Friday, May 29, 2009

2010 Honda CrossTour Feature and Picture Rumors

Today Vtec published photos that are reported to be of the 2010 Honda CrossTour.

The following is a summary of rumors that were also published today on vtec:


  • 26 Oct 2009 is the release date

  • NO 4cyl or manual trans. V6 with VCM 2WD or 4WD. 260 plus HP

  • 3,500lb towing

  • Accord platform.

  • 2.5 inches taller than current Accord and 7 inches LONGER than the Venza.

  • Base 2wd, 4x4, a mid and top with Navi

  • power fold down seats on the upper models

  • dealer installed plastic floor cover that will allow it to be like a truck bed

  • 18 inch wheels on top models along with possible power hatch


A preview of accessories that will be available for the all new 2010 Accord CrossTour can be viewed at:
http://www.bernardiparts.com/2010-Honda-CrossTour-Parts-Accessories.aspx

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Bernardi Honda Awarded Angie's List Super Service Award

Bernardi Honda's service division is proud to again be a recipient of the prestigus "Angie's List Super Service Award".

A company must receive a minimum number of positive reports during the calendar year based on the market size and maturity without a negative report. An Angie's List chapter must be established for at least one year prior to any company being considered for the Angie's List Super Service Award.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Honda FCX Clarity Named 2009 World Green Car

The Honda FCX Clarity was named 2009 World Green Car at a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show in New York on April 9, 2009. There were a total of 23 award contenders that were nominated by 59 World Car jurors from 25 countries worldwide.

The Honda FCX Clarity is powered by a Vertical Flow (V Flow) fuel cell that combines hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity. The electricity then powers the quiet coaxial E-Drive Honda electric motor, which in turn propels the vehicle. Water is the only byproduct the FCX Clarity leaves behind.

The V Flow fuel cell stack is one of Honda’s greatest breakthroughs in this area. The new design is smaller, allowing for better packaging efficiency. With a smaller stack, there’s room for more people. This ingenious design allows higher cell voltage stability and reduces the amount of heat generated. Gravity also helps with drainage of the excess water.

The compact, high-efficiency lithium-ion battery pack is used as a supplemental power source capturing lost energy during deceleration and braking. The new lithium-ion battery delivers improved performance and energy recovery in a more lightweight, compact package. The new battery is significantly lighter and smaller than the ultra-capacitor of the 2005 FCX, allowing it to be stowed under the rear seat. This gives the car more passenger space and a bigger trunk.

Stylish? Definitely. It’s time to take another look at the FCX. This new model has a lower floor and sleeker overall design thanks to integration of the more compact stack and smaller powertrain. Thin A-pillars allow better visibility. A flat-bottom underbody reduces aerodynamic drag and increases efficiency.

Over the next three years the FCX Clarity will be available in very limited quantities, primarily in Southern Califonia, through a three-year lease of $600/mo.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

New Bernardi Honda Site for Mobile Phone Users

Bernardi Honda has recently introduced a new web site (http://www.BernardiHonda.mobi) for users of mobile phones that have Internet capability. The web site is custom designed for the smaller screens of these deivces. Limited content on this new web site includes:
1. New car inventory
2. Used Car invenotry
3. Payment Calculator
4. Dealer Info and Map

Monday, May 18, 2009

Dog Friendly Element

John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, announced that the Honda Element will now begin chasing dogs - or more specifically their owners. This will be done through a new "Dog Friendly" version of the Element that is scheduled to debut in the Fall of 2009.

The Element is already considered the "Best Dog Car Ever" by DogCars.com. The new dog-friendly Element will transform the Element into the ultimate dog car by including built in a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components.

The Dog Friendly equipment was engineered specifically for the Element to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world's leading automotive safety systems suppliers.

Specific features of the new dog-griendly Element include:
•a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
•second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
•an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
•a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
•second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
•all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
•a spill-resistant water bowl; and
•Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

Honda Insight Best Selling Car in April

In April 2009, a hybrid vehicle was the best-selling car in Japan for the first time ever. But the winner was not Toyota's popular Prius hybrid which finished 21st on the list. It was the new 2010 Honda Insight - manufactured by the second largest automobile manufacturer in Japan.

The Honda Jazz (called the Fit in the US) had been the best-selling car for the previous four consecutive months. The Honda Insight and Honda Jazz sold 10,841 units and 9,443 units, respectively in April.

Source: Jalopnik, Treehugger, and Edmunds.

Friday, May 15, 2009

New Owner's Clinic - May 2009

The latest New Owner Workshop, held on the evening of May 5, 2009, was very well attended - with standing room only! Guests raved about the dinner provided by Bronzetti’s of Framingham who also graciously donated 2 gift certificates for our multiple raffle drawing.

General Manager, Joel Richards opened the program by expressing his passion for customer service and what the “Bernardi for Now, Bernardi for Life” means to his team.

Service Director, Rick Voss walked our guests through the steps to arranging for service on their Honda vehicle. He described the convenience of the service drive through and encouraged our guests to drive through if they need a complementary fluid top off or air in their tires.

Mark Saraceno, Service Manager was described the added value of an extended warranty as compared to the standard factory warranty.

Don Keller, Shop Foreman shared important stats on fuel economy and how our driving habits affect them. Don lingered after the workshop to offer one-on-one answers to specific vehicle questions that were posed by guests.

Steve Cullinane, Parts Director explained the importance of using Genuine Honda Parts versus aftermarket for the best performance in the Honda automobile. He also described Bernardi’s huge wholesale parts operation and the fact that we supply certified Honda parts to many New England repair shops.

eCommerce Manager Erik Richards introduced bernardiparts.com where maintenance items and accessories can be purchased. With the specials offered monthly clients can have these parts shipped to their homes and bring them to service for installation.

Mike Szabatura & Dan Enderle of American Honda brought new model information and explained the importance of properly maintaining your Honda. They also kept the crowd entertained with the “dog friendly” Honda Element that has been designed for your pampered pooch.

We ended the evening with our Customer Relations Facilitator Kristin Cullinane encouraged guests to participate if they receive a survey call from American Honda. She explained how important customer feedback from these calls is to our continuous quality improvement program.

The program concluded with the distribution of Bernardi Bucks certificates to each attendee and a raffle of a $100.00 Shell Fuel Gift Card.

To make a reservation for the next workshop, please contact Sallie Longeri by calling 774-290-1411 or by e-mail at sallie.longeri@bernardiautogroup.com

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Bernardi Hosts Car Seminar for Women

A free informational seminar on vehicle purchase and ownership hosted by women for women will be held Tuesday, June 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Bernardi Honda, 960 Worcester St. (Rte. 9 east), Natick. This second annual event will be moderated by Kristin Cullinane, an automotive professional whose background includes vehicle maintenance and customer service expertise. She will be joined by a number of other women who will share vehicle purchasing and maintenance tips.

Paula Fleming, a representative of the Better Business Bureau, will discuss consumer rights and will make suggestions on how to wisely buy or lease a vehicle.

Heather MacKinnon, of Dealerater.com, will describe her company’s Web site which is used:
  • by customers to describe and rate their experience in buying and servicing their vehicle.
  • by customers who are looking to select dealerships that have proven themselves as offering excellent customer service.

Because sorting through the numerous options for financing or leasing a vehicle can be challenging, auto finance expert Karen Fisher will discuss credit scores and their impact on finance rates, how to evaluate lease vs. buy optiosn, and other important considerations in financing your vehicle purchase.

And to keep your car in top operating condition, Christine Kristoff-Cote, an auto service manager with more than 20 years of experience, will give advice on routine and special maintenance programs offered by Bernardi.

A complimentary light dinner buffet will be served, and a donation on behalf of each person in attendance will be made to the American Cancer Society for the benefit of breast cancer research.

There will be several gifts for those in attendance, including a discount coupon for the purchase of a new or used car or truck at any of the Bernardi Auto Group dealerships, sponsors of the program.

To make a reservation, contact Sallie Longeri by calling 774-290-1411 or by e-mail at sallie.longeri@bernardiautogroup.com

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Congress Considering Cash for Clunkers Bill

Congress appears to be close to agreement on a long debated Cash For Clunkers bill that includes a provision for reimbursing owners of 'klunkers' or 'guzzlers' for trading them in for more fuel efficient vehicles.

The traded vehicle must be:
+ driveable,
+ registered in the US,
+ have a fuel economy rating of less than 18 miles per gallon at the time of their purchase.

The purchased vehicle must:
+ get at least 22 mpg for cars and 18 mpg for small trucks,
+ be at least 25 percent more fuel efficient than the traded vehicle,
+ be a model year 2004 or later,
+ have an MSRP of less than $45,000.

The reimbursement vouchers would be for:
+ $3,500 if the mileage improvement is at least
-- 4 m.p.g. for a car
-- 2 mpg for a small truck.
+ $4,500 if the mileage improvement is at least
-- 10 m.p.g. for a car
-- 5 mpg for a small truck

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

2010 Honda Crossover - Fall 2009?


As is typically the case, Honda never provides its dealers with formal announcements of future vehicles until they are about to ship. This is the case with the new Honda crossover vehicle.

3rd-party sites that are not affiliated with American Honda expect a new Honda 2010 crossover style wagon to go on sale in the October / November timeframe of 2009. There is no agreement among automotive writers on the name of the new Honda cross tour style vehicle:


Industry writers suggest the 2010 Honda crossover will have an Accord look to its nose, will be larger than the popular CR-V, and smaller than the Pilot - with a price point between the two. Initial rumors were that the crossover would be based upon the Acura ZDX. Now, LeftLaneNews suggests the 2010 Honda crossover will be built in Honda's Marysville, Ohio facility and will be built upon a modifed Accord chasis.

According to Consumer Guide Auto, the new 2010 Honda crossover styled vehicle will be based upon the European-market Accord wagon that has been modified to offer elevated ride height, a few telling inches spliced into the body, and an Accord sedan nose. They further suggest that there might be a 4-cylinder and 6-cyl option as well as a front-wheel and an all-wheel drive option.

Like the Venza, the industry predicts the 2010 Honda cross over style wagon will have unique tall-body styling without traditional wagon boxiness, plus a slightly larger footprint than its sedan parent. It will also mimic the Toyota Venza with two-row seating for five passengers and no third-row option.

Left Lane News reports that the new 2010 Honda crossover style wagon will be available with Honda’s VTM-4 AWD system.

If and when Honda releases a 2010 crossover style vehicle in the fall of 2009, Bernardi Parts will offer a complete selection of crossover style parts and crossover style accessories for it..