CR-V IN THE COMMUNITY – IT’S SNOW PROBLEM
Over the snowy period, dealers around the country have been helping their local communities – like knights in shining CR-Vs:
Guildford dealer supports local hospital during snowy weather conditions
Yeomans Honda Guildford went the extra mile for its local hospital during the recent heavy snow, using the reliable and practical CR-V to safely transport medical staff and patients.
When the snow began, Yeomans Honda Guildford contacted the local Royal Surrey Hospital offering its fleet of four-wheel drive CR-Vs to bring staff to work, and help patients reach the hospital.
Throughout the treacherous conditions the team from the dealership covered over 4,000 miles assisting many people including pregnant women, new born babies and the elderly get to and from the hospital.
Simon Cameron-Webb, Dealer Principal said: “We did this because we believe as a local business we must play an important part in the local community. With a fleet of safe and practical 4×4s available, we were pleased to be able to help the Royal Surrey Hospital carry on despite the tough weather conditions.”
Honda CR-V helps deliver the white stuff in the white fluff
Francis Honda also helped the community in Leicestershire during the recent snow. Dealer Principal Tim Haycock towed the local milk float in his CR-V. Image attached.
HONDA’S “BACK TO WORK” AD CAMPAIGN WINS MAJOR AWARD
Honda and its agency, Wieden + Kennedy, London have scooped the award for Best National Press Advert of 2009 for the ‘Back to Work’ press campaign that celebrated the re-opening of Honda’s factory in Swindon and return to work of associates.
The advert, called "Bacon", features a rasher of bacon and a poem in praise of factory associates and work life continuing at the plant.
The ‘Bacon’ advert is one in a series of adverts that use images to capture everyday life at the factory – such as an iron and a cup of tea. The campaign won the prestigious Winner of Winners Grand Prix at the Awards for National Newspaper Advertising.
INSIGHT HYBRID EVEN MORE AFFORDABLE AS SCRAPPAGE DRAWS TO CLOSE
New finance packages starting from £199 per month
Insight on-the-road price undercuts nearest hybrid competitor by £3,165
Honda’s Insight has reaffirmed its status as the most affordable hybrid car on the market with a brand new PCP offer. Customers can now get behind the wheel of the Insight SE for just £199 per month.
The Insight’s value-for-money PCP package is available with an equally competitive APR of 5.9% and low initial deposit.
PCP competitor comparison*
Honda Insight – £199 per month
Focus ECOnetic – £349.98 per month
Toyota Prius – £265.38 per month
Ford Fiesta (diesel) – £240.58 per month
VW Golf BlueMotion – £319.00 per month
Vauxhall Astra – £453.71 per month
The Insight SE comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, CD audio system, climate control air conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, electric windows, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and 408-litres of boot space (seats up).
At £16,338, the Insight’s on-the-road price stacks up favourably too – undercutting the Toyota Prius by at least £3,165.
*All PCP prices are based on 36 monthly payments, except Toyota and Volkswagen which are based on 35 monthly payments. Each has varying deposit and final payment amounts.
PCP information for other manufacturers has been taken directly from the manufacturer’s website.
JAZZ RECALL ANNOUNCED
Honda (UK) has started the process of informing its 171,372 Jazz (2002-2008 year model) owners across the UK, to provide information and outline the next steps for assessment and rectification work to be carried out on the master power window switch, as part of a safety recall.
The master window switch in the driver’s door can malfunction when exposed to large amounts of liquid ingress, for example if the window is left open frequently or for long periods during heavy rain. Water and other fluids can cause the circuit board of the window switch to malfunction and prevent opening or closing of the window. In rare cases, the circuit board can overheat causing melting or smoke or, potentially, fire.
There have been no reported cases of a switch malfunction causing fire to a Jazz in the UK.
Not all of the cars recalled will need a replacement switch. However, all recalled cars will be fitted with a waterproof skirt to prevent further water entry. In all cases the work will be carried out at no cost to the customer.
While this condition is rare Honda advises customers who have concerns to contact Honda (UK) Customer Relations on 0845 200 8002 for assistance.
HONDA ANNOUNCES QUARTER 3 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2009.
Consolidated Financial Summary
Consolidated net sales and other operating revenue for the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2009 amounted to JPY 2,240.7 billion, a decrease of 11.5% compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the unfavourable impact of currency translation and decreased sales in automobile business.
Consolidated operating income amounted to JPY 176.9 billion, an increase of 72.7% from the same period last year, due to decreased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and R&D expenses and continuing cost reduction efforts, which more than offset decreased profit from lower revenue and the unfavourable currency effects by the appreciation of the Japanese yen.
Consolidated income before income taxes amounted to JPY 171.0 billion, an increase of 97.1% from the same period last year, and net income attributable to Honda Motor Co., Ltd. amounted to JPY 134.6 billion, an increase of 565.1% compared to the same period last year.
To view the whole financial announcement, visit: http://www.hondauk-media.co.uk/release/?release=1276
ULTIMATE CIVIC TYPE R MUGEN ORDER BOOK FILLING UP
Around half of the 20 exclusive Civic Type R MUGEN cars have already been snapped up by keen fans of the ‘Red H’ and MUGEN’s engineering expertise.
Each of the road-legal super hatches will be hand-built by MUGEN Euro, based in Northampton – with customers receiving a unique, involved experience during the build process of each car.
The cars are priced at £38,599 each and will start being built from March. Any further prospective customers should contact the MUGEN hotline on 0845 200 8007.
HONDA BEGINS OPERATION OF NEW SOLAR HYDROGEN STATION
Honda today began operation of a next-generation solar hydrogen station prototype that is intended for use in the home as a refueling appliance for fuel cell vehicles, like Honda’sFCX Clarity. The prototype is installed at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Designed as a single, integrated unit to fit in a home garage, the Solar Hydrogen Station is smaller in size than previous prototypes, yet engineered to produce enough hydrogen (0.5kg) for an eight hour ‘slow’ fill. This slow, overnight fill achieves lower CO2 emissions by using the less expensive electrical power at off-peak times but still provides the FCX Clarity with enough fuel for the average daily commute.
Compatible with a “Smart Grid” energy system, the Honda Solar Hydrogen Station could enable users to refill their car overnight without the requirement of hydrogen storage but also export renewable electricity to the grid during peak power times in the day, thus providing a cost benefit to the customer, while remaining energy neutral.
To view the whole release, visit: http://www.hondauk-media.co.uk/release/?release=1275
DREAM MAGAZINE
Please let us know if you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive Honda’s popular customer magazine – Dream. Contact the press office or email huk.pressoffice@honda-eu.com
MOTORCYCLES
Honda motorcycles old and new filled a staggering one quarter of places in the recent Motor Cycle News (MCN) reader survey of UK riders’ top 100 ‘best bikes’.
12,000 readers participated in the poll which forms part of MCN’s ‘Biking Britain Survey’. An impressive 1.5 million questions were answered in total, with each reader answering
100 questions about their motorcycle covering such diverse characteristics as comfort, build quality and reliability, engine and braking performance.
As well as having by far the largest number of machines in the top 100 with a total count of 25, Honda was also joint top for the number of machines in the final top 20, with the VFR400, CB900F Hornet, CBR600RR and CBR1000RR Fireblade machines featuring strongly. Many older Honda motorcycles were also included in the final 100, including the CBR1000F, CBR600F, ST1100 Pan European and CBR900RR Fireblade, highlighting the reliability, popularity and build-quality of used Hondas.
POWER EQUIPMENT
The recent bad weather has seen Honda’s range of portable generators and water pumps come into their own. Sales of the ‘Handy’ EU range in particular have seen a steady increase, giving the emergency services, breakdown patrols and those unfortunate enough to suffer a black-out a much needed back-up electricity supply.
In readiness for the Spring and the ‘First Cut’, Honda has enhanced its Lawn & Garden range with the addition of the HRS536 SDE. The new model is ideal for dealing with rough patches of grass – around trees, driveways and verges for example – with a side chute to keep cuttings away from the user, and a mulching capability to put much needed nutrients back into the lawn. The HRS536 SDE is available in selected Lawn & Garden dealers from March. To find you nearest Power Equipment dealer, visit: www.honda.co.uk