Honda to Donate to Nepal Earthquake Relief Efforts

On April 25, 2015 a magnitude 7.8 earthquake devastated the small country of Nepal. Honda corporation has operations in Nepal consisting of motorcycle, automobile and power equipment distributors and dealers. Because of the connection and in response to this tragedy, Honda will donate approximately $168,000 as well as equipment to support the relief and recovery effort.

Whenever disasters occur, the Honda company closest to the spot assesses the situation and determines how best to respond. In this case, Honda Asia has taken the lead on these efforts.

Honda hopes this contribution will help support the restoration of the devastated infrastructure and assist with recovery for those affected.

While Honda also has operations in India and Bangladesh, no victims or property damage has been reported for Honda operations in the areas of these countries affected by this disaster. 

If you would like to join Honda in donating to relief efforts in Nepal, please donate to the American Red Cross here. 

Beauty, Brawn and Brains | 2016 Honda Pilot

Sometimes you need to haul a bunch of people around.  And sometimes you'd rather not do it in a minivan.

Whether you need more room or just prefer the less mom-ish look of an SUV, the 2016 Pilot, due out this summer, fits the bill.

Photo credit: Motor Trend.com

The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot will go on sale this summer ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm, with more of what active families seek in a three-row SUV – sleek and athletic styling, outstanding power, sophisticated technology and, new for 2016, an all-new Elite model with a panoramic roof.  Not kidding.  Panoramic roof. 

Building on the solid reputation established from the June 2002 introduction of the first generation 2003 model, the 2016 Pilot brings a whole new level of refinement and available content to the segment.

This includes:

• a more powerful engine (direct inject 3.5 SOHC i-VTEC EarthDreams Technology) 
• outstanding dynamic handling 
• upgraded display audio and navigation systems
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control

Pretty much, it's going to rock.  So who wants to test drive one of the new 2016 Honda Pilots? 

Spring Into Car Care

April is National Car Care Month and who doesn't love the purr of well-maintained vehicle? 

Let's take a look the top 10 spring cleaning musts for your Honda! 

1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

2. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

3. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

4. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

6. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

7. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.

8. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

9. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

10. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

While some of these you can easily do yourself, the technicians in Orem's Ken Garff Honda Service Department can help you spruce up your car just in time for your first Spring road trip! 

2016 Honda Civic is Epic

"The new Civic will be, flat out, the most dynamic, the most technologically advanced and the most refined and stylish Civic we've ever made," said John Mendel, executive vice president, American Honda Motor Co. "In every way, this will be an epic Civic."

Photo credit: USA Today

Honda stole the show at the 2015 New York International Auto Show.  This concept car for the 2016 Honda Coupe was not what the reporters were expecting at all.  

Green Car Reports explained, "Major auto shows are where carmakers traditionally unveil new models, but these days, they're rarely a surprise. Thanks to the Internet, both leaks and car companies' desire for extra publicity from early teaser photos tend to spoil the surprise.

Then there is advance information sent under embargo to selected media sites, so they can prepare their stories ahead of time and launch them at the designated minute.

"None of that applied at the 2015 New York Auto Show yesterday, when a Honda Civic concept that previews the 10th generation of the compact car was a total surprise to assembled reporters."

Remembering how hard Honda works at keeping its design a secret, maybe we shouldn't be so surprised.  

USA Today loved the new design. They wrote, "The 10th-generation appearance abandons the cab-forward design that the Civic has had for years to give it a long hood and sense of more power. The new one is a little longer and wider. In front there are new LED running lights and in back, a new wrap-around taillight design. Yet even with the changes, the car still has the unmistakable look of a Civic."

Photo Credit: Green Car Reports

USA today went on, "The goal was to create 'the most charismatic, most ambitious and most fun-to-drive and sportiest Civic we've ever made,' says Guy Melville-Brown, who led the U.S. design team in the creation of the car expected to sell around the world."

So what do you think? They're expected to be in dealerships this fall. We will absolutely let you know when we have them in at Ken Garff Honda of Orem!