Category Archives: September 2011

A car gets stolen every 33 seconds.

Last week, someone had her car stolen from the parking lot of her workplace. When world got around, friends, family & co-workers were horrified, heart-broken and could only imagine the headache she must’ve gone through having to deal with all the issues that come with getting your car stolen.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Adminitration (NHTSA) put together this great infographic about Vehicle Theft Prevention. We were alarmed to find out that a car gets stolen every 33 seconds in the U.S. and that Texas is the third state with the most stolen vehicles! Almost half of all auto theft is due to driver error like leaving the keys in the ignition or leaving the car unlocked, which remind us of another story.

A few weeks ago, a friend was at a grocery store grabbing one of the carts to go in for some shopping. Suddenly, a man starts screaming “Hey that’s my car! That’s my car! That guy just stole my car!” Everyone around the man and near the store’s entrance was alarmed. The grocer’s internal security came right away and most observers picked up their phone to call 911 or the police. They never really did find out what happened with the man or his car, however, they find out that the car had been stolen because the owner had gotten out of his car and left the door open with the car running. Lesson: don’t do this.

Okotoks Honda, the leading Honda car dealer in Okotoks & Southern Calgary, Alberta wants everyone to be very careful when leaving their cars parked. Please close and lock all windows and doors, park in well-light areas if possible, don’t leave your car running, and don’t leave your valuables inside the vehicle. The safety of our community is of the upmost importance to us and we hope this post helps everyone be aware of auto theft and how to prevent it from happening.

Honda’s commitment to the environment extends beyond its line of fuel-efficient, eco-friendly cars and hybrids. Honda now has the official title of having the most LEED-certified buildings of any automaker in North America.

Honda Engineering North America just opened its latest “green building” in Anna, Ohio, bringing the number of LEED-certified Honda facilities in North America to eleven. The new Powertrain Division provides manufacturing tooling design and engineering support for the production of engines at the adjacent Anna Engine Plant, the largest automobile engine plant in Honda’s global production network.

“Our environmental efforts extend well beyond the products we make and include the facilities that support Honda’s manufacturing, R&D, sales and service operations across North America,” said David Strelow, facilities manager for the Anna Engine Plant, who was involved in the construction of the new facility. “This is part and parcel of our commitment to being good neighbors in the communities where we do business and good stewards of the environment and our finite natural resources.”

During construction of the expanded facility, Honda used locally sourced materials where possible and diverted more than 185 cubic yards of construction material from landfills, recycling or reusing more than 50 percent of total construction materials. The expanded facility is now equipped with cool-roof materials, more energy-efficient lighting controls and advanced indoor-air-quality management systems.

Honda has been steadily expanding its portfolio of LEED-certified green buildings in North America since 1999, when the company’s Gresham, Oregon, parts warehouse and service training facility became the first mixed-use industrial building in America to achieve LEED-Gold EB (Existing Building) certification.

Other “green” features at Honda facilities throughout the U.S. Include:

* low-flow bathroom and kitchen fixtures
* more energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning systems
* lamps and lighting controls
* Energy Star-rated appliances
* cool roof materials
* wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council

Honda’s new “green building” in Anna, Ohio, is just the latest example of how the automaker’s commitment to the environment goes well beyond its fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars. Just another reason to buy a Honda.

The all-new 2012 Honda CR-V Concept made its world debut last weekend at the Orange County International Auto Show, giving the media and consumers an opportunity to get a sneak peek at the 2012 CR-V, set to go on sale at our Chandler Honda dealership later this year.

The Honda CR-V has been the top-selling SUV in the United States for the past four years, which put the pressure on Honda to redesign a new version that meets consumer’s high expectations. Based on the recently unveiled CR-V Concept, it looks like Honda succeeded, creating a bolder and sportier CR-V that’s more aggressive than the current model.

Honda says the CR-V’s signature vertical rear taillights will remain for 2012, but they will feature a more three-dimensional style that wraps further into the design of the vehicle. The CR-V Concept’s large 5-spoke machined alloy wheels and bold fender flares emphasize the vehicle’s dynamic presence and capability.

“The 2012 CR-V Concept strongly hints at the more dynamic and refined look of the upcoming model,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “As the best-selling SUV in each of the past four years, the 2012 CR-V promises to build on its highly successful formula with even more style, innovative features and higher fuel economy.”

Look for more details to emerge about the 2012 Honda CR-V after it makes another appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. In the meantime, you can check out the current version 2011 CR-V on sale now at Okotoks Honda, Souther Calgary & Alberta Honda dealership.

Okotoks Honda
100 Northgate Boulevard
Okotoks, Alberta T1S0A9

For many people, a family car is the car you have to buy, not the car you actually want.

Or so say the auto editors at U.S. News & World Report. That’s usually the case when it comes to buying a family car, but Honda has figured out how to make family cars that ditch the mom-mobile persona yet still retain the qualities that make family life easier.

Four Honda models earned five awards on U.S. News’ “2011 Best Cars for Families” list, proving Honda is still the best at providing family enjoyment. Taking top honors for Honda were:

Honda Fit for Best Subcompact Car for Families and Best Hatchback for Families
“For a small car that doesn’t skimp on cargo space, look no further than the Honda Fit. This affordable hatchback is the Best Subcompact Car for Families and Best Hatchback for Families because it can seat five comfortably and has what reviewers call one of the most innovative storage systems on the market. Its standard Magic Seat has four modes (people, long, tall and utility) and lets you haul a bike, surf board or store up to 57.3 cubic feet of cargo for those occasional trips to IKEA.”

Honda Civic for Best Compact Car for Families
“The Honda Civic made its American debut in 1973, and since then, it’s become an icon. Most consumers have heard of or seen this affordable small car. The Civic earns its popularity from its top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and above-average predicted reliability ratings from J.D. Power and Associates.”

Honda CR-V for Best Affordable Compact SUV for Families
“The Honda CR-V is dependable and popular, just like the Honda Civic, but unlike the Civic, it has all sorts of doodads that simplify parenthood. Inside, you’ll find an under-seat storage bin, a retractable center tray table for snack time, eight cup holders and door pockets for tucking away wet wipes for when Junior spills his apple juice. The only thing the CR-V doesn’t have is a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Honda left that to the Honda Pilot.”

Honda Odyssey for Best Minivan for Families
“We all know the stereotypes associated with minivans, but parents have been investing in the Honda Odyssey for more than a decade, so it must have a lot going for it. The Odyssey boasts fuel economy ratings topped by few midsize SUVs, an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, seats for eight people and an impressive 38.4 cubic feet behind its rear seats. The Odyssey does all this while keeping passengers entertained with an optional split-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system.”

Check out all of these 2011 Best Cars for Families winners at Okotoks HOnda, Southern Calgary & Alberta Honda dealership.
Find us at www.ohonda.com

A new survey by AAA reveals that one quarter of American drivers have neglected car repairs and maintenance in the past 12 months due to the economy, with more than half keeping their old car to avoid the financial burden of purchasing a new model.

Skipping regular maintenance schedules and putting off “insignificant” car repairs may seem like a temporary solution when you’re strapped for cash, but it can actually cost you more money in the long run. Neglecting either of these can greatly increase the likelihood of the car needing a costly, major repair. Yet, according to the AAA survey, one in four American drivers would not be able to pay for a car repair of $2,000 if faced with one today, and one in eight would be unable to pay for a repair bill of $1,000.

“Economic conditions have taken their toll on many Americans resulting in them neglecting their cars and leaving them at increased risk for very expensive repair bills,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA Vice President, Automotive and Financial Services. “Many Americans rely on their cars for their livelihood and losing access to them could be financially devastating during an already troubling economic time.

“It’s important for drivers to not only continue to maintain their vehicles, but also have a financial emergency plan in place should they be faced with a sudden unexpected auto repair bill,” continued Doney.

Unfortunately, a $1,000 or $2,000 or higher car repair bill can quickly appear — especially on older vehicles that have not been properly maintained. While repair costs can vary greatly by make, model and type of repair, a transmission repair can be $2,000 to $4,000, while an engine repair can exceed $5,000. Major brake repairs may range from $350 to $1,000, and a new set of tires can run from $300 to more than $1,000.

Honda Car Repair in Okotoks, Calgary, High River and area.
Luckily, if you’re looking for cheap car repair in around Calgary, Alberta, Okotoks Honda offers numerous car service and maintenance specials every month. Okotoks Honda’s state-of-the-art service department staffs highly trained, knowledgeable technicians that can diagnose and repair your car problem in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Check out Okotoks Honda service specials each month to find cheap car repair in Calgary and surrounding area.
Ready to let go of that clunker? Okotoks Honda also offers amazing deals on a wide variety new and certified used Honda models for sale in Calgary.

Check out OkotoksHonda.com for more information.