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Honda Cars : Is this what the Next Gen Acura CL could look like if they ever went back to it? | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

For those of you who don't know, Acura awhile ago had a 2door Acura TL called the CL (C standing for coupe?).  To my knowledge it didn't light it up the sales numbers and was silently retired in 2003 (running from 1997).  It was a nice car, but pretty bland for my tastes, the 1998-2002 Honda Accord Coupe had much more style in my opinion.  Anyway, I stumbled across this with no source as to where it came from (I'd love to give credit if possible though).  Looks nice.

Honda Cars : Carfax hit with $50 million antitrust lawsuit by 120 dealerships | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Arlena Sawyers of www.autonews.com

The owners of 120 auto dealerships have filed a federal lawsuit against Carfax Inc., alleging that the vehicle history reporting company engages in anti-competitive practices and violates antitrust laws.


The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks damages of more than $50 million. It also alleges that Carfax, through exclusive agreements with auto companies and popular classified auto Web sites, is "monopolist in the sale of vehicle history reports."

Larry Gamache, a Carfax spokesman, said the company is "not able to comment" on the suit. Carfax is a unit of R. L. Polk & Co.

In a December Automotive News article, Gamache said Carfax draws customers because it works hard to build its brand and deliver a quality product.

"We have to prove over and over again that the Carfax vehicle history report is the vehicle history report of excellence," he said. "And if we don't do that, our partners are free to choose alternatives."

The article was about how some dealers were angered by Carfax's success as the dominant used-vehicle history reports provider.

More plaintiffs expected

The lawsuit's plaintiffs include dealership owners from California to Vermont. Their attorney, Leonard Bellavia, a partner at Bellavia Blatt Andron & Crossett in Mineola, N.Y., says more plaintiffs are expected.

"I have about 25 or 50 more dealers that have sent paperwork expressing a desire to join the suit," Bellavia says.

The lawsuit alleges that Carfax provides "cash or noncash marketing support" to auto manufacturers and to classified sites Autotrader.com and Cars.com as part of exclusive agreements that shut out its competitors.

The suit also alleges that Carfax charges dealers "a significantly higher price" for its vehicle history reports than other providers charge.

Dealers typically pay $16.95 per report or a flat monthly fee for an unlimited number of reports per dealership location, the suit alleges. "The monthly fee ranges from $899 per dealership location for some dealers to $1,549 per dealership location for other dealers," depending in the number of vehicles in the dealership's inventory, according to the suit.

Exclusive agreements

It alleges that Carfax forces dealers to buy its vehicle history reports as a result of its exclusive agreements with 37 of 40 manufacturer certified pre-owned programs. Virtually all of the agreements require dealers to provide Carfax reports as a condition of participating in the programs, the suit alleges.

Also at issue is that Carfax has exclusive agreements with Cars.com and AutoTrader.com. Those agreements stipulate that dealers who list used vehicles for sale on those sites can only post vehicle history reports from Carfax, according to the suit.

Many companies sell vehicle history reports.

Ten firms are approved on the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, a national data base of vehicle title information to which 41 states contribute, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Web site.

Carfax's main competitor is AutoCheck, owned by Experian Automotive Inc. Carfax and Experian are among the approved vehicle history providers.

Mentioned, but not a focal point of the suit, is the alleged inaccuracy found in some Carfax reports. Bellavia says that is a concern of dealers and can be cured as a byproduct of a "free marketplace."

The lead plaintiff in the suit is Maxon Hyundai-Mazda in Union, N.J. Its dealer principal, Mike Ciasulli, is furious with Carfax but subscribes to the reports as a condition of the Hyundai certified used-vehicle program in which he participates.

ABC News report

His dealership inadvertently took center stage last month in an ABC News "20/20" segment. His salesman, identified as "Rico," was seen on camera providing a clean Carfax report to the TV show's producers posing as potential buyers.

It turned out that one of the vehicles in the "20/20" segment with a clean Carfax report had been in a multicar collision. Ciasulli says that was not reported by Carfax.

Carfax's Gamache, in an on-camera interview, explained that Carfax's Web site and vehicle history reports state that vehicle buyers should also test drive the vehicle they want to buy and have it inspected by a mechanic.

Source; http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130424/RETAIL07/130429941/carfax-hit-with-50-million-antitrust-lawsuit-by-120-dealerships#axzz2RZogaKZQ

Honda Cars : AUTOGUIDE: 2013 Toyota Camry vs 2013 Honda Accord | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Mike Schlee, April 23 2013. Photos and Video by Stephen Elmer.

If the thought of a Camry versus Accord comparison test doesn’t get your heart racing, we understand. This is not exactly a battle of thoroughbred horses. Want speed, flair and style? Look elsewhere. What we have here, are two vehicles designed for the masses.

Both the Toyota and Honda mid-size sedans are built for people who aren't particularly interested in driving, but who need an easy to drive car, that is spacious, predictable, efficient and reliable. Built more for peoples’ needs than their wants, think of them as the sensible shoes of the automotive world.

Last year three of the top selling six vehicles in America were mid-size sedans with the Camry third overall and the Accord fourth (The only models above them were trucks). The mid-size sedan segment is huge and these two vehicles represented nearly three-quarters of a million vehicle sales last year in America alone. It goes without saying then that the stakes are high. So which is our pick between these two segment leaders?

NEW, BUT NOT DIFFERENT

All new for 2013, at first glance it may not appear that the Honda Accord has changed much since last year. With evolutionary styling not straying far from the 2012, a closer look is need to reveal subtle changes here and there. The LED daytime running lights, dual LED headlights (standard on our EX-L trimmed Accord) and LED taillights all give the Accord a little exterior flash. The rest of the vehicle lines have been sharpened up to give the Accord a fresh, modern look.

Compare Specs

		vs
Vehicle	2013 Honda Accord	Advantage	2013 Toyota Camry
Engine	2.4 L Inline-4	-	2.5 L Inline-4
Transmission	CVT	-	6-Speed Auto
Horsepower	185 hp	Accord	178 hp
Max. Torque	181 lb-ft	Accord	170 lb-ft
Fuel Economy	27 MPG city / 36 MPG hwy	Accord	25 MPG city / 35 MPG hwy
Observed Fuel Economy	25.3 MPG	Accord	23.5 MPG
Weight	3,365 lbs	Camry	3,245 lbs
Front Legroom	42.5 in.	Accord	41.6 in.
Rear Legroom	38.5 in.	Camry	38.9 in.
Cargo Capacity	15.8 cu-ft	Accord	15.4 cu-ft
Front Headroom	37.6 in.	Camry	37.9 in.
Rear Headroom	37.0 in.	Camry	38.0 in.
Starting Price	$22,470	Accord	$23,030
As Tested Price	$30,785	Camry	$28,520

The Camry received its last significant overhaul just last year. Again, it was a case of evolving the styling cues opposed to reinventing the Camry. This is definitely the most dramatic looking Camry to date, but that is not saying much since the Camry has always been more conservative than a one piece bathing suit. The new Camry does feature some nice design cues like the sideways ‘L’ shaped taillights, chrome fog light bezels and sloping front grill. That said, the Accord looks more upscale on the outside and was voted the more stylish vehicle according to our staff.

Both of our test vehicles came equipped as fully loaded four cylinder models. The 2013 Toyota Camry XLE features a 2.5-liter engine producing 178 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission and is officially rated by the EPA at 25 MPG city and 35 MPG highway. The Accord features a similar setup by utilizing a slightly smaller 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that develops a peppier 184 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via continuously variable transmission (CVT) and it also offers an edge in the fuel economy department at 27 MPG city and 36 MPG highway.

ENGAGING vs PREDICTABLE

Much has been made about the Accord switching to a CVT from a conventional automatic. The good news is, this is one of the better gear-less units on the market. It is quiet and constantly changing rpm speeds to avoid any of that dreaded CVT drone. Under hard acceleration it will simulate gear changes as well which helps break up the monotonous groaning associated with many CVTs.

Both vehicles offer a sport mode, but only the Toyota features a ‘manual’ mode that allows for driver selectable gearing. Despite a 105 lb. weight advantage, the Camry is not as fast as the Accord in a straight line; a result from slightly more power and the CVT. As well, the Accord achieved better fuel economy during our test period (during the cold winter months) by averaging 25.3 MPG compared to the Camry’s 23.5 MPG average.

Overall, the Accord is the more engaging car to drive of the two. It does excel at throttle response, steering feel and chassis dynamics, but is missing that magical something that makes the Camry feel incredibly easy to drive. The Camry’s ride felt rougher on imperfect pavement and more noise protrudes into the cabin; but that could be due to winter tire choice more than anything else. Overall, the Accord ends up feeling more refined when plodding down the road.

COMFORTABLE vs LUXURIOUS

Inside, the Camry has the upper hand. Although the Accord features a well laid out dashboard design, it cannot match the Camry’s more premium feel. The cross-stitched multi-angled dashboard of the Camry and all the switch gear are crafted out of quality materials.

Both cars feature well thought-out center cluster designs that place all the controls where you would expect them to be. The Camry’s user interface is easier to use, but the Accord’s second infotainment screen, which is dedicated for audio use only, is a nice touch. It is refreshing not having to exit out of various menus just to change the radio station. Speaking of which, the Camry wins the audiophile competition with a nice, bassy sound system.

The Accord was rated as having the better front seats which are wide, squishy and comfortable. Both cars have nearly identical rear seat legroom, but the Accord trumps the Camry’s front seat legroom by roughly an inch with 42.5-inches total. In the trunk it is a similar story with the Accord’s 15.8 cu-ft of cargo space edging out the Camry’s 15.4 cu-ft space.

See Also: 2012 Toyota Camry SE Review

There is a major, albeit curable, downfall in the Accord; the Interface Dial Feedback. If you own a 2013 Accord, best to turn it off. Using a text to speech function it will read out every menu choice and/or radio station selection. If you’re at all quick through the controls it gets so far behind it will freeze the system for 10-15 seconds and lock out any inputs during that time. It is beyond infuriating; how could Honda design such a beautiful gauge cluster, but screw up the text to speech so much?

The base 2013 Honda Accord LX starts at a lower price of $22,470 post-delivery charges thanks to the availability of a 6-speed manual transmission. That under cuts the automatic-only base Toyota Camry L’s post-delivery charge price of $23,030. However, as tested, the Camry becomes the pricing champion with a favourable $28,520 for our loaded up XLE Camry compared to our Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation equipped Accord EX-L which topped out at $30,785.

THE VERDICT

 

Either of these vehicles are a great choice. If refinement, curb appeal and efficiency are important to you, pick the Accord. If a luxurious interior, ease of use and lower MSRP are your top priorities, take the Camry.

However, like with any comparison test, there can only be one winner. Just like the epic sales battle these two vanilla gladiators partake in year after year, it was a very close finish with the edge going to the Accord thanks to better exterior styling, a more comfortable interior and some trick features like the lane watch camera. The fact it's better to drive and more efficient in the real world are just an added bonus.

2013 Honda Accord

LOVE IT Solid driving dynamics Attractive exterior Comfortable interior Fuel efficient

LEAVE IT Interface dial feedback Less premium interior than Camry

2013 Toyota Camry

LOVE IT Easy to operate Luxurious interior Attractive price Well laid out controls

LEAVE IT Bland styling Somewhat rough suspension Not as efficient as Accord Dull to drive

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/gallery.php/v/main/comparison/2013ToyotaCamryVS2013HondaAccord/2013-Honda-Accord+_2_.JPG.html

Honda Cars : Honda launches Honda Assistance App | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda has launched its new Honda Assistance App for smartphone users making it easier to contact roadside assistance. 
 
No-one likes getting stuck at the side of the road but this new Honda Assistance App should help Honda owners get assistance quicker.

Whether your car has been involved in a road traffic accident or your car has broken down this app will remove some of the stress with its ease of use. There is no need to search for the right phone number or try to pinpoint an exact location - the Honda Assistance App does all this for you.

The free App is suitable for iPhone, Blackberry and Android operating systems and is available through online app stores now.

Developed in conjunction with the AA motoring organisation, several other features have been incorporated into the App. All are designed to be of benefit to the customer and includes five higlights.

Breakdown and Accident Assistance routes the caller through to Hondacare Assistance.

Honda Happiness Insurance is where customers can request a quote for cover, or retrieve an existing one.
AA Roadwatch keeps you updated with the latest traffic updates and news of delays to their journey.

My Details: where personal information is stored, making it easy for the call handler to contact them.
My Reminders: to alert the customer when their MoT, service, insurance or extended warranty is due.

The new Honda App can be downloaded free of charge from Blackberry 'App World', Apple 'App Store' and Android 'Google Play Store'.

Source;
http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/honda-launches-honda-assistance-app-22073.aspx

Honda Cars : Honda Civic SUV Renderings | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

These renderings are not to be confused with the FIT/Jazz based Urban SUV Concept, this would apparently be based on a Civic, my best guess would be the Euro Civic, but at the end of the day I don't know much more than that.  I don't think that this is related to the Honda Civic Tourer Wagon that is on it's way either.  Only time will tell....

Here is what www.autoexpress.co.uk reported on the subject in January 2013;

Honda has set its sights on emulating the runaway success of the Nissan Qashqai – and our exclusive images reveal the car it will pin its hopes on. The company is keen to boost its profitability in Europe, particularly in the UK, where sales have halved over the last three years. And a new crossover to sit between the Civic and CR-V is seen as key to its chances of doing so.

The as-yet-unnamed car will be based on a tweaked version of the new Civic’s platform, and go on sale next year. Our illustrations show how it’s likely to look. It blends Civic styling cues, such as the flowing wheelarches and narrow headlights, with a front end from the company’s Skydeck MPV concept car, plus additional chunky details like the underbody guard. Inside, it will make use of the Civic’s flip-up rear seats.

Despite the high-riding stance, the crossover will have to be good to drive, and that’s where the Civic underpinnings will help. Fluid-filled bushes and a stiff rear subframe will keep the ride supple and the handling sharp.

As with the Qashqai, the big-selling engines would all be diesels, and Honda’s new 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine will be the main attraction. It produces 118bhp and 300Nm of torque, and should emit around 110g/km of CO2, with economy of 70mpg, thanks to stop-start and an efficient electric power-steering set-up. The more powerful 147bhp 2.2-litre i-DTEC engine will also be offered, alongside a 1.8-litre petrol engine with 138bhp.

A key Honda selling point is hybrid technology and the firm will be looking to introduce next-generation hybrid systems on the newcomer. That could mean an electric motor at the rear, giving the company a four-wheel-drive version. Plus, a plug-in hybrid system is being developed for some of Honda’s larger vehicles, and the Qashqai rival could be one of the first models to get it. A price tag of around £17,000 is likely when the newcomer arrives in showrooms in 2013.

Thanks for the pictures Fredrique!

Honda Cars : Honda to stop making Civic in India due to poor sales | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Wow, don't get me wrong, I am no expert on the Auto market in India, however from what I can see, the Civic is too big, they appear to prefer smaller cars there, FIT/Jazz, Brio,City....

by Dany Tan of www.paultan.org

Honda will no longer produce Civics in India due to falling sales. The decision to pull the plug on the sedan is backed by dismal sales of just over 50,000 units since its launch in 2006.

Honda India’s marketing and sales boss Jnaneswar Sen told The Hindu’s Business Line that sales of the Civic have been falling steadily over the years with smaller models such as the City eating into figures. The last Civic was sold in March. “We felt there was no point in investing in a segment that was declining over the last three years,” he added.

Honda, which is the fifth largest brand in India, isn’t the only company facing this situation. In the subcontinent, the Civic fights Toyota’s Corolla and Hyundai’s Elantra in what they call the lower D-segment. Sales in this class have dropped 29% to 19,239 units in 2012-13 over the previous year. It’s clear that India prefers smaller cars like the 25.8 km/l Honda Brio Amaze Diesel.

On another note, it has been reported that Honda will launch a new Jazz next year, before a fresh City sedan, SUV, and an MPV from the same platform roll out. The latter should not be confused with a new “Brio MPV” that we expect to see at this year’s Indonesia International Motor Show.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2013/04/23/honda-to-stop-making-civic-in-india-due-to-poor-sales/