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Honda News

New Cloud-Based HondaLink™ Connected Car System Helps Drivers Put Away Their Phones While Maintaining Intuitive Access to Their Favorite Media




MARKHAM, July 18, 2012 - Honda today unveiled HondaLink™, a new in-vehicleconnectivity system that will debut this fall on the all-new, ninth-generation 2013 Honda Accord. Featuring the first automotive OEM application of AhaR by Harman, HondaLink will provide a personalized experience connecting drivers to thousands of cloud-based news, information and entertainment feeds from around the world, using an intuitive, audio-system based interface.

To view a video, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdPRlheGI-Y


"HondaLink™ will enable customers to put away their phone and still stay connected to the people, music and media they love," said Dave Jamieson, assistant vice president of Honda Canada. "By creating an intuitive and customizable user interface, HondaLink allows drivers to access digital
content as easily as choosing a radio station."

Honda's intuitive new HondaLink™ smartphone application allows owners to preset content on their phone. Once in the car, consumers can enjoy
personalized content accessible via voice recognition, steering-wheel mounted controls and in-dash audio system controls. With a tethered smartphone serving as a conduit to a wealth of cloud-based media, HondaLink creates a unique, connected driving experience.

"Honda's strategy is about leveraging the cloud to bring a wealth of new information and services to Honda owners," said Jamieson. "This is the next evolution of the connected car and the connected customer."

Through the Aha service, for example, HondaLink users can listen to Facebook and Twitter audio newsfeeds, podcasts from NPR, location-based personalized restaurant listings from Yelp!, and access internet music services such as Slacker. The service is free and instantly accessible from the cloud.

Aha delivers a user-friendly experience requiring infrequent smartphone software updates, with in-vehicle content and channel access updating simply and automatically throughout the vehicle life. And content available from HondaLink™ will grow as the system continues to expand its services for Honda owners. HondaLink™ will also incorporate voice-to-text SMS text services with pre-programmed responses, which Honda introduced on the 2012 CR-V.
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About Honda Canada

Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969. It has produced more than 5.8 million cars and trucks since 1986 at its two manufacturing facilities and builds engines at a third manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario, where the Honda Civic and CR-V, Acura MDX and ZDX models are manufactured. Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada and each year it sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. Honda Canada has sold more than 3.6 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada. Please visit http://hondanews.ca/
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Make-A-Wish® Canada comes out the winner at Honda Indy Toronto with more than $35,000 in funds raised



TORONTO,ON (July 10, 2012) - Racing fans, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) and Honda Canada Inc. raised more than $35,000 for Make-A-Wish® Canada this past weekend at the Honda Indy Toronto. This brings the fundraising total to $235,000 for Make-A-Wish from the past three years of racing.

"Make-A-Wish® is truly thankful to have Honda Canada and its dealers support our commitment to give hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions through the granting of magical wishes," said Jennifer Ritter, CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada. "Events like the Honda Indy Toronto help us generate the awareness and funds we need to fulfill our mission."

The highlight of the fundraising activities at this year's Honda Indy Toronto was the OHDA's third annual "Free Friday". On Friday, fans were encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish in lieu of paying for admission, which was covered by the OHDA. Throughout the day, fans had access to Ferrari, Firestone Indy Lights, and IZOD INDYCAR Series practice and qualifying sessions. Amidst all the on-track excitement, fans of all ages enjoyed various games and activities in and around Honda World.

"We are thrilled that the third Free Friday event was such a success," said Kevin Pearson, president, Ontario Honda Dealers Association. "Thanks to all the race fans, old and new, who came out to not only enjoy a day at the Honda Indy, but to also support a great cause like Make-A-Wish."

Although the Honda Indy might be over, fans looking to donate can text DREAM to 41010 to make a five dollar donation to Make-A-Wish. With support from organizations like Honda Canada and the OHDA, Make-A-Wish grants over 400 wishes a year through eight regional chapters across the country.

"Our company was founded on a belief in the power of dreams," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada. "We're happy to help make the dreams of Canadian children facing life-threatening illnesses come true by raising funds for Make-A-Wish."
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About the Ontario Honda Dealers Association:

The Ontario Honda Dealers Association, which was founded in 1989, represents 78 Honda dealers located in 62 communities throughout Ontario, which is home to the two Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly plants that produce Civic, Canada's number one selling car, in addition to the Acura MDX, ZDX and CR-V. The 78 Honda dealerships in Ontario, which have a proven track record for providing maximum customer satisfaction, employ approximately 3,000 associates.
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About Make-A-Wish® Canada

Make-A-Wish Canada is a dynamic wish-granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children across Canada living with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, eight regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast-to-coast. Make-A-Wish Canada is an affiliate of Make-A-WishR International, the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dreams and wishes come true for more than 290,000 children since 1980. To learn more please visit http://www.makeawish.ca
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2012 Honda Odyssey and CR-V Win ALG Canadian Residual Value Awards




Markham, ON (February 16, 2012) -Two of Honda Canada's most popular vehicles have received Canadian Residual Value Awards from automotive insights company ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values. The 2012 Honda Odyssey won in the MPV category while the 2012 Honda CR-V, Canada's top-selling import SUV, won in the Compact Utility category.

"These awards are a testament to the quality and reliability that customers have come to expect from Honda," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. "Odyssey and CR-V play very important roles in the lives of many Canadians and these awards should reassure our customers of the investment they are making when choosing Honda."
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About the ALG Residual Awards

The annual ALG Residual Value Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in producing vehicles that demonstrate the ability to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a three-year period. Awards are given in 19 vehicle categories and two brand categories (mainstream and luxury). This year's awards are based on 2012 model year vehicles.

Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance, industry trends, and economic conditions. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies remain the key factors that impact ALG's residual value forecasts.
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About the 2012 Honda Odyssey

Ample space, dramatic exterior styling and engaging driving experience are
among the well-deserved impressions people get from Honda's eight-passenger, luxurious family-mover that continues to be a class leader in fuel
efficiency and safety. For a family on the go, Honda's Odyssey is the
ultimate recreation room on wheels.

"Honda has kept incentives and fleet penetration to a minimum on the
Odyssey, which is a rolling showcase of emerging technology and smart
packaging," said Geoff Helby, Canada Regional Director for ALG. "Alwaysversatile, the Odyssey can transform from upscale family transporter to voluminous cargo carrier in a matter of seconds."

The Odyssey is unsurpassed for safety with an extensive list of safety
equipment including the Advanced Compatibility EngineeringT (ACET) body structure - a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Combining that with a 248 horsepower, i-VTECR V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management for enhanced fuel efficiency, and the highest estimated highway fuel economy in its class, the Odyssey balances power, fuel efficiency, safety and fun.
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About the 2012 Honda CR-V

All new for 2012, the fourth-generation Honda CR-V embraces a sophisticated styling direction in conjunction with improved interior comfort, improved fuel economy, a smoother and quieter ride, and more innovative features as part of a 'total package' approach. Long established as the benchmark vehicle in its class with high levels of quality, refinement and value, the 2012 CR-V is designed to exceed customer expectations in the compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with increased value resulting from lower MSRPs across the entire CR-V lineup and added content.

"With improved styling and feature-rich content, the redesigned CR-V provides a strong value proposition for consumers," said Geoff Helby, Canada Regional Director for ALG. "In a hyper-competitive segment, adding competitive features and drivetrain to an already class-leading vehicle and the strength of the Honda brand deliver great value for consumers."

All CR-Vs are powered by a 2.4-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition, a new ECON operating mode increases the potential for drivers to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency when the system is activated. The 2012 Honda CR-V is built at Honda's assembly plant in Alliston, Ontario.
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About ALG (www.alg.com)

Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is the industry standard for residual values and a leading provider of insights and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the Automotive Lease Guide - the benchmark for residual value expectations in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for nearly 50 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets.
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Honda Indy Toronto renews important contracts, secures core features of the event through to 2014





May 14, 2012 (Toronto, ON) - Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, owners of Green Savoree Toronto LLC, announce today the renewal of contracts that reside at the heart of the Honda Indy Toronto, an annual event that has entertained Toronto residents and visitors since 1986. Contract renewals have been signed with the City of Toronto, Honda Canada, Exhibition Place, Tourism Toronto and INDYCAR through to 2014.

"The Honda Indy is a great example of the diverse sports scene in Toronto," said Mark Grimes, Chair of Exhibition Place and City Councillor for Ward 6, Etobicoke-Lakeshore. "This race, and all the great events that come with it, is a Toronto tradition that offers great entertainment for local families, fans and visitors while contributing to the economic prosperity of our city."

"Honda Canada is very proud to continue to be a key member of the team
bringing the Honda Indy Toronto to our great city," said Dave Gardner, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Honda Canada Inc. "This partnership
continues to build on the successes of recent years and brings the highest
level of racing excitement to Torontonians and Canadians."

"The Honda Indy Toronto is more than just a race," said David Whitaker,
President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. "It's an open and accessible festival for thousands of residents, a driver of tourism and a platform through which we promote our skyline, people and landmarks to the world. We all benefit from that."

"With a strong heritage in open-wheel racing, Toronto continues to be a
great fit for INDYCAR," said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR. "It's important from a business standpoint to be in one of the largest DMAs in North America. The circuit continues to produce some of our most competitive and memorable races and the Canadian race fans are some of the most enthusiastic in all of sports. Green Savoree has produced a first-class event in Toronto and we look forward to continuing our relationship well into the future."

"This event is a part of our heritage, our fabric and our future," said
Charlie Johnstone, Vice President and General Manager of the Honda Indy
Toronto. "We take the responsibility of putting on a good show very
seriously and it is clear that a growing community of partners and fans
believe in our vision and are ready to take a stake in the event."

Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Honda Indy Toronto, was created in 2009 to manage the Toronto event with a focus on partnerships, people and fiscal responsibility.

"Auto racing is exciting and accessible for fans, but it is also very
attractive to corporate and public partners," said Kim Green, Co-Owner of Green Savoree Racing promotions. "We wish to thank Honda Canada and all of our partners for helping us bring the Honda Indy Toronto to life."

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About Honda Indy Toronto

The Honda Indy Toronto takes place July 6-8, 2012 on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto. With 26 years of IndyCar racing history in Toronto, the Honda Indy Toronto is among the most respected motorsports events in North America and includes the fastest racing series on the planet, celebrity athletes, and a festival of live entertainment and interactive activities.

For more information, visit hondaindytoronto.com. Follow the Honda Indy
Toronto on Twitter @HondaIndy and 'Like' us on Facebook at facebook.com/HondaIndyToronto
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