Honda developing tech that helps prevent traffic jams

It happens every time traffic gets too heavy and starts to slow: One inattentive driver panics and slams on his brakes, triggering a chain reaction that leads to a complete traffic stoppage a few dozen cars behind. If everyone could just slow down, pay attention, and maintain an even speed, we could all get where we're going. Honda hopes to deploy a new system to help make that a reality.

The Japanese automaker has developed the first-ever vehicle communications system geared to cut both traffic jams and fuel use by monitoring a driver's acceleration and braking habits and providing information that Honda says will encourage smoother driving.

Honda, along with the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, has developed on-board terminals that connect to cloud-based computing systems to allow communications between cars on the same road that can help drivers maintain a relatively constant driving distance between vehicles. Tailgating is bad for both traffic and fuel economy, and Honda's system discourages it.

The system differs from traffic monitoring systems that have been part of other vehicle communication systems in that it provides color-coded displays to indicate whether the driver needs to drive smoother and make acceleration and deceleration more gradual. The system can also work with adaptive cruise control to automatically regulate speed among a group of vehicles. The first public road tests will occur in Italy and Indonesia starting in May of 2012. Honda says the system can boost average speed by 23 percent and increase fuel economy by eight percent. Not bad for some cloud computing.

Scroll down to read the full press release. Honda Develops World's First Technology to Detect the Potential for Traffic Congestion With the Goal to Prevent Traffic Jams

Public-road Testing to Begin in May 2012

TOKYO, Japan, April 26, 2012 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the successful development of the world's first*1 technology to detect the potential for traffic congestion and determine whether the driving pattern of the vehicle is likely to create traffic jams. Honda developed this technology while recognizing that the acceleration and deceleration behavior of one vehicle influences the traffic pattern of trailing vehicles and can trigger the traffic congestion.

In conjunction with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, Honda conducted experimental testing of a system utilizing the technology to detect the potential for traffic congestion. The test results demonstrated that the system helped increase the average speed by approximately 23% and improved fuel efficiency by approximately 8% of trailing vehicles.

With the goal to bring this technology to market, Honda will begin the first public-road testing of the technology in Italy and Indonesia in May and July of this year, respectively, to verify the effectiveness of the technology in minimizing vehicle congestion.

Rather than providing information to help the driver avoid existing congestion based on current traffic information, the system monitors the acceleration and deceleration patterns of the vehicle to determine whether the driver's driving pattern is likely to create traffic congestion. Based on this determination, the system provides the driver with appropriate information, including a color-coded display through the on-board terminal, to encourage smooth driving which will help alleviate the intensity of acceleration and deceleration by trailing vehicles, thereby helping to prevent or minimize the occurrence of vehicle congestion.

Moreover, the positive effect on minimizing congestion and fuel efficiency improvement can be further increased*4 by connecting the on-board terminals to cloud*2 servers to make the driver aware of and in sync with the driving patterns of vehicles ahead by activating the ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)*3 system at the right time to maintain a constant distance between vehicles at the most appropriate interval.

Traffic congestion causes not only a delay in arrival time but also an increase in CO2 emissions and a higher potential for rear-end collisions. Striving to realize "the joy and freedom of mobility" and "a sustainable society where people can enjoy life," as stated in the Honda Environmental Vision, Honda will work toward the establishment of a congestion-free mobility society all around the world.

 

Courtesy of AutoBlog.com

Bunco Night! Come support the Creative Solutions Autism Team and Good News Bears.

You know what's cool? Dice games. You know what's even cooler than that? Breaking world records. What's even better than that? Helping people in need!

This Friday, May 11th, come out to The Barn at 3131 Pacific Ave. Ken Harvey Auto Group will be sponsering Bunco Night! With live music, appetizers, a wine bar, prizes and so much more, you can't lose! Space is very limited so please reserve now. You must be 21 or older to attend, so leave the kiddos at home for this one! The event will be hosted by DJ Faith Alpher of KKIQ. If you have any desire to help those in need, break world records, or play some Bunco, this is your event! Visit Castal.org to register, or call Annette at 925-784-1537 for more information.

Honda Environmental Leadership Award Program

We recently announced the Honda Environmental Leadership Award program. The award goes to Honda dealers who have voluntarily reduced their energy use by 10 percent or more, developed a water conservation plan, and implemented Honda's recycling program. Our goal is to engage as many dealers as possible in our program, and together achieve the broadest possible benefit for our environment.

 

 

New 5-star review on Google Maps! Thanks, Noel.

Honda surprises with wild Concept C and Concept S showcars in China

Honda has used the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to launch two new concept cars that it says "show the direction of mass-production models Honda will introduce to the market next year."

First up is the imaginatively named Concept C. According to the automaker, 'C' stands for "Cool, "Challenge" and "China." As much as we wish we were making that up, we aren't. The car itself, though, looks pretty bold, with striking character lines down each side and a fascia that would look right at home on the next Battlestar Gallactica spinoff. We're curious to see how much of the C's conceptual styling makes it into production when a mass-market version hits the Chinese market in 2013 – if it were toned down just a bit, we think Honda could do worse than inject some of this boldness in its American lineup, though some might suggest the grille has overtones of the controversial styling decisions seen at Acura.
Moving along, we have the Concept S, which supposedly stands for "Stylish," "Smart" and "Surprise." Like the Concept C, Honda says Concept S will spawn a production model that will debut in China in 2013, with global sales following thereafter. Honda isn't saying exactly what is powering the S other than mentioning it's a hybrid.

Scroll down below for the complete press blast from Honda, but not before perusing our two high-res image galleries of the Concept C and Concept S.

 

BEIJING, China, April 23, 2012 - Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. today exhibited at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show the world premiere of the Concept C and the Concept S, two concept models that show the direction of mass-production models Honda will introduce to the market next year. (The 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, press days: April 23 -24, public days: April 27 - May 2, 2012)

Concept C
Concept C is a concept model for a middle-class sedan Honda is developing specially for the Chinese market. The "C" represents "Cool," "Challenge," and "China." The Concept C features a stately, distinctive and sporty design that was inspired by the image of a dragon. The product planning for this model was led by Honda's Chinese associates and the development was done through cooperation between development teams in China and Japan. Honda is planning to introduce a mass-production model based on this Concept C next year through Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., Ltd.

Concept S
Concept S is a global concept model of a new-value passenger mover that was developed primarily for the Chinese market and will go on sale first in China. The "S" stands for "Stylish," "Smart" and "Surprise." Adopting a hybrid powertrain, this concept model realizes both the "fun of driving" and excellent environmental performance at the same time. A spacious cabin was realized by Honda's packaging technologies, which is one of the distinctive strengths of Honda. A mass-production model based on this Concept S is scheduled for introduction to the Chinese market through Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. next year, followed by a global release.

Introducing Acura ILX and RDX this fall
Also at the Beijing Motor Show, the Acura brand introduced the Acura ILX, a small-sized sedan and the RDX, a small-sized SUV for the first time in China. Both models are scheduled to go on sale in China this fall. Also an all-new Acura NSX Concept supercar will be displayed in China for the first time. The new NSX will be launched in China after it is launched in the U.S. within the next three years.

Strengthening China-original development models
Last year, Guangqi Honda launched the mass production model of its original brand named Li Nian. And yesterday, Dongfeng Honda introduced CIIMO, its originally developed middle-class sedan.

Comment of Takanobu Ito, President and CEO, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
"What continues to drive Honda forward is our passion to take on new challenges with our technologies without being limited by what came before, and to create products that make our customers say, 'I wanted this kind of car!' We will concentrate this driving force here in China and build vehicles tailored to the needs of our Chinese customers. Toward this end, Honda and our joint venture companies will work together to further localize our development, production and parts sourcing in China."

 

Courtesy of Autoblog.com

Alignment Special - only $79.95 + tax

Right now at Tracy Honda, through the rest of April you can take advantage of our alignemtn special. With this service, we will: Inspect/adjust caster, camber and toe-in as applicable, Inspect suspension, steering linkage and steering rack preload, Inspect wheels and tires for irregular wear, Adjust the rods as necessary to center steering wheel Road Test.

Don't wait though, this offer only lasts through April!

Two new 5-star reviews on Google Maps!

"It's an Awesome place to purchase a car.Mr Nick Sandhu has been very helpful & he gave a great deal to me. I'm glad I chose Tracy Honda to buy my first car. I will highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a great deal from Nick & Sunny. " -A Google User

We will meet or beat any other Honda dealers service coupons or specials.

Right now at Tracy Honda, we're running our Meet or Beat service special. Bring in any service coupon from another dealer, and we will meet or beat their price! We'll beat anybody's best deal, so if you've been putting off that maintanence visit for a while, now is the perfect time to get it done. You can even book your service appointment at Ken Harvey's Tracy Honda ONLINE! Or give us a call at 877-579-6712.

2012 Honda Civic Named One Of The 10 Best Green Cars of 2012 By Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com

The 2012 Honda Civic sedan is one of the 10 Best Green Cars of 2012, according to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. The Civic's latest accolade is particularly timely due to rising gas prices, but standout fuel efficiency alone is not enough to win a spot on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com annual 10 Best Green Cars list, as its editors also weigh factors such as value, features and comfort.

"The 2012 Honda Civic sedan is the complete package for any consumer, and one that also provides a host of fuel-efficient powertrain options," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of corporate planning for American Honda. "We're delighted that Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com editors acknowledged the most versatile offering in the class."

The editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com provided their own sweet reference for the award-winning Honda: "The Civic has long been the vanilla ice cream of compact sedans; it's easy to fall back on due to its remarkable reliability and exceptional value. But for 2012, the Civic has evolved into more of a Neapolitan option as it presents a choice of three different engine types: gasoline, natural gas and hybrid gas/electric. Considering all of them achieve nearly 40 highway mpg or better, the Civic is an excellent choice no matter what flavor you pick."

 

Courtesy of Honda Media

Professor beats traffic ticket with physics paper

We've never been falsely accused of a traffic violation, having earned every last second of our time before a judge, but when it does happen to us, we'll certainly want to brush up on our physics. Dmitiri Krioukov, a physicist with the University of California, recently pleaded his way out of a fine for rolling through a stop sign using the power of mathematics. Krioukov worked up a four-page physics paper underscoring the differences between linear and angular motion to prove that he could have theoretically come to a complete stop and resumed traveling in the time it took another vehicle to pass between him and the citing officer.

The idea is that perception of speed can be altered depending on one's viewpoint. Since the officer viewed Krioukov from the side and the physicist supposedly came to a complete stop very quickly before accelerating again just as fast, it appeared as if he never stopped at all. Or at least that was the notion. Whether or not the judge believed the professor didn't matter so much as the fact that Krioukov managed to shed some doubt on the accusation. He was declared innocent and spared the $400 fine.

But the story doesn't end there. The physicist left a flaw in his proof, and has invited everyone to see if they can figure it out. From our layman's point of view, it appears Krioukov's Toyota Yaris managed to fall from 22 mph to 0 and vault back up to 22 in the span of three seconds. Must be quite the machine

 

Courtesy of Car Scoop

The Really Big Sales Event is really close to being over!

The Honda Really Big Sales Event is almost over! This is our biggest sales event of the year, so make sure you get over to Tracy Honda soon and take advantage of these offers while they're still around. You can also shop around and compare cars online HERE! We make it as easy as possible for you, so come in and find out why Tracy Honda is the number one destination for new and pre-owned Hondas!

5-star review on Google Maps!

"We couldn't be happier with our new 2012 CRV and with the experience. Because this is a popular car right now, Russell called us the moment the car we wanted showed up on the lot, even before it was ready for sale. He made sure the car was detailed and ready when we came, and spent time to make sure we understood all of the new electronic features. With Costco pricing, there was no haggling and the price was excellent. We have always bought our cars from Tracy Honda and will continue to do so in the future." -Manteca

April smog check special!

Through the rest of April, get a smog check for only $49.99.  If you have to get it done, why not do it for less? Click HERE for more information, or call 877-369-7470.

Honda Earns 2012 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards for Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand

Honda has earned the Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand categories in the 2012 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards. Based on consumer perception data from the company's Brand WatchTM study, the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards honor the automotive brands that have most successfully captured positive consumer attention.

American Honda's Executive Vice President of Sales John Mendel accepted both awards yesterday at the New York Auto Show from Kelley Blue Book President Jared Rowe. "We are honored to accept two awards that point so directly to Honda's core tenets," Mendel said. "With Honda constantly striving to earn trust by providing the finest overall ownership value, it's inspiring to see those efforts resonating with consumers."

"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, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

In commenting about Honda's 2012 Most Trusted Brand award, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com noted "Without surprising anyone, our inaugural 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."

The editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com had an equally savvy comment on Honda's 2012 Best Value Brand award. "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 automotive value."

This marks the fifth year Kelley Blue Book has awarded auto manufacturers the Brand Image Awards, and the second consecutive year Honda has been awarded the Best Value Brand.

 

Courtesy of Honda Media

April oil change special

Right now at Tracy Honda, you can get an oil and filter change for $29.95 with a free multi-point inspection! Call 877-369-7470 or click HERE to schedule a service appointment today.

Thanks for the wonderful review, Dawn!

Dropped my car off for an oil change, they gave me options for recommended service, was done BEFORE promised time.  Kudos to the staff at Tracy Honda!  Will be back for other services I wasn't planning on for today! -Dawn C.

Honda earns 2012 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards for Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand

04/05/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.

Honda has earned the Best Value Brand and Most Trusted Brand categories in the 2012 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards. Based on consumer perception data from the company's Brand WatchTM study, the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards honor the automotive brands that have most successfully captured positive consumer attention.

American Honda's Executive Vice President of Sales John Mendel accepted both awards yesterday at the New York Auto Show from Kelley Blue Book President Jared Rowe. "We are honored to accept two awards that point so directly to Honda's core tenets," Mendel said. "With Honda constantly striving to earn trust by providing the finest overall ownership value, it's inspiring to see those efforts resonating with consumers."

"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, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

In commenting about Honda's 2012 Most Trusted Brand award, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com noted "Without surprising anyone, our inaugural 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."

The editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com had an equally savvy comment on Honda's 2012 Best Value Brand award. "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 automotive value."

This marks the fifth year Kelley Blue Book has awarded auto manufacturers the Brand Image Awards, and the second consecutive year Honda has been awarded the Best Value Brand.

 

Courtesy of Honda Media

Terrafugia releases The Transition - A flying car.

Earlier this week, a Massachussets company named Terrafugia released "The Transition" - dubbed the worlds first street-legal airplane. While it's unlikely that The Transition will usher in a new generation of personal transportation, it does seem possible that more than a few Transitions will see the light of day. Wealthy individuals who might spend half-a-million dollars on a supercar may instead opt to plunk down the $270,000 for this year's coolest toy. Don't be surpirsed to see one of these coming in for a landing at your local airport. No word on whether the Transition will come with peanuts and an in-flight movie.

One 5-star review on Google Maps!

"I was helped by Nick Sandhu and he did an amazing job, I got a great deal and everybody was very friendly. I love my new car!" -HBJatt

The new Honda anti-theft negotiator.

Honda introduces its' state-of-the-art anti-theft negotiation system. After years and years of intense research and development, Honda engineers have created what is likely the most advanced security system ever attached to a consumer vehicle. The anti-theft negotiator is scheduled for release in 2013, or possibly never.

 

April Service Special!

Valid all of April, Tuesdays thru Fridays, bring this coupon in for 15% off of an repair or service of your choice. Click for more information!