2019 Honda Passport Makes World Debut: Adventure-Ready All-New 5-passenger SUV on Display at 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show

• Passport provides a unique blend of on- and off-road prowess with exceptional occupant and cargo hauling capability

• 280-horsepower V6 and available sophisticated all-wheel drive system give Passport robust towing and off-road capabilities

• Standard Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive tech on all trims

• Multiple accessory options to personalize Passport ownership

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27, 2018 – The all-new 2019 Honda Passport 5-passenger V6-powered SUV made its world debut today. Going on sale early next year, Passport provides a unique combination of on-road driving refinement and off-road adventure capability along with best-in-class interior space.

The all-new Honda Passport will slot between the compact CR-V and three-row Pilot in Honda’s award-winning SUV lineup. The model’s reinforced unibody frame, powerful direct-injected i-VTEC® V6 engine, fully independent suspension and nimble steering make it an ideal choice for driving long distances or around town. In addition, the robust off-road capability offered by the available Honda i-VTM4™ torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and its four-mode Intelligent Traction Management system means Passport can tackle the kind of tough terrain normally reserved for less refined body-on-frame or off-road focused SUVs.

“The all-new 2019 Honda Passport provides the on-road comfort and nimble handling buyers will appreciate on their daily commute with the robust off-road and all-weather capability that make for a great weekend adventure vehicle,” said Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and general manager, Honda Division. “We saw an opportunity to deliver something that Honda is uniquely capable of making and the new Passport is in a great position to capture buyers looking for a more personal, powerful and capable Honda SUV.”

Designed and developed exclusively by Honda’s North America R&D teams in Torrance, California, and Raymond, Ohio, the Passport and its V6 engine will be manufactured at the company’s Lincoln, Alabama plant.

Additional key product highlights include:
• Standard 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6 engine with i-VTEC® valvetrain mated to latest-generation 9-speed automatic transmission
• Available Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4™) torque-vectoring all-wheel drive enhances on- and off-road performance
• Intelligent Traction Management system with available Snow, Sand and Mud modes help optimize performance for varying surface conditions
• Standard Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technology
• Standard 20-inch alloy wheels and tires on all trims
• Best-in-class underfloor cargo storage
• Wide range of Honda accessories for active lifestyles, including Adventure and Urban accessory packages

The all-new 2019 Honda Passport’s rugged exterior design and stance is highlighted by standard 20-inch wheels, a matte-black grille, floating roof design, aggressive wheel arches, increased ride height and a tailgate design that emphasizes width.

Inside, Passport offers best-in-class passenger space (115.9 cu.-ft.) and total interior volume (157.1 cu.-ft.) for carrying family, friends and weekend adventure gear. Passport features a large (best-in-class 2.5 cu.-ft.) segmented underfloor cargo compartment for carrying dirty gear or keeping valuables out of sight.

Passport will be offered in four trims: the well-appointed Sport, upgraded EX-L, high-tech Touring, and the fully equipped Elite. All models except the line-topping Elite can be configured with 2- or all-wheel drive – all Elite trims come standard with all-wheel drive. All trims will feature 20-inch alloy wheels and tires, the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technology, LED headlights, fog lights, taillights and DRLs, Smart Start and Smart Entry and three-zone automatic climate control. EX-L and higher trims utilize Honda’s latest Display Audio interface with an 8-inch touchscreen, a physical volume knob and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration.

Additional exterior upgrades, depending on trim, include a power tailgate with available hands-free operation, a one-touch tilt/slide moonroof and heated auto-dimming and power folding side mirrors.
Furthermore, the blind spot information system, rear cross traffic monitor, and front and rear parking sensors are available driver assistive technologies. Available premium features include second-row sunshades, wireless phone charging, embedded Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System, 4G LTE in-vehicle Wi-Fi2, premium audio, and HondaLink® cloud-based services, including remote unlocking, concierge services, stolen vehicle tracking and more.

Hendrick Honda is once again proud to partner with WSOC-TV to promote the Steve’s Coats for Kids annual coat drive.  We are collecting new and gently used coats in child and adult sizes, now through January 13^th.  All coat donations are distributed through Crisis Assistance Ministry serving the Charlotte area since 1975.  The Steve’s Coats for Kids campaign has collected over 150,000 coats, and every coat donation spends less than 48 hours in the Crisis Assistance Ministry Free Store before benefiting someone in need.  Please feel free to drop off donations at Hendrick Honda located at 8901 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273.

Hendrick Honda Annual Toy Drive Campaign

WCCB Carolina Insights I Charlotte Thanksgiving Meal Drive

2019 Honda Odyssey is Top Minivan in IIHS Passenger-Side Small Overlap and LATCH Testing

• Odyssey is the only tested minivan to earn a IIHS “GOOD” rating for both the driver and passenger sides in IIHS’ strenuous Small Overlap Front Crash Test

• Odyssey is the only tested minivan to earn a IIHS “GOOD+” rating for ease of child seat installation using LATCH attachment points

The 2019 Honda Odyssey leads all tested minivans in recent ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including being the only minivan to achieve a “GOOD” rating for both the driver and passenger sides in IIHS’ strenuous Small Overlap Front Crash Test. In addition, the institute recognized Odyssey with its top rating of “GOOD+” in its testing of Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) to determine the relative ease to safely install child safety seats in a vehicle. No other tested minivan earned above an “ACCEPTABLE” rating from IIHS in LATCH testing.

Odyssey qualifies as a 2018 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK when equipped with available Honda Sensing® and LED headlights. Honda Sensing is now standard on EX and above trims, accounting for 99 percent of 2019 Odyssey sales¹.

“Minivan buyers list safety as one of their greatest purchase considerations, and the Odyssey continues to be a top performer in independent safety ratings, further distancing itself from segment competitors," said Ray Mikiciuk, assistant vice president of Honda Automobile Sales. "If you’re in the market for a minivan and you care about safety, there is simply no better choice than the Honda Odyssey.”

2019 Honda Odyssey is Top Minivan in IIHS Passenger-Side Small Overlap and LATCH Testing

A small overlap crash occurs when just the front corner of the vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole. IIHS began rating vehicles for occupant protection in a driver-side small overlap front crash in 2012 and added the passenger-side test in 2017 to make sure occupants on both sides of the vehicle get equal protection.

LATCH is a system of attachment hardware for child restraints that is intended to simplify installation. Child restraints installed with LATCH are more likely to be put in correctly than restraints installed using the vehicle safety belt, IIHS research has shown.

According to IIHS, even with LATCH, installation errors are common. The Institute’s LATCH ratings are based on key ease-of-use criteria that have been shown to minimize mistakes in installing lower attachment straps and top tethers. The top tether keeps the child seat from pitching forward in a crash, and all forward-facing restraints need them.

Among 2018-19 minivans evaluated, the Odyssey was the only one to earn a “GOOD+” rating for LATCH ease of use. The “GOOD+” rating is for vehicles that meet the criteria for a “GOOD” rating and provide additional seating positions with easy-to-use LATCH hardware. The eight-passenger 2019 Odyssey offers five LATCH-equipped seating positions, three in the second row and two in the third row.

Hendrick Honda joins forces with other companies and serves as drop-off location for a community-wide drive

Hendrick Honda has long been known for serving as a drop-off location for School Tools, a local program organized by WSOC-TV Channel 9. Because this initiative is a community-wide drive, it gives this Hendrick team the opportunity to join forces with other local businesses to really make a big impact in the lives of local students. Plus, it gives the team a chance to share the importance of drives like these with their customers.

“When customers walk into our showroom, they don’t necessarily expect to talk about how important school supplies are for our local students. But when you have a big collection of school supplies in your front lobby, it inevitably gets brought up, and it’s a great chance for us to share the message of how much Hendrick Cares for our nearby schools and kids,” said Anne Lewis, who serves as the Digital Marketing Manager at Hendrick Honda.

Time has not run out to give! If you live close to Hendrick Honda, you’re welcome to drop off school supplies any time during regular business hours. For more information about what school supplies are needed, please visit the School Tools website.

Honda Accord and Ridgeline Named as J.D. Power & Associates “2018 APEAL Award” Winners with CR-V and Odyssey Also Highly Ranked

The 2018 Honda Accord and 2018 Ridgeline both won J.D. Power & Associates 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) awards with the 2018 CR-V and 2018 Odyssey placing within the top three in their segments. The Accord topped the Midsize Car category while the Ridgeline was ranked as the best Midsize Pickup, repeating its 2017 win.

The CR-V and Odyssey both placed highly in the respective categories of Compact SUV and Minivan.

The J.D. Power & Associates 2018 APEAL Study measures a vehicle’s overall appeal using feedback from owners on their emotional attachment and excitement across 77 attributes, ranging from comfort and feeling of luxury to the sensation of power.

2018 Honda Civic and Fit Ranked as ‘Kelley Blue Book’s
10 Coolest new Cars Under $20,000 for 2018’

As a testament to their combination of youthful style, impressive feature content, and sporty driving dynamics, the 2018 Civic and 2018 Fit have both been named as “10 Coolest New Cars Under $20,000” by the expert editors at Kelley Blue Book.

The award recognizes vehicles that offer comfort, style and driving excitement at an affordable price. Of the Civic, the editors at Kelley Blue Book stated, “The Civic is a well-rounded car offered as a sedan or coupe that’s comfortable, roomy, practical, efficient, packed with cool tech, and a blast to drive.” For the Fit, Kelley Blue Book’s editors noted, “This diminutive hatchback has a feature called the Magic Seat that gives the interior space and versatility that rivals that of a small SUV. The combination of practicality and pep at an affordable price makes the Fit a hard car to resist.”

More information about the “10 Coolest New Cars Under $20,000” award can be found at www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/coolest-new-cars-under-20000.

Honda Odyssey Wins 2018 CNET Roadshow Shift Cabin Tech of the Year Award

The all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey was recognized for Cabin Tech of the Year by CNET in its 2018 Roadshow Shift Awards. The all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey redefines family-friendly utility and connectivity with innovative features such as its available second-row Magic Slide™ seats, CabinWatch™ day-and-night video monitor and CabinTalk™ in-car PA system.

The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards Names Honda Accord, Volvo XC60, Lincoln Navigator 2018 Winners

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The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards Names Honda Accord, Volvo XC60, Lincoln Navigator 2018 Winners

DETROIT – January 15, 2018 – The Honda Accord, Volvo XC60, and Lincoln Navigator were crowned as the winners of the 2018 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards today at the North American International Auto Show.

The awards are among the most prestigious in the industry because they are chosen by a panel of more than 60 jurors from print, online and broadcast media across the United States and Canada. Votes were tallied confidentially by Deloitte LLP and remained sealed until they were announced today by NACTOY officers, President Mark Phelan, Vice President Matt DeLorenzo and Secretary-Treasurer Lauren Fix at Cobo Center in Detroit.

The three winners each stood out in their segments for different reasons.

“Honda seems to have executed some sort of magic trick — not only is this 10th-generation Accord far sleeker and more decisively styled than its predecessor, it’s somehow roomier inside, too,” said Chris Paukert, a NACTOY juror and managing editor of Road Show by CNET. “Even in low-end trims, it drives well and offers a strong amount of standard equipment.”

“Like the XC90, the XC60 offers Volvo’s distinct brand of luxury and it may even be more appealing than its bigger brother. The ride is exemplary, and when smartly equipped, it is a fine value,” said NACTOY juror and freelance auto writer Kirk Bell.

NACTOY Juror Ron Sessions of the New York Daily News said, “the 2018 Navigator received a more dramatic update than its Ford Expedition sibling and its impact for the brand will be stronger as a result. With its design now aligned with the Continental, the Navigator becomes an even more important image – and the profit-maker for Lincoln.”

Chosen from dozens of new vehicles, jurors evaluated the finalists based on segment leadership, innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. The process started in June 2017 by determining vehicle eligibility and includes three rounds of voting.

Now in their 24th year, the awards are unique because they are awarded a group of dozens of respected automotive journals instead of being given by a single publication, website, radio or television station.

Today’s winners were chosen from the following nine finalists:

Car of the Year	Utility Vehicle of the Year	Truck of the Year
Honda Accord	Alfa Romeo Stelvio	Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Kia Stinger	Honda Odyssey	Ford Expedition
Toyota Camry	Volvo XC60	Lincoln Navigator

For more about NACTOY and its history: http://northamericancaroftheyear.org/

Media Contact: Amanda Niswonger, Lambert, Edwards & Associates

D: 313-309-9531

M: 586-855-7337

E: aniswonger@lambert.com

Brent Snavely, Lambert, Edwards & Associates

D: 313-309-9516

M: 313-378-6082

E: bsnavely@lambert.com

ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN CAR, UTILITY AND TRUCK OF THE YEAR

The awards are intended to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. The organization gives out three awards. They are: “North American Car of the Year” and “North American Utility of the Year,” and North American Truck of the Year.” The awards are unique because — instead of being given by a single publication, website, radio or television station — they are given by an independent jury of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

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