Honda UNI-CUB Personal Mobility Device Draws Internet Attention

Posted on May 17, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

Yesterday, engineering giant Honda released their latest gadget known as the UNI-CUB which looks something like a cross between a segway and a unicycle. Personal mobility devices, which have long been a topic of intense fascination, have not caught on a viable options in the area of transportation yet Honda’s UNI-CUB is particularly inspiring with its balanced and convenient-looking saddle.

As a direct descendant of the Honda U3-X motorized unicycle, the Uni-Cub has a sturdy base and a uni-directional drive wheel which provides the device’s velocity. The operator of the Uni-Cub simply shifts weight from side to side in order to maneuver this vehicle. This video below will show on-lookers how the UNI-CUB functions and what benefits it could provide to active travelers:

Since UNI-CUB users are relatively the same height as pedestrians, Honda proclaims that they are in “harmony with people” instead of being incredibly tall like Segway users. In conclusion, Honda-enthusiasts should continue to look into the future for more great innovation that may someday change our lives.

USAA Announces 2012 Honda CR-Z Added To Top 10 For Teens

Posted on May 9, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

Financial services provider USAA recently named the 2012 Honda CR-Z to their Best Value list as one of the best buys for the money and also to a list of “Top 10 for Teens”. Parents of teenage drivers should look for cars which focus on reliability, safety, and affordable insurance costs and according to USAA the 2012 Honda CR-Z fulfills all three criteria and more.

With best in-class EPA fuel economy ratings and a recent “Top Safety Pick” from the IIHS, the 2012 Honda CR-Z is made to order for drivers who demand a versatile, yet sporty hybrid. The 2012 Honda CR-Z is the only hybrid model available with a six-speed manual transmission.

2012 Honda CR-Z EX

“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 fiesty change of character with the push of the Sport button,” said Mike Accavitti, VP 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,” commented Steve Thompson, assistant VP of 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.”

China Suprised By Honda Concept C and Concept S

Posted on April 24, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

The 2012 Beijing Motor Show was taken by storm when Japanese car maker Honda offered up two of its most radical looking concept cars in years. These two concept cars, named the Concept C and Concept S, bring out an incredibly imaginative and playful side of Honda which has been somewhat hard to find in recent years.

Honda Concept C - front three-quarter view

Above is the Concept C which Honda claims stands for “Cool”, “Challenge”, and “China”. The exciting grille which seems to borrow some styling cues from Acura’s lineup clearly indicates that this car will be aimed at a young, booming Chinese market. Analysts expect some of this aggressive styling to be toned down for the actual production but no word has been said about how production ready the Concept C is.

As shocking as the Concept C was, the Concept S might be even more unorthodox. The “S”, which similarly stands for “stylish, smart, and surprise”, has a sleek, aerodynamic look that is said to house an unknown hybrid powertrain.

While China is clearly getting some of the most exciting Honda vehicles in a long time, American drivers are hoping some of this sharp styling may make the trip across the pacific to US shores. Troy Honda has been offering quality Honda vehicles in the Detroit area and now has the 2012 Honda Fit.

Honda, IBM, and PG&E Look To Create Better Charge For Electric Vehicles

Posted on April 18, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

As the Honda Fit Electric gains steam in the public, one large barrier to entry seems to be charging time and electric range. To combat some of these issues, Honda has teamed up with IBM and Pacific Gas and Electric Company for a project which will allow for easier communication between electric vehicles and the power grid.

With the rapid expansion of electric vehicles expected to reach 2.9 million worldwide by 2017, Honda’s project hopes to create synergy between vehicles that need charging and a power grid that will be in high demand. IBM’s cloud-based software will relay data from cars to grid and back.

2013 Fit EV

“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, who acts as senior director for consumer products at PG&E. “With updated charging patterns for EVs, we have the ability if needed, to shift demand from 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.

The system would work when an electric vehicle like the Fit Electric is plugged into a charging port. Once plugged in, the car would request a charge which is sent to IBM’s Electric Vehicle Enablement Platform where vital info such as the vehicle’s battery charge and grid data will be received by energy providers like PG&E.

Kelley Blue Book Names Honda 2012 Best Value/Most Trusted Brand

Posted on April 9, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

Kelley Blue Book has always recognized excellence in the automotive field so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that KBB.com has named Honda the Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand at the 2012 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards. These awards represent positive consumer imaging of the Japanese automobile manufacturer and show that Honda is connecting with drivers in a positive way.

“With standout vehicles, memorable marketing, and positive word of mouth, the winners of Kelley Blue Book’s 2012 Brand Image Awards have secured enviable positions in the minds of in-market shoppers,” said Jack R. Nerad, KBB.com’s executive market analyst.

As Kelly Blue Book announced the awards they noted “Without surprising anyone, our inagural Most Trusted Brand award goes to a name that’s practically synonymous with reliability and dependability. Honda’s vehicles enjoy a decades-deep reputation as the smart choice in so many of the categories in which it competes.”

Honda has a reputation of giving customers what they paid for and then some. “Many car buyers assume a vehicle’s sticker price is the most significant monetary factor when choosing a car. While it’s certainly an important consideration, Honda’s reputation for superb resale value, exceptional quality, and legendary dependability continues to raise the bar in respect to the automotive value.”

Honda Plays Hilarious April Fool’s Joke

Posted on April 3, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

The clever folks at Honda released this goofy prank ad for an Anti-Theft Negotiator named Terii. Terii can psycho-analyze would be thieves and set their lives back on the right track. Enjoy this great video and share it with friends courtesy of Troy Honda.

Kelly Blue Book Names Honda Civic, CR-V, & Odyssey Best Family Cars

Posted on March 28, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

Troy Honda cares about families. Families make up communities and communities make up our world. At Troy Honda, we are extremely proud to be able to sell families quality cars that we can stand behind. Kelly Blue Book, one of the most trusted names in the automotive industry, has recently named the 10 Best Family Cars and 3 of them are Honda branded.

KBB.com announced that the 2012 Honda CR-V, now available at Troy Honda, is one of the best crossovers for families who have to transport kids, pets, and other equipment wherever they are going. Available AWD makes the CR-V a great choice for locations where weather can become nasty at a moments notice.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD

In addition to the CR-V crossover, Honda also scored a 10 Best Family Car award with their 2012 Civic. Mid-size sedan comfort and outstanding fuel economy make the Civic a perennial choice of parents around the country. Families who opt for the Civic Hybrid will earn up to 44 miles per gallon on the highway.

For families that enjoy a more conventional route there is always the classic Odyssey minivan. The 2012 Honda Odyssey has even more comfort, efficiency, and class than ever before and can still seat even the biggest of families.

Consumers can find all three of these spectacular vehicles at Troy Honda’s convenient location serving the Detroit area.

2012 Honda Fit Victorious In Cars.com’s $16,000 Subcompact Shootout

Posted on March 19, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

Ever since the Honda Fit hits Troy Honda and other dealerships, it has been getting incredible reviews from automotive experts and daily drivers alike. That being said, it isn’t exactly a surprise that Cars.com has recently announced the 2012 Honda Fit as the winner of the $16,000 Subcompact Shootout which pitted the Fit up against some stiff competition. Cars that went up against the Honda included subcompacts from Chevy, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Toyota with all indications showing that the 2012 Fit outclasses them all.

Vehicles were tested on styling, performance, safety, gas mileage, storage space, and virtually every other possible way to compare these models while not exceeding the 16K price limit.

“We are thrilled to have the exceptional package that is the Honda Fit recognized by such a well-respected group of automotive media,” said Michael Accavitti, VP of marketing operations for American Honda. “To have topped such a wide group of competition in such a thorough, real-world, evaluation demonstrates that Honda versatility, value and fun are standard even in our most affordable model.”

The rise of gas prices in America has inspired numerous manufacturers to start going small and efficient which has given rise to drivers sudden interest in subcompact cars like the 2012 Honda Fit which can be purchased at Troy Honda.

Kelley Blue Book Shows How Honda’s Insight Will Save You Money

Posted on March 16, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

Vehicles these days can be expensive to own. When the cost of fuel, insurance, repair, and the initial sales price are added together today’s car buyer can spend a virtual fortune on a new set of wheels. Recently, Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) has released list of the most fuel efficient cars with a five year ownership cost of less than $30,000.

Making this elite list is the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid which was the only alternative fuel sourced vehicle to be listed. It is especially important to think about long term costs when buying a new vehicle instead of just looking at the sticker price. According to Kelley Blue Books research, the Insight currently has a low purchase price for a hybrid at $19,120 as well a total cost of ownership (over 5 years) of just $30,647.

NHL-Star Drives Honda Civic Natural Gas

Posted on March 8, 2012 by HondaOfTroy

The United States only has one OEM built CNG (compressed natural gas) powered passenger car. This unique and unbelievably efficient is the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas which has been awarded the 2012 Green Car of the Year and other accolades. Now being sold by a 197 select dealerships across 36 states, the Civic Natural Gas achieves the highest EPA rating (Tier-II, Bin-2 and ILEV certification) for it’s outstandingly clean burning combustion engine.

Parros

Honda has recently given Anaheim Ducks winger George Parros the keys to his very own 2012 Civic Natural Gas in order to create awareness for how efficient and inexpensive to fuel CNG-powered vehicles can be.

“George is an ideal representative for the Honda Civic Natural Gas vehicle and embodies many of Honda’s core attributes; he has a strong sense for environmental issues, is value driven, and is active in his community,” said Steve Center, American Honda’s Environmental Business Development Office vice president. “To help George with his daily commute to the Honda Center, he will be replacing his previous generation natural gas powered Honda Civic with the all new 2012 model, featuring enhanced exterior and interior styling, improved fuel economy and a refueling price typically 30% less than gasoline.”