VIDEO: MIDDAY INTRO FOR NEW HONDA CR-V AND CIVIC

BY BRIAN BONITTO Associate Editor Auto and Entertainment

Friday, February 03, 2012

A group of specially invited media personnel were on-hand for the midday launch of the 2012 Honda CR-V and 2012 Honda Civic on Wednesday at the Pavilion Gardens, Hope Gardens, in St Andrew.

Chris DaCosta, Honda brand manager at ATL Automotive Limited, expressed optimism that the vehicles would do well locally.

"Today is really an auspicious day for us. We're unveiling what is going to be the pride of Jamaica's roads," he told guests. "The CR-V and Civic will represent technology, comfort and value like you've never seen before."

Adrian Staicu, service support representative for Honda — Latin America and the Caribbean, said that although new Honda models were redesigned vehicles, the emphasis was still on comfort, quality and safety.

"The cockpit of the 2012 Honda Civic is much more friendly. It has a screen in the dashboard which allows the owner to personalise the visuals. We believe you'll have the lowest cost of car ownership, if you decide to own a Honda," he told Auto.

The five-speed Honda Civic sedan has a 1.8-litre, i-VTEC® four-cylinder engine and is powered by 140 'horses'. It has a fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 36 (mpg) on the highway.

Other features include vehicle stability assist with traction control, tyre pressure monitoring system and an anti-locking braking system with electronic brake distribution.

As for the Honda's Comfortable Run-about Vehicle (CR-V), Staicu said it was now more aggressive in its design.

"It now has a rear-view camera to assist in reversing. It has the best interior ergonomics and has more cargo space than the previous model," he said.

The five speed, 2.0 RVi CRV has an in-line four-cylinder which is powered by 153 'horses' at 6,500 revs per minute. The CRV seats five and has child-proof rear door locks, vehicle stability assist, with traction control and electronic brake distribution. The vehicle also has an average fuel economy indicator, distance-to-empty indicator and Bluetooth handsfreelink.

The starting price of the Civic is $3.272 million, while the CR-V goes for $4.219 million.

The American-based Staicu had high praises for ATL Automotive's drive to make Honda the number one brand on the island.

"ATL Automotive is the leader in market share for the Latin America and the Caribbean. And, the local car dealer just won the Honda Automobile Customer Experience (HACE) for 2011. And, that is truly representative of the unbeatable culture they have," he said.

Media representatives present who wanted to get up close and personal with the ATL Automotives latest offerings were invited to do so.

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VIDEO: MIDDAY INTRO FOR NEW HONDA CR-V AND CIVIC