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Honda news and Honda car trends help you make a better car buying decision. Find out about the latest Honda models, Honda incentives and how Berlin City Honda is active in the community.

Berlin City Auto Group Celebrates 30 Years in New England

In Honor of 30th Anniversary, Berlin City Gives Back to Customers with 'Big 3-Oh' Sale

PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Berlin City Auto Group is celebrating 30 years of business in New England this month. The dealership was founded in 1980 as a single store in New Hampshire and today consists of six dealerships located in Portland, Maine; Gorham, N.H.; and Burlington, Vt.; with 19 franchises including Toyota Scion Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Chevy, GMC, Buick, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Kia. Berlin City kicks off its 'Big 3-Oh Sale' today, which runs through Labor Day. During the sale, customers will be able to triple their down payment, up to $1,000, to put towards the purchase of a new vehicle. For example, if someone puts down $1,000, Berlin City will match that and add up to $1,000 in manufacturer's bonus cash.

"We deliver more than 40 percent of our inventory anywhere in New England. Our motto, 'over the top care' isn't a sales gimmick, it's just the way we do business"

Two Employees Still Here 30 Years Later

"There is so much history and heritage in New England, both in our stores and with our employees," said Yegor Malinovskii, Berlin City's market president. "We have two employees that have been with us since the beginning and 17 employees that have been with us for 20 or more years. Our employees are the backbone of our company and the reason why we've been able to sustain and grow our business over the last 30 years."

Auto Group Grows, Builds New Dealership

Berlin City has experienced steady growth and marked several milestones in its 30-year history. Recently, the company celebrated the expansion of its Toyota Scion Lexus dealership in Portland, Maine, which was completed in late 2009. The expansion included the purchase of two acres of adjacent land, adding more service bays to the existing service center, as well as the addition of 275 spaces for additional vehicles, increasing inventory display space by 20 percent.

In addition, a new Berlin City Honda facility will break ground in October in Portland and is slated for completion in fall 2011. The 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art service and sales facility will be three times larger than the existing facility and once complete will add an additional 20 to 30 jobs. Berlin City also plans to remodel its Gorham, N.H. Honda/Nissan/Toyota facility in 2011 to give it a modern and fresh look.

Convenience and Service Drive Success

"We may service small towns in New England, but we offer the conveniences of a big city," continued Malinovskii. "From our four-day/200 miles no questions asked return policy, and our lowest, most competitive price guarantee within four days of purchase, to our door-to-door delivery service, we really try to go above and beyond to make the car buying process easy and convenient for our customers."

Berlin City offers door-to-door delivery throughout New England, which was introduced in 1983 to make car buying even easier for New Englanders. The company employs nearly 75 drivers that make daily deliveries from Maine to New York. Transactions are completed over email and via phone, eliminating the need for a customer to travel far distances to purchase a car. "We deliver more than 40 percent of our inventory anywhere in New England. Our motto, 'over the top care' isn't a sales gimmick, it's just the way we do business," added Malinovskii.

Drive for Education: Supporting the Local Community

New this year, Berlin City plans to roll out a 'Drive for Education' program later this month at all locations. The company will donate a portion of proceeds from every car sale to local schools, at-risk youth and other kid-focused charities, with a goal of raising at least $100,000 annually. Berlin City regularly supports the communities in which it serves, from sponsorships to blood drives to fundraiser car washes.

About Berlin City Auto Group

Berlin City Auto Group consists of six dealerships in New England, located in Gorham, N.H., Burlington, Vt. and Portland, Maine. The company sells Toyota Scion Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Chevy, GMC, Buick, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Kia. Berlin City offers a four-day/200 miles no questions asked return policy and the lowest, most competitive price guarantee within four days/200 miles, door-to-door delivery service throughout New England and pre-owned protection on certified pre-owned vehicles within 60 days or the first 2,000 miles. For more information or a list of locations, please visit www.berlincity.com. You can also find Berlin City on Facebook and Twitter.

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12th Annual Berlin City Open to benefit Camp Sunshine


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Some CR-Z Food For Thought

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Some background information on the ideas behind the design

 

There are a lot of different opinions and ideas flying around the Internet. And when it comes to the introduction of our new CR-Z, things are no different. We wouldn't have it any other way. We expected the CR-Z to generate a healthy debate. And we know there are many of you out there who are as passionate and as opinionated about cars as we are.

That said, the CR-Z is an impressive little car. We're proud of it and very much looking forward to late summer when you'll get a chance to drive it. But, for now, we think the conversation can benefit from some information we're in a position to provide.

The MPG Conundrum

When we first set out to design the CR-Z, we demanded it be a hybrid. If it was going to be the next-generation coupe, it had to be a hybrid. But our goal was to make it a hybrid that's more fun.

The mileage numbers we released-an estimated 36 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway-are projections of the future EPA mileage estimates. The CR-Z has three driving modes: Sport, Normal and ECON?. Our numbers were achieved with the CR-Z in Normal Mode. Which is the default mode and will be how the EPA tests the car. Driving the CR-Z in ECON mode typically delivers the best fuel economy of the three modes.

Depends on Your Definition of "Sport"

The CR-Z's 1.5-liter i-VTEC® is estimated to generate 122 hp @ 6000 rpm. Which won't set any land speed records. But the point of the CR-Z was never to produce outrageous horsepower numbers. We've always been more interested in squeezing every last ounce of performance we can out of a vehicle.

So if the "sport" in "sport hybrid" isn't about numbers, what is it about? It's about a nimble, responsive drive. Our designers test drove go-karts and Lotuses-not muscle cars. It's about fun-a cornerstone of Honda philosophy. And it's about a feeling behind the wheel-a feeling unfamiliar, until now, to hybrid drivers.

A Heavy Responsibility

Several comments have focused on the CR-Z's perceived hefty curb weight. We think it wears the weight well, but you can judge for yourself when you take it for a test drive.


Heavy is a relative term, but there's a reason it weighs what it does: responsibility.

Honda is a responsible company. And as an auto manufacturer, we have an unwavering focus on the safety of our customers and real desire to meet their expectations.

That's why every CR-Z will have a full complement of airbags, our ACE? body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist? (VSA®)  and a host of other safety features. All standard. We think the little extra weight those features add to the CR-Z is a worthy trade-off.

We also made certain the CR-Z delivers the technology, comfort and environmental leadership you've come to expect from Honda. So the base CR-Z has automatic climate control, remote entry, cruise control, 160-watt stereo with USB, an AT-PZEV rating. The list goes on, cr-z.honda.com/specifications. Each creature comfort tips the scale a bit more-such is the cost of making a car convenient, connected and comfortable.

Then, of course, there's the weight of the battery powering the electric motor. We did develop some unique innovations to shrink the battery size, but it's still larger than a 9-volt.

Possibilities

Why doesn't the CR-Z get higher MPG or more horsepower? Well, at Honda, we believe hybrid technology is at its best when it appeals to a broad swath of society. Here's a technology designed to reduce both fuel costs and environmental impact, so why not make it accessible to as many drivers as possible?

The CR-Z strikes a unique balance and will broaden the appeal of hybrids. It's a hybrid for drivers who enjoy driving and are unwilling to sacrifice handling and exhilaration for mpg and environmental accountability.

The Best is Yet to Come

We know the discussion surrounding the CR-Z is only just warming up. We hope this site will serve as a forum for that discussion. We'll provide as much information as we can to help frame the discussion, so you can form your opinions. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts with more specific responses to the questions many of you have already raised.

The fact that CR-Z's introduction immediately sparked so much debate and passion is encouraging. Especially when you consider most of the Internet has yet to even drive it.

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Honda Announces Pricing for All-new 2010 Accord Crosstour Premium and versatile crossover utility vehicle based on the popular Accord

The all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour is set to debut on November 20 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $29,670, plus a destination and handling charge1 of $710, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The Accord Crosstour combines the sophisticated refinement of a premium sedan with versatile characteristics of an SUV to create an entirely distinct concept within the Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) segment. Leveraging the many benefits of a car-based platform, the Accord Crosstour starts with the top-level refinement of the Accord V-6 Sedan and further expands utility with a sleek-yet-functional profile for increased cargo space.



The Accord Crosstour is designed to fulfill multiple roles for both style and function. A bold and sleek exterior conveys a prestigious presence from the outside, while premium interior styling extends from the passenger compartment into the cargo area. Increased functionality is provided by an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle and reversible cargo floor panels ideal for dirty objects. Cargo area access is further enhanced by a tailgate with a large opening and a low lift-over height.

The Accord Crosstour is available in two model choices, the EX and EX-L. Highlights of standard features on the Accord Crosstour EX include: dual-zone automatic air conditioning with second row ventilation, 360-Watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers, easy fold-down 60-40 split rear seat back, 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/65 R17 all-season tires, hidden removable utility box, cruise control, moonroof, auto up/down driver and front passenger side windows, rear privacy glass, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, compass and outside temperature indicator, projector beam headlights with auto-off, fog lights, chrome door handles, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, and more.

The Accord Crosstour EX-L adds or upgrades: leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, leather steering wheel, leather gear shift knob, auto day/night dimming rearview mirror, 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60 R18 all-season tires, auto on/off headlights, memory driver-side seats, memory side mirrors with reverse tilting capability, cargo privacy cover, HomeLink? transmitter, Kevlar® cone speakers, aluminum dome-type front tweeter speakers and a USB audio interface.

Available features exclusive to the Accord Crosstour EX-L include the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System 3 and Real Time 4WD, available together or separately. The navigation system includes a backup camera with guidance lines integrated into the display.

Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering? (ACE?) body structure, a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Additional safety equipment includes: Vehicle Stability Assist? (VSA®), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, multiple threshold front airbags; and active front seat head restraints.

The Accord Crosstour is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Model Transmission MSRP1 EPA
City/Hwy/Combined2
Accord Crosstour 2WD EX 5-Speed Automatic $29,670 18/27/21
Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L 5-Speed Automatic $32,570 18/27/21
Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L Navi 5-Speed Automatic $34,770 18/27/21
Accord Crosstour 4WD EX-L 5-Speed Automatic $34,020 17/25/20
Accord Crosstour 4WD EX-L Navi 5-Speed Automatic $36,220 17/25/20

Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

1MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $710.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

2Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle. 4WD models achieve city/hwy EPA fuel economy of 17/25 miles per gallon.

3The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System? is available on the Accord Crosstour EX-L model in the United States, except Alaska. Please see the navigation system manual for details.

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The All New 2010 Honda Insight

2010 Honda Insight: In the Press

Honda's Safety Philosophy

Honda is committed to providing safety for everyone ? not only for our own drivers and passengers, but also for other vehicle occupants. The knowledge gained from our studies helps us identify new technologies and ultimately helps provide safer vehicles on roadways for everyone. Learn more.

2010 Insight: Hybrid Evolution

The new Insight draws upon a rich heritage, and by making hybrid technology available to more drivers, this vehicle is a pioneer in its own right.

Stylistically, it bears a family resemblance to the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. The Insight has improved on the design of the original Insight with a roomier 5-passenger cabin. Five-door access and folding rear seats make the Insight perfect for the active lifestyle of most families today.

The new Insight also benefits from improvements to Honda's latest IMA® technology, including reduced size and cost along the way. A new level of affordability and practicality characterizes the 2010 Insight, offering further evidence of Honda's longstanding environmental leadership and our constant emphasis on making life better for our customers, and society as a whole.

 


News and Events

August 19, 2010 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time  Berlin City Auto Group Celebrates 30 Years in New ...
12th Annual Berlin City Open to benefit Camp Sunshine
Some CR-Z Food For Thought   Some background information on the ideas behind the design   There ...
Honda Announces Pricing for All-new 2010 Accord Crosstour Premium and versatile crossover utility vehicle based on the popular Accord
The all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour is set to debut on November 20 with a manufacturer's suggested ...
The All New
2010 Honda Insight