos and more info on the Honda Civic Tour, visit;: marketingfactory.com/hondacivictour.

Connect with Honda:
Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Website: http:civictour.honda.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hondacivictour
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda

Connect with Linkin Park and Incubus:
www.lpunderground.com
www.incubushq.com

Band PR Contacts;:
Linkin Park & Honda Civic Tour – Kymm Britton kymmbritton@me.com (310) 656-5900
Incubus – Joe Lilak, Ren Management joe@renmanagement.com (310)271-7120

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Corporate: Honda Grand Prix of Long Beach Race Report

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:55:00 -0700

Cirtcuit: Grand Prix of Long Beach (1.986-mile street circuit) Long Beach, CA
2011 Winner: Mike Conway (Andretti Autosport Honda) 88.676 mph average
Weather: Sunny, mild, 62 degrees F

Fn.	St.	Driver	Team	Driver	Laps	Average Speed/Notes
1.	12.	Will Power	Team Penske	Chevrolet Dallara	85	88.021 mph avg.; led 15 laps
2.	4.	Simon Pagenaud-R	Schmidt Hamilton	Honda Dallara	85	-0.8675 seconds, led 26 laps
3.	16.	James Hinchcliffe	Andretti Autosport	Chevrolet Dallara	85	-13.2719 seconds
4.	19.	Tony Kanaan	KV Racing Technology	Chevrolet Dallara	85	-18.1951 seconds
5.	20.	JR Hildebrand	Panther Racing	Chevrolet Dallara	85	-22.9947 seconds
6.	13.	Ryan Hunter-Reay	Andretti Autosport	Chevrolet Dallara	85	-42.5631 seconds; led 4 laps
7.	11.	Ryan Briscoe	Team Penske	Chevrolet Dallara	85	-1:40.127; led 5 laps
8.	6.	Takuma Sato	Rahal Letterman Lanigan	Honda Dallara	84	Did not finish – contact; led 16
9.	22.	Rubens Barrichello	KV Racing Technology	Chevrolet Dallara	84	Running
10.	3.	Justin Wilson	Dale Coyne Racing	Honda Dallara	84	Running; led 15 laps

Other Honda-Powered Results:
11.	14.	James Jakes	Dale Coyne Racing	Honda Dallara	84	Running
15.	1.	Dario Franchitti	Target Chip Ganassi	Honda Dallara	82	Did not finish - mechanical
18.	9.	Charlie Kimball	Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda Dallara	80	Did not finish - mechanical
22.	7.	Mike Conway	A.J. Foyt Racing	Honda Dallara	41	Did not finish - mechanical
23.	5.	Scott Dixon	Target Chip Ganassi	Honda Dallara	27	Did not finish - mechanical
24.	8.	Graham Rahal	Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda Dallara	23	Did not finish - contact
26.	2.	Josef Newgarden-R	Sarah Fisher Hartman	Honda Dallara	0	Did not finish - contact

R – IndyCar Series Rookie

Pagenaud Chases Power to the Finish at Long Beach

In an IZOD IndyCar Series battle of opposing race strategies, Simon Pagenaud and his Honda-powered Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports team came up just eight-tenths of a second short in their charge during the final laps of Sunday's Grand Prix of Long Beach, finishing second by that narrow margin to the Team Penske machine of Will Power after 85 laps around the Southern California street circuit.

On a "two-stop" race strategy, Power was able to stretch his fuel to run the last 31 laps to score his first victory of 2012. Pagenaud, running a three-stop race, left the pits after his final stop on Lap 70 in fourth place, but rapidly caught and passed Rubens Barrichello and fellow Honda driver Takuma Sato. He then set off after Power, who was 10 seconds ahead with 10 laps remaining. Pagenaud closed the gap by a second each lap, but came up just short at the checkers.

For a large portion of today's race, Takuma Sato looked like a contender for the victory, as his Rahal Letterman Lanigan team adopted a similar strategy to Power's. Sato ran in the top three for much of the race, and led 16 laps, but was knocked out of third place on the final lap by contact from Ryan Hunter-Reay. The incident dropped Sato to an eighth-place finish, and earned Hunter-Reay a post-race time penalty that dropped him from third to sixth in the official results.

Justin Wilson was another Honda driver to run at the front today, leading 15 laps for Dale Coyne Racing. But the team's attempt to also pull off a "two-stop" race fell short, as Wilson was forced to pit for fuel in the final laps and fell to a 10-place finish.

Wilson's teammate, James Jakes, had one of his best IndyCar runs to date, racing as high as fourth, until he briefly slid off course on Lap 66. He recovered to finish 11th.

Front-row starters Dario Franchitti and Josef Newgarden made light contact in the first turn at the start, leaving rookie Newgarden in the wall and out of the race. Although he led the first four laps, Franchitti struggled on the restarts and eventually dropped out with just three laps remaining. Scott Dixon and Mike Conway also were early retirements today, while Charlie Kimball's race ended with an apparent transmission problem on Lap 80. Graham Rahal crashed without injury on Lap 23, when his Honda Dallara was struck by Marco Andretti's car as the pair battled for position.

After the first three races of the 2012 season, the IZOD IndyCar Series now travels to Brazil for its first international event of the season, the April 29 Sao Paulo Indy 300.

IZOD IndyCar Series Drivers' Championship (after 3 of 16 races):
1. Will Power	127 points (1 win)	6. Ryan Hunter-Reay	81
2. Helio Castroneves	103 (1 win)	7. Ryan Briscoe	72 (1 win)
3. Simon Pagenaud	100	8. Graham Rahal	62
4. Scott Dixon	96	9. Rubens Barrichello	59
5. James Hinchcliffe	95	10. JR Hildebrand	57

Manufacturers' Championship:		Rookie of the Year:
1. Chevrolet	27	1. Simon Pagenaud	100
2. Honda	18	2. Josef Newgarden	42
3. Lotus	12	3. Katherine Legge	36

Simon Pagenaud (#77 Schmidt Hamilton Racing Honda) started 4th, finished 2nd: "During the final laps, I was hoping for a repeat of the [American Le Mans Series at Long Beach] race from 2010! That time, I was able to catch and pass the leader when he made a mistake in Turn 9 on the last lap. But Will [Power] made no mistakes today. I think Honda is doing a great job, but Chevy is very strong, too. Drafting the Chevys today, I think the power levels are about equal. Their teams are very good, and we have to raise our game to match their performances."

Takuma Sato (#15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda) started 6th, finished 8th (not running, after last-lap contact with Ryan Hunter-Reay): "The race was awesome, I was able to overtake like crazy on every restart and our team had a great strategy. We were headed for a podium finish, for sure. But I'm very disappointed with Ryan [Hunter-Reay]. There were several other, better places, where he could have tried to pass without hitting me, but at the place he chose, he never even got alongside me. I just got hit in the back and spun around."

Justin Wilson (#18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda) started 3rd, finished 10th: "We let a top-three finish get away from us today. We had a very fast car, made up a lot of positions all race long and led a lot of laps. But at the end, we tried to stretch our fuel mileage, which cost us several positions, and then at the end we still had to pit. We turned a second- or third-place finish into 10th today, so we need to learn from this and go on to Brazil."

Roger Griffiths (Technical Director, Honda Performance Development) on today's race: "Congratulations to Simon Pagenaud and Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports. They put on a thrilling charge for the final third of the race and, perhaps if the race had just been a lap or two longer, could have pulled off a well-deserved win. It's disappointing we were unable to capitalize on the strong starting positions we had today, but now we have to take the lessons learned and go on to Brazil."

Corporate: Honda Long Beach American Le Mans Series Race Report

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:33:00 -0700

Circuit:Grand Prix of Long Beach (1.986-mile street circuit) Long Beach, CA
Weather: Clear, mild, 66 degrees F

O/A	Class	Drivers	Team	Engine/Chassis	Laps/Notes
1.	1-LMP1	Klaus Graf/Lucas Luhr	Muscle Milk Racing	HPD ARX-03a	86
2.	3-LMP1	Chris Dyson/Guy Smith	Dyson Racing	Lola B12/60 Mazda	86
3.	1-LMPC	Alex Papow/Ryan Dalziel	CORE Autosport	Oreca FLM09 Chevy	85
4.	2-LMPC	Memo Gidley/Michael Guasch	Muscle Milk Racing	Oreca FLM09 Chevy	84
5.	3-LMPC	Jon Bennett/Colin Braun	CORE Autosport	Oreca FLM09 Chevy	84
6.	1-GT	Tom Milner/Oliver Gavin	Corvette Racing	Chevrolet Corvette	84
7.	2-GT	Joey Hand/Dirk Mueller	Rahal Letterman Lanigan	BMW M3	84
8.	3-GT	Johannes van Overbeek/Scott Sharp	Extreme Speed	Ferrari F458 Italia	84
9.	4-GT	Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen	Corvette Racng	Chevrolet Corvette	84
10.	1-LMP2	Christophe Bouchut/Scott Tucker	Level 5 Motorsports	HPD ARX-03b	83

Additional HPD entries:
19.	3-LMP2	Luis Diaz/Scott Tucker	Level 5 Motorsports	HPD ARX-03b	81 Running
33.	4-LMP2	Jeroen Bleekemolen/Tim Pappas	Black Swan Racing	Lola B11/80 HPD	1 DNF-contact

Muscle Milk Leads Double Victory for HPD at Long Beach

Honda Performance Development scored its first double victory in the 2012 American Le Mans Series as the Muscle Milk Racing duo of Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr gave the new HPD ARX-03a chassis its first victory in LMP1; while Level 5 Motorsports and drivers Christophe Bouchut and Scott Tucker took the LMP2 version – the AR-03b – to it's second class win of the season.

Starting second, Luhr used lapped traffic effectively to move around Guy Smith's Dyson Racing Lola-Mazda during the opening stint of the race. A caution flag, the only full-course yellow of the race, conveniently arrived just as the two-hour contest reached its midpoint and all the front-runners pitted for fuel and their mandatory driver change.

Taking over from Luhr, Graf made a second, brief pit stop to top-off his fuel load at the end of the caution. That took the Muscle Milk car out of the lead and stuck behind lapped traffic. But Graf relentlessly hunted down pole qualifier and race leader Chris Dyson, and moved to the front for the final time with around 30 minutes left. Once in the lead, Graf continued to press his advantage through the final laps to establish a 43-second margin of victory at the finish.

The team also claimed the Michelin Green X Challenge award for clean, fast and efficient racing. It was the second consecutive Green X win for Muscle Milk at Long Beach and the ninth team the team has won the award.

As at last month's season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring, where the HPD-equipped Starworks team won LMP2 and finished third overall in its brand new ARX-03b chassis, HPD again won LMP2, as Tucker and Bouchut combined to win the class and finish 10th overall in their Level 5 Motorports ARX-03b. It was the second consecutive Long Beach win for the pair.

Contact from another car spun Tucker's HPD early in the race, leaving the Level 5 entry well behind the class-leading Conquest Racing Morgan of Martin Plowman and David Heinemeier. But Tucker and teammate Bouchut were relentless in their pursuit, taking the class lead with less then 10 minutes remaining in the race when Plowman was forced to pit for fuel.

The second Level 5 HPD entry, driven by Luis Diaz and Tucker (who drove both his team's cars), finished third in LMP2. Unfortunately, the final HPD-powered LMP2 entry, the Black Swan Racing Lola of Jeroen Bleekemolen and Tim Pappas, saw its race end after just one lap when it was unable to avoid a GT-class machine, which had previously spun exiting Turn One and directly in the path of the Lola-HPD.

After its first temporary street circuit race of 2012, the American Le Mans Series returns to road courses next month at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on May 13. Meanwhile, the new FIA World Endurance Championship, which also debuted last month at Sebring, has its second race of 2012 on May 5 at the historic Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

Lucas Luhr (#6 Muscle Milk Racing HPD ARX-03a) Started 2nd, Finished 1st: "I pushed really, really hard after the caution – just like qualifying laps, really – just to catch up to Chris [Dyson]. Once I was able to get close to him, he struggled a bit coming out of the hairpin and we were side-by-side going down the front straight. I was able to get just ahead of him and stay in front. A really good team comes back strong. That's what we did today. Sebring [where the team lost a possible podium finish to a late-race refueling failure] was a shave, but now we'll hopefully keep winning races the rest of the year."

Steve Eriksen (Vice President, Honda Performance Development) on HPD's first American Le Mans Series victories of 2012: "Congratulations to Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and Level 5 Motorsports on their great victory today. The Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of Honda's 'home' races and there were hundreds of Honda associates here to witness the excellent performance of our sports car teams. I'm sure they were all pleased to see our tradition of winning at Long Beach continue, and these wins should give our teams some great momentum going into Laguna Seca. We were also quite pleased to receive yet another Michelin Green X Challenge award demonstrating the high efficiency of Honda's products."

Corporate: Honda Recognizes Top Suppliers

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:00:00 -0700

At a major conference for its North American parts suppliers, Honda recognized its strong network of more than 600 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Service Parts suppliers, and honored top-performing operations for their excellence in key areas, including quality, value, efficiency and on-time delivery.

Their operational achievements were even more remarkable in the face of severe parts disruptions last year caused by a devastating earthquake in Japan and major floods in Thailand, said Tom Lake, who leads Honda's North American Purchasing Division.

"Last year we faced two epic natural disasters that created severe supply issues, and our collective response demonstrated that by working together we can overcome any challenge," Lake said. "As a result of our strong teamwork to overcome adversity, we got stronger and today are better prepared to take full advantage of future growth opportunities."

Honda of America Mfg. President Hide Iwata, who also leads Honda's North American manufacturing operations, said suppliers in this region will play a critical role as the company expands operations to meet customer needs in North America - and globally. Honda is investing more than $775 million to innovate existing operations in Ohio and Alabama, has added a second shift to double production at its auto plant in Indiana, and is building an $800 million plant in Mexico with capacity to manufacture 200,000 sub-compact models, including the Honda Fit.

"These moves will make North America the production volume leader for Honda," Iwata said. "It also means that our manufacturing operations here must play a strong role within global Honda to share our production know-how."

This strategy will place the region at the center of Honda's efforts to win new customers in the global market. "In addition to the role we have long played in launching products that are built exclusively in North America, we will now take increasing responsibility in the development of global production models," said Jim Wehrman, Honda of America senior vice president.

2012 OEM Supplier Awards
Honda's 600 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) suppliers provide parts to 14 Honda manufacturing plants in North America for the production of Honda and Acura automobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other utility products. During the conference, the company honored 53 OEM suppliers for their excellence in one or more of three categories: Quality, Delivery and Value.

Among these recipients, 10 received awards for excellent performance in two of the three categories. Kamco Industries, Inc., West Unity, Ohio, and Fleetwood Metal Inc, Otterville, Ontario, Canada, had the distinction of receiving awards in all three categories, earning them the Triple Award: Excellence in Delivery, Quality and Value.

Honda also recognized nine OEM parts suppliers for their Challenging Spirit, based on their initiatives to overcome extraordinary operational challenges.

In addition to operational performance, Honda annually recognizes suppliers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to social responsibility with the Honda Corporate Citizenship Award. Recipients of the 2012 Corporate Citizenship Award were Setex Inc., St. Marys, Ohio, and International Automotive Components, Old Fort, N.C. This award is based on leadership in the areas of health and safety, diversity, community involvement, ethics and compliance, and the environment.

Honda's North American OEM parts purchases totaled $16 billion in 2011, and its parts purchases over the past five years in the region have exceeded $85 billion.

2012 Service Parts Awards
Honda's Service Parts suppliers also rose to the challenge by providing customers with top-quality service parts in a timely manner and at competitive prices for the maintenance and repair of Honda and Acura customers' vehicles.

"The past year has seen many of you working together with Honda to cope with a major supply crisis," said Bruce Smith, vice president of American Honda's Technical Service and Parts division. "Together, we survived this perfect storm, but now we must shift our thinking to embrace a new era of competition and of growth in our responsibility to Honda customers."

Fifty-four Service Parts suppliers received awards for top-level performance in 2011. Service Parts suppliers were rated on their performance in quality, cost, and delivery. Distinct from the OEM supplier awards, an overall score is based on the combined performance in all three categories.

Honda also shared the results of the 2011 Carlisle & Company Automotive Parts Manager Survey, which saw Honda or Acura leading the competition in many measures of service parts performance, including parts availability, order processing system, parts delivery, time from order to delivery, and consistency of delivery. In terms of overall satisfaction, Honda led the industry with a score of 97.9 percent. Acura finished first in parts delivery with a score of 97.5 percent and took third place in overall satisfaction with a score of 95.2 percent.

American Honda provides service and accessory parts for nearly 20 million Honda and Acura automobiles in operation in the United States today. The company manages a national network of warehousing and distribution facilities that deliver high-quality, high-value service parts to approximately 1,300 Honda and Acura dealers nationwide. Honda purchased more than $924 million in parts from its Service Parts suppliers in North America last year.

About Honda in North America
Based on Honda's longstanding commitment to "build products close to the customer" Honda currently operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and automatic transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and Honda power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Honda in 2012 will mark 30 years of producing automobiles in America, starting with the production of the Accord in Marysville, Ohio, in November 1982. The company has steadily expanded its local production capabilities, and cumulative automobile production in North America surpassed 23 million units in 2011.

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For More Information
Ron Lietzke, (937) 644-6627
ron_lietzke@ham.honda.com

Edward Miller, (313) 202-3150
ed_miller@ahm.honda.com

Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com
Honda in America: http://www.hondainamerica.com
Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/americanhonda
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/honda
Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Website: http://www.honda.com

Corporate: Acura Teamed With Marvel's The Avengers as Official Sponsor of Red Carpet World Premiere

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0700

Thousands watched with amazement as actor Robert Downey Jr. ("Tony Stark") drove onto the red carpet in a custom Acura-created sports car at the Marvel's The Avengers Hollywood premiere on Wednesday, April 11, at the El Capitan Theater. The premiere, co-sponsored by Acura, featured militarized S.H.I.E.L.D.-Edition Acura MDX and TL models that were used in the film to escort the actors on Hollywood Blvd.

In addition to Downey's impressive arrival, Marvel's The Avengers stars Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) also arrived in a fleet of Acura vehicles.

"Acura is excited to continue our presence as the official vehicle of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Marvel films (Captain America: The First Avenger, THOR, and The Avengers)," said Mike Accavitti, Vice President of National Marketing Operations. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and Marvel's The Avengers' characters including Hawkeye and Black Widow can be seen driving militarized Acura vehicles throughout the highly anticipated film, including the MDX, ZDX and TL models, along with a cameo from the entirely new 2013 RDX.

Fans can further immerse themselves in the world of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel's The Avengers by visiting http://www.SHIELDops.com and testing Avengers-inspired technology mounted to S.H.I.E.L.D.-Edition Acura vehicles. Fans can earn the chance to win movie passes and S.H.I.E.L.D. gear. The grand prize is an all-expense-paid Tony Stark-inspired trip to New York City.

Marvel's The Avengers opens in theaters nationwide Friday, May 4, 2012.

About Marvel's The Avengers

Marvel Studios presents "Marvel's The Avengers"—the team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, directed by Joss Whedon, from a story by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon with screenplay by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012.

"Marvel's The Avengers" is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Louis D'Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film releases May 4, 2012, andis distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

About Acura

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX Sport Wagon and sedan, the RDX luxury crossover SUV, the MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

About rp&

rp& is a full-service marketing communications division of RPA, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif. Established in 2008, rp& has been responsible for the development of all Acura National, Regional, Online and Event Marketing communications. For more information, visit http://rp-and.com/.

Additional ways to connect with Acura:
Media Information: www.acuranews.com
Consumer Information: www.acura.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Acura
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Acura_Insider
YouTube: www.youtube.com/acura

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Corporate: Honda Power Equipment Adds New Designs to Official Generator Collegiate Skinit® Kit Program

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:00:00 -0700

Honda Power Equipment is launching six all-new designs as part of its official generator Collegiate Skinit® Kit program. The Skinit Kit is an innovative accessory available exclusively for the popular Honda EU2000i Super Quiet Series portable generator. Vibrant skins from the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Virginia, the University of South Carolina, Texas Christian University, Boise State University and the University of Wisconsin now are offered as part of the program, allowing for more college football supporters to customize their Honda generators when tailgating, camping or for any occasion calling for reliable, portable power.

The Collegiate Skinit Kit consists of a line of thin, flexible generator covers, each imprinted with official team logos and graphics from one of 29 different college football teams. The kits are produced by Skinit, a leader in on-demand personalization technology, utilizing its proprietary, high quality vinyl printed with state-of-the-art digital presses for vibrant photo quality graphics.

The Skinit Kits are designed to fit all EU2000i models, with the choke, check oil, and on/off label integrated into the design. The skins, which do not interfere with the safety warning or serial number label, are easy to apply and remove, leaving no residue. They are available at Honda Power Equipment dealers nationwide or by visiting www.honda.skinit.com.

"Having these new universities represented in our EU2000i generator Skinit Kit program is an innovative way for Honda Power Equipment to give more college football fans what they want," said Issaac Gooden, marketing manager, Honda Power Equipment. "Loyal college football enthusiasts love to show their team spirit whenever possible, even while using their Honda EU2000i generators."

The Honda EU2000i Super Quiet Series generator is an inverter-equipped, portable, lightweight model that features a totally enclosed body resulting in noticeably quieter performance. It provides up to 9.6 hours of running time on just 1.1 gallon of gasoline, and with a dry weight of just 46 pounds, it can be easily carried and conveniently stored in small compartments. What's more, it can simultaneously power a computer, TV, coffee pot, and refrigerator.

Honda Super Quiet EU models were the original generators to offer parallel capability: working in tandem, two lightweight Honda EU2000i models can deliver their full, combined power, easily able to start and run an RV air conditioner along with other appliances. In this scenario, each generator could be customized with a different Collegiate Skinit Kit.

The Honda Collegiate Skinit Kits for the EU2000i are available for the following 29 teams:

Current Teams:

University of Georgia
University of Texas
Florida State University
University of Alabama
University of Washington-Huskies
Louisiana State University
University of Oregon
Mississippi State University
North Carolina State University
University of Tennessee
Texas A&M University
University of Miami
University of Florida
Ohio State University
Michigan State University
Indiana University
Auburn University
University of Southern California
Washington State University
University of Notre Dame
University of Arkansas
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University
University of California at Los Angeles
University of Virginia
University of Wisconsin
University of South Carolina
Texas Christian University
Boise State University

For more than 35 years, Honda generators, powered by Honda four-stroke engines, have set the industry standard for portable generators with the most extensive model selection for a variety of applications. Designed for the ultimate in quality, convenience, portability, quiet operation and fuel efficiency, Honda's recreational generators cover the full range of needs for any trip to the great outdoors.

About Skinit®, Inc.

Skinit, Inc. is the industry leader in On-Demand Personalization Technology including the manufacture and distribution of customized products for electronic devices, vehicles, and walls. Skinit's website and customization tools allow consumers and businesses to create branded, designed, and personalized skins for thousands of unique electronic device brands, any vehicle, or walls and windows. Skinit also offers B2B On-Demand Personalization Platforms as complete turn-key or stand-alone hosted software and service solutions which drive manufacturing technologies such as paint on-demand, digital print, film conversion, and others. Located in San Diego, CA USA. More information can be found at www.skinit.com and promo.skinit.com

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Editor's Note:
Honda Power Equipment, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outdoor power equipment, including outboard marine engines, general purpose engines, generators, lawnmowers, pumps, snowblowers, tillers and trimmers for commercial, rental and residential applications. Its comprehensive product line is powered exclusively by four-stroke engines.

Information for media regarding Honda products is available atwww.hondanews.com.

Consumer information, including model overviews and updates, video clips, and complete specifications regarding Honda products, is available at www.honda.com and www.powerequipment.honda.com

Connect with Honda Generators on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/HondaGenerators

Corporate: IBM, Honda, and PG&E Enable Smarter Charging for Electric Vehicles

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it has teamed with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on a new pilot project that will allow communication between electric vehicles (EVs) and the power grid. This project will demonstrate and test an electric vehicle's ability to receive and respond to charge instructions based on the grid condition and the vehicle's battery state. With visibility into charging patterns, energy providers will have the ability to more effectively manage charging during peak hours and create consumer-friendly programs to encourage electric vehicle adoption.

The energy requirements for electric vehicles will challenge the current power grid as plug-in vehicle counts continue to grow to an expected 2.9 million worldwide by 2017. This project has the potential to ease the infrastructure and consumer concerns associated with the mass adoption of EVs, by adding another layer of agility to the EV charging process. This level of intelligence will help make charging seamless for consumers, while ensuring the electricity source is reliable and the infrastructure is stable.

This demonstration combines grid and vehicle data to create an individualized charging plan for Honda's Fit EV battery electric vehicles (BEV), using IBM's cloud-based software platform. By utilizing the existing in-vehicle communications system in the Honda Fit EV, the electric vehicle can interact with utilities and the grid, creating a direct channel for sending and receiving usage information that could improve local grid management.

"This pilot project with IBM and Honda will help us demonstrate that third-party providers have the systems and capabilities to help meet some of the challenges that electric vehicles could place on the power grid as their adoption increases in the coming years," said Saul Zambrano, senior director for consumer products for PG&E. "With updated charging patterns for EVs, we have the ability if needed, to shift demand to non-peak times to ensure the reliability of the grid so that we can continue to deliver safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers."

Once plugged into a charge post, the Honda Fit EV initiates a charge request via the vehicles telematics system, an integrated telecommunication application that is often used for navigation. This request is sent to IBM's Electric Vehicle Enablement Platform where vehicle data such as battery state and grid data received from PG&E, is combined to create an optimized charge schedule, which is then communicated back to the vehicle in seconds. Using this aggregated data, the vehicle has the intelligence to charge to the level that is needed while factoring any current grid constraints.

Using real time and simulated data, the system will test and demonstrate the ability to alter, as well as adapt charging patterns based on grid conditions. This smart charging capability will enable energy providers to manage the power used by EVs during peak times by instructing vehicles to delay or adjust charging if required.

"One of Honda's main objectives is to work to advance technologies that can address society's environmental and energy concerns through both alternative powertrain technologies, like our 2013 Honda Fit EV battery electric vehicle, and through groundbreaking research initiatives similar to the Smart Charge project that we are collaborating on with IBM and PG&E," said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. "It is our hope that these technologies and infrastructure will pave the way for EVs of the future to be synched to local electric grids to intuitively and seamlessly manage charging experiences."

Additionally, the IBM EV platform can collate historical EV charging data and create a profile that can be used to forecast the location and duration of EV charge loads. For example, the program can determine how many EVs are plugged in one neighborhood and the time it will take for each to reach a full charge. This level of insight will allow utilities to optimize grid operations and help reduce the chance of outages - a possible concern as the number of EVs increase.

"The growth and success of EV adoption is reliant upon many factors, ranging from vehicle price and performance, to infrastructure readiness, to the consumer experience - a scope that cannot be addressed by one sole industry," said Allan Schurr, Vice President, Strategy and Development of IBM's Global Energy and Utilities Industry. "This project with Honda and PG&E represents a significant step towards building an intelligent infrastructure that integrates capabilities and technologies across three major players. We are creating a system that allows electric vehicles to communicate with the power grid - this is groundbreaking."

Convenient Consumer Charging

By communicating information directly to the vehicle, this project has the potential to significantly improve driver services. For example, the IBM's cloud based platform could provide charge post location information and availability directly to the EV, using the telematics and Satellite-Linked Navigation to guide the driver to the most convenient place to charge.

This project along with the recently announced EKZ Smartphone Application (app) pilot will help engage consumers and encourage more drivers to "plug in." The smartphone app shows the vehicles battery level, range of travel distance, vehicle location, and current energy costs in real time. This technology coupled with the ability to communicate directly with charging stations via a GPS system, will offer consumers a uniquely "connected" driving experience.

In addition to the two pilot projects, IBM is currently a member of the EcoGrid EU consortium, a group focused on developing an energy grid that uses at least 50 percent of renewable energy sources, such as wind power, solar energy and biogas. Instead of just using car batteries to balance the load like EDISON, the EcoGrid consortium is using appliances, heat pumps and electric water heaters to also store excess energy.

IBM and Smart Grid
IBM is involved in more than 150 smart grid engagements around the world, in both mature and emerging markets. More about IBM's vision to bring a new level of intelligence to how the world works—how every person, business, organization, government, natural system, and man-made system interacts, can be found here: http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet. For more information about Smarter Energy at IBM, please visit: www.ibm.com/press/smarterenergy. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Honda
Honda offers a diverse lineup of 11 cars and trucks that include the mid-sized Accord, the compact Civic line-up of seven individual models, CR-V crossover SUV and Odyssey minivan. Honda also offers a wide range of fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles that include the Insight hybrid, Civic Natural Gas (compressed natural gas-powered vehicle), Civic Hybrid, CR-Z (sport hybrid coupe), FCX Clarity (fuel cell-electric vehicle) and the soon-to-be-released Fit EV (electric vehicle). Honda's 2013 Fit EV battery electric commuter car, based on its popular Fit hatchback, targets an estimated 123 mile per charge (city-driving scenarios) and can fully recharge its battery in as little as three hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit. For more information about the Honda Fit EV battery electric vehicle and to sign up to become a potential Honda lessee, please visit Honda's Fit EV Facebook page.

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda Fit EV (for consumers): http://automobiles.honda.com/fit-ev/
Honda Fit EV on Facebook
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Google+

Corporate: Honda Talking Points Long Beach

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:28:00 -0700

Grand Prix of Long Beach
April 15, 2012
3:30 p.m. EDT
NBC Sports Network

COMPETITION

The 2012 season marks the return of manufacturer competition to the IZOD IndyCar Series after six years of Honda serving as single engine supplier. Chevrolet and Lotus now join Honda in providing engines to the 26-car starting field.
After two races this year - the season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama - Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon leads the 10-driver Honda-powered contingent. Second-place finishes at both St. Petersburg and Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama have Dixon slotted second in the drivers' championship, just two points behind championship leader Helio Castroneves.
Dixon has led more laps this season, 75, than any other driver, including race-high totals of 37 laps at St. Petersburg and 38 at Barber. Castroneves is ranked second with 56 laps led, followed by Will Power, third with 33 laps led.
Five Honda-powered drivers currently rank among the Top 10 in the championship. In addition to Dixon, Simon Pagenaud is ranked 5th; Graham Rahal 7th; Mike Conway 9th and Dario Franchitti 10th.
Honda comes to this weekend's race second in the Manufacturers' Championship, with 12 points, to 18 for Chevrolet. Lotus is third, with eight points.
From 2006-2011, Honda supplied engines to every IndyCar Series competitor. A total of 98 drivers raced with the Honda Indy V-8 during that period, with 15 drivers recording race victories. Honda engines logged approximately 1.2 million miles of practice, qualifying and racing in the series; and nearly 500,000 actual race miles.
During the six years that Honda served as IndyCar engine supplier, the company also provided engines to the full 33-car Indianapolis 500 starting field - and for the only six times in Indy 500 history (2006-2011), there were no engine failures recorded in the Memorial Day weekend classic.

MARKETING

Honda's popular 'Fastest Seat in Sports' sweepstakes will make its third stop of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season prior to Sunday's Long Beach Grand Prix. Beverly Delp of Brownsburg, IN will be taken for the ride of a lifetime around the 1.97-mile Long Beach street circuit in a two-seater Indy car during the pace laps leading to Sunday's green flag. The 'Fastest Seat in Sports' sweepstakes continues through the season at selected IZOD IndyCar Series events. Interested fans can learn more about the promotion at shophonda.com.
On Monday, April 16, the day after the Grand Prix of Long Beach, all 10 Honda IZOD IndyCar Series drivers will visit Honda Performance Development in Santa Clarita, California, where the Honda Indy V-6 engines are designed, produced and maintained; followed by a visit to American Honda corporate headquarters in Torrance.

HONDA CIVIC Si PACE AND SAFETY CARS

A fleet of new 2012 Honda Civic Si coupes and sedans are being used as Safety Cars and Pace Cars in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series. The Civic Si Coupe made its debut as an IZOD IndyCar Series Safety Car at last year's Honda Indy Toronto. That first Civic has now been joined by additional coupes and sedans, replacing the Honda Accords formerly used by the series.
Cars start out as standard Civic Si models, and one coupe has been developed into an IndyCar Series Safety Car by Honda Performance Development in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Modifications installed at HPD include Sparco seats and four-point racing harnesses; an HPD high-performance brake system, with four-piston calipers, competition rotors, racing pads, and stainless brake lines; a Honda Genuine Accessory aerodynamic body kit, consisting of front, side and rear under spoilers; Firestone Firehawk 225/40 R18 tires mounted on Enkei alloy wheels, and an IZOD IndyCar Series graphics package.

Corporate: Zipcar to Feature Latest Advanced Technology Vehicles from Honda

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:00:00 -0700

Zipcar, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZIP), the world's leading car sharing network, and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that Honda has become a Zipcar preferred vehicle manufacturer with a focus on hybrid and electric vehicles. The agreement will give Zipcar members access to Honda's most technologically advanced, lowest emission vehicles, making an already transformational service even more sustainable.

The agreement will include the expansion of Honda's Insight hybrid, the all-new CR-V compact SUV, as well as the introduction of Fit EV battery electric vehicles (BEV) this fall and Accord Plug-In Sedans, a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) version of its popular Accord Sedan, to select Zipcar locations beginning in early 2013.

Zipcar's platform is ideal for the inclusion of these types of vehicles as it allows urban dwelling tech-savvy drivers to get first-hand experience with the new technology and to share those experiences with their networks. It also helps Zipcar respond to member preferences, which consistently rank Honda vehicles as among the most favored.

"The future of mobility is being shaped by economic forces, evolving technology and global trends, from increased urbanization to concerns about climate change to how the newest generation of drivers thinks about transportation," said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "This win-win partnership with Honda adds to Zipcar's array of smart and sustainable transportation options and by introducing Zipsters to Honda's newest hybrid and electric vehicles we can help increase overall awareness of these exciting new technologies."

The agreement with Zipcar builds upon Honda's long history of studying EVs and other alternative fuel vehicle usage in urban transportation settings.

"Honda provides the most comprehensive lineup of vehicles that offer improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced vehicle and pedestrian safety, while producing a consistently high level of product quality and value," said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. "As the car sharing market leader, Zipcar is the best choice for us to showcase our newest energy-efficient transportation technologies, given the strength of their brand, their tech-savvy, conscious and connected members and the geographic reach of their operations."

Honda's 2013 Fit EV, based on its popular Fit hatchback, targets an estimated 123 city-mile per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)¹ and can fully recharge its battery in as little as three hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit. The 2013 Honda Accord PHEV uses an all-new, two-motor hybrid system which continuously moves through three different modes - all-electric, with up to 15 mile per charge range; gasoline-electric; and direct-drive - to maximize driving and fuel efficiency, especially during city driving.

With this partnership, Zipcar will provide members even greater access to proven Honda models already in Zipcar's service including the Insight, Civic and CR-V. The all-new, five-passenger 2012 Honda CR-V is currently America's best-selling compact SUV providing a more fuel-efficient engine design with upscale exterior styling, and added standard technology features and functionality. Now in its ninth generation, the conventional gasoline-powered 2012 Civic Sedan achieves improved fuel economy. The five-passenger Honda Insight hybrid offers a sleek, aerodynamically styled look, more features and improved fuel economy.

Zipcar is a longstanding pioneer in using advanced vehicle technologies, having been the first car sharing company in the United States to introduce electric vehicles in Boston in 2002, and the first to offer hybrid vehicles through a partnership with Honda in Seattle in 2003. Member surveys show a strong interest in the use of advanced technology and alternate fuel vehicles in the program.

About Honda
Honda offers a diverse lineup of 11 cars and trucks that include the mid-sized Accord, the compact Civic line-up of seven individual models, CR-V crossover SUV and Odyssey minivan. Honda also offers a wide range of fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles that include the Insight hybrid, Civic Natural Gas (compressed natural gas-powered vehicle), Civic Hybrid, CR-Z (sport hybrid coupe), FCX Clarity (fuel cell-electric vehicle) and the soon-to-be-released Fit EV (electric vehicle). Honda began operations in the U.S. in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Honda has been manufacturing automobiles in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts, for nearly 30 years, beginning with production of the Honda Accord in Marysville, Ohio, in 1982.

About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing service with approximately 673,000 members and 8,900 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Spain. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

Zipcar and the Zipcar logo are trademarks of Zipcar, Inc.

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Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda (for consumers): http://automobiles.honda.com
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Google+

¹ 123 city/95 highway mile range (unadjusted); 76 combined mile range (adjusted). Preliminary estimates determined by Honda using EPA methods. Your range will vary. For additional information about EPA test methods, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-electric-label.shtml

Corporate: Acura Wins Best Luxury Campaign from Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:31:00 -0700

The 2012 Acura TL campaign was awarded Best Luxury Campaign earlier this week at the Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards event held at the 2012 New York International Auto Show.

Created by Acura's agency of record, rp&, a division of RPA, the campaign relied on visual metaphors to communicate the refined yet bold performance of the 2012 Acura TL sedan—"aggression in its most elegant form."

Two 30-second TV and in-theater spots ("Football Player," "Skier") featured two well known athletes: Detroit Lions football player Calvin Johnson and 2010 Olympic gold medal winning skier Ashleigh McIvor. Johnson and McIvor were made over into their most elegant selves to represent the aggression and elegance inherent in the luxury TL.

"2012 has been an exciting year for Acura with the launch of the all new Acura ILX and RDX, the long awaited NSX Concept and most recently, the RLX Concept, Acura's new flagship sedan," said Mike Accavitti, Vice President of National Marketing Operations. "We are honored to add Nielsen's award to that list as we continually strive to create campaigns that further Acura's brand philosophy of innovation and advancement."

Acura's first-ever national Super Bowl ad "Transactions" http://cot.ag/Hm45bu, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno in a battle against one another for the first NSX, also created significant buzz for the brand this year capturing more than eighteen million viewers on YouTube alone. The announcement to resurrect the NSX has generated a lot of attention to the Acura brand and our products," said Mike Accavitti. "The NSX is the ultimate expression of advanced performance through engineering efficiency which lies at the core of Acura's own unique DNA and further promotes our focus of human-centered synergy."

The only awards program measuring effectiveness of automobile TV ads, the Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards are based on response data from 2.5 million viewers of national television advertising collected by Nielsen. Nielsen measures the effectiveness of every ad and product placement on 24 measured networks. All national auto ads that began airing in 2011 were eligible for the award.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX Sport Wagon and sedan, the RDX luxury crossover SUV, the MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

About rp&
rp& is a full-service marketing communications division of RPA, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif. Established in 2008, rp& has been responsible for the development of all Acura National, Regional, Online and Event Marketing communications. For more information, visit http://rp-and.com/.

Corporate: New Video Available from the 2012 New York International Auto Show

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:58:00 -0700

Exclusive video from the 2012 New York Auto Show is now available on www.acuranews.com.

If you missed the press conference, an archive of the live event is now available. The video includes exclusive interview and live footage with Acura executives from the press conference. To view, please visit:

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/acura-automobiles-concepts/releases/new-video-available-from-the-2012-new-york-international-auto-show/videos/2012-nyias-acura-wrap-up