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.

*1

Based on Honda research (as of the end of April 2012)

*2

Short for cloud computing, which enables software and data required by services to be accessed via the Internet (or equivalent network) rather than from a local computer.

*3

Adaptive Cruise Control is designed to enhance the driving experience by reducing the burdens on the driver. ACC monitors vehicle speed and inter-vehicle distance using a millimeter-wave radar mounted in the front grille, which scans the road for other vehicles and calculates the distance from the vehicle directly in front. The system maintains the selected speed and distance (as designated by the driver) based on data supplied by the radar.

*4

Additional 16% increase in the average speed of trailing vehicles and additional 5% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the results of the experiment using the system without cloud and ACC.

Contact Harmony Honda for a Test Drive Today
Phone: 250-860-6500
2550 Enterprise Way
Kelowna, B.C., V1X 7X5
http://harmonyhonda.com

“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.”

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.

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. “Always versatile, 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 Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure – a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Combining that with a 248 horsepower, i-VTEC® 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.

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.

About  Honda Canada
Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969 and currently employs approximately 4,700 associates in addition to more than 15,000 dealership personnel across the country. Honda Canada has built close to 6 million cars and trucks since 1986. Honda’s two vehicle assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario, produce Honda CR-V, the Civic Coupe, Sedan and Si models, and the Acura MDX and ZDX. An adjacent engine plant produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines for Civic. All three plants have achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status. Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada, and annually sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. For more information, please visit hondanews.ca.

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.

The new building will be one story with a mezzanine and just under 5,000 square feet.  The project is being managed by L&S Contracting and is utilizing mostly local trades.   For progress updates and photos of the construction, check out the Harmony Acura website at www.harmonyacura.com.

Harmony Acura opened in Kelowna in 1987 at its current location on Hwy 97 as Parklane Acura.  Manse Binkley purchased the dealership in 2007, changing the name to Harmony Acura.  The move to Enterprise Way will allow the dealership to continue to provide the high level of service that Harmony Acura customers have come to expect over the past 25 years.

Dan Satchell, who has been with Harmony Acura since 2007, has been promoted to the position of Sales Manager and Ken Webster who has been at Harmony Acura since 2008 will continue to be the Service Manager at the new location.

At Harmony Acura they value their customers, their staff and their community and will do whatever they can to ensure your experience at Harmony Acura, whether it’s purchasing a vehicle, getting one serviced or just driving in to take a look is completely satisfying.